THE GREATEST MYSTERY

By Jerelyn Pearson

 

Who doesn’t enjoy a good mystery? There’s just something satisfying about gathering clues and trying to figure out the solution. The greatest book ever written is also the greatest mystery ever written. Of course, it’s no mystery that I’m referring to the Holy Bible.

There is a mystery in the Bible that was kept secret since the world began. Throughout the scriptures the mystery was veiled in the types and shadows of the ceremonial law. It was hidden in the prophesies of prophets of God who did not themselves understand the end of their prophesies. By the Holy Spirit, God revealed this mystery to Paul.

Let’s begin with Ephesians 3:2-4:

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 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)

Let’s pause here and go to Ephesians 1:9-13 to read what “Paul wrote afore in few words”.

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 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 that holy Spirit of promise,

Now we will continue with Ephesians 3:5-8.

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

The mystery in a nutshell is, “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”

Continuing in Ephesians 3:9-12, Paul explains the fellowship and intent of the mystery according to God’s eternal purpose.

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:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

What is the fellowship of the mystery? That the Gentiles would be brought into the fellowship of the church.

What is the intent of the mystery? That by this revelation the principalities and powers in heavenly places might know the manifold wisdom of God.

We need to note that in Romans 11:25-27, Paul gave a warning to the Gentiles concerning the mystery. This scripture is found at the conclusion of the analogy of the olive branches from our study of Romans.

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.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

In Colossians 1:25-27, Paul explains the “riches of the glory of this mystery” to the Gentiles.

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 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:

1 Timothy 3:16 emphasizes just how great the mystery of godliness is.

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.

This mystery was hidden from generations of Jews and much more from the Gentiles. Even Jesus’ disciples were in the dark before his resurrection and ascension. The mystery was especially kept hidden from those who were in power at the time of the crucifixion.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Just as the mystery was hidden in the scriptures of the prophets, it was also revealed by the scriptures of the prophets. The everlasting God commanded that the mystery be made manifest to all nations for the obedience of faith.

Romans 16:25-27
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,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

We might wonder how the mystery is now manifested by the scriptures of the prophets where it was always hidden. The light needed to see and understand the prophesies was shed by the event of Jesus’ resurrection.

It was shortly after Jesus’ resurrection that he joined the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Let’s look at Luke 24:27-35.

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.*
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Even though Jesus had explained the scriptures concerning himself, they did not understand until he revealed it to them at the breaking of bread

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Jesus chose this time right after his resurrection during a time of great confusion and bewilderment, even doubt, to reveal the Mystery by shedding light on the prophecies. And then he revealed himself to the two of them as the risen Christ!

We too can read and hear the scriptures and explanations of them, but until God through the Holy Spirit reveals them to us, we don’t understand either. Conversely, what we do understand and believe is because it had been revealed to us. Our eyes have been opened to receive understanding and knowledge of the word of God. And he will continue to teach us as long as we seek his guidance by faith in his Son Jesus Christ.

 

* Here is a list of scriptures found in the center reference section next to Luke 24:27:

 

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Presented 2 June 2019 in Pride, Louisiana