A “mystery,” in Scripture, is not something mysterious and enigmatic, but an open secret, which before it was revealed, was unknown by men (Deut. 29:2929The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)). W. Kelly said, “‘The mystery of His will:’ this does not mean something you cannot understand, but what you could not know before God told you....The word ‘mystery’ means what God was pleased to keep secret—something He had not before revealed—but is quite intelligible when it is unfolded. ‘Mystery’ in the popular sense, is totally different from its use in the Word of God” (Lectures on the Epistle to the Ephesians, p. 25).
“The mysteries of God” (1 Cor. 4:1; 13:2; 14:21Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2)
2For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2)) are certain lines of truth that God did not make known to men until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 16:2525Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (Romans 16:25); Eph. 3:55Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (Ephesians 3:5); Col. 1:2626Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (Colossians 1:26)). Essentially, they constitute the Christian revelation of truth. The apostles were the “stewards” of these mysteries, and thus were responsible to make them known to the Church (1 Cor. 4:11Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)). W. Kelly said, “‘Stewards of the mysteries of God’ means those called and responsible for bringing out the special truths of Christianity” (An Exposition of Timothy, p. 63).
As believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, Christians in general are privileged to have been brought into these secrets of God’s heart (John 15:1515Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:15); Rom. 16:25-2625Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (Romans 16:25‑26); Eph. 1:8-98Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Ephesians 1:8‑9); Col. 2:2-32That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2‑3)). Since these truths have been openly revealed in the inspired writings of the apostles, they are now the common property of all believers. Hence, there is no such thing as a special class of initiated Christians having an “inside track” on these things; these precious truths are for the whole Church of God. The Christian revelation of truth has not been delivered to the apostles, but rather, through the apostles “to the saints.” Thus, the saints are the custodians of the truth; they are to “earnestly contend” for it by knowing it, by walking in it, and in disseminating it (Jude 33Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)).
There are a number of references to these “mysteries” in the New Testament. The word in the Greek text (musterion) appears some 27 or 28 times, and it has led Bible teachers to categorize them. Some say there are seven mysteries, others say ten, and others twelve, fourteen, seventeen, etc. The difference of opinion as to how many there really are stems from not taking into account that some of the references are speaking of the same mystery, but with slightly different wording. Most say that there are ten. These are:
The Lord indicated to His disciples that there are several “mysteries” (plural) in connection with the kingdom. He was alluding to a sub-set of ten similitudes outlined in the Gospel of Matthew, which are a special kind of parable that begins with the phrase, “The kingdom of the heavens is like unto....” (Matt. 13:24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47; 18:23; 20:1; 22:1; 25:124Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (Matthew 13:24)
31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (Matthew 13:31)
33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Matthew 13:33)
44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (Matthew 13:44‑45)
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (Matthew 13:47)
23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. (Matthew 18:23)
1For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. (Matthew 20:1)
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, (Matthew 22:1)
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1)). These similitudes describe the unusual form which the kingdom would take in this present day when the King is rejected and visibly absent from this world. These parables serve a two-fold purpose. They give an understanding of these things regarding the kingdom to those who have received the Lord, but they also work to conceal the truth from those who have not believed on Him (Matt. 13:10-1710And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Matthew 13:10‑17)).
These ten similitudes indicate that the kingdom in this present day would be without a visible King, without an earthly administrative center, with no national boundaries, and that most of its professed subjects (who are merely professing believers) would not regard the authority of the King, and live as if He doesn’t exist. Furthermore, these similitudes indicate that this strange set of circumstances and the mixture of real and merely professing believers would continue to exist in the kingdom until the Lord appears. These “mysteries of the kingdom” present truth that was unknown in Old Testament times, but is now open to all who believe. (See Kingdom of the Heavens.)
2) The Mystery Of God’s Will Concerning Christ And The Church (Rom. 16:2525Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (Romans 16:25); Eph. 1:9-10; 3:3-4, 9; 5:25-32; 6:199Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:9‑10)
3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (Ephesians 3:3‑4)
9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9)
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:25‑32)
19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19); Col. 1:26, 27; 2:2-3; 4:326Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To 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: (Colossians 1:26‑27)
2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2‑3)
3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (Colossians 4:3)).
This mystery is said to be “great” because it is the jewel of all the mysteries and is something that is near to the heart of God (Eph. 5:3232This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32)). It discloses the truth of Christ and the Church, and presents God’s great purpose to display the glory of this relationship before the world in a coming day.
The truth disclosed in this mystery has been “hid” in God’s heart from the foundation of the world (Eph. 3:99And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9)). The secret which has now been made known is that God will display Christ’s glory before the world through a specially formed vessel of testimony—the Church, which is His body and bride (Eph. 1:22-23; 5:25-3222And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22‑23)
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:25‑32); Rev. 21:9-22:59And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 1And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 21:9‑22:5)). This display will be in two spheres (heaven and earth) and will take place in “the dispensation of the fulness of times,” which is the Millennium (Eph. 1:1010That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10) – “the Christ” refers to the mystical union of Christ and the Church). W. Kelly said, “There are two great parts in this hid, but now manifest, mystery. The first is that Christ should be set in heaven above all principalities and powers, and have the entire universe given to Him as Head over the inheritance on the footing of redemption— Himself exalted as Head over all things heavenly and earthly, and the Church united to Him as His body, He being thus given as Head to the Church over all things. Then, the other side of the mystery is Christ in the saints here below....In Ephesians the Apostle dwells more upon the first of these aspects, in Colossians on the second” (Lectures on Colossians, p. 107).
This refers to the special revelation of truth that has been revealed through the coming of the Holy Spirit. It entails the specific blessings of the believer in connection with Paul’s doctrine and the ordering of the Christian’s conduct in accord with the present dispensation (1 Tim. 1:44Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1 Timothy 1:4) – J. N. Darby Trans.). All this was unknown in Old Testament times.
This refers to the secret of godly living. Paul told Timothy that if he wanted to know “how one ought to conduct oneself in God’s house” (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)), all he needed to do was to look at the Lord Jesus and His perfect pathway in this world. Thus, the secret of being godly is to be acquainted with the walk and ways of Christ and to emulate it. This could not have been something that the Old Testament saints knew about because Christ had not yet come to give us the perfect pattern of godliness. W. Kelly said, “The secret (now revealed) of piety or godliness is the truth of Christ. He is the source, power, and pattern of what is practically acceptable to God—His Person as now made known” (An Exposition of Timothy, p. 72). Meditation on Him and His walk will lead us to emulate His life, and thus we will walk in true godliness in this world.
5) The Mystery Of The Glorification Of The Saints (1 Cor. 15:51-5751Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑57); 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)).
This refers to the revelation of truth concerning “life and incorruptibility” being brought to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:1010But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10)). Resurrection itself was not a secret. Old Testament saints knew that God would raise the dead, and they looked forward to the time when it would happen (Job 14:10-1410But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? 11As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 12So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 13O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (Job 14:10‑14); Psa. 16:10-1110For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:10‑11); Psa. 17:1515As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15)). In fact, it was a part of the orthodox Jewish faith (John 11:2424Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (John 11:24); Acts 23:8; 26:88For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. (Acts 23:8)
8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? (Acts 26:8); Heb. 6:22Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:2)). It is the manner in which they would be raised, and the condition into which they would be changed, that they didn’t know. Neither did they know when this would occur. They simply believed that somehow it would be taken care of “at the last day” (John 11:2424Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (John 11:24)).
These things have been brought to light through the gospel and are an open secret in the New Testament. We now know that the saints who have “fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:1414For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)), will be raised in “incorruption”—a glorified condition—at the time of the Rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-5651Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑56); Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21); 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). We also know that at that same time, the living saints will also experience a miraculous change of glorification, and will “put on immortality” (Rom. 8:1111But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:11); 1 Cor. 15:5353For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:53); 2 Cor. 5:44For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (2 Corinthians 5:4)). The result will be that the saints will “bear the image of the heavenly”—Christ (1 Cor. 15:4949And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:49)). They will be like Him morally (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)) and like Him physically (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)). This was not known in Old Testament times.
This refers to the responsibility that elders/overseers have (in the local assemblies where they reside) to order the assembly according to the mind of the Lord in doctrine and in practice. In interpreting what John had seen in the first vision of the book (Rev. 1:12-1612And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:12‑16)), the Lord explained that “the seven golden candlesticks” are the local assemblies set in the earth as a public witness for Him as light-bearers in the communities where they are located. He also said that the seven “stars” are the “angels” of those assemblies, and that these were in His “right hand” (Rev. 1:20; 2:120The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:20)
1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 2:1)). As “stars,” the elders in these assemblies were to provide light, wisdom, and guidance for the various situations that the assemblies would face. Being also called “angels” indicates that these spiritual leaders were to act as the Lord’s messengers by making sure that things were done rightly. The fact that they were in His “right hand” indicates that they were to act for Him as His representatives and thus were directly responsible to Him. This, too, was not known in Old Testament times, because this function only pertains to the Church and its testimony on earth, and the truth of the Church in those days had not yet been revealed.
This mystery has to do with dispensational truth. Dispensational truth is Bible teaching that distinguishes the various dispensations (administrations) that God’s house has had, or will have, through the ages of time. (See Dispensations.) The dispensational truth in connection with “the olive tree” refers to the suspension in the legal dispensation wherein God has been dealing with Israel. This was brought about through the Jews’ rejection of Christ. During the suspension, God has reached out to the Gentiles and has brought them into a place of favour. This is indicated in Romans 11:1717And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; (Romans 11:17), where the Apostle Paul states that the natural branches of the olive tree have been “broken off” and branches from “a wild olive tree” have been grafted into the tree. This does not mean that the Gentile world has been saved by the gospel, but that opportunity and grace has been extended to them.
The passage goes on to mention that the mass of the Gentiles, who will outwardly (professedly) embrace this privilege, will prove themselves to be unbelievers, and they too, as branches, would be “cut off,” and God would take up with the natural branches and graft them in again (Rom. 11:18-2418Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. 24For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? (Romans 11:18‑24)). Paul adds that this re-grafting would not take place “until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Rom. 11:2525For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Romans 11:25)). This refers to the full number of believers from among the Gentiles who have been “ordained to eternal life” (Acts 13:4848And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)), believing the gospel and being saved. Once that has taken place, Paul says that God will turn His attention to Israel again and will save the nation (Rom. 11:26-2926And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:26‑29)). Again, this outreach to the Gentiles is not found in the Old Testament, and therefore, the Old Testament saints knew nothing about it (Deut. 29:2929The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)).
This “mystery” has to do with the spirit of disobedience stirring in the Christian profession and in the world generally. It refers to the working of the human mind in opposition to the will of God in all things, divine and secular, through the influence of the devil. The secret working of lawlessness is something that was going on in the apostles’ day, and it would continue to grow until it would be fully displayed in the apostasy of “the man of sin” (the Antichrist).
It is not that God hasn’t put a restraint on the working of lawlessness. The Apostle Paul mentions that God has two restrainers which He has set on earth that work to curtail the progress of lawlessness. Paul defines these as:
“That which restrains” refers to the principle of law and order in human government which God put in man’s hand to exercise after the flood (Gen. 9:5-65And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:5‑6); Eccl. 5:88If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. (Ecclesiastes 5:8); Rom. 13:1-71Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1‑7)). J. N. Darby said, “‘That which hinders’ therefore, is the power of God acting in government here below as authorized by Him. The grossest abuse of power still bears this last character. Christ could say to Pilate, ‘Thou couldest have no power against Me, except it were given thee from above.’ Wicked as he might be, his power is owned as coming from God” (Synopsis of the Books of the Bible, on 2 Thessalonians 2). Mr. Darby also said, “‘That which restrains’ in the Greek means a thing. What is it? God has not told us what it is, and this, doubtless, because the thing which restrained then is not that which restrains now. Then it was, in one sense, the Roman Empire, as the fathers thought; who saw in the power of the Roman Empire a hindrance to the revelation of the man of sin, and thus prayed for the prosperity of that empire. At present the hindrance is the existence of the governments established by God in the world” (Collected Writings, vol. 27, pp. 302-303).
The second Restrainer that Paul mentions is “He who restrains” (2 Thess. 2:77For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7)). This refers to a divine Person—the Holy Spirit residing on earth in the Church—acting to restrain evil in various spheres. The Apostle Paul says that the Spirit will restrain “until He be taken out of the way [be gone].” Thus, there is a time when the Holy Spirit will no longer reside on earth. Since the Spirit will dwell in the Church “forever” (John 14:1616And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16)), when the Church is called away from the earth by the Lord at the Rapture, the Spirit will go from the earth at that time as well. E. Dennett said, “What Paul teaches in 2 Thessalonians 2 is that the thing which restrains the manifestation of this monster of iniquity at the present moment is the presence of the Holy Ghost on earth in the Church” (Christ as the Morning Star and the Sun of Righteousness, p. 46). The Spirit’s being “gone” does not mean that the Spirit will cease to work on earth. He will continue to work on earth, but it will be from heaven as He did in Old Testament times.
Lawlessness exists in the world and in the Church. Apostasy—the abandoning of a profession that one once made of holding the truth—is also at work. (Real believers do not apostatize. They may get swept along with the current of apostasy, and begin giving up certain doctrines and practices, but they will never publicly abandon the profession of their faith in Christ.) The secret working of lawlessness is rising on earth because the first restrainer is slowly weakening through a steady increase of apostasy in human government. Also, since the Spirit of God is more and more being disregarded by Christians, He is becoming more and more grieved, and consequently, is not exercising His power to restrain evil as He might if He were given His rightful place in the Christian testimony. But when the Church and the Holy Spirit are “taken out of the way,” evil will flood in, in an unprecedented way. This open secret gives us to know that there is an end to the working of lawlessness in the judgments of the Lord at His Appearing (2 Thess. 2:88And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8)).
This mystery reveals that after the true Church is called away from the earth at the Rapture, the false church of merely professing believers (which will be left behind), will be headed up by the Roman Catholic system. It will have the character of religious confusion and blasphemy that the Babylon in history was known for; hence the same title is given to that system. The false church will use its money and influence in the political arena to unite the nations in western Europe into a ten-nation confederacy (Rev. 6:1-2; 17:12-131And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1‑2)
12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Revelation 17:12‑13)). This is really a revival of the Roman Empire (Dan. 2:40-43; 7:7-840And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. 41And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (Daniel 2:40‑43)
7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:7‑8); Rev. 17:7-117And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. 11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. (Revelation 17:7‑11)). Thus, the Church of Rome in its ecclesiastical corruption will control the western super-powers, as depicted in the woman riding the beast (Rev. 17:1-41And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: (Revelation 17:1‑4)). This controlling power will only “continue a short space” (Rev. 17:1010And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. (Revelation 17:10)). That is, it will only last for the first three and a half years of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)). In the middle of the prophetic week, the political side of the empire energized by Satan will rise up and destroy that corrupt religious system (Rev. 17:16-1816And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:16‑18)). Since the whole subject of the Church was not known by Old Testament believers, the existence of the false church and its corruption would also be something they didn’t know about.
(This “mystery” is not the same as “the mystery of God” in Colossians 2:22That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Colossians 2:2), which is an aspect of the mystery of Christ and the Church.) The “mystery” in Revelation 10 has to do with the secret of God’s “ways” with men, which are “past finding out” (Rom. 11:3333O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)), finally being made plain. For thousands of years God has allowed evil men to continue in their wickedness and to seemingly get away with it. Indeed, His longsuffering patience and forbearance with sin and sinners in this world is a perplexing thing. However, when Christ publicly intervenes at His Appearing, and He judges this world in righteousness (Acts 17:30-3130And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30‑31)), the mystery of God will be “finished [completed].” That is, when God brings His judgments upon the earth, this mystery will become an open secret, and the rightness of all His dealings through the ages will be seen, and thus He will be justified in it all.
The dark and sinister working of evil that is going on today, seemingly unchecked, has always been difficult for the mind of man to grasp. Why, it is often asked, would God allow evil to go on and grow in the world without judging it? This perplexity is depicted in the complaint of Asaph in Psalm 73. While all the previous mysteries have been disclosed to us now and are opened secrets, we must wait for this last mystery to be disclosed—which will happen when the Lord appears.
W. Kelly said, “The mystery here is not Christ and the Church, but God’s allowing evil to go on in its present course with apparent impunity” (The Revelation Expounded, p. 127). He also said, “God would terminate the mystery of His present seeming inaction in the public government of the earth” (The Revelation Expounded, p. 126). H. Smith said, “The mystery of God in this passage refers to the fact that for long ages God has not publicly intervened in the affairs of men. The wickedness of men has grown unchecked by any public display on the part of God. Men have been allowed to gratify their lusts, attain their ambitions, to increase in their rebellion against God and persecution of His people. Through the ages God’s people have been tortured on the rack, banished from their homes, and martyred at the stake, and God, it might seem, has not interfered. All this—which has been called the silence of God—is a great mystery” (The Revelation, p. 60).