the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Mystery
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or This word describes a hidden or secret thing, known only to the initiated. In scripture it stands in contrast to the manifest or public dealings of God. The Lord Jesus having been rejected, is now hidden in the heavens, and the ways of God are secret to the world, but made known, as also His hidden purpose which is being accomplished by His secret ways, to those who have 'ears to hear.' In the issue of those ways the mystery of God is finished. Revelation 10:7 .
The Lord often spoke in parables to the multitude, but explained them to the apostles, because it was given unto them to know the mysteries of the kingdom. Matthew 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10 . Christianity is a mystery to the unconverted. The apostles were stewards of the mysteries of God, and they spoke "the wisdom of God in a mystery." The Apostle Paul spoke of the 'mystery of the gospel,' the 'mystery of the faith,' the 'mystery of Christ,' and the 'mystery of godliness,' or piety. 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 4:1; Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3; 1 Timothy 3:9,16 .
The marvellous purpose of God, the mystery of the church, that had been hidden for ages, was revealed to Paul, as well as its present administration. Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:3,4,9; Colossians 1:26,27 . It is that in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The intelligence of it explains how Christ can be here in a scene from which He has been rejected alike by Jew and Gentile. There is also the mystery of the power of Christ as regards both the dead and the living saints. 1 Corinthians 15:51 . In opposition to God there is the 'mystery of iniquity,' that was secretly working in the church in the apostles' days. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 . Allied to this is papal Rome, whose name is really "Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth." Revelation 17:5,7 . The above scriptures show that though there are several things designated mysteries, yet God in His grace has made them known to His saints.
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Mystery'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/m/mystery.html. 1897.
