THE GREAT MYSTERIES LISTED IN THE BIBLE

 One of the  first mysteries mentioned in the Bible is found in Matthew 13 is told by Christ and pertains to the “kingdom of heaven”.  So of course the next question is; “What is the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ ”?  The next major mysteries, also the majority of mysteries come from the writings of Paul.  These are the ones that pertain to the Church Age, which is the present time or age that we are living in right now.  The last major mystery listed in the Bible is found in Revelation 1: 20 which is the mystery of the seven stars.  The mysteries are explained in God’s Word, but one must get off the milk and study for the “meat” of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15).

First we will start with a short explanation of the “kingdom of Heaven”.  The phrase “the kingdom of heaven” was announced by John the Baptist and first found in Matt. 3:2.  This is referring to Christ, the Messiah who was among them right then and there, in physical form walking among them, ministering, healing and showing miracle and signs proving who He was (1 Cor. 1:22).  We can gather from this that Christ has to be physically present in order for the “kingdom of heaven” to be here on earth.  We also know that the kingdom is what the Jew has been looking for as is mentioned many times throughout prophecies listed in the Old Testament.  Christ is now in heaven, so the kingdom is currently in heaven.  This kingdom will not return to the earth till King’s second coming and then He will reign 1000 years as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19 and 20).  This time is known as the seventh dispensation, the kingdom and it is also referred to as the Millennial Reign.  So when the Bible talks about the “kingdom of heaven” it is talking about an earthly event (as far as man is concerned) and this is exactly what Israel was looking for the first time Christ was on earth.  This seventh dispensation also is referenced in Eph. 1:10 as, “the dispensation of the fullness of times”, where Christ brings together things of heaven and earth in His reign in this 1000 year kingdom.  One should always keep in mind that these covenants and promises of this wonderful kingdom and age have always been directed to the Jews.  So when this happens it will once again be a fulfillment of prophecies, covenants and promises made to the forefathers (the Jewish nation).

The next mystery mentioned is that of Romans 11:25, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, . . .that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”.   Another reference found in Rom. 11:7-8, “Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear) unto this day”.  These verses tell that Israel will be spiritually blinded by God for a time.  And additional verses found in 2 Cor. 3:14 and 4:4 tells of Israel’s blindness today.  But God’s hiding His meaning to the Jews is not new, (look up Luke 18:34).  What are they blinded to:  they are blinded to the fact that God walked among them 2000 years ago.  This blindness in turn leaves the Jewish majority blinded to the Gospel of Grace (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10: 9-10 or the “death, burial and resurrection), naturally if you do not believe that Christ was here in the first place (1 Cor. 2:7-8), then certainly one cannot believe in His death or resurrection. 

Another mystery revealed by Paul is found in Romans 16:25-26 and this mystery tells about salvation going to “all nations”, meaning the Gentiles.  It will be taken by the apostle Paul to the Gentiles and their conversion being by faith alone.  A better detailed explanation of this mystery is found in Eph. 3:2-7, here you will discover that this was a revelation given to Paul by the ascended Christ to give to the Gentiles and that past ages had no knowledge of it.   Now in this time period God is giving salvation through grace alone to all having faith in that gospel of grace. 

Another mystery found in 1 Cor. 2:7, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory”.  For further explanation drop down to verse 12 which tells us that we have received the indwelling Holy Spirit, “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (Dt. 29:29).  Then drop down to verse 14 to find out why not all can understand the deeper meanings of Scripture, “But the natural (carnal or the unbelieving) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. . .”, but this means that the believer can. 

One more mystery is that now the Church is now the body of Christ, (Col. 1:24-27). 

Another mystery that all Christians are waiting for is found in 1 Cor. 15:51”Behold I show you a mystery:  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In 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.”  More information about this event is found in 1 Thess. 4:13-17 and in verse 17 we find the words, “Then we who 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.”  These underlined phrases answers much confusion today.   Also found in 2 Thess. 2:1-3 which tells us about the being gathered unto to the Lord and that the “man of sin” cannot be revealed until there comes a “departure” (which is what “falling away” means and is what word most older version use).  This brings about another mystery mentioned in verses 7 and 8.

The mystery of 2 Thess. 7 and 8 where the antichrist is revealed is another mystery which of course takes place in the tribulation period.  This section of scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is hindering the man of iniquity.  And how is this accomplished today?  The indwelling Holy Spirit in Christians is a hindrance to keep sin from taking over the world today.  Now what is going to happen when all believers depart?  When those doing the hindrance will no longer be here and now verse 8 can come about, “And then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth…”   What we have here is a verse that validates a pre-tribulation rapture.

When we READ and study the Bible we find that it is definitely multi-leveled and when we actually do what Christians are supposed to do (that is to mature in the Word), then we are following 2 Tim. 2:15 by rightly dividing the Word of truth.  And when the Bible is rightly divided into the applicable groups we find that the Bible is not confusing (1 Cor. 14:33), it actually fits nicely like a puzzle.

Col. 1:26, “Even the mystery which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints, 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”.  (Gal. 2:20”…but Christ liveth in in me:…”.)  To understand about this mystery read and apply what Jesus told the Pharisees in John 8: 12-19 about “…if you had known me, you should have known my Father also”, again reference to the trinity all in one.  The Church now has the indwelling Holy Spirit which is the third part of the trinity, so statements like “God in us” or “Christ in us” or “the Holy Spirit in us” is concerning the trinity and all become one in the same.  Romans 8:9, ”But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you,.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  1 Cor. 3:16”…and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you”  1 Cor. 6:19, Eph. 4:6, “But God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”    Of course there are other references to the indwelling Spirit, but this is just one more new thing to identify this age of grace like Col. 1:27, etc. 

Many more things are brought out to this age of grace here in the Pauline writings; such as the Church is the Bride of Christ, Eph. 5:23-32.  Christ is the head of body (the Church), Col. 1:18.  Sin is not imputed, Romans 5:13; Col. 2:13; 2 Cor. 5:19.  The Church’s citizenship is in heaven, Phil. 3:20 and Col. 1:13.  Paul’s important part when he was given these revelations to reveal to us, Gal. 1:10-19, Eph. 1:9, 3:3.  The Church is joint-heirs with Christ, Eph. 1:11, Rom. 8:17, and the list could continue.  But we must realize that we are living in a very special time this “Age of Grace” and these mysteries revealed mostly here in the Pauline Epistles give us great insight to what is happening today and how special we really are to God.

The last major mystery spoken of is the one of seven stars in Rev. 1:20.  These seven stars are angels or messengers that take God’s message to a believer.  In this particular instance the message was sent to the seven listed churches found in chapter two and three of Revelation.  A star represents light and God is light and His Word represents God’s light, so consequently any bringing a message of God’s Word could be considered such a messenger.

Mysteries are only secret until God decides to reveal them to man (Dt. 29:29).  Now our job as believers is a combination of 1 Cor. 4:1-2 and Rom. 10:14-15 and here we are to be “ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”  And in Romans it tells us that we are to proclaim or teach God’s Word.  Rom. 10:17, “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Our job is not to SAVE sinners, but to present the Word to sinners and leave the saving of the soul to the one who can 1 Cor. 3:6.  To present the truth to sinners we must first know what we are talking about and that requires knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word that He has given us.  That requires searching the scriptures for the truth and this will prevent the spreading of false doctrine and teachings so often warned about in the scriptures.  All should often re-read 2 Tim. 2:15.

THE GREAT MYSTERIES LISTED IN THE BIBLE is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

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The Second Beast, The False Prophet is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

We now come to the chapter of the beasts, one from the sea and another from the land.  Yes, these definitely are two separate beasts or personages.   We can find evidence in Rev. 19:20 where Scripture tells us that “the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet. . .These both were cast alive. . .”   Also in Rev. 13:1 the first beast came from the “sea” and in Rev. 13:11 we find that the second beast came from the “earth”.  They did not come from the same location. 

In the first few verses of chapter thirteen, we have the first beast, the sixth personage of Revelation, having seven heads with names of blasphemy, having ten horns with a crown upon each.  The second beast, the seventh personage, was like a lamb with two horns and v. 12 tells us “he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him.”   This evidence should put an end to the discussions of those claiming both beasts are in one personage; these Scriptures plainly describe two separate beings.

This article will concentrate on the first beast.   For some history we need to go back to Daniel and re-read chapter 7:2-7 and keep in mind the order of the beasts.  Remembering this order we can compare John’s version to Daniel’s and see that Daniel is looking forward in time while that John is looking backward, causing the order to be reversed.  Daniel’s first beast was a lion for the Babylonian Empire, the second was the bear for the Medo-Persia, and the third was the leopard or Grecian Empire.  The fourth beast was like no other ever known, but symbolized the Roman Empire.  John’s version mentions the leopard first, next the bear and then the lion, but all these characteristics are on the same beast.  John was living in the time of the Roman Empire.  The Romans were who imprisoned him on the Isle of Patmos.

All of Daniel’s beasts symbolized world empires that were dominated by a person (Dan. 7:12).  The empire was a government headed by a president, or a king, or a ruler of some title (Dan. 7:24).  The anti-christ and beast are not the same, but they are linked, just like Obama and the USA are not the same, but he is the President.  The king and beast are linked together as one is the leader and the other is what he leads.  One can hardly think of one without associating it with the other.  Just like Alexander the Great was to the Grecian Empire, Nebuchadnezzar to the Babylonian Empire, etc.

This leaves the word “beast” symbolic in nature just like the word “beast” in Daniel.  I believe that we have a two fold meaning here, just as when we speak of a major political figure of today, such as Winston Churchill we think of England or with Hitler we will think of Nazi or any other major leader will be associated with his reign.  In the same way the anti-christ and the beast are linked, the man with his empire.  Since Daniel’s fourth beast was the Roman Empire, and portions of the Roman Empire still exists today, then Roman Empire has never completely expired.   It is logical then to think that John’s beast also will be the revised Roman Empire.  Remember that much of our language has Roman roots, as well as our laws, social structure, governing system, etc.

In Rev. 13:1-10 we are talking about the first beast out of the sea, which is the personage of the anti-christ.  What we have here is that the first beast and the anti-christ is synonymous, they are one in the same.  One is the name and the other is the symbol for what he stands, which like Daniel’s will be an empire.

The first beast comes out of the “sea”.  And sea is a term used often in the Bible to stand for nations or world population.  Since this beast comes out of the populous then he has to be in the image of a human.  

When comparing Daniel’s fourth beast and John’s first beast we find many similarities. 

1. Both exist for the same amount of time.  3½ years.
2. Both are to be destroyed at the second coming of Christ.
3. Both occupy the same location.
4. Both behave in evil ways.
5. Both come up out of the sea.
6. Neither is like any other existing beast.
7. Each had ten horns.
8. Horns stand for kings.

 

Differences:

1.  Daniel’s had one head.                          1.  John’s had seven heads.

2.  A little head among the horns.                     2.  No little horn or little head mentioned.

The heads of the beasts represents seven mountains (Rev. 17:9).  We also know that mountains many times in the Bible are a symbol for kingdoms.  Over these seven heads we can find different interpretations from biblical scholars and I too, have my own.  I believe that the difference between Daniel’s and John’s number of heads is that Daniel talked of empires that were ruled mostly by one ruler or government, such as Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes or Alexander the Great.   So when he got to the fourth beast, the Roman Empire was still one big military powerful regime just like the former three.  These empires were taken by using the military might of one army.  Now when we get to John’s beast in the tribulation we find that the anti-christ will take over by political power.  He rides a horse with bow, but no arrows (Rev. 6:2).  He will combine kingdoms to form a united governmental rule of huge proportions.  He will put his regime together something similar to that of the EU (compare Rev. 17:12), several countries or kingdoms put together, but with one person as the president.  And the one-hour time means it is of short duration (Rev. 17:10).  This time could be the 3½ years (13:5) or for even the total seven years, it is but a short time compared to most reigns like Saul, David and Solomon each with 40 years and Manasseh who reigned 55 years.

The blasphemy against God is pretty much confined to verbally saying evil things about God.  So in verse six the anti-christ is saying evil things against God, His name, His temple and all those in heaven. 

In verse seven he was given the power to make war against the saints.  Since the anti-christ had been cast out of heaven in Rev. 12:9 the saints cannot be those in heaven.  Neither can it be ones protected by God, the 144,00 sealed ones and those that left Jerusalem Rev. 12:13-17.  This will answer two questions, the saints that the anti-christ wars with are the one that accept the message of the kingdom and are put to death during the Great Tribulation, the latter 3½ years.  This is a universal massacre, it is world wide Jews and Gentiles. 

Of course the anti-christ will continue all the way up to Rev. 19:20, where he and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire, and as Paul Harvey used to say, “This is the rest of the story”.

The anti-christ is the tangible part that we see and the beast is his dominion.  He will take over his regime by political power and rule with seven subordinate kings for a period of 3 1/2 years.  This last 3 1/2 years are known as the tribulation.

Revelation Chapter 13 Beasts is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy