God’s Mysteries

From: Helps on Difficult Subjects By: Arthur Copeland Brown

Romans 11:25; Romans 16:25‑26; 1 Corinthians 15:51‑52; Ephesians 1:9‑10; Colossians 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 Timothy 3:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 10:7; Revelation 17:5 • 3 min. read • grade level: 9

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A mystery is a secret revealed by the Spirit to the saints. It may tell of His special love and grace to His own or the subtle energy of Satan leading to judgment. It is not always easy to distinguish or enumerate them as some are interrelated. The mere knowledge of all the mysteries, if unaccompanied with love, exalts self instead of Christ 1 Cor. 2:7; 4:1; 13:2⁷But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (1 Corinthians 2:7)
¹Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)
²And 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 Corinthians 13:2). ("The faith of God's elect" reveals the secrets of His love and His ways to His own Titus 1:1¹Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1).)

The ten mysteries of the kingdom of heaven in parables during this age of Christ's absence Matt. 13. ("Of God," Mark 4; Luke 8.)

1. Wheat and tares. Mere profession is introduced by the enemy among believers Matt. 13:30³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:30).

2. Unclean birds (evil teachers) roost in the abnormally enlarged mustard tree Matt. 13:32³²Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (Matthew 13:32).

3. Evil doctrine leavens the good meal introducing false principles and practice Matt. 13:33³³Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Matthew 13:33).

4. The preciousness of the true Church in His estimation (the treasure) Matt. 13:44⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44).

5. The beauty and unity of the true Church as he sees it (the pearl) Matt. 13:46⁴⁶Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:46).

6. The catch of the gospel net includes good and bad fish Matt. 13:48⁴⁸Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. (Matthew 13:48).

7. The unmerciful servant manifests an unchanged heart Matt. 18:32³²Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: (Matthew 18:32).

8. Laborers in the vineyard some evil murmurers were strangers to grace Matt. 20:11¹¹And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, (Matthew 20:11).

9. One lacking wedding garment cast into outer darkness Matt. 22:12¹²And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. (Matthew 22:12).

10. Wise and foolish virgins. Some had the Holy Spirit some had not Matt. 25:1¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1).

The mystery of the olive tree. Israel's unbelief affords temporary opportunity for Gentiles to believe Rom. 11:25²⁵For 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. (Romans 11:25).

Mystery for obedience of faith, refers to the gospel toward all nations Rom. 16:25, 26²⁵Now 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, ²⁶But 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: (Romans 16:25‑26).

Mystery as to the resurrection and change of saints 1 Cor. 15:51, 52⁵¹Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵²In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑52).

Mystery of His will to head up all things in Christ in the millennial age Eph. 1:9, 10⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰That 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 1:9‑10).

Mystery of Christ embracing Gentiles in the church, His body Eph. 3:3, 4, 9³How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, ⁴Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (Ephesians 3:3‑4)
⁹And 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: (Ephesians 3:9).

Mystery of Christ and the church. The union of the church to Christ Eph. 5:32³²This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32).

Mystery of the Gospel. Its breadth in testimony including Gentiles Eph. 6:19¹⁹And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19).

Mystery of Christ (in Gentiles) the hope of glory Col. 1:26, 27²⁶Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: ²⁷To 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: (Colossians 1:26‑27).

Mystery of God's fullness in Christ for Gentile believers Col. 2:2²That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Colossians 2:2).

Mystery of Christ. The revelation of Christ on high to Gentile believers Col. 4:3³Withal 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: (Colossians 4:3).

Mystery of iniquity, Satanic energy in Christendom going on to the great apostasy 2 Thess. 2:7⁷For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

Mystery of the faith. The distinctive truth of Christianity 1 Tim. 3:9⁹Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (1 Timothy 3:9).

Mystery of piety. The exhibition of God in the man Christ Jesus, our pattern of godly conduct 1 Tim. 3:16¹⁶And 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).

Mystery of seven stars and lampstands. The seven churches responsible to bear light are appraised and counseled Rev. 1:20²⁰The 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. (Revelation 1:20).

Mystery of God. His forbearance ends by the Day of the Lord Rev. 10:7⁷But 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. (Revelation 10:7).

Mystery of Babylon, the attainment and doom of the false church Rev. 17:5⁵And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:5).

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Helps on Difficult Subjects

• Baptism

• God’s Mysteries

• Sanctification in Two Aspects - Holiness and Perfectionism

• The Kingdom