When we discuss religious subjects, we must try to keep things in proper context. Let's discuss some mysteries revealed in the New Testament.
Mystery of Godliness: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory." {1 Timothy 3:16}
This passage clearly depicts Christ's personality. God was manifested in the flesh {John 11:35}; justified in the Spirit {Matthew 3:16}; seen by angels {Hebrews 1:6}; preached among the Gentiles {Ephesians 2:14-16}; believed on in the world {John 9:38}; and received up in glory {Acts 1:9-11}.
Mystery Kept Secret: "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began ... " {Romans 16:25}
The prophets' teaching came alive when Christ came to earth. The hidden knowledge was being revealed before the people. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." {Matthew 5:17}
Mystery of the Faith: "Holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience." {1 Timothy 3:9} The truth must be held and never compromised. We must teach and preach the whole counsel of God, never wavering in our conviction of its power to convert sinners.
- "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." {Acts 20:27}
- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." {Romans 1:16}
Mystery of Christ: "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." {Ephesians 5:31,32} Christ's great sacrificial love joined Him to His church, much as the sacrificial love between a husband and wife cements their relationship.
- "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. {Acts 20:28}
Mystery of Lawlessness: Satan is ever busy trying to counterfeit the truth of God's teachings. It has been so from the beginning, and it will continue until time ends. Don't forget about Eden.
- "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way." {2 Thessalonians 2:7}
Mystery of Glorification: We live in bodies of clay to obey His commandments. When our bodies go to the grave, they return to the dust, from which they came. They'll be resurrected as glorious bodies
- "It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power." {1 Corinthians 15:43}
- "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." {1 John 3:2}
Some become confused when we discuss mysteries because we have different understandings of the word. In the New Testament, it means "that which has been revealed or been made known." In the past, many of these things were hidden or partly revealed. The only thing yet to be fully made known is the end-to be fully revealed at the resurrection. The Bible is not a confusing puzzle too difficult to understand-unless we fail to read the entire story!