Mystery
Mystery
A mystery is something that is hidden, un-known, and which must be shown to, revealed to us by another.
The bible speaks of the following mysteries:
1) The mystery of the kingdom: Mat 13:11, Mrk 4:11, Luk 8:11
2) The mystery of Jesus Christ: Rom 16:25, Eph 3:4, Col 4:3
3) The mystery of the wisdom of God: 1Co 2:7
4) The mystery of the resurrection: 1Co 15:51
5) The mystery of the Church: Eph 5:32
6) The mystery of the gospel: Eph 6:19
7) The mystery of Christ in us: Col 1:27
8) The mystery of God, father and son: Col 2:2
9) The mystery of God revealed in the flesh: 1Ti 3:16
10) The mystery of God’s plan: Rev 10:7
The bible says that in the past these things were hidden by God, but now they are revealed to us in the gospel.
“Jesus said all these things to the crowds in parables. And without a parable He did not speak to them, to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will say things which have been kept secret since the foundation of the world.” At 13:34-35
“Now to Him who has power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret for long ages past, but now is revealed by the prophetic Scriptures according to the commandment of the everlasting God” Rom 16:25-26
These things were so well hidden, that the prophets spoke about God’s plan, but did not understand it, and even the angels, who knew God had a plan to save people, did not know how he was going to do it.
“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that should come to you have inquired and searched diligently, seeking the events and time the Spirit of Christ, who was within them, signified when He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, concerning the things which are now reported to you by those who have preached the gospel to you through the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven; things into which the angels desire to look.” 1Pt 1:10-12
They knew there was a lamb’s book of life, in which were written the names of those whom God had elected to save, but how God would do it, they did not know. They searched, they inquired among themselves, but they could not figure it out! The devil too, being a fallen angel, knew the same things, but he too, could not figure it out.
Then when the devil sees Gabriel make his announcement to Mary, and the subsequent birth of Jesus, he realized what was going to happen, and seeks to kill Jesus when he is a baby. Failing there, he seeks to de-rail him by way of temptation, and continued to use every means possible to defeat Jesus.
Yes, this is a battle of cosmic proportions, as Paul says in Eph 6:12, “For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” They heard the topic talked about in heaven, they heard the prophets, inspired by the holy spirit announce it, they could read the words in the Old Testament, but they did not understand the plan of God, it was a mystery.
Let us learn that even though God wants to be found, and is continually saying to us “Come!”, yet he has hidden truth, and he wants us to search for it. Mysteries must be sought out!
If we search for truth, we will find it. God wants us to find him, and so, as we search for him, he will reveal himself to us.
“The disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered them, “It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom … blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them.”
Mat 13:10-11; 16-17
“He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb 11:6
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened. What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Mat 7:7-11
And what better gift, what better reward is there than knowledge of God, the gospel, and salvation!
“You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart.”
Jer 29:13
JI Packer has a great little booklet titled “The Plan of God”.
https://www.amazon.com/plan-God-Church-ministry-pamphlets/dp/B0006YT9MU
So what mystery are we talking about?
In a nutshell, it is that God became man, died for us, lives in us, has prepared a kingdom for us, and will resurrect us to live with him forever in that kingdom.
This is the Christian gospel; believe it and live!