In the Nineties, ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ was a popular television show. The anticipation of the unveiling of a mysterious story can generate a great bit of excitement and grasp the attention of an audience. This combination can usually bring good television ratings. As the viewers await the unfolding of the story, they feel a surge of euphoria (exhilaration and excitement) that holds their focus.
Unlike the mysteries on this television series, which were never revealed; the mystery in our text, hidden by the God of Israel until “the fulness of the time was come” (Galatians 4:4); has been made manifest. That is, it has been manifested to the Elect of God, who have received perception of their position. The mystery of the faith (1 Timothy 3:9) isn’t a mystery any longer to those Born of God.
“Now 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)
“But 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 16:26)
“To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.” (Romans 16:27)
But many times we don’t fully understand this truth; either because of being misguided, or because of a lack of studying to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). May this devotion be of some help as the Spirit moves you from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
In our text verses, Paul’s benediction to the Romans, he uses the word “mystery” concerning the Gospel; it is necessary to define this word from a contextual point of view. “Mystery” in the Greek is transliterated into English as “mustērion.” Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon defines the word in this context (Romans 16:15) as “a hidden purpose or counsel; a secret will.”
This “mystery,” which had been kept secret since the world began, truly is The Greatest Secret Ever Told. And with great desire, I want to show you what the details of this secret are. This is my prayer, as it was Paul’s:
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” (Ephesians 1:17)
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18)
Before I was Born Again; circumcised in the Spirit; sealed unto the day of redemption; resurrected; quickened – I thought I knew the Gospel – but I was sadly mistaken. I knew a religious version of the Gospel. But I was blind to it, and rightly so; because I had yet to receive the Spirit.
As believers, the first thing we must understand is that the Gospel itself is a mystery. This is why Paul asks the Ephesians to pray on his behalf:
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18)
“And 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)
It takes a Spiritual utterance to open the eyes of a lost man, because only the Spirit can remove the veil over a lost man’s eyes. Our Gospel has been hidden from those who have yet to be quickened (2 Corinthian 4:3); because the god of this world has blinded their eyes (2 Corinthian 4:4). Once Jesus has healed their condition, they will be able to testify with the young man of John 9, “…one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).
Once a man has embraced the Truth with his heart, the Mystery of the Gospel translates him from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13). He has now become what the Scriptures call “the temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesian 2:21-22).
In the Old Testament, the center of Jewish culture was the Temple. This is where worship was performed and sacrifices were made. And it is where the Presence of the Lord dwelt; here He made His Abode.
After the Child of God is Born of God’s Spirit, he is now a living temple who has the potential to be filled with, and to walk in the fulness of, the Holy Ghost. This is a mystery. Colossians 1:27 states:
“To 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:”
If your spirit has been joined unto the Lord, you are One with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17). And you are a part of the Body of Christ; members of His Body, of His Flesh and of His Bone.
“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32) (Read verses 30-32)
Finally, this mystery is no longer confined to the enjoyment of a single nation; but God, in His loving kindness, has broken down the middle wall of partition which once stood between Jews and Gentiles. For through Him, we both, Jews and Gentiles, have access by one Spirit unto the Father. We are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Praise the Lord!! (See Ephesians 2:14, 18-19.)
Paul says that God made known to him this revelation (Ephesians 3:1-5); and as a faithful steward of God, he wrote about us having been cut from an olive tree which was wild by nature, and then engrafted into a good olive tree (Romans 11:24). Paul then says in verse 25, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery…”
That being the purpose of Paul’s writings; and that being the purpose of this devotion: that ye would not be ignorant of The Greatest Secret Ever Told. The Gospel is simple, but many today misinterpret its simplicity; misunderstanding the Message of the Gospel.
His Love is now being poured out everywhere; and He is calling His Elect from the four corners of the earth to partake in their inheritance, the blessing of the Spirit (regeneration), the glory, and the Kingdom which their Father has prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34).
We are His Glory. And God won’t give His Glory to another; neither are we to give our praise to another, not to graven images (Isaiah 42:8). You are His Bride; One with the Body of Christ; a Holy Temple in the Lord – a mystery made manifest – The Greatest Secret Ever Told.
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