Mysteries of the New Testament
Introduction
John Hoole - November 20, 2011
When it comes to serious study of the Bible, there are a number of factors that help us understand what we read more fully. One of these factors is the context and historical setting of 
what we read in the Bible. For instance, when we read Ezekiel, chapter 1, how Ezekiel was near a river named Chebar knowing this historical setting helps us understand that this prophet was among the Hebrew people taken to Babylonia under Nebuchadnezzar. Chebar was a river in Chaldea. Knowing where Ezekiel was might help us understand more fully what he writes about.
Historical considerations are important in properly interpreting the Word of God. The Christian faith is based on historical facts. Indeed, Christianity rests on the foundation of the historical Jesus whose earthly life represents God's full and objective self-communication to humankind (John 1:18). Jesus was seen and heard by human beings as God's ultimate revelation (1 John 1:1-3). This is why He could forcefully claim, "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also" (John 14:7).
The apostle Paul, when speaking with the religious men of Athens, affirmed that the reality of the future judgment of all humanity rests on the objective, historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:16f.). This evidence of the resurrection is recorded for us in the New Testament Gospels, documents that are based on eyewitness testimony and written very close in time to the events on which they report.
Based on how people respond to God's objective, historical revelation contained in Scripture, they will spend eternity in a real heaven or a real hell.
Interpret the Old Testament in Light of the New Testament
You may have heard the maxim: “The New is in the Old contained – The Old is by the New explained.” Someone else said it similarly: "The New is in the Old concealed – The Old is in the New revealed.”
God gave revelation to humankind progressively throughout Old and New Testament times. He didn't just give His entire revelation for all time to our first parents, Adam and Eve, or to Moses, the Lawgiver. Rather, as time went on - as the centuries slowly passed, God provided more and more revelation that became progressively full so that by the time the New Testament was complete, God had told us everything He wanted us to know.
In view of this, a key interpretive principle is that one should always interpret the Old Testament in view of the greater light of the New Testament. The Old Testament may be likened to a chamber richly furnished but dimly lighted. The introduction of light brings into it nothing which was not in it before; but it brings out into clearer view much of what was there but was only dimly or even not at all perceived before.
The Old Testament revelation of God is not corrected by the fuller revelation which follows it, but only perfected, extended, and enlarged. Again, then, the Old Testament should be interpreted according to the greater light of the New Testament. The Old Testament is much clearer when approached through the lens of the New Testament.
It is true that the New Testament develops many truths already begun in the Old Testament. But it is also true that we find truths mentioned in the New Testament. which were never taught, or even hinted of, in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, these new truths are often referred to as "mysteries."
MYSTERY
This word is used in the Bible 28 times – all in the New Testament. The words "mystery" or "mysteries" are never found in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Greek word in every case is exactly the same. That Greek word is "MUSTERION."
WHEN THE BIBLE USES THE WORD “MYSTERY,” WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Whenever we read the word “mystery” in the Bible, it is not to be thought of in terms of a good Alfred Hitchcock thriller. A mystery in the biblical sense is not a truth that, with enough of the right clues, that a person with a sharp mind can figure out. No, it cannot be discerned simply by human investigation. Rather, it requires special revelation from God. These are truths that are not included or taught in the Old Testament. Biblical mysteries are new information about God's plan that he reveals through revelation. A mystery is the unveiling of a new truth, theretofore unknown.
The word, "mystery," is used only once in each of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is not found in the books of John or Acts. It is used in the book of Revelation 4 times. The other 21 times are found in the letters written by the apostle Paul.
The apostle Paul recognized that he, along with other apostles, had been given this ministry.
1 Corinthians 4:1 NASU
1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
How do we know that a New Testament "mystery" is the unveiling of a new truth not known before? There are at least four places in the New Testament where we are actually told this.
Romans 16:25-27 NIV
25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,
26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him—
27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
The apostle writes that this mystery was unknown in the past, but is revealed at this time. Even Christ mentioned to his disciples that they were shown things not seen or heard by earlier righteous men.
Matthew 13:17 NIV
17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
What Christ is referring to here is what He told His disciples 6 verses earlier.
Matthew 13:11 NKJV
11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
This verse is the one place in the book of Matthew where the word, mystery, is found.
There are other verses which tell us that when the word "Mystery" is used, it signifies a new truth unknown in earlier times.
Ephesians 3:1-5 NKJV
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles —
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
While Ephesians 5:3-5 tells us that the mysteries were revealed to other apostles and prophets also, it would be hard to argue that Paul was not the principal agent through which these important truths were revealed. And the prophets mentioned here are not to be taken as Old Testament prophets, for Paul states these truths were not revealed to the sons of men in previous ages. The NIV translation of verse 5 reads: "not made known to men in other generations." Whoever these prophets and apostles were, it can be stated they were New Testament believers.
The actual mystery being revealed here are found in the verses that follow. We will look at each of the nearly one dozen mystery truths later. But right now I want to set the stage so there is no misunderstanding about these "mysteries."
Here is another Passage revealing the fact that mysteries unveiled to the apostle were totally unknown in generations past
Colossians 1:25-27 NIV
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Again, the definition of the word "mystery" as it is used in the New Testament is: A divine truth not revealed or known in Old Testament times, but was held in the mind of God until a specific time in the New Testament. It is not a truth that could be understood by a person with an analytical mind. It could only be known through a direct revelation from God. A mystery is a new, church-age revelation.
I also must add that this does not mean Christianity has secrets that can only be understood by a few super-spiritual people. Some cults and false religions teach that there are special secrets that God only gives to a select few. This select few generally are leaders in some false church or cult where the leader teaches that God reveals things to them but not to the laity. These leaders explain that the ordinary man in the pew cannot understand spiritual things, and God has granted that privilege only to a small elite few. According to this corrupt teachings, God has secrets that most cannot know, except by consulting their leaders. And by this method, the leaders can have absolute control over their followers. The biblical fact of the matter is this: The Bible does not declare truths only to be understood by a select few Christians. Any truth of Christianity is available for all believers to understand. Any biblical truth that is understood by the church leaders. can also be fully understood by the laity.
Did you know we are operating in revelation of which Isaiah knew nothing? Of which Jeremiah knew nothing? Of which David knew nothing?
Adam and Eve didn't have the breadth of divine revelation that was given to Moses. But they had enough revelation from God to live righteously and avoid the temptation to disobey God. Have you ever wanted to experience living back in the times of Joshua or David? Just remember that because of Christ, we have a greater outpouring of revelation than David ever knew.
So, what are these mysteries which are revealed in the New Testament, but unknown in the Old? And what does the Bible teach us about each of them? Let me give you a list of the various "mysteries." Then I will come back to address each of them briefly. Let me also give you my reason for covering this topic in our series on the End Times. A number of these "mysteries" are relevant to eschatology. By this, I am saying that there are some truths unveiled in the New Testament which were not even hinted of in the Old Testament.
List the mysteries found in the New Testament
1. The mystery of iniquity
2. The mystery of godliness
3. Mystery of Babylon the Great
4. Mysteries of the kingdom
5. Mystery of the Bride of Christ'
6. Mystery of the indwelling Christ
7. Mystery of God
8. Mystery of faith
9. Mystery of the 7 stars
10. Mystery of the Church
11. Mystery of the Rapture
12. Mystery of the temporary blindness of Israel
Let's look at the Bible passages where these mysteries are found. This will give you a context surrounding each mystery.
1. Mystery of Iniquity
The one place where this phrase is used is in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (KJV), where the apostle Paul writes: "For the mystery of iniquity does already work." Other translations render it "mystery of lawlessness."
2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 NKJV
7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
2. Mystery of Godliness
1 Timothy 3:16 NKJV
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
3. Mystery of Babylon the Great
Revelation 17:4-7 NASU
4 The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality,
5 and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly.
7 And the angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
4. Mysteries of the Kingdom
Matthew 13:10-11 NKJV
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
Mark 4:10-11 NKJV
10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.
11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
Luke 8:9-10 NKJV
9 Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?"
10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'
5. Mystery of the Bride of Christ
Ephesians 5:30-32 NKJV
30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
6. Mystery of the Indwelling Christ
Colossians 1:25-27 NIV
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
7. Mystery of God
Colossians 2:1-3 NIV
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
8. Mystery of the Seven Stars
Revelation 1:19-20 NKJV
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands which you saw are the seven churches.
9. Mystery of the Faith
1 Timothy 3:8-9 NKJV
8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,
9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
10. Mystery of the Church
Ephesians 3:1-10 NKJV
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles —
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11. Mystery of the Rapture
1 Corinthians 15:50-52 NKJV
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
12. Mystery of the Temporary Blindness of Israel
Romans 11:25-27 NKJV
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.
My reason for taking you through the topic of New Testament mysteries is because at least half of them affect one's interpretation of End Time theology. Let's briefly define some of these mysteries, as to what new is being unveiled at this time.