Mystery

We are interested in the mysteries spoken of in the Word of God. They are the truths and Kingdom concepts hidden in the Scriptures. The Greek word for "mystery" is mysterion; it means "a thing hidden, a religious secret, or that which is not obvious to the understanding." It occurs 22 times in the King James Bible. We will not look at every passage of Scripture where it is found, but we will examine enough to sharpen our desires for the Word of God.

God's Word is not laid bare for just anyone. His Word is for those who are hungering after Him, and it is the hunger for Him that will begin uncovering the veil over the Word of God.

We will begin with a portion of Scripture in John chapter seven. Here we will see Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles in the midst of a multitude, yet hidden. As such, He is an example of a mystery.

John 7:2-10, 14 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brethren therefore said to Him, Depart, and go into Judea, that Your disciples may see the works that You do.
4 For there is no one that does anything in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.
5 For neither did His brethren believe on Him.
6 Then said Jesus to them, My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready.
7 The world cannot hate you; but Me it hates, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8 You go up to this feast: I go not up yet to this feast; for My time is not yet full come.
9 When He had said these words to them, He abode still in Galilee.
10 But when His brethren were gone up, then He went up also to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.

Jesus represents a mystery. He was there at the Feast, but as it were in secret. In such a way, Christ is hidden in the Scriptures. He is there but unseen until the covering is removed. Once the cover is removed He can teach us the mysteries of Him and His Kingdom. Now let's look at a few passages of Scripture where the word “mystery” is found.

Mystery of the Kingdom of God

Mark 4:10-13 And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable.
11 And He said to them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God; but to them that are without, all these things are done in parables.
12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins be forgiven them.
13 And He said to them, Know you not this parable? How then will you know all parables?

Jesus had just finished telling the people about the parable of the Sower. Now He tells His disciples that it is given for them to know the mystery of the parable, but to others outside the realm of discipleship it is not given.

The term "Kingdom of God" has become a buzzword. It is commonly applied to practically every church. It is tossed around without much understanding of it. Jesus plainly tells us that the Kingdom of God is a mystery. It is covered and hidden from the majority of the Christian world. Just because Christians are constantly speaking of it does not mean they are disciples in the Kingdom of God. There are many churches labeled Kingdom churches, but there are not many that are really Kingdom churches.

Mystery of the Wisdom of God

I Corinthians 2:1-7 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Paul makes it quite plain that his ministry was not a result of man's wisdom. Verse three was the key to his dynamic ministry. By remaining weak in himself, God could come through in power.

I Corinthians 2:6-7 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our glory.

The Greek word for "perfect" is teleios, which means "brought to an end" or "finished." In other words, mature spiritual believers. Paul spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery. It was a hidden wisdom ordained of God before the world for the glory of those who had become God's finished product, and Paul ministered that wisdom in fear, weakness, and much trembling. God does a perfect work through the weakness of man, through imperfect channels.

The Mystery hidden from the Time Line of History

Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.

Ages and generations are on a time line. So, when it says that the mystery is hidden from ages and generations, it means that it is hidden from history. The moment you begin interpreting Scripture historically you miss the mystery He wants to be manifested to His saints. History can be found in the Scriptures, but the history does not reveal the mystery. The history covers; it hides the mystery.

The Mystery is Christ in you

Colossians 1:27 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.

This mystery seems to be very difficult for many Christians to understand. The mystery in the Scriptures is to reveal Christ in you; that is the hope of glory. It is not Christ in the sky, neither is it Christ in the future. Christ in you the hope of glory must be a present reality.

The Mystery of the Faith

I Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

Notice that it does not say "the mystery of faith," but "the mystery of the faith." "The faith" speaks of a particular faith, not just any.

In Mark 11:22 the King James translation reads Jesus saying "have faith in God," but that is erroneous. The true translation from the Greek is "have the faith of God!" The King James translators obviously thought it was a bit much for a person to have the faith of God. However, the Apostle Paul didn't think so. Listen to what he said: I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20.

Believe for God to give you His faith. Now Romans 12:3 says that "God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." So it can be said that that is God's faith because it came from Him. But because it is described as a measure of faith it is limited faith. The faith of God is not limited, so we accept what Jesus said: "Have the faith of God."

The Fellowship of the Mystery

Ephesians 3:7-8 I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to 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.

This is most important to grasp. To the Corinthian church Paul said he ministered in weakness, fear, and much trembling. To the church in Ephesus he speaks of himself as the least of all saints. The Lord will not work through pride and arrogance. Paul was ministering the unsearchable riches of Christ, which could only come through one who is lowly and humble.

Ephesians 3:9-11 To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is a "fellowship of the mystery." The first mystery we saw was the "mystery of the Kingdom of God." Next was the "mystery of the wisdom of God." There is also the "mystery of His will" (Ephesians 1:9), the "mystery of Christ in you" (Colossians 1:27), the "mystery of God and Christ" (Colossians 2:2; 4:3), the "mystery of faith" (I Timothy 3:9), and the "mystery of godliness" (I Timothy 3:16). It is given for each of us to have a fellowship with these mysteries. You can do it! Keep advancing in God!