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I. We shall consider THE MYSTERY OF GOD IN HIS KINGDOM AMONG MEN.

1. We shall consider what that mystery of God is. A mystery is a secret or hidden thing.

2. I will show in what respects it is a mystery, the mystery of God; or that the kingdom of Christ, and His management, is a mystery, the mystery of God.

II. We shall consider THE MYSTERY OF GOD AS BEGUN AND CARRIED ON IN TIME.

1. We shall consider the first opening of the mystery.

(1) In the promulgation of the promise of the gospel (Genesis 3:15).

(2) In the offering of the first sacrifices, with the skins whereof our naked first parents were clothed (Genesis 3:21).

2. We shall consider the gradual opening of the mystery. Of this we have an account in Hebrews 1:1.

3. We shall consider the progress of the mystery.

(1) It has never been interrupted since it began in paradise; the salvation of the Church has all along been carried on, and matters managed for that end.

(2) It has made such progress, that by this time it is drawing towards the period of finishing it.

(3) It is going on in our day, in the same powerful hand that has managed it all along.But for a more full view of the mystery, as executed in time, we shall consider the eight following particulars of this mysterious kingdom, in every part of which there is a mystery.

1. The head of it, Jesus Christ, is a mystery. And He is a mystery, a mysterious Head:(1) In the constitution of His person, being God and man in one person.

(2) In His offices.

(3) In all circumstances about Him.

2. The subjects of it, believers, are a mystery too. They are in the world indeed, but unknown to the world (1 John 3:1).

3. The erection and conservation of it is a mystery (Luke 17:20).

(1) The beginnings of it were very small; how vastly soever it has spread.

(2) The means of erecting and setting it up were very unlikely and unusual, viz., the despised preaching of the gospel (Psalm 110:2).

(3) The opposition to it from the beginning has been very great; yet it has made its way in face of all opposition.

(4) The means of keeping it up, even such as it was set up by. Not the power of the sword, but the preaching and teaching of the word of the gospel, and setting that home on men's consciences; prayers, and tears, patient suffering even unto death (Revelation 12:11).

4. The seat of it is a mystery too.

5. The extent of it is a mystery, whether it is considered —

(1) In respect of the kind of jurisdiction He has in it.

(a)  The kingdom of grace is in His hand.

(b)  The kingdom of glory is in His hand too (Luke 22:29, 30).

(c)  The kingdom of providence is in His hand likewise.

(2) In respect of the bounds of it. It extends itself over both worlds (Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:18).

6. The privileges of it are a mystery.

(1)  Their union with Christ is a mystery (Ephesians 5:32).

(2)  Their justification is a mystery.

(3)  Their sanctification is a mystery.

(4)  Their perseverance in grace is a mystery.

7. The life and practice of it is a mystery.

8. The manner of the conduct and management of it is a mystery. It is the manner of this kingdom —

(1) To prefer the most unlikely, baulking them that stand fairest for the preference in all human appearance (Matthew 20:16).

(2) To let things go to an extremity, to the utmost point of hopelessness, before a hand be put to help them, and set them right again (Deuteronomy 32:36).

(3) To give the sharpest treatment to the greatest favourites. This is not the manner of men, but it is the manner of God (Psalm 73:5, 14).

(4) To meet men with astonishing strokes going in the way that God bade them, while they have a fair sunshine that are going in the way of their own hearts (Ecclesiastes 8:14).

(5) To lay by accepted petitions, and let them long lie by, time after time, while yet unacceptable requests are quickly granted.

(6) To answer accepted prayers quickly with some one terrible thing or other, which yet are to be graciously and bountifully answered in due time (Psalm 65:5).

III. We are to consider THE MYSTERY OF GOD AS FINISHED WITH TIME.

1. Let us consider when this mystery of God shall be finished.

2. Wherein does the finishing of this mystery lie? It lies in these three things following.

(1) The accomplishment of the remaining prophecies.

(2) The gathering in of all the elect.

(3) The completing of the salvation of the Church of the elect. This is the delivering up of the kingdom to the Father mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:24.

3. It remains to show the import and consequence of this finishing the mystery of God. It is of greatest importance to the honour of God, and to the children of men. For then —

(1) The eternal purpose of God concerning mankind is fulfilled; the contrivance laid from eternity in the depth of wisdom about them, is executed.

(2) The covenant between the Father and Christ, the second Adam, is then fulfilled on both hands.

(3) Then the whole frame of the ordinances, now or since Adam's fall, in use in the world for bringing in of sinners, and edifying of saints, is laid by.

(4) Then the matter of the Divine conduct towards mankind is altered so that it is quite new (Revelation 21:5).

(5) Then Christ's conquest is complete, His enemies made His footstool, which He is this day in expectation of (Hebrews 10:12, 13).

4. Then the mystery is opened, and appears in a full light; though before veiled, the veil is then taken off.

5. There will be no more mystery of God; then it is finished.

IV. We shall consider THE RELATION BETWIXT THE MYSTERY OF GOD AND TIME.

1. Time is the space appointed for the mystery of God its being executed.

2. The subsistence or continuation of time depends on the mystery. Had there been no mystery of God to have been carried on, time once polluted with sin, had ended soon after it began.Hence we may learn:

1. Whence it comes to pass that there is so much stumbling of wicked men at the Divine conduct by Christ in the world. The matter is: it is a mystery, and their natural blindness hinders them to see it, so that they know it not (1 Corinthians 2:14).

2. How the godly come to have other thoughts of it; and true Christians admire the beauty and glory of it, which carnal men despise. It is the mystery of God, which He reveals to His friends and rearers of His name (Psalm 25:14).

3. No reason to despise religion because the world generally do so.

4. Time is not continued as a sleep without a design. Oh, that men would consider that it is lengthened out on a particular design; which, being compassed, it shall end for good and all!

5. It is not this world's business, but Heaven's business, that is the great design of the continuing of time.

6. The mystery of God must be a matter of singular excellency, and of the last importance, that for it time is continued.

7. The mystery of God has, in the execution of it, been of long continuance; but it is drawing to a close.

8. When there is no more time requisite for the mystery of God, there will be no more time for other things neither; time will end with it; for it is for the sake of it that it is continued.

(T. Boston.)

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KJV: And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

WEB: The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky,