Unlocking the Mystery

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The word “mystery” appears more than 20 times in the New Testament. In passages other than the symbolism of Revelation, “mystery” is used to describe the gospel of Christ. Consider how the word “mystery” is used in the following passages:

  • Romans 16:25-26. Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God (emp. added).
  • Colossians 1:25-27. I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (emp. added).
  • 1 Timothy 3:16. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory (emp. added).

“Mystery” in these passages does not refer to something that is difficult to perceive or understand, something “mysterious” in the contemporary sense of the word. Rather, it refers to something that formerly was hidden and unknown, but which has now been revealed. In fact, the Old Testament prophets foretold many things that they wished to understand in more detail. Peter explained to first-century Christians, “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories” (1 Peter 1:10-11).

How blessed we are to have the full revelation of God—complete with the account of the life of Christ, the plan of salvation, the blueprint for the church, and all the principles we need for Christian living (2 Peter 1:3). While all those throughout the centuries who have been faithful will go to heaven (Matthew 8:11; Hebrews 9:15), nonetheless Christians enjoy the full revelation of the mystery.