One might hear others say, "What is all this talk of prophecy and mystery in the Bible?" Isn't the whole Bible the word of God and for us? And what is this mystery anyways? I've never known of a any mysteries?
Well, remove all the hard theology, and the denominational boxes, and the preconceived mindsets, and the answer becomes surprisingly simple and clear when we follow our apostle, Paul's sound advice,
2 Tim.2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Prophecy and mystery is one of the primary divisions in the Bible and is clearly identified in the Word. Throughout the Bible we find references to prophecy, which are proclamations and instructions of future events that have been spoken by prophets since the world began. But, it is only in Paul's 13-epistles where we find the revealing of mysteries, which are proclamations and instructions that have been kept secret since the world began, but now (at the point when Paul wrote them) are revealed to the world. (see Deut.29:29)
The key to understanding the context of prophecy versus mystery is to realize that prophecy belongs to Israel and mystery belongs to the Body of Christ. Prophecy is spoken out (made known) and has to do with Israel's earthly program and mystery was kept secret, but now revealed and has to do with the heavenly program of the Body of Christ. Prophecy speaks of the future tribulation of Israel and the inheritance of a physical 1000-year kingdom in which they will be the priests and rulers under the King of kings and preeminent over the Gentile nations during that time. Mystery speaks of the present time in which the Body of Christ has been redeemed, justified, and made complete in Christ by the gospel of the perfect cross-work of Christ and His resurrection, and while waiting that reality, living in faith and peace and by the instruction of the Spirit of Life within them as ambassadors of Christ's glory and agents of reconciliation.
To validate this clear separation of programs and the importance of recognizing these to provide one with clarity in interpreting the scriptures, I'll end with thee four scripture passages as confirmation.
These two passages were spoken during the prophetic period (under law) for Israel.
Luke 1:67-71 Now his [John] father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 and has raised up a horn [strength, might, conquering] of salvation [Jesus, the Messiah] for us in the house of His servant David, 70 as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, ...
Acts 3:19-25 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'
These two passages were written by Paul during the mystery period (under grace) for our time.
Romans 16:25-26 Now to Him [Christ] 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 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, ...
Colossians 1:25-27 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To 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:
Once one learns to rightly divide the scriptures between the agencies of Israel and the Body of Christ, and between the programs of prophecy and mystery (or law and grace), the doctrines within the pages of the Bible become clear, and all assumed contradictions of scripture are remedied. If you need more details or have any more questions on these two critical programs in the Bible, please use the contact form here and post your queries. I'll be happy to provide more details and insights.
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