|
|
|
|
I have always enjoyed mysteries – have you?
History Mystery: Who was Thomas Wilson and why was he pretty well known in the early part of the 20th Century?
He happened to be president of the U.S. for 8 years between 1913-1921. He preferred to go by his middle name, Woodrow.
That is a small example of a mystery to us. It shows how our English word is used. The Scriptural use of the word has a different emphasis that makes a big difference in our understanding of the word. “Mystery” in our English understanding is something that we can figure out with enough mental effort or evidence; “mystery” in Scripture is not able to be figured out by our mental effort – it is only understood because it has been revealed by God. Something that was formerly not revealed has now been revealed – not by our power but by God’s revelation.
Vine’s Expositor’s Dictionary: In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the English word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those only who are illumined by His Spirit. In an ordinary sense a mystery implies knowledge withheld; its Scriptural significance is truth revealed. Best seen in Colossians 1:26 – “the mystery which hath been hid from all ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to His saints.”
The mysteries revealed to us in Scripture would not ever be figured out no matter how much time a human mind would have thought on it. Genius is not going to bring the answer to these things. In fact, on mysteries concerning sin and the saving of the soul and spirit of mankind, the more time we think about it on our own . . . the farther and farther we get away from the truth.
Prayer requires effort – “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” (I Peter 4:7).
Scripture Reading takes devotion – “Like newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the Word, so that you grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (I Peter 3:2-3).
Meditation is a lost art for us – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
PS 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
These mysteries revealed in Scripture are not figured out in this way. They are only understood because they have been revealed to us by the Lord, Himself.
What are they?
When I give them to you, you may say, what’s the big deal – we already knew that. This is the spirit I would like to crush today.
Yes, we do know these truths, if we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin – and if we are growing in our faith.
But have we lost sight of how great these truths are?
Do we know that we only have understood them because it has been God’s will to reveal them?
You would not have figured these things out on you own.
They are beautiful. According to Scripture they are mysteries.
Here they are in a short list:
1) Christ 2) The Church (union of Christ and the church) 3) The Resurrection of the Church 4) The spiritual forces at work during this Church age.
CHRIST: GOD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
Col. 1:26 – 2:2
“Know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2).
“so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ” (Col. 4:3).
“Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up into glory” (I Tim. 3:16).
“He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Eph. 1:9).
Ephesians 3:3-3:9
“so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19).
RO 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
THE CHURCH: UNION OF CHRIST AND HIS BRIDE
THE RESURRECTION: CHRIST RESURRECTING HIS SLEEPING BRIDE AND CHANGING HIS LIVING BRIDE.
“Behold I show you a mystery” (I Corinthians 15:15).
How come we are not in awe of the beauty of these great mysteries?
Lack of love (I Cor. 13:2).
“Understand all mysteries and have not love” (I Cor. 13:2).
Left your first love (Rev. 2:1-7).
Would it be asking too much to go before the Lord and ask Him to stir up His Church to remember and marvel at these great mysteries? |
