This article is indeed a popular demand – For it is the prevalent aspirations of men and women over many generations and across the nations of men. Puzzles are exciting and entertaining; but when not solved, they could become the thorns in the flesh and very stretching. I cannot forget the experience of the Philistines in the days of Samson, when they were given a puzzle to solve and they were supposed to pay if they refuse or fail to solve the puzzle. Although, the Philistines, in fear of the attendant pains they would experience for failing to solve the puzzle, went ahead to get the answer through some mischievous means. Nevertheless, they still paid for not knowing the answer to the given puzzle. Hence, puzzles, no matter the atmosphere or the source of their origin, ignorance of their answers have always been with huge personal and corporate prices.
Nothing really comes from nowhere; hence, even puzzles have their purpose – that is, puzzles are usually setup purposefully and not accidentally. Moreover, when anyone or a people become ignorant of the purpose of anything (including puzzles); such a person or people have a huge tendency to abuse (misuse, fail or disregard) such things (including puzzles).
Before we look further at puzzles and their purpose, we must first rediscover or discover (as the case may be) the kingdom, where puzzles seems to be the way of life of its people:
According to the book of Genesis 1:1, God created (founded) the heavens and the earth; and further in the same chapter, it becomes clear that the heavens and the earth were not just objects or thing; and were not people or spirits. Rather, they were domains, realms, or spheres, which we could also call places or territories. God started with the heavens first and then, moved on to create the domain called Earth.
God, being the Founder of the heavens and the earth, became the LORD God of heavens and the earth – that is, He became the sole Owner of the territories; and as the LORD God of the territories, he was also the King over His creations. Subsequently, He filled the heavens with their hosts – ministering spirits (angels); and filled the earth with plants, animals, land (with beasts, sea (with living creatures) and then, men. Meanwhile, while the earth is a territory on it own; it also has different kingdoms within it, as setup by its inhabitants; and so, we have the Animal Kingdom, Plant Kingdom, kingdoms of men, kingdom of darkness, etc. But as structured and numerous these kingdoms are, we would not learn from them; rather, we shall learn from the First and the Perfect Kingdom ever – the Kingdom of Heaven!
“Thus says the LORD:
“Heaven is My throne,
And the earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?”
Isaiah 66:1
In the Scriptures above, God asked some salient questions; but began with an eye-opener – “Heaven is My throne..” Among other things, it becomes clear that the LORD is not just God; but He is King, with a throne. And we must never forget that a king is only a king, if he has among others, a throne, a territory and a subject. Thus, since the LORD is a King and He has a throne – Heaven; then, He must at least have a territory and a people.
“The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.”
Psalms 24:1
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men.”
Psalms 115:16
Hence, God is the LORD and the King of the heavens and the earth; and that suggests that the inhabitants of heavens and earth are the subjects (better still, sons) of the LORD and He is their (better still), our King. But since His throne is in heaven, His government, His reign, His supremacy, His dominion is then dubbed – the Kingdom of heaven! However, the influence of His Kingdom is not limited to heaven – even as the influence of the Queen of England is not limited to London or Britain. Therefore, the LORD’s governmental influence (dominion), which begins from heaven; reaches far, wide and deep to the entire earth and under the earth – reaching the abyss! And irrespective of the locations of the inhabitants of the earth, the influence (authority and power) of the government of heaven reaches them.
But according to the book of Psalms 115:16; although, the LORD owns the earth, He has given its rulership, dominion or management to the children of men – thus, making them lords on the earth. However, He remains the LORD of lords and the King of kings; hence, His word, principle and power rules in the affairs of men. No wonder, in Revelations 1:5, the Scriptures calls Him “the ruler over the kings of the earth” And that implies that the kings of the earth only speak in His behalf, decrees justice in His behalf and reign in His behalf.
“Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.
He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raise up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
Daniel 2:20:21
“Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret (puzzle).”
Daniel 2:46-47
Therefore, while Jesus was teaching His disciples how to pray, He said: “Our Father (King) in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.(Matthew 6:9-10). Did you see that? The grand plan of the Father (LORD and King) is to see to it that the earth becomes like the heaven – to make the earth reflect the home Kingdom – heaven, which is the throne of God (the King of kings, LORD of lords and God of gods).
The question then is, how would He ever achieve such (grand) plan? He intends to do it through His sons – who are lords and kings on the earth – You and I. but being God, the Almighty; He speaks in high languages, which appears difficult for the people of the earth to understand; hence, they call His words – puzzles!
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”
Proverbs 25:2
One thing that I am so sure of is this: although, many people call themselves kings – having been made by Jesus Christ – as it is written in Revelations 5:10; but how much of the matters of life and godliness do they search out passionately: For as God derives joy in producing puzzles for His kingdom growth, development and empowerment; His kings are equally joyfully committed to providing (better still, sourcing for) answers to those puzzles.
According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, a puzzle is something that is difficult to understand or explain; and the other word for puzzle is mystery.
“And the disciples came and said to Him,
“Why do You speak to them in parables?”
He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries (puzzles) of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”
Matthew 13:10-11
Do you see that? Although, Jesus spoke in parables to all the people, He explained His puzzles to His own followers – disciples – mentees. If you may ask, why this discrimination? Then, I will speak boldlythat while God delights in speaking puzzles; kings delight in searching out the answers of every spoken puzzle of God. How do I mean? After Jesus had spoken puzzles (parables) to all; the people (crowd) went to their home – to merry and rest; but the disciples (kings) came to Jesus to search out the MATTER.
Friends, could I say that your current sufferings and pains (even regrets) are likely to be on matters where you have refused or failed to search out their answers from God – remember, only that guarantees your kingship (dominion) on the earth.
And so, whenever you read the word of God, never doubt the its truth and its power – why?
“Search from the book of the LORD (King of heaven), and read:
Not one of these shall fail (very potent);
Not one shall lack her mate (very true).
For My (King’s) mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.”
Isaiah 34:16
Friends, when the folks out there open the Bible (which is actually the spoken and written puzzles of the LORD God, for the liberation, preparation, edification, mentorship and enthronement of the kings of the earth); they tell themselves, ‘here we go again!’. But do you know why they appear so frustrated before God’s word? Simple! The devil has blinded their minds – note please, not their eyes, but their minds. And so, instead of asking God to quicken their minds by the Holy Spirit, so that they can comprehend (understand) the Scriptures and get the needed answers to pressing puzzles of life from the solved (uncovered or unveiled) puzzles of God’s Kingdom; they will rather read the Bible like another boring novel and close it up, only to read it again on Sunday behind the pews! Friends, no one can rule his world this way: For only the man whom God had revealed His words (puzzles) to, can ever be revealed by God to his waiting world!
Remember, just as in the days of Samson, when ignorance of puzzles attracted great prices; even now, no ignorance of the answers to the puzzles of the Kingdom of heaven can go unpunished – even if it is only a marital failure or academic failure or business failure or ministry failure; he or she would surely pay for his or her ignorance. Just as they normally say, if you THINK that good EDUCATION is too expensive; then, try IGNORANCE of a lifetime.
The Kingdom of heaven is indeed the Kingdom of puzzles, produced and administered by the King Himself; and so, if you CLAIM to a citizen of the Kingdom, and if you even CLAIM to be a representative of the Kingdom on the earth – under God (the LORD); then, you MUST put off your old mindset about God’s word, and sit quietly at the Master’s feet like Mary to LEARN. Remember, no man gets commendations from God in SERVICE, if he or she has neglected the unfolding side of the word of God – even as Martha did not get it. So, sit up to LEARN, to be TRANSFORMED and to IMPACT the world for God!
Jesus is the LORD of lords and the King of kings – He is my own Master, what about you?
