Part 3 – Why a “Mystery” (Secret)?

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called What Exactly Is The Mystery?.

The “mystery” in Col. 1:27 is not something hard to understand or mysterious. The “mystery” in Col. 1:27 is information that had been kept secret, a body of truth that God kept secret “since the world began (Rom 16:25), until He revealed it to Paul. The “revelation of the mystery” is the unveiling of doctrinal riches that come to us via Paul’s epistles. Jesus Christ Himself is now IN US, bearing to us “the riches” of His cross; as viewed in light of Paul’s epistles. Christ in us is the embodiment of “the riches of the glory of this mystery.”

Paul’s “mystery” doctrine brings glory and praise to Jesus Christ. The riches are even in His name. Jesus, means “Savior,” while “Christ,” means “The (One) Anointed One.” All that He now is, as the resurrected “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is our present reality; so long as it is believed, valued, and esteemed, according to “the revelation of the mystery.” John wrote this of those who have the indwelling life of Jesus Christ… as their new, righteous, and capable life. “… As He (Christ now) is, so are we in this world.” (1John 4:13)

Sadly, the length, breadth, height, and depth of the truth is still a mystery, yet largely unrevealed to so many believers even today. This is largely because the church at large has marginalized Paul and his unique calling, ministry, and his rich gospel for the Gentile “body of Christ.”

“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 (to) me (Paul) to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he (Christ) 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 revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets (inspired speakers) by the Spirit;” (Ephesians 3:1-5)

The “princes of this world” (below) were Israel’s religious leaders and Roman authorities. They called for and were those who carried out the crucifixion of Jesus. Now knowing Paul’s “mystery” of “Christ in you” with its riches that flow from Christ’s cross, we can better see why Satan and his “princes of this world,” in retrospect, “would not have crucified the Lord of Glory” (v8).

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (God’s formerly secret plan), even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained (planned) before the world unto our glory: 8 Which None Of The Princes Of This World Knew: for Had They Known It, they would NOT have Crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8)

Why would Satan Not have crucified the Lord? Is this because he is now sorry? No!

Satan thought he had the victory when Caiaphas,” the high priest of Israel in that day, called for Jesus’ death and the people followed, crying out “Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13). So, Israel’s high priest Caiaphas” was one of Satan’s “princes of this world” that Paul refers to. The “princes of this world” include the Roman authorities who authorized and carried out the crucifixion of Jesus.

Jesus was crucified, having been rejected and condemned by the “princes of this world.”  Note that over Jesus’ head on the cross was nailed a small sign that mocked His claim, saying “King of the Jews”

“And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38)

Note that the inscription was written in the three significant languages of the day.

  • Greek, represented the intellectual wisdom of man’s philosophy that had rejected Jesus!
  • Latin, represented the Roman authorities who had rejected Jesus!
  • Hebrew, represented the religion’s leaders, those Israel who had rejected Jesus!

These represent the “princes of this world” who were inwardly ruled by the Satanic influence of “THE (high) Prince of the power of the air” that “worketh in the children of disobedience” as “the god of this world.” Think of it… if Satan had NOT crucified the Lord, “the riches of the glory of this mystery” of Christ’s life would never have been released to dwell in us. The resurrected life of Christ, now as “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” indwells in each and every believing member of “His body.” Now, as members of “His body,” we have His very life and nature.

So Satan, in retrospect, no doubt, had he known the Pauline “mystery,” would rather still have a living Jesus walking the earth… than the crucified and resurrected Christ now dwelling in every believer by His “Spirit of life.” The cross served to multiply the Christ’s presence on earth by indwelling every member of “the body of Christ.” So Satan overplayed his hand, because now, I’m sure, he would rather have a living Jesus rather than “Him crucified,” whose “Spirit of life” became multiplied by the cross, to live in millions of believers.

Only the budding of Christ’s own seeded life within us is able to express “the riches of His glory.” This “glory” is the full blossoming of “Christ In You, the hope of Glory,” much as the flower’s ultimate blossom is the glory of the seed which birthed the flower’s life.