Part 2 - How We Learn the Truth of the “Mystery”?

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The ‘Secret’ of God’s Eternal Plan and Purpose in Creation.

The “revelation of the Mystery,” which is the long-held ‘Secret Plan & Purpose of God’ as revealed in Paul’s epistles is the most important key to understanding our relationship with the Lord during this age of the dispensation of the grace of God.”

Paul says when ye read [Paul’s epistles], ye may understand my [Paul’s] knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” This information had come to Paul by divine revelation directly from Jesus Christ in heaven (Gal. 1:12).

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2  If ye have heard of ‘the dispensation of the grace of God’ which is given me [Paul] to you-ward]: 3 How that By Revelation He Made Known Unto Me The Mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now [in Paul’s time] revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;” - Ephesians 3:1-5

When we read about “the mystery of His will,” we are reading what was on God’s mind before the world beganas seen in in Genesis. God had always intended for “all things” to be in union with and subject to Christ, even before Adam met Eve.

It was before the world began that God had a purposed to do what was necessary to save His creation from the “sin and death” that He knew would inevitably befall it. Thus, He foreknew the fall of Adam and He had already planned for man’s redemption and reconciliation through “the blood” of “the Lamb of God.”

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own Purpose and Grace, which was given us in Christ Jesusbefore the world began,’ But 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 Tim 1:9-10

God had early on modeled the fact of redemption in Christ shed blood and death of the Cross. Today we recognize how that the animal blood sacrifices and offerings designated in the Law to at least “cover” their sins, was actually but a ‘shadow of the reality’ of the Cross where Christ where He took away the sins of the world.”

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow [an empty image] of things to come; but the body [substance or reality of the truth imaged in the shadow] is of Christ.” - Colossians 2:16-17 (KJV)

Thus, Moses wrote and Paul quoted: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission [of sins].” - Hebrews 9:22

So, from the foregoing it is plain to see the foresight, Plan and Purpose in Jesus of Nazareth’s’ incarnation in a body of flesh and blood, which was necessary for His blood to be shed at the cross to take away “the sins of the world.”

When planet earth began to be recreated out of the “darkness,” which at that time was covered with judgment waters, called “the face of the deep [water]” (Gen. 1:2), the next and first thing God said was “Let there be light - Genesis 1:3. Light always to relates to the coming of life, which also is a metaphor for the reality of Christ as “the light of the world.”

From before the world began, according to His “hidden wisdom” and Plan, God Purposed to shine the light of His glory into the darkened hearts of men through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they might be saved.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory [expression] of God [as seen in] in the face [the person] of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Cor 4:6

As He knew it would when God originally created all things it quickly turned sour. It was then that Lucifer’s (the Serpent’s) deception lured Eve and then Adam into rebellion against God’s one command to them. This likely occurred within the first week of their creation. Adam and Eve then knew they had sinned because God promised them a savior that would crush the head of the Serpent. The “mystery” of a coming victorious Savior was God’s promise to Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15). Recall how that after their sinning Adam and Eve covered their nakedness with leaves and hid themselves, but God slew and innocent animal, shedding its blood to provide skins to cover them, to cover their awareness of their sin.

Now it is becoming clearer as to why and how God planned, created, and uses ‘all things’ – they all ultimately concern “the mystery of His will” being foreseen and in accord with His eternal Plan and Purpose that is in Christ’s Cross of Christ.

Thankfully, we today know the far-reaching details of His plan hid in the “mystery [Gk. musterion, God’s secret] of His will,” We now see how that His creation included us in His mind’s eye before the world as we know it began, as revealed through the epistles of the Apostle Paul.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us In [Union With] Him BEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be [Gk. einai, are to be] holy and without blame before him in [His] love:” – Eph. 1:3-4 (KJV)

It is by our union with Him and His Cross that we today are, right now, ‘seen of God as Holy and blameless,’ this is the outcome of “the mystery,’ the Secret plan of God.”

“For he [the Father] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; [so] that we might be made the righteousness of God IN HIM. - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)