The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of
God are not for everyone. The mysteries that Jesus spoke of are only for his disciples
to learn. In other words, if one is a disciple, that one has the ability to
learn about the hidden secret things of Jesus’ kingdoms. The kingdoms Jesus has
established are not up to men to judge or change. Men are not that smart. One
thing we can see from Jesus’ words is that the mysteries of the kingdoms are
not favorable to the Jews. The Jews had enjoyed many years of exclusivity as
Yahweh’s special people, but Jesus made a change. If we recognize that the Jews
were scattered over all the nations, the diaspora, we see the need for this new
way of doing things. But humans do not change easily and Jesus’ teachings of
the mysteries have gone untaught to his disciples. Paul and others gave their
lives for this new way of entering into the kingdom, and Paul asked people to
pray for him so that he could bring these mysteries to the world.
In Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8 we have a parable that
seems like it is the same but the variations in the three accounts of the sower
gives us the understanding that Jesus explained this differently to different
groups of people. Jesus may have repeated this explanation several times. In Matthew,
Jesus explains this to his disciples in regards to the kingdom of heaven; in
Mark and Luke he is explaining this in regards to the kingdom of God. But in
all three accounts Jesus points out that it is not given for everyone to know
the mysteries. Mysteries are only for those who pursue after the kingdoms Jesus
will be in charge of.
NT:3466 musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on); from a derivative of
muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of
silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): KJV - mystery. (Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew
Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
NT:3466 musteerion, musteeriou, to a hidden
thing, secret, mystery:
1. a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the
understanding: 1 Cor 13:2
2. a hidden purpose or counsel; secret will:
3. it denotes the mystic or hidden sense:
(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic
Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Matt 13:10-12 And the disciples came, and said unto him,
Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them,
Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,
but to them it is not given.12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and
he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken
away even that he hath.
In all three accounts Jesus is asked by the disciples to
explain this comparative story. The disciples consisted of the twelve plus
others who followed and believed that Jesus was the Messiah. That includes
women and children. When Jesus explains this, as recorded in Matthew 13:12,
Jesus teaches this the same way he explains the talents in Matthew 25:29 regarding the kingdom of heaven. This
section can be understood by Jesus’ story in Matthew 25, where the talents were
given according to each person’s dunamis.
Jesus uses this parable two other times to explain the kingdom of God, but does
not use this example of whoever has will be given more. Therefore, the Mark and
Luke accounts are not focused on dunamis or people with dunamis. This tells us
he may have explained this comparative story at least twice. Once in regards to
the kingdom of heaven, where people are given “talents” according to their
dunamis, and twice in regards to the kingdom of God. However, Mark says
specifically “when Jesus was alone”. This tells us that the other two times
Jesus explained this verse could have been different as Jesus is not said to
have been alone in Luke’s account, but may have been surrounded by several
disciples. Therefore, Jesus may have explained this story to more than three
different groups of people. We can gather that entrance into the kingdom of
heaven and entrance into the kingdom of God are similar. The kingdom of heaven
is for the redeemed at the time of the harpazo and the kingdom of God comes on
earth at the millennial age.
Matt 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because
they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.14
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye
shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not
perceive:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them.16 But blessed are your eyes,
for they see: and your ears, for they hear.17 For verily I say unto you, That
many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see,
and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not
heard them. KJV
Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9 &10 here. When Isaiah was
writing this he was writing this to religious and arrogant people. Jesus was doing
the same. The multitudes came and listened to Jesus and within the multitudes
were people who may have been curious about what he was doing but they were not
disciples. Many could have been Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus had just defined
disciples as those who do the will of the Father. Notice the categories of
people Jesus addresses.
Matt 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.19
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then
cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This
is he which received seed by the way side.20 But he that received the seed into
stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth
it;21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when
tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is
offended.22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the
word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the
word, and he becometh unfruitful.23 But he that received seed into the good
ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth
fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. KJV
All three records end with the seed on good ground bearing
fruit, while Luke’s version does not put a quantity on the yield. Jesus
explained the different types of people there are in the world. There are
people who lose the word of the kingdom when the devil steals it. There are
people who lose the word of the kingdom when hard times come. These first two
types of people are happy to hear the words of the kingdom but they don’t
retain it. There are people who hear the word of the kingdom, but they like
money more than they care about their future destiny. Matthew specifically says
these seeds are the words of the kingdom.
Mark calls these seeds the word
and Luke calls these seeds the word of
God.
This is what Jesus says about the mystery/mysteries, that
only his disciples are to know but others are not given to know: all mysteries
are only for disciples, not those who reject Jesus as Messiah. This is why
fence sitters and Jesus haters do not understand what he was saying. The
Pharisees and Sadducees and other Jewish leaders are a great example of those
who didn’t understand Jesus’ words. All
mysteries are for disciples to ginosko-to
come to know, to perceive, to understand. Mysteries are not automatically known
by disciples, they are found out. Just as Proverbs 25:2 states “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a thing. [Deut 29:29; Rom 11:33.]”
AMP. These mysteries are for disciples, the redeemed who become kings and
priests in Jesus’ millennial kingdom of God. All mysteries are regarding the
kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God, which is for the future at the proper
time.
There are a few aspects to these secrets and Paul further
defines them. One part of the mystery is that Israel’s blindness is due to the
time of the Nations. The word gentile
is a misnomer and was used in a negative connotation, but the Greeks did not
have a word in their vocabulary that could be used to describe themselves as “heathen
dogs” as compared to the Israelites. The Greeks and the Romans were “world
dominators and leaders”, they did not call themselves gentiles. Once we
understand that consistently throughout the word of God the Hebrew word Goy and Goyim should be translated “nations”, (the Greek word for nations
is Ethnos) we will have a better perspective of what the Holy Spirit is telling
us. All of Abraham’s descendants are Goyim or Gentiles, or more correctly,
Nations. So all Jews are Gentiles, but not all Gentiles are Jews. Do you see
the confusion sowed into the Bible by people who refuse Jesus? http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/12/gentiles-all-jews-are-goyim-multitudes.html http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2015/02/treasure-nation-of-sinners-called-into.html
Rom 11:25 Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own
conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a
hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last]
until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles Nations [ethnos]
has come in, AMP
Compare this to what Jesus said as recorded in Luke.
Luke 21:24 They will fall by the mouth and the edge of the
sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations[ethnos]; and
Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles nations [ethnos] until
the times of the Gentiles nations [ethnos] are fulfilled (completed). [Isa 63:18; Dan
8:13.] AMP
Clearly this is a mystery that disciples can understand. We
will explore this further shortly, but first we should concentrate on what
mysteries there are regarding the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God
which are only for disciples who search these things out. Paul says the plan of
redemption is a mystery.
Rom 16:25-26 Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in
the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of
(concerning) Jesus Christ (the Messiah), according to the revelation (the
unveiling) of the mystery of the plan of redemption which was kept in silence
and secret for long ages, 26 But is now disclosed and through the prophetic
Scriptures is made known to all nations [ethnos], according to the command of
the eternal God, [to win them] to obedience to the faith, AMP
Jesus’ plan was to redeem the dead who believed on the
Messiah, also those living at that time who believe Jesus came as the Messiah,
and the people who look backward in time and believe Jesus was the Messiah.
This plan was a secret that the prophets desired to look into, Matthew 13:17.
The reason they were not told about this mystery was so that the princes of
this world would not know it otherwise they would not have crucified Jesus.
Interestingly, once Jesus was crucified, this mystery of redemption was shown
to all the sons of God, proving God’s manifold and multifaceted wisdom.
1 Cor 2:7-14 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained 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.9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him.10 But God hath revealed them unto us by
his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.11
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in
him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.12 Now we
have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.13 Which
things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which
the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14 But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned. KJV
The wisdom of God was hidden in a mystery regarding our
glorification. The demonic princes of the world didn’t know any of this. And we
know these things that have been prepared for us not by our own knowledge, but
by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that authored the
Bible. Notice that the natural man does not receive or know the things of the
Spirit of God. Just like Jesus said, the mysteries are not for people who are
not disciples of Jesus. Therefore when a non-disciple tries to tell the world
how the Bible is just a made up story, and not real or practical, it is because
it is foolishness to that non-disciple. Why get upset over what he says, he
can’t and won’t understand it until he becomes a disciple. That non-disciple
would fall into one of the three categories of the type of ground that does not
cultivate seed and produce fruit. Paul tells us the Apostles are to be servants
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Cor 4:1 SO THEN, let us [apostles] be looked upon as
ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the
secret purposes) of God. AMP
The Apostles are to serve the secret purposes of God to
people on earth. That is what their function is. One of the things true
Apostles talk about is the harpazo. This is a mystery that is specifically for
the redeemed, disciples. This is the entrance into the kingdom of heaven, when
the corruptible puts on incorruption and the mortal puts on immortality. If one
claims to be an Apostle but denies the harpazo, that one is not an Apostle for
the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 15:51-52 Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret
truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not
all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) 52 In a
moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call.
For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable
(free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). AMP
The harpazo is not for the non-disciple or Jesus rejecter.
It is only for those who make Jesus their Lord. Again, this is something that
cannot be known by people who do not have the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
Disciples have the indwelling of the Spirit of God. Therefore, if someone in a
leadership position says the harpazo is foolishness, it is because that one is
not privy to the mysteries and not a disciple. The harpazo is the mystery of
the kingdom of heaven. Clearly as we have studied in past weeks, one cannot get
into the kingdom of heaven if one is not known by Jesus. It is not about people
knowing Jesus it is about Jesus knowing us, and Jesus knows his disciples, the
redeemed. The harpazo is not a secret to Jesus’ disciples, he makes known his
will, plan, and purpose to them. True Apostles preach the harpazo.
Eph 1:7-10 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and
salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses
(shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity
of His gracious favor, 8 Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and
understanding (practical insight and prudence), 9 Making known to us the
mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:]
In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had
previously purposed and set forth in Him, 10 [He planned] for the maturity of
the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and
consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. AMP
Paul is wordy, and sometimes people get lost in what he is
saying. But the mysteries of the fullness or maturity of times when everything
is united and fulfilled in Christ, is again the secrets of the kingdom of
heaven and the kingdom of God. It was through Jesus’ blood that we have remission
of sins. If someone claims another way to remit sins, that one is not a
disciple. This knowledge is for the maturity of the times, not for the days of
Adam or Abraham but for the days after Jesus announced the kingdoms. Paul was
allowed to share the mystery with the nations, the ethnic people groups around
the world.
Eph 3:1-7 FOR THIS reason [because I preached that you are
thus built up together], I, Paul, [am] the prisoner of Jesus the Christ for the
sake and on behalf of you Gentiles nations— 2 Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship
dispensation of God's grace (His unmerited favor) that was entrusted to me [to
dispense to you] for your benefit, 3 [And] that the mystery (secret) was made
known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I
already briefly wrote you. 4 When you read this you can understand my insight
into the mystery of Christ. 5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human
beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles
(consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. 6 [It is this:]
that the Gentiles nations are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews],
members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine
promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel).
7 Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God's free
grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working
in all its effectiveness) of His power. AMP
One of the big secrets that was not made public until after
Jesus’ death was that in this dispensation, the nations have all become fellow
heirs and of the same body. Paul was given the privilege to share this mystery
with the world. If someone erases or ignores dispensations, that one is not a
disciple of Jesus nor an Apostle to the body of Christ.
Eph 3:8-10 To me, though I am the very least of all the
saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted
and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles nations the
unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of
Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], 9 Also to
enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles
nations and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden
through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things
by Christ Jesus. 10 [The purpose is] that through the church called out the
complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and
innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and
authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. AMP
Paul was to enlighten all men regarding the nations and the
plan for salvation. Through the called out redeemed disciples, the wisdom of
God is shown to the angels, rulers, principalities and powers. Wow, the called
out are the ones making this mystery known to the other sons of God. The other
spiritual sons of God are finding out the infinite wisdom of God through the
redeemed disciples. If someone tells you there is another plan for salvation,
that one is not a true disciple or Apostle. Another aspect of the mystery is
the comparison of marriage to the relationship of Christ and the called out.
Eph 5:29-32For no man ever hated his own flesh, but
nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, 30
Because we are members (parts) of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall
leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two
shall become one flesh. [Gen 2:24.] 32 This mystery is very great, but I speak
concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church called out. AMP
The way that Christ connects with the redeemed disciples is
like a marriage. This again is foolishness and not understandable to those who
are non-disciples. The mysteries are not given to all people, but the option of
becoming a redeemed disciple is made available to all people. Then those who
choose Jesus as Lord can learn the mysteries. Jesus is joined to us and we are
joined to him, which is the message for redeemed disciples and should be spoken
by true Apostles. Another aspect of the mystery is Christ in you, the called
out redeemed disciple, which is the hope of glory.
Col 1:25-2:1 In it I became a minister in accordance with
the divine stewardship dispensation which was entrusted to me for you
[as its object and for your benefit], to make the Word of God fully known
[among you] — 26 The mystery of which
was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed
to His holy people (the saints), 27 To whom God was pleased to make known how
great for the Gentiles nations are the riches of the glory of this
mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the]
glory. 28 Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and
instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and
purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully
initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). 29 For this I
labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so
mightily enkindles and works within me. AMP
We have to take note of the word dispensation (stewardship) as it pertains to nations (Gentiles) in
regards to the mystery, both here and in Ephesians 3. The mystery is always in
regards to this dispensation, the dispensation or administration that came on
the day of Pentecost. That is the dispensation of the Holy Spirit and the time
of the nations. It is the time that people from all ethnic groups can be
redeemed. This does not make sense to non-disciples because for so long one had
to be born of a certain ethnicity or be part of a certain lineage. Jesus
residing within us, (the Greek word en
literally means in the center of) means that Christ knows us, he knows our
heart. The mystic secret is to know the Anointed One.
Col 2:1-3 FOR I want you to know how great is my solicitude
for you [how severe an inward struggle I am engaged in for you] and for those
[believers] at Laodicea, and for all who [like yourselves] have never seen my
face and known me personally. 2 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be
braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love,
that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured
conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more
intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and
thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). 3
In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the
ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and
enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. AMP
Not only is part of the mystery Christ in us, it is also
knowing Christ. It is a mystery to have Christ reside within us and that we can
know Him. Remember in order to enter the kingdom of heaven Jesus must know us. This
is the dispensation that Christ lives in us and the wisdom of God is hidden in
Christ. Christ is the only way to know the wisdom of the Father. Therefore
disciples and true Apostles teach and share about becoming more intimately
acquainted with the mysteries of the kingdoms.
At the time of the tribulation, after the harpazo and the
opening of the kingdom of heaven, another aspect of the mystery comes into
play. This again is something only disciples can understand. The people who
will live at that time will begin to understand as they become disciples.
Unfortunately, those who receive Christ at that time will die as martyrs.
2 Thess 2:6-8 And now you know what is restraining him
[from being revealed at this time]; it is so that he may be manifested
(revealed) in his own [appointed] time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness (that
hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work
in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out
of the way. 8 And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and
the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an
end by His appearing at His coming. [Isa 11:4.] AMP
The lawless one is revealed as soon as the Holy Spirit and
the redeemed are taken out of the way. That is the harpazo, the day of
redemption. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus comes on the Day of the Lord
with his armies to do away with the beast. True disciples and Apostles search
out these mysteries.
Leaders that want to hold an office among the body of
Christ must possess the mysteries. Paul is very clear regarding these
qualifications. This however means someone must possess the secrets in order to
know if potential leaders possess the secrets. Because we have lost so much of
the original understanding of the Bible, we are working in reverse instead of
forward. By working backwards we now have to catch everyone up to correct
understandings of the kingdoms.
1 Tim 3:9 They must possess the mystic secret of the faith
[Christian truth as hidden from ungodly men] with a clear conscience. AMP
If leaders don’t possess the mysteries they will lead
people astray. That is why there are so many factions among groups calling
themselves Christian or Christ-in. One person who communicates
something other than the mysteries or distorts the very foundations of the
mysteries will harm many people for many years. It is clearer to see who is a
disciple of Jesus by what they teach. Do they tell people Yahweh is punishing
the nations? That is quite incorrect. Yahweh does not recognize man-made
borders and punish entire groups in one land mass. That is simply clear from
the very definition of the word nations
and how it relates to the dispensation and the mystery. That is the mystery. The nations, such as the
United States, Canada, Russia, China, or Japan, are not harmed by the wrath of
Yahweh until the tribulation. Those man made borders are not nations, the
people are nations. The people of the earth are ethnos, ethnic groups. Jesus
erased the borders and invited everyone into His kingdoms. The redeemed are
saved and spared from the wrath to come. That does not mean the devil is not at
work on the earth today. But Yahweh is not punishing groups of people in geographical
areas. Remember, if the princes of this world would have known the new thing
Jesus would make available, they never would have crucified him. Also, think
back to the devil’s part in the story of the sower. Men who want to be leaders
are to know this and if they have been misled by someone else, they are to
correct what they have mistakenly taught. Paul tells us that another aspect of
the mystery is godliness which is Jesus himself.
1 Tim 3:14-16 Although I hope to come to you before long, I
am writing these instructions to you so that, 15 If I am detained, you may know
how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the
Truth. 16 And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth
(the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh,
justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached
among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory. AMP
The non-disciple will never understand God visible in human
flesh. The non-disciple is not teachable in the mysteries of the kingdoms.
Those who claim to be redeemed disciples and Apostles will teach the mysteries
of the kingdoms of Jesus and behave the way Paul suggests; as pillars of the
called out of the living God supporting the truth. If there are those who teach
otherwise, they are not disciples or Apostles. Jesus told his disciples that
mysteries are not for everyone to know. But disciples can know these mysteries
because the Holy Spirit teaches them and Christ is in them. This understanding
of the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God were kept hidden. The plan of
salvation was kept hidden. The times of the nation’s being redeemed was kept
hidden. The purposes of this dispensation was kept hidden until Jesus was
crucified and the redeemed make it known to the sons of God. All of these
aspects of the mystery are important for disciples to pursue after. As Jesus
told us, the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are not
given to everyone.
