THE GREAT Mystery
Something ‘confided to the initiated ones’ MYSTERY...”; and 2:8, “Which none of the By Steve Nelson princes of this world knew: for had they known People believe many different things it, they would not have crucified the Lord of in the Bible. For example, some Christians glory.” believe that upon death, they immediately go When was the mystery revealed and to heaven to be with Jesus. Others believe that how? It was revealed AFTER Jesus saved us, a saved person is asleep, unconscious, awaiting once it was too late for Satan to stop it from the return of Jesus, and along with others will happening. Although the mystery was in aponly be made alive at that time in the future. plication starting on the day of Pentecost in 28 And another example, some Christians AD, it was not fully known until Paul received believe that a word not used in the Bible, the the detailed content of the seven church “Trinity,” defines our God as a three in one being. Others believe that Jesus is exclusively the epistles from God, from 52 AD – 63 AD. It Son of God, a man seated at God’s right hand, was revealed to us via these writings, inspired a human who is subordinate to the Creator, of God, verbatim. God the Father. Romans 16:25-26, “...according to the The only way to sort through these doctrines Steve Nelson revelation of the MYSTERY, which was kept is to see what the scripture says, not merely secret since the world began, but now is made what we think it says or have been told it says. Wouldn’t you manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets...” This is the like to know these things with confidence for yourself, instead final thought of the entire book of Romans, the foundation of relying on tradition and what the “majority” assumes is epistle addressed to our Age of Grace. It must be important! true? Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us the MYSFor our topic in this article, we will be looking at an imTERY of his will...” God made known the mystery to “us,” portant subject in the New Testament, “mystery” (Greek = those people to whom the letter of Ephesians is addressed to, musterion) and specifically the greatest of all mysteries, the “the faithful in Christ Jesus.” one called “great” in 1 Timothy 3:16. This mystery does not Exactly what is the mystery and how does it aprefer to the Trinity, nor does it refer to entering heaven. Our ply to us? Colossians 1:26-27, “...the glory of this MYSonly way to know is to look at what the Bible says! TERY among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope As used in the Bible, what does the word “mysof glory.” What’s more powerful than one Jesus Christ on tery” really mean? Modern English defines this word earth, walking with the power of God? How about millions as “something that is not fully understood, something that of people on earth with the same power of God! Jesus had to baffles us.” This is NOT the meaning of the word in the leave for this to become available for us. Getting “Christ in Bible. One definition of the Greek word musterion: “someyou” is a figure of speech referencing the power of Christ, the thing hidden from the ungodly and wicked and ordinary mor- anointed one, which literally comes to each of us as a gift of tals, but plain to the godly, something confided to the initiated spirit from God. ones, and no longer hidden once it is unveiled.” Ephesians 3:3, “...by revelation he made known unto me A person without spirit, not saved, who only has a body the MYSTERY...” and 3:4, ”...when ye read ye may underand soul, is referred to as a “natural man” in the Bible. They stand my knowledge in the MYSTERY...” and 3:6, “That the cannot understand this topic, as it says in 1 Corinthians 2:14, Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body...” and that such things as the mystery are “foolishness” unto such a 3:9, “And to make all see... the MYSTERY, which from the person. beginning of the world had been hid in God...” That is the Who specifically was this mystery hidden from mystery, that each person, no matter who they are, if Judean and why? At first it was hidden from everyone. Even though or Gentile, can get this wonderful thing, “Christ in you,” also prophets searched diligently in the Old Testament Scripture, known as the gift of the Holy Spirit. That’s why it was hidthey could not see it, because God alone knew of it. 1 Peter den. That’s why Satan is freaking out about it. That’s why it’s 1:10 reveals that believers certainly knew of the sufferings of so awesome. It is the pinnacle of information revealed to the Christ (already happened) and the glory of Christ to follow born again believer. We can all be part of the one body of (we are still waiting for this), but they didn’t know what hapChrist. pens in the middle of these two key events. What now? Ephesians 6:19, “... that I may open my God did not want the Devil or any evil spirits, figuratively mouth boldly, to make known the MYSTERY.” referred to as “the princes of this world,” to know about the Like Paul, we want to speak the truth and let others know mystery, otherwise they wouldn’t have killed Jesus. Lovingly, about the mystery. We want to live it, by making full use of God had provided a way for us to receive salvation, to be rethis wonderful gift. God bless you! . . . n deemed, and He gave that responsibility to Jesus Christ, who accepted it and accomplished it in full by laying down His Steve Nelson has been a Bible teacher for over 25 years. sinless life for us. This article comes from “The Great Mystery” Segments 1 Corinthians 2:1, “...declaring unto you the MYSTERY” 21-25 of “CORE,” a course for families on how to read [should be Greek word musterion, some versions transand understand the Bible. See T4FAMILYCENTER. late it “testimony” or “God’s secret plan” or “the secret of God”] and 2:7, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a COM or reach Steve at T4FamilyCenter@gmail.com.
12 January / February 2022 | Christian Living
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