What is God's Mystery?
and Other Bible Questions Explored
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What is God’s Mystery?
From What Is God’s Mystery? And Other Bible Questions Explored
We all love a good mystery, as seen by the number of new mystery books, television shows, and movies offered every year. Many of us reading this book have grown up with mystery stories of the Bobbsey Twins, the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple and an endless line of other fictional heroes.
As we read an unfolding novel, we could almost picture ourselves holding a magnifying glass, donning a two-brimmed cap, balancing a crooked pipe out of our mouth, and looking for clues to solve a whodunit mystery before the plot was exposed by the author.
The interesting thing is, not all mysteries are fiction. We understand that “mystery” in novels indicates there is a secret or puzzling event for which an answer must be found by following certain clues. But in the Bible the word “mystery” is used very differently. In the biblical text, the Greek word mysterion means a hidden or secret thing, something not obvious to the understanding. It refers to something that God has kept unknown in the past, but revealed at a later time.
Thankfully God wants us to know His thoughts and ways, and the Bible was written in plain language for the reader to understand. God has said that He will help us understand the marvels of who He is and what He does.
“Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it – the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:2-3)
The Bible, which was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, does not contain secret codes that have to be cracked by a special formula or computer program. Predictions of historical events 2000 years in advance of them occurring are not hidden within a sequence of letters or numbers in the Biblical text that can only be deciphered by a computer. God does not hide truths and prophecies from us in this way. To scrutinize God’s Word for a hidden code is a misuse of the Bible. Besides, any person with enough computer savvy can create a mathematical formula and apply it to any section of Scripture to match or support a predetermined conclusion, simply to serve his own purposes. God’s Word is not written in a pattern of hidden x and y messages for math geniuses to solve. This is not what God has intended.
But what is meant by God’s mystery is that God in His wisdom, foresight, and planning has chosen to reveal certain truths at certain prescribed times. It is not that He has been keeping the truth from His people; it’s just that He knew people weren’t ready for certain aspects of the truth and finally revealed that truth in fuller and more wonderful ways. Hopefully you will see what we mean as you read the next few pages.
I. A case from the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament book of Daniel we find an early example of a mystery that began as a secret and strange dream, but the truth behind it was finally revealed. It was something that could not be understood apart from divine revelation or explanation. In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that greatly troubled him. When none of the king’s wise men could interpret this dream, Daniel was called on to provide the answer. Daniel 2:19 says, “Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” Daniel recognized that God was the one who gave him the true meaning of the king’s dream. Daniel said about God in verse 22, “He reveals deep and hidden things.”
When Daniel was brought to the king, Daniel said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27-28). The mystery Daniel speaks of is a truth or knowledge contained within the eternal plan of God, and only God can make the meaning known.
In this case what Daniel did was to relay King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to him as God gave him the interpretation. How was Daniel able to do this? Why was he called upon for this important duty to the king? Like the other men to whom God revealed His truths, Daniel was a man who honored the Lord and was spiritually in tune with Him. Therefore he was used by God to understand the king’s dream and pass the message on to others for their benefit.
II. God’s mystery in the New Testament.
As you read the New Testament, you will encounter several places where the Apostle Paul uses this concept of mystery. With the understanding that mystery in the biblical sense means a truth unknown to people living in Old Testament times but revealed during the time of Jesus and the apostles, we can see clearly what Paul was saying in his letters to the first Christians. (To learn about God’s greatest mystery, the one that still has power to impact the world today, read What is God’s Mystery? And other Bible Questions Explored. A trove of other questions has also been researched and the answers provided along with scripture references. This is a true handbook for either the curious or the serous Bible student.)
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About the Book
Have you heard about “God’s mystery”? Were you aware that when God finally revealed the truth of this mystery, its power changed the course of history? What is God’s Mystery? opens anew the door to God’s greatest plan, and explains how it continues to affect each of us today.
Plus, have you ever been asked other questions about the Bible that were difficult to answer? We have. These inquiries have come from church members, our family, close friends, and even our own curiosity. As an example, how would you answer a question like, “If God made everything (John 1:3) and everything was good (Genesis 1:31), then where did Satan and the demons come from?”
People have wrestled with questions such as, “When we die do we become angels and play harps in heaven? What does the Bible tell us about hell, or the date of the end of time? How can we know God’s will for our lives?” Also, what does the Bible say about personal issues such as drinking wine, going to the movies, watching television, or judging others? What is God’s design for sex and marriage in today’s changing world? Did you realize Jesus actually mentions four conditions of man?
These were questions that we felt deserved deeper answers than the traditional responses. Our concentrated search into God’s Word has resulted in discoveries, supported by scripture, that we believe are so important they need to be made available for anyone who honestly desires to know God’s will.
We believe you will find this study very rewarding. And, more importantly, it might spark an interest in studying the Bible that will help you better know its real Author – the Lord God Almighty.
About the Author
Michael Cox
Michael Cox is pastor of a Southern Baptist church in Virginia. He is a graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia and has ministered in several churches throughout Virginia. He and his wife Connie have been married 18 years and enjoy serving in ministry together.
Mel Turner
Mel and Carolyn Turner also live in the beautiful foothills of Virginia. They have been married 54 years and share a common passion for studying and sharing the Bible. Since retiring, Mel has written and published four novels (A Hint of Strawberry, A North Wind, The Ultimate Game, and A Goblintown Bedtime Story).