The first mention of the fact that our Father was dealing in a mystery is mentioned in Mark 4:10, when Jesus is telling His disciples why He must speak in parables to the general population who sought Him out:
"And He said to them. "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables."
Jesus described the kingdom of God as a mystery, and the understanding of that mystery is not meant for everyone (Col. 4:5-6). It is a secret or hidden truth. It can only be revealed supernaturally.
We find out later as Jesus taught, that the understanding of the mystery is something that can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit: "He will guide you into all truth..." , and also, "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in a figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father." Jn 16:13, 25, 1 Cor. 2:10, 14).
Though this mystery of God was not manifested in time until the appearance of the Messiah, Jesus, it was promised by the prophets of God, although it was shrouded from complete view:
- "...I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people." (Jer. 31:33)
- "And it shall be in that day, says the LORD, that you will call me "My Husband", and no longer call Me "My Master." (Hos. 2:16)
- "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh...I will pour out My Spirit in those days." (Joel 2:28-29)
- "I will also give You (Messiah) as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isa. 49:6)
Why is it that the kingdom of God has come as a mystery, and what is the exact nature of that mystery? Here are some of the things the scriptures say about the mystery:
- Some were blinded to the nature of the kingdom of God, so that others, who would never be expected to according to the understanding of men, could receive it. (Rom. 11:25)
- This mystery was ordained before the world began (Rom. 16:25, 1 Cor. 2:7)
- Part of this mystery involves a metamorphosis, both spiritual and physical. A transformation occurs and is required. (1 Cor. 15:51-53)
- This mystery requires that at a certain point in the fullness of times, a gathering together of all created things and beings into the existence and being of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. (Eph. 1:9-10)
- This mystery could not be known by humans before a certain point in time. (Eph. 3:4-5)
Who is the Church, and what is the part that they play in this great mystery? The Church is not defined by the walls of a building. It is not defined by denominations, or traditions. It is a supernatural body enfolded into the physical, resurrected person of Jesus 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."
Eph. 5:31-32
In the above verse, we see that the church and Christ are likened to the joining of the husband and wife. Why is this used as an example? The husband no longer identifies himself as coming from a certain family background. He leaves that behind, and forms a new joining, a new family with his wife. And the deepness and intimacy of that joining far surpasses the one he knew with his mother and father. How he is defined has changed. His old identity has changed, and he has formed a new entity with his wife. The same is true with the Church and its relationship with Christ. It severs our old understanding of who we were, and where we came from. We are now joined with Him intimately:
"the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Col.1:26-27
The Church are those who have entered into that intimate relationship with Christ. The person of Christ has supernaturally become a part of their being.
The Greek word for "Church" is the word ekklesia. The meaning in Greek is "a gathering called out to meet in an assembly". But the root words that comprise the word ekklesia mean to call out of, to call away from, to invite, in a loud voice. Also included in the root meaning is "to bear a name, to receive the name of, to give a name to".
So in keeping with the marriage concept of the Church from Eph. 5:31-32 above, even as a husband gives his name to his new wife, we also have received a new name. It is the most holy and exalted Name of the Father, and the Name of His Son, Christ!
"...Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth-
Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him."
Isa. 43:6-7
(Jesus said) "...whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you."
and
"In that day, you will ask in My name..."
John 16:23, 26
As we have become One with Christ, we have received a new name.And by this new name, we are known in the Spirit. It is part of that great mystery, that has been hidden in our Father. And as the Church we are:
"...the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15)
In our being, as the Church, we contain the very pillar of that mysterious truth: the salvation of God through Christ. This salvation comes with the very joining of His holy Name and Being to us.
He approaches each of those He has chosen:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20)
Our Father is mystery
"God of Mystery"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub4juGJVGhQ
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