Mysteries of the Bible
Text: Colossians 2:1-3
Strong Number 3466, Greek musterion {moos-tay'-ree-on} from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth).
Definition - mystery, used 27 times in the New Testament.
I) hidden thing, secret, mystery; generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals.
1) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding.
2) a hidden purpose or counsel; secret will: of men; of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly.
3) in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense: of an OT saying, of an image or form seen in a vision, of a dream.
The word "myster*" does not appear in the Old Testament. The reason is that the mysteries of God were revealed in those times through symbols administered by the religious exercises in the nation of Israel.
INTRODUCTION
I. Only the saved would have the capacity to spiritually understand the mysteries of Christ.
A. It is not "a given" that all saints (saved people) will understand the mysteries of God.
1. They must be taught about these mysteries.
2. They must also have a desire to learn what these mysteries are. There is no doubt in my mind that some saved will never learn what the mysteries of God are. Some saved will have no desire to learn. Some saved, however, will have the desire and will learn about these mysteries.
B. Text: Col. 2:2, That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
C. Col. 4:3, Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
D. I Tim. 3:9, Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. A deacon must understand and adhere to the mysteries of God. There are those people that are good saved people, but they are unqualified for the office of deacon if they do not understand and adhere to the mysteries of God.
II. The complete knowledge of the mysteries of God includes both facts and love. This could be referred to as "spirit and truth", John 4:24.
A. I Cor. 4:1, Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Paul, like all true ministers today, was responsible for proclaiming the complete mysteries of God. He needed the prayers and understanding of Christians in order to accomplish this most important task.
B. I Cor. 13:2, And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1. A Christian is incomplete with only "intelligence" of the mysteries of God. If there is no love, there is not really a heart understanding of God's mysteries.
2. Paul had a desire to proclaim more than just the facts of the mysteries of God. He wanted to proclaim the love of God that worked behind these mysteries so his listeners would also work in that love to accomplish God's mysteries in their lives.
III. Speaking mysteries in the spirit. (Unknown to those who stand by)
A. I Cor. 14:2, For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
B. There are many Pentecostals who have perverted this verse into something it doesn't mean. Many Baptists have listened to them, and have become confused about the meaning of Holy Spirit filling, Holy Spirit Baptism, and speaking in "tongues".
1. First of all, the word "unknown" is italicized. This means the translators of the King James Bible added this word to make the meaning clearer. Unfortunately, they have confused instead of clarifying. If you will notice, the word "unknown" is italicized each and every time it is used in I Cor. 14. Another fact is that there is no Greek word for the word "unknown" in chapter 14. There is a Greek word for "tongue" which means "ignorance, lack of knowledge". The word tongue means either (1) the tongue as an organ of the body, or (2) the language of a certain people.
2. Pentecostals interpret this verse to mean that a person speaks (audibly) unknown tongues in his spirit to God. In order for those standing by to understanding, there must be an interpreter. This verse doesn't mean that at all. It means that the person who speaks in a foreign language in the presence of those that don't understand that language speaks only to God as they worship Him. They do not speak to those standing by, for they cannot understand what is being said. Those standing by cannot worship God in what is being said.
PART I
THE WHOLE OF GOD'S PLAN FOR MANKIND
I. It is God's will that His people understand His purpose with all peoples of this world, but this will is to be hidden from unbelievers.
A. Matt. 13:11, He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
B. Mark 4:11, And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:
C. Luke 8:10, And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
1. The question has just been asked of Christ, "Why do you speak in parables to this people, for they don't really understand what you are saying, yet you are answering their questions?" This mystery is actually speaking about the entire scope and purpose of God in this world. This includes the gospel mystery, the gentile mystery, and the Satan mystery.
II. Eternal Purpose
A. Eph. 1:9, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
1. It is God's will that men understand what, why and how He is accomplishing His will. As time has passed, more and more of the mystery of God is revealed. I personally believe that Adam understood more of the mystery than we think. He may not have known all the details about the Jews and Gentiles, but he did understand the gospel message, and that God would bring back the paradise he (Adam) lost because of sin.
PART II
THE GOSPEL
I. Gospel
A. I Cor. 2:7, But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
B. Eph. 3:9, And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
C. Eph. 6:19, And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
D. I Tim. 3:16, 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.
II. Resurrection
A. I Cor. 15:51, Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
B. It is a great mystery that there is life after death.
1. Many "experts" are looking into the possibility that life continues in another realm after death. These poor fools won't listen to God's Word, which reveals the truth to them.
2. Many "experts" are also looking into the possibility of life before life. They believe in reincarnation as a way of improving oneself. This idea fits in perfectly with some pagan religions, such as Mormonism, and Jehovah's (False) Witnesses.
PART III
THE GENTILES
I. Mystery of the Gentiles - Rom. 11:25, For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
A. Special dispensations of God to the Gentiles (as compared to Israel)
1. Eph. 3:3,4, How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {4} Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
B. The Gentiles will glorify God through His kind of church, which He organized and empowered during His personal ministry.
1. Eph. 5:32, This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
2. Rev. 1:20, The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. It must be noted that Christ is not on the outside of these churches, but is in their very midst. The Jewish candlestick was in a straight line, but the Gentile candlestick is in a circle, all the churches an equal distance apart, and from Christ, who is their head.
C. Gentiles can enter the kingdom, by joining one of the Lord's local churches.
1. Rom. 16:25, Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
2. Col. 1:26,27, [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: {27} To whom 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:
a. It must be noted here that verses 9-20 speak of the glory of the gospel in saving Gentiles, and adding them to the body of Christ, which is His church. Verses 21-25 tell of Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, of which these Colossians are a part. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is for the gospel of Jesus Christ, but many "churches" today have changed from that basic truth to attempting to meet the everyday needs of those that make up its membership. The gospel is still preached in many of those "churches", but the emphasis is not placed upon the gospel, but upon satisfying the membership, and building a larger following.
b. I think it is very evident that the mystery spoken of in these verses is not the mystery of the gospel. The gospel wasn't kept hidden since the world began, because those people in the Old Testament looked forward, and trusted in, a Saviour who would come and be the final sacrifice their animal sacrifices represented. As has been said many times, the Old Testament saints looked forward to one who would come and die for them, the New Testament saints look backward to one who has already died for them. The mystery spoken of here is how the Gentiles will be grafted into the vine: how Christ will organize his local church, which is His body, and how He will work through that body to the spreading of the gospel to the world.
II. It is very interesting that the Jewish church didn't easily accept the fact that God intended to use them to build a Gentile church.
A. Acts 1:7-8 - Jesus told the Jewish church to wait at Jerusalem until they receive power from on high, then go to Jerusalem, all Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.
B. It is doubtful the apostles fully understood what Jesus meant by this command. The following series of events shows us the apostles were very much like us, understanding little of what is said unless we see it practiced.
C. They didn't seem to have much trouble going to Jerusalem or all Judea, because all these people were Jews.
1. The Jews immediately spoke to those Jews living in Jerusalem and Judah.
2. They didn't have any trouble at all sharing the gospel with their friends and neighbors.
They didn't seem to have much trouble taking the gospel to Samaria because they remembered Jesus talking to the woman at the well, John 4.
Acts 8:5 - Philip, the recently appointed deacon of the church at Jerusalem went to Samaria and preached the gospel.
Some Samaritans were saved, and baptized under the authority of Christ which was present with the church at Jerusalem.
Acts 8:14 declares that the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word.
The apostles sent Peter and John who came, investigated, prayed for the members of the Samaritan church, and laid their hands on them.
5. The Samaritans received the gifts (outward manifestations) of the Holy Spirit when Peter and John laid hands on them.
6. Acts 8:25 proclaims that Peter and John didn't go straight back to Jerusalem, but went into many villages of the Samaritans, preaching the gospel to them.
7. This chain of events shows that the Jewish apostles had no trouble at all accepting the work God was doing the Samaritans.
E. Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a man of Caesarea, a centurion of the bank called the Italian band.
1. This man is a Gentile, not a Jew, not a Samaritan. Peter received a vision from God concerning clean and unclean animals, which showed him that God wanted His gospel taken to the Gentiles.
2. Peter took some other Jews with him and went to Cornelius and preached the gospel.
3. The Gentiles were saved, and received the gifts (outward manifestation) of the Holy Spirit like that which the Jewish church received on the day of Pentecost.
4. I don't know how many Jews went with Peter, but there were some because Acts 10:45 states that those of the circumcision (Jews) were astonished, as many as came with Peter because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
5. Now read Acts 11:1-3. When Peter and the other travelers got back to Jerusalem, they were called "on the carpet" to answer for eating with the uncircumcised men.
6. Acts 11:4-17, Peter tells of the vision of clean and unclean animals, his call to go to Cornelius, and how God gave the Holy Spirit to them as he gave to the Jewish church on the Day of Pentecost.
7. Acts 11:18, "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath god also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
PART IV
SATAN'S KINGDOM
I. The Facts of Satan's Kingdom
A. II Thess. 2:7, For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.
B. Rev. 17:5, And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
C. Rev. 17:7, And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
II. The position of the saved in relationship to Satan's kingdom.
A. I John 2:18,19 - This passage states that the "last time" was taking place during John's day.
1. So we find the "last days" actually began when Jesus was on this earth and continues until He returns for His people.
2. In John's day there were many Antichrists. These will continue to join together until Satan gives His kingdom to the final Antichrist.
3. It is very interesting to note that these many Antichrists leave the place of worship, and go their own way, developing a little bit more of Satan's kingdom.
B. Isaiah 14:12-14 - This is the beginning of Satan's rebellion.
1. His plan is to dethrone God and sit on His throne in the sides of the north.
2. I don't know if Satan will ever sit on God's throne in heaven, but I know that the Antichrist will sit on David's throne in Jerusalem.
C. I Tim. 4:1-3 - Some of God's children will stop obeying Him, go away into wickedness and serve Satan.
1. We must be very careful lest we fall into this category.
2. May God keep us in His power.
D. II Tim. 4:1-4 - These people refuse to endure sound doctrine, which they previously loved.
1. They will turn their hears from the truth and turn to false doctrines.
2. We must be very careful lest we fall into this category.
3. May God keep us in His power.
E. II Peter 2:7,8 - This passage speaks about Lot who is a saved person, yet fails to stay faithful to God, leaving the home of Abraham, going to live in the very wicked city of Sodom, and sitting in their judgment halls.
1. Lot failed to remain true to God.
2. This can also happen to us.
3. May God help us to remain faithful to His love and doctrines.
F. Daniel 7:25 - The part of this passage we want to notice is that Satan's plan is to "wear out the saints of God". He wants to throw enough false doctrine and wicked living toward them that some of it will hit them and spoil them.
III. The position of the lost in relationship to Satan's kingdom.
A. Matt. 13:10-15 - Jesus spoke in parables in order that the unbelieving might see and hear, yet would not believe.
1. If you really want to understand the workings of the Kingdom of God (heaven and Christ) then fully understand the parables.
2. These parables show us that Satan will infiltrate the family of God, the kingdom of God, and the church of God in order to spoil it.
3. He will be unable to fully accomplish his goals because God will keep his family, his kingdom, and his church pure.
B. Matt. 13:24-30 - The parable of the Tares. Jesus explains that the tares are the children of Satan and the wheat are his children. This is very close to saying the "non-elect" are the children of Satan, the tares, and the elect are the wheat, the children of God.
C. Matt. 13:32-32 - The parable of the mustard seed. This passage talks about the permeation of wickedness into the kingdom of God.
D. Matt. 13:33 - the parable of the hidden leaven. This woman is symbolic of Pagan Babylon, who is hiding sin in the doctrines of God so His people will be lead astray.
IV. Matt. 24:24 - Satan will be allowed to do such great miracles that if it were possible, the very elect would be deceived.
A. Don't worry about miracles, wonders and signs.
1. God will allow Satan to do these mighty miracles so he will be able to deceive the nations of the earth into following him.
2. God will allow this because these nations haven't listen to Him, so He turns them over to their own desires.
B. The greatest miracles Satan will perform is fire coming down from heaven.
1. This miracle has always been reserved to God.
2. Revelation 13:13 - This final miracle will be given to Satan to deceive his followers into believing he has defeated God and taken this miracle from Him.
THE END OF THE MYSTERY
Rev. 10:7, But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
I. An exegesis of Rev. 10:7.
A. In the days of the voice of the seventh angel.
1. The voice of the seventh angel is the sounding of the seventh trumpet occurs at the middle of the tribulation period, at the first part of the last 3½ years.
2. It involves all the seven vials and the destruction of the Antichrist kingdom, and the turning over of the kingdoms of this earth to Christ so He can rule 1,000 years on this earth.
3. When this earth is destroyed, He will create a new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
4. At that point, time will end and God will come down to the new earth and make His eternal abode with men.
B. When the mystery of God is finished, there will probably still be some who don't understand. Have you ever read a mystery novel, or watched a mystery on television, and when the program was over, not fully understood what happened? That's probably because there was some point along the way you misunderstood, or perhaps missed completely. It'll probably be like that when the mystery of God is finished.
1. Ephesians 2:7 - Believers will spend all eternity learning about the grace God gave them through Christ Jesus.
2. Those in the Lake of Fire will never be shown the grace of God, they will be in the eternal blindness of everlasting fire.
C. It must be noted that God has revealed His plan to his servants all along. They have not been in the dark.
1. James 2:23 - Abraham was called the friend of God, therefore they communicated freely.
2. John 15:13-15 - Jesus lay down His life for His friends. This speaks of a joint venture, a special closeness between His disciples and Himself. That same relationship exists today between the friends of Christ and Himself.
a. I must emphasis that the closeness of born again church members is not so much because of them, but because they share a common interest with God through Jesus Christ, by means of the Holy Spirit of God.
b. Jesus called his disciples "friends", not "servants". The servant doesn't know exactly what and why the master is doing, but God has revealed to His friends His entire plan, from beginning to end. Jesus told to the disciples everything His Father told to Him.
3. Matt. 26:50 - When Jesus called Judas "friend" when he came to betray Him into the hand of the Pharisees, that word doesn't mean a close ally, it means "a casual partner, or an acquaintance which was standing by".
a. The word "friend" in John 15:13-15 is an entirely different word.
b. It is taken from the Greek word "Philos" (a form of the word "love") and means one is so close to the bridegroom that he is able to speak to the bride for him, rendering him various services in closing the marriage and celebrating the nuptials.
II. What is a servant?
A. A servant, metaphorically, is one who gives himself up to another's will; those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men; devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests
B. A prophet is:
1. II Peter 3:1,2 - Peter desires those reading his writings to be mindful of two things:
a. The (words) writings of the Old Testament prophets. Their writings are found in the Old Testament. If any of that man's prophecies didn't come to pass, that man was not a prophet, but if all his prophecies came to pass, he was considered a prophet.
b. The commandment (words and writings) of the apostles of the Lord and Saviour. In Acts 1:20-22, an apostle is defined as fulfilling two qualifications: (1) He has accompanied the other apostles during the personal ministry of Christ and is therefore accepted of those apostles and of Christ Himself. I haven't accompanied the other apostles while they traveled with Jesus during His personal ministry, therefore I am disqualified from being an apostle. (2) He was baptized by John the Baptist. I have been baptized with the king of baptism John baptized with, but John the Baptist didn't baptize me, therefore I can't be an apostle.
c. We can understand from this verse that the only way we can learn about the mystery of God is to study the written word, which is the revealed will of God on this earth.
2. one who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation.
a. the O. T. prophets, having foretold the kingdom, deeds and death, of Jesus the Messiah.
b. John the Baptist, the herald of Jesus the Messiah, is the link between the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles. Personally, I classify John as a New Testament prophet.
c. of men filled with the Spirit of God, who by God's authority and command in words of weight pleads the cause of God and urges salvation of men.