The Mysteries Of God Reveal The Hidden Secrets Of Eternity

THE MYSTERIES OF GOD: REVEALING THE HIDDEN SECRETS OF ETERNITY (I Corinthians 2:7-14; 4:1-2)

The Greek word translated mystery is (μυστήριον; mustērion) and has the idea of a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding. A hidden purpose or counsel of God (Thayer).

The Scriptural definition of the “mysteries of God.”

In the O. T. mysteries referred to God's purposes & plans which cannot be known by man apart from God’s special revelation in Scripture or by his prophets (Dan. 2:18-23; 27-30).

In the N.T. the "mysteries" make known eternal truths that had not been revealed to mankind during O. T. times but are now revealed to the world through the Gospel. (Col. 1:26; Eph. 3:4-5; Rom. 16:25-26; I Cor. 2:7; I Pet. 1:10-12; Dan. 12:9-10). The mysteries reveal God’s person, eternal purpose & sovereign plan. Understanding and believing the mysteries of God results in a salvation experience with God in Christ, We also learn truths about the problem of evil that empowers us to triumph over the forces of evil at work in our world today.

Every Christian is responsible to know & make known the Mysteries of God (I Corinthians 2:7-14; 4:1-2).

The scriptures tell us that we are to "speak the wisdom of God in a Mystery" (I Cor. 2:7). These mysteries are "foolishness to the natural man because they are spiritually discerned" (I Cor. 2:14). The treasures hidden within these mysteries can only be understood with the help of God's Holy Spirit (I Cor. 2:10-14) because they are truths which man cannot comprehend by experience, reason, or human philosophy (1 Cor. 2:6 -14; Mk 4:11-12). Pray that our Heavenly Father "may give you the Spirit of wisdom, & revelation in the knowledge of God" (Eph. 1:17-18)

These Mysteries are so important to the welfare of the World & Church that I Corinthians 4:1-2 makes it clear that Christians are supposed to be stewards of these mysteries! A steward is both a faithful servant and wise overseer of a household (Lk 12:42-43 ff.; Gen. 39:4-6). The steward's responsibility is to distribute & administer the wealth of the household according to his Master's will. As stewards of the "mysteries of God" we must faithfully distribute the spiritual riches of these mysteries to the ends of the earth (Matt. 28:18-20). We will be persecuted for faithfully preaching these mysteries (Col. 1:24-27; 4:3-4).

These mysteries contain the "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph. 3:4, 8) and are for our glory: “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1Cor. 2:7). These mysteries are a priceless treasure because buried within them is the power to transform our lives & society for incredible good.

THE MYSTERIES ESTABLISH US IN THE FAITH

It is through a clear understanding of these mysteries that we will be established in the faith. Faithful preaching of these mysteries brings about the obedience of faith among all nations. "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, 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." (Romans 16:25-26) (2 Thess. 2:13-17; 3:3).

THE TRUE CHURCH WILL BE ESTABLISED…

“according to my [Paul’s] Gospel”; Proclamation of the Gospel is the means by which God establishes his people in faith & holiness; Paul calls the Gospel ‘his Gospel’, not because he was the author of it, but because he was the minister of it. Paul received this Gospel by direct revelation from Christ (Gal. 1:11-12). The Gospel is a mystery of God (Eph. 6:19).

THE TRUE CHURCH WILL BE ESTABLISED ON…

“the preaching of Jesus Christ”: This Gospel is the same one Jesus preached, and of which he also is the subject as it reveals his divine person, offices, righteousness, blood sacrifice, resurrection & salvation.

THE TRUE CHURCH WILL BE ESTABLISED…

“according to the revelation of the mystery”: In Context this refers to the Mystery of the Gospel which includes within it all the other specific mysteries of God mentioned in the New Testament. These mysteries cannot be known or discovered by human reason & intellect alone. Some are beyond the ability of mere men to fully explain such as the doctrine of the Trinity. These mysteries are the glorious result of the eternal wisdom, love & counsel of God. They contain unfathomable depths of Divine wisdom, & inconceivable heights of glory, so as to surpass the limits of human knowledge (Eph. 3:19). These mysteries are things which even the angels desire to look into (I Peter 1:12).

THE TRUE CHURCH IS BUILT ON THE MYSTERIES OF GOD… “which was kept secret since the world began”: