Looking into a Strongs Concordance for the word, 'mystery' will
show several references in the OT.
I will specifically focus on the mysteries mentioned in the epistles
and Revelation.
I will quote the verses then ask if anyone notices what the commonality
is, other than the obvious answer which is Jesus Christ.
Here they are:
"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." (1 Timothy 3:16)
This is the foundational mystery, which is Jesus Christ our Lord
who was God manifest in the flesh. (John 1;Titus 2;Hebrews 1;Philippians 2;Acts 20:28)
'Whenever God and man meet, there is a mystery.' (Jesus Christ
the God Man)
All other mysteries are based on him. (Colossians 1:15-17)
There are other aspects of this mystery mentioned here.
Do you know what they are?
Here are some of the other related mysteries.
"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall
be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be ONE flesh. 32 This is a GREAT MYSTERY: but I speak concerning CHRIST AND THE
CHURCH." (Ephesians 5)
"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.." (Ephesians 1)
This might be the secret/mystery of the good news rather than the
good news of the secret, but this secret shares something with the other mysteries, which if not understood explains much
of the confusion in the body of Christ today.
"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: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" (Colossians 1)
It is because of the ultimate mystery and his death that the related
mysteries are possible. (Ephesians 2:14-17). The Body of Christ makes the body of Christ (Jew and Gentile) possible.
The assembly of the gospel accounts was not the body of Christ,
because it was really about only the Jews.
However, there is some misunderstandings that must be addressed
before the resultant mysteries take effect.
Israel...All men would have to be on the same level for the mysteries
to come to pass. (Romans 11:32;Acts 13:46-14:1;Romans 1-3;1 Thess. 2:5)
A) The Self Righteousness of Israel needs to be addressed. (Romans
10)
B) The Unbelief of Israel (Romans 11:32; Acts 7; The Death of Christ)
Even the blindness of Israel is called a mystery. (Romans 11:25-27)
Biblical Oneness must 'conclude all in unbelief so that God may
have mercy on all.' (Romans 11:32)
It also must be established that 'by the works of the law' no one
will be justified.
So baptism, sacraments etc cannot make one reconciled to God and
others.
Catholics and others still don't get this.
So the GOOD NEWS OF THE SECRET is Jesus Christ to all, Jew and
Gentile by faith not works. This is why the gospel's purpose was to point out the limitations of the Jew.
'A Man's gotta know his limitations'
The SECRET OF THE GOOD NEWS is that it is by the death of Christ
that we all will be justified through faith alone. Even in the suffering servant passage, it says, 'Who hath believed our
report' (Isaiah 53)
This was not revealed in the OT or even in the gospel accounts.
(Colossians 1)
Even now messianic Jews still don't get this. (Ephesians 2:14-17)
The gospels and the early part of Acts used the cross as condemnation,
not salvation. (Acts 2;1 Thess. 2:5)
Those that don't understand the ultimate mystery will not understand
the relation between the Jew and Gentile, the relation and distinctions between Israel and the church, even the relation of
faith and works.
Even the rapture/resurrection is called a mystery. (1 Thess. 4:16,17;1
Corinthians 15)
All the mysteries are being revealed during the time of the blindness
of Israel. This is why the rapture is not a subject of prophecy or related to Israel but is related to the mysteries and the
body of Christ, that are not dependent on prior signs and OT predictions.
Understanding the ultimate mysteries/unions help us to understand
other relationships, not only the connection but the distinctions in those relationships.
In the next post I will bring out the unholy mysteries which also
represent a union, but an unholy union, that is if I don't have more to say about the holy unions.
BJ Max
