Is it a secret? Something that we can’t know or find out? Well you might think so with so many people seemingly unaware of what the mystery is, or that the Word of God even proclaims it. They go about questioning and wondering what God is doing today, believing men and traditions of men, instead of going to God’s Word and studying it to actually see what it has to say. II Tim 2:15 says to ‘Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.’ Unless we study God’s Word and divide it rightly, we will be ashamed before God. So let’s study.
Well what does the word ‘mystery’ mean? In the Apostle Paul’s epistles we read the following: Romans 16:25-26 says that the mystery was ‘kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest…’ Ephesians 3:3-5 states that the mystery is that ‘which was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit.’ And Colossians 1:26 states ‘Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:’. We see that the mystery was a secret, but now it is revealed, it is now made manifest. So the mystery is now revealed. A question that should be asked is when did now begin? Notice a big difference in Acts 3:19-24 where it says that the day of Pentecost and the hope that Peter and the others were speaking about was ‘spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets since the world began,’ prophets like Moses, Joel, David, Isaiah, and even Jesus Christ as he walked on this Earth. The mystery is revelation of information that was kept secret since the world began, a big difference, an incredibly significant difference. What does this mean then? The implication is that the Apostle Paul is speaking of something that Peter and the eleven never knew about. This is affirmed in Galations 1:10 – 2:9 where the Apostle Paul affirms that he received the message that he is teaching directly from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ and no man. It goes on to say that when Paul shared his ministry with the 12 that he added unto their knowledge, but they not to him, indicating that what he was teaching was different and new, a mystery, now revealed. Hence, the Apostle Paul revealed truth that had been kept secret since the word began, but is now made manifest. For example, Titus 1:2-3 says that eternal life was promised before the world began, but was revealed when the time was right (by Paul).
You see, in the Word of God there are two major divisions: that which has been revealed since the world began – prophecy; and that which has been kept secret since the world began but now is revealed (by the Apostle Paul) – mystery. We will see that these two major divisions also are divisions of purpose and plan as well.
Since the mystery is now revealed, what is it about? Is it important? Let’s see. First, there are five major aspects of THE MYSTERY, ie, 5 mysteries that are revealed in Paul’s epistles. We find them announced in Ephesians 3:3-6, Romans 11:25-27, I Corinthians 15:51-53, I Timothy 3:16 and II Thessalonians 2:7. Failure to understand these mysteries (remember these were a secret, but now they are revealed) is the primary reason there is such confusion in the Church at large. Notice I Corinthians 2:7-9. This mystery is so important, so vital, and of such impact, that if the princes of this world would have know about it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ. God had to keep it secret or the very means of your salvation would not have occurred, you would be still in your sins on an unstoppable, inescapable path to Hell and the Lake of Fire.
Well lets look at these mysteries (now revealed). First examine Ephesians 3:3-6. We see that the Gentiles are fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel. This is the Church, the Body of Christ, it is a mystery – kept secret but now revealed, not by Peter, not by John, but by the Apostle Paul. Examine the following verses: I Cor 12:12,13, Ephesians 4:15,.16, Colossians 1:14-19, Eph 1:22,23. The Church the Body of Christ is central to the mystery. Both Jews and Gentiles, fellowheirs in the body. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. Both are partakers of his promise (Titus 1:2). The Body is a unique organism, a new entity. This is radically new! Before the “now” period, this time in which we live (God calls it a dispensation in His Word), God dealt exclusively with Israel. They were His chosen people. Ephesians 2:11,12 sums it up – Gentiles were outside the covenants of promise, without Christ and without any hope whatsoever. Even Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry was not sent to Gentiles but to Israel only (Matthew 10:5,6, Matthew 15:21-28). Even Christ did not speak of THE Mystery, but was here to fulfill the law. The Apostle Paul reveals what the ascended Christ taught him through revelation when the time was right, a secret purpose, the mystery. Ephesians 4:13-19 says there is one new man, the body, a unique organism with a new purpose, made up of both Jews and Gentiles.
Christ came to Israel, the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost – each of these is not part of the mystery since it was revealed from the mouth of the prophets like Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekial to name a few. Peter says that all the holy prophets spoke of the times of refreshing when Christ would set up His Kingdom on Earth, but this is not mystery. It wasn’t kept secret. The Body however was a secret, a mystery now revealed. Well, when did it begin, ie, when did the ‘now’ time begin. The second aspect of the mystery speaks to this. Romans 11:25 states that Israel, as a nation, has been blinded in part until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. God has set aside Israel as a nation, as His chosen people. The Apostle Paul is the revealer of this mystery, so the beginning of this ‘now’ time occurs with him. So what does this mean. First, the ‘now’ period, this dispensation of Grace as it is called in Ephesians 3:1, is not an extension of or broadening of God’s dealings with Israel but something completely different and new. Israel is blinded until this mystery purpose is accomplished, then as Romans 11:26,27 states, the Lord will complete the promises that He has made to His covenant people, His prophesized program. He will roar out of Sion and deliver His people, the nation of Israel. Second, this means that taking promises made specifically to Israel as those found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which are not to us today, is foolish and wrong. They relate to a prophesized earthly purpose and not to us who are partakers of a secret purpose given to the Apostle Paul, a purpose that is heavenly in nature.
Romans 11:25 indicates that Israel is blinded only for a period of time, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. That implies that this time we are in now, this mystery program will have an end on this Earth. This is the third aspect of the mystery. I Cor 15:51-53 speaks to this. It says that we will not all face death, but we shall all be changed, in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. What is this? Compare I Thessalonians 4:13-18, II Corinthians 5:1-8, Philippians 3:20,21 and Titus 2:13. This is the Blessed Hope, the rapture as it is termed, when Christ will come and catch us away and take us home. We will each receive a new glorified body able and apt to carry out God’s purpose in heavenly places. It is the resurrection of all those members of the Body that have previously died in Christ and then transformation of all those alive in Christ when the Lord Jesus Christ Himself comes and gets His own. Paul says that this is a mystery, a secret that is now revealed. Hence, this is not the second coming of Christ as that event marks the end of the Day of the Lord and is a prophesized event spoken of by all the holy prophets as well as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Jesus Christ in His earthly ministry. Since what Paul is talking about is a mystery, it was kept secret, so hence must be different than what is revealed in the Old Testament and in the gospels, i.e., Matthew 24 is not the rapture. In addition, the Book of Revelation can not be for the Body of Christ since it focuses on the completion of prophecy: the day of the Lord, the millennium and the new Heaven and Earth.
So, the mystery consists of the truth of the Body of Christ, that it is made up of both Jew and Gentiles, and there is no difference today. Israel as a Nation has been set aside until God completes His mystery program, described as the dispensation of the Grace of God in Ephesians 3:1,2. This dispensation will end with the catching up, the calling out of the Body of Christ, the rapture. ‘The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch angel and the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.’
So what are the other two aspects of the mystery and what do they deal with. The fourth and fifth mysteries deal with the present, the reality of being a member of the Body of Christ in this present evil world. I Timothy 3:16 states ‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.’ Some will say that this refers to the Jesus Christ when he walked and talked on this earth over 1900 years ago. However, the Word of God says this mystery
of godliness is great and in addition it is without controversy ‘great.’ No one can dispute it. However, Christ’s earthly ministry was no mystery at all. It was revealed from the foundation of the world by all the holy prophets. Read Luke 24:44,45. In addition, how would Christ be justified in any way, He is the perfect Son of God, as Isaiah 9:6 says: He is called ‘Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.’ So what is this mystery which is without controversy ‘great.’ Well, it is hidden truth about this day, but it is now revealed. God was manifest in the flesh. This is truth about the Body of Christ through which God manifests himself. Note Colossians 1:27 which says : … God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Read Galatians 2:20, I Corinthians 6:19,20, Ephesians 4:6. You see God is not manifested in temples of stone or wood, but has taken up residence in each believer and the body as a whole. What an amazing truth, what an awesome God.
God was justified in the Spirit. What does that mean? Look at I Corinthians 5:21. We are made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. God is justified in doing this based upon what Romans 3:25,26 reveals. Christ paid for the sins of all mankind on the basis of the fully satisfying sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and His shed blood. ‘He is just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.’
God was seen of angels. How does this relate to the Body? Note Ephesians 3:10 and Ephesians 6:10-12. What do these verses say? Right now, today, heavenly beings, angels, are learning about God’s wisdom through the activities of the Body of Christ. They are watching and learning who God is through watching Him operate in believers and the Body at large. In addition, Ephesians 6 shows us that fallen angels are also watching and battling God’s people as He works in believers and the Body.
God was preached unto the Gentiles. Wow, this is central to the mystery as well. Today, there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. Before God revealed the mystery through the Apostle Paul this was not the case. Note Ephesians 2: 11-19. Gentiles ‘were without Christ, beings aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.’ And in verse 17, ‘and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.’ Paul says in Romans 11:13 that he is the ‘Apostle of the Gentiles.’ Today there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. According to Romans 11:25, God has blinded Israel as a nation during this present age, the dispensation of Grace and its dealing with individuals, each capable of receiving Christ Jesus as their Personnel Saviour.
God was believed on in the World. As Ephesians 1:13,14 states, ‘In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Countless millions have come to Christ, both Jew and Gentile since Apostle Paul revealed the mystery, that Christ died for our sins, both Jews and Gentiles, shed His blood for our redemption, and has provided salvation, full and free. Ephesians 2:8,9 states that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” In Romans 4:5, God’s Word exclaims, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” What can we say, but what scripture says in II Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”
Received up into glory. What a blessed truth for those in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 exclaims the glorious truth “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” We shall spend eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ, changed into what we ought to be. Philippians 3:20, 21 states that “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
Did you notice that these phrases are in the past tense, “….God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” Romans 4:17 hints at why. God “… calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Since we are in Christ, God sees us in Him and He sees us as we will be. For example, Romans 8:30 states, that we are called, justified and glorified. Ephesians 2:6 says that we are raised up together and already seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. What glorious truths! What security, what blessedness! How thankful should we be, since the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is our security, the one who justified us.
The fifth aspect of the mystery described by the Apostle Paul, as revealed to him by the Lord Jesus Christ, is the mystery of iniquity. In II Thessalonians 2:3-10 we see the Apostle Paul talking about the antichrist and Satan that will indwell him. After comforting the believers by relating that we, as members of the Body, will not go through the tribulation, he states that we know something. Verse 6 says that we know what withholdeth that he (antichrist) might be revealed in his time. I.E., we know what is holding back Satan from carrying out his plan. Verse 7 then explains that “the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then that Wicked shall be revealed…” Well, antichrist and iniquity are no mystery, prophetic scriptures have revealed much about these. So what is the mystery of iniquity. Well first, it is working now and second he, a person, is hindering (letteth), holding back Satan from doing his plans, until he is taken out of the way. In relation to what the Apostle Paul has revealed about the mystery, the “he” is the person of the Holy Spirit who has taken up residence in members of the Body of Christ, us, believers. At the end of this dispensation of Grace, the Body of Christ will be caught up, for the Lord Himself will come get us. And when the Body is “raptured” out, then also God the Holy Spirit, the one who is holding back Satan from advancing his plans, also will be taken out of the way. And then Satan will be unchecked and the tribulation, Jacobs trouble, the Day of the Lord will commence in short order. The prophetic program will begin again in full force. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and Ephesians 3:10. You will see that the battle today is a spiritual battle and one that is occurring right now in heavenly places. Once we are caught up and God the Holy Spirit is with us, nothing on Earth is present to hold back Satan’s advances.
There is more, so much more, but these are the five major aspects of the mystery. So what is the Mystery? It is the truth for the day in which we live. It is not a secret. In fact Romans 16:25,26 states that only through the gospel Paul preached (which he received from the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ) and understanding the mystery can an individual become established. Colossians 2:6,7 states, “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Otherwise as Ephesians 4:14 states, “that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive:” Once one understands the mystery, you will no longer go about questioning and wondering what God is doing today, trusting men and traditions of men. See for yourself, study His Word. See what is has to say. Be like the noble Bereans (Acts 17:11) who received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so. II Tim 2:15 says to ‘Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Unless we study God’s Word and divide it rightly, we will be ashamed before God. Go ahead and compare the scriptures.
By John Harris, Bible teacher