Stephen Michael

Stephen M. Haselden

“The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.” Colossians 1:26 (nkjv)

We all love a good mystery. Great writers have made fortunes with their ability to capture our attention through the dialogues of enchanting events. It’s pleasing, thought provoking, with the sweet taste of danger. The lure of a cats’ mysterious eyes, slowly winking emotions which we can’t see or comprehend. It seems that God made cats to teach us about mystery and to the inside thoughts of Himself.

“Something not understood or beyond understanding.” Merriam-Webster definition.

So, mystery to humanity can be unknown without any hope of ever knowing.

However, the Bible has a different look at mystery. The Greek word “Musterion,” (Strongs 3466) is defined as such;

“In the NT it denotes, not the mysterious (as with the English word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by Divine revelation, and is made known to a manner and at a time appointed by God and to those only who are illuminated by His spirit.”

Thus, we can know mysterious things, not as Websters defines, but as God reveals to His chosen believers. It’s the wonders of creation to be opened up, and most importantly to know God. The Bible is the only source of knowledge about God. The inspired men who penned these wonderous words are actually revealing the mystery of God’s heart before us.

Today, they’re those who believe that God reveals special revelation to them personally. However, let me challenge you to consider what’s being presented. The content of our Bible is the miracle work of the Holy Spirit who inspired 40 authors to pen the 66 books to form the doctrine of the mind of God. One must think on these words we read and comprehend, comparing scripture with scripture. That’s the revelation, no need for a new vision, it’s a “Montanism” spirit where thinking to revive the offices of apostle and prophet. So, the idea of a new vision and resuming of this prophetic office renders man to be God-like with authority… It’s not Biblical.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made know to all nations, leading to obedience of faith.” Romans 16:25-26 (nasb)

Surely God speaks to our hearts, chastises, answers prayer, heals and blesses us. It’s our faith that presents us to God allowing our minds to be united with Him as holy vessels.

The Theological works of Luther, Calvin, Knox and others never considered to look for a new Divine revelation outside the revealed Word of God. Their premise of a good Theology is “Sola-Scriptura, Scripture alone.” It points our faith directly to the scriptures. Many days in my bible study I struggle with the applications of the mystery. Nevertheless, the answer may be partial or incomplete, leading my study to seek wisdom from the minds of others, always leading back to the scriptures.

The world looks at this mystery as foolishness, but we believers see the Glory of God opened to us daily. His wonderful works are knowable, the depth and width of the universe is enough to hold us speechless for eternity.

The hidden purpose allows believers a unique position before God. It’s the faith to believe that allows man to have communion with God.

Satan uses mystery as a counterfeit for his glory. His forgery tactics are deeply imbedded in the occult practices, those things done in secrete. Hidden rituals performed by unruly men and women in the dark corners, out of sight of the public. Man loves darkness, it’s his place of comfort, belonging, while God illuminates His Glory, Satan darkens with gloom with things hidden.

Why the appeal of darkness? It’s emotional rather than intellectual, things in secret draw the emotions. God has warned us to stray from the darkness,

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deut. 29:29 (nkjv)

However, God does command us to visit our prayer closet in secret to seek His divine presence alone in prayer and petitions. While Catholics seek confession with their priest hidden in privacy to confess falling short of God’s commands. Mormons have their secret ceremonial cleansing behind the veil to present a clean vessel to God for blessings. And secret societies perform their rituals behind closed doors, no public viewing is allowed. They’re practices and rituals are forbidden by the Word of God.

“The secret or specialized practices or ritual peculiar to an occupation or a body of people.” Merriam-Websters definition.

This mystery is not something unknowable, rather it is what can only be know through revelation, i.e. because God reveals it through His Word. The hidden purpose allows believers a unique position before God. It’s the faith to believe that allows man to have communion with God. The saints of God will prevail with all knowledge soon throughout eternity.

We who believe in His Sovereignty rejoice in this revelation. The Creator shares life with every believer and we’re not to know everything about Him yet, one day we will see Him as He is… Amen.