Dictionary of Bible Themes: 6694 mystery

6694 mystery

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 6000 Sin and salvation » 6600 Aspects of salvation » 6694 mystery

Normally, God's plan of salvation which, though once unknown to human beings, is now revealed by God.

God's character and purpose cannot be discerned by human reason

God reveals his plans through dreams, interpreted by his servant

Daniel 2:28 Nebuchadnezzar's dreams require the interpretation that God discloses to Daniel before they can be understood as a revelation of divine purposes for Babylon and the surrounding nations. See also Daniel 2:17-49; Daniel 4:9

God's mysteries are revealed to a man inspired by his Spirit

Daniel 4:18 See also Amos 3:7

The mystery of God's kingdom

Matthew 13:11 pp Mark 4:11 pp Luke 8:10 God's plan to establish his kingdom is revealed only to those chosen to receive it. To those “outside” it is hidden in parables.

Mystery as God's plan of salvation

God's plan, now revealed, has been hidden for long ages

Ephesians 3:9 The use of “mystery” in this sense is found particularly in Paul's letters. See also Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Colossians 1:26

God's plan is fulfilled in Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:9 See also Ephesians 3:4; Colossians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:16 The “mystery of godliness” is the revealed secret that produces godliness in people.

God's plan through Jesus Christ is for the salvation of Gentiles as well as Jews

Ephesians 3:6 See also Romans 11:25; Colossians 1:27

Ultimately God's plan is for the transformation of the whole creation

Ephesians 1:9-10 See also 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Revelation 10:7; Revelation 17:5-8

God's plan is revealed by his Spirit so that his servants may publicly proclaim it

Ephesians 3:8-9 See also Ephesians 3:4-6; Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 1:25-27; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 10:7

Mystery as other aspects of God's purposes, spiritually discerned

2 Thessalonians 2:7 Paul's reference to “the secret power (literally “mystery”) of lawlessness” suggests that we know some things about evil only as God reveals them. See also 1 Corinthians 13:2; Corinthians 14:2

Mystery as an allegorical understanding of a biblical text, revealed to Paul by God

Ephesians 5:31-32 Paul sees Ge 2:24 as symbolising the unity between Jesus Christ and his church; the unity of husband and wife is a human reflection of that relationship.