Reference: Mystery
American
Means strictly a secret, and is so used when spoken of the heathen "mysteries" or secret rites, which were full of all manner of abominations. In the Scriptures the word "mystery" denotes those truths of religions which, without a revelation from God, would have remained unknown to man. Our Savior says to his disciples, that they are peculiarly happy, because God has revealed to them "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," Mt 16:17; 11:25; Lu 10:21-24. Paul explains the word in Eph 3:1-9; and often speaks of the mystery of the gospel, of the mystery of the cross of Christ, of the mystery of Christ which was unknown to former ages, of the mystery of the incarnation, the resurrection, etc., Ro 11:25; 1Co 2:7-10; 4:1; 13:2; 15:51; 1Ti 3:9,16. These, then, were called mysteries, not only because they included some things which stretch beyond all human thought, and others which would never have been known if the Son of God and his Holy Spirit had not revealed them, but also because they were not opened indifferently to everyone; according to the advice of Christ to his apostles, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine," 1Co 2:14. In one place "mystery" seems to denote the whole cycle of God's secret plan in the administration of the gospel, gradually unfolded even to the end, Re 10:7; 11:15.
Mystery signifies also an allegory, that is, a mode of information under which partial instruction is given, a partial discovery is made, but there is still a cover of some kind, which the persons who desires to know the whole must endeavor to remove. So the mystery of the seven star, Re 1:20, is an allegory representing the seven Asiatic churches under the symbol of seven burning lamps. So the mystery "Babylon the Great," is an allegorical representation of the spiritual Babylon, idolatry, spiritual fornication, etc., "I will tell thee the mystery of the woman;" that is, I will explain to thee the allegory of this figure, 7/5/type/mace'>Re 17:5,7.
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At the same time Jesus, continuing his discourses, said, "I thank thee, O father, Lord of heaven and earth, for having revealed unto babes what thou hast hid from the wise and prudent.
to whom Jesus reply'd, blessed art thou Simon, son of Jona: for 'tis not man that hath revealed this unto thee, but my father who is in heaven.
At that very time Jesus fell into a divine transport, and said, "I magnify thee, O father, the Lord of heaven and earth, for having conceal'd these things from the artful and the crafty, whilst thou hast reveal'd them to the unskilful. justly, O father, hast thou thus dispens'd thy favour." the management of every thing is committed to me by my father: no one knows what character the son is invested with, except the father; nor who the father is, except the son, and he to whom the son shall please to reveal it. read more. then addressing himself to his disciples in particular, he said, happy are they, who see what you see: for I assure you, that many prophets and princes have desired to see what you now behold, but they never saw it; and to hear what you have heard, which they never did.
I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this secret, (for fear you should presume too much on your selves) that blindness has fallen upon a part of Israel, until the time when the Gentiles shall be fully come in.
but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
This it is that makes me Paul a prisoner for Jesus Christ upon your account, O Gentiles; if so be you have heard of the charge, which God has graciously dispens'd to me for you Gentiles; read more. having revealed to me the secret, I now mention'd in short, by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ. which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit, "that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel." of this I was made a minister, according to the gracious gift God bestowed on me, by the effectual operation of his influence: upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ; and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things:
being firmly attach'd to, and founded upon him: establishing yourselves in the faith you have been taught, and being thankful for the improvement you make therein. beware lest any one seduce you by the vain illusions of philosophy, founded upon human traditions, and meer shadows, and not upon Christ: read more. for in him all divine plenitude does substantially reside. and ye are filled by him, who is the chief of all principality and power:
as for you, masters, give to your servants what is just and suitable: considering that you also have a master in heaven.
but avoid frivolous enquiries about genealogies, and vexatious disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
the conceal'd meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden candlesticks, is this: the seven stars signify the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw, signify the seven churches.
but when the seventh angel should speak, and the trumpet should sound, the mystery of God should be accomplish'd, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
The seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, crying, "the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever."
Upon her forehead this mystical title was written, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
and the angel said to me, wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystical meaning of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Easton
the calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church, so designated (Eph 1:9-10; 3:8-11; Col 1:25-27); a truth undiscoverable except by revelation, long hid, now made manifest. The resurrection of the dead (1Co 15:51), and other doctrines which need to be explained but which cannot be fully understood by finite intelligence (Mt 13:11; Ro 11:25; 1Co 13:2); the union between Christ and his people symbolized by the marriage union (Eph 5:31-32; comp. Eph 6:19); the seven stars and the seven candlesticks (Re 1:20); and the woman clothed in scarlet (Re 17:7), are also in this sense mysteries. The anti-Christian power working in his day is called by the apostle (2Th 2:7) the "mystery of iniquity."
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to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed.
I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this secret, (for fear you should presume too much on your selves) that blindness has fallen upon a part of Israel, until the time when the Gentiles shall be fully come in.
I shall now tell you a very great secret: we shall not all of us sleep, but we shall all be changed,
for he has discover'd to us the secret of his will, that out of his meer good pleasure, he had purposed in himself, when the full time of the dispensation was come, to reduce all things both in heaven and on earth, under one head in Christ.
upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ; and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things: read more. that the manifold wisdom of God, in ordering his heavenly kingdom, might by his church be now made known, to princes and magistrates, in pursuance of that dispensation which he made to former ages by Christ Jesus our Lord:
the scripture says, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and they two shall be as one." these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church.
in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel,
of which I have been established a minister, according to the charge which God has given me to preach his gospel faithfully among you. --- that mystery, which has been hid from ages and generations, but is now made manifest to his saints: read more. to whom God does disclose the glorious advantages of this mystery to you Gentiles, to wit, "that by Christ you may have the expectation of glory."
for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away:
the conceal'd meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden candlesticks, is this: the seven stars signify the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw, signify the seven churches.
and the angel said to me, wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystical meaning of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Fausets
From mustees, "one initiated" into "a revealed secret"; mueoo the verb means "to conceal"; Mu (?), the sound made by closing the lips (m), is the same onomatopoeic sound as in mute. In New Testament usage a spiritual truth heretofore hidden, incapable of discovery by mere reason, but now revealed. Not like the pagan mysteries, imparted only; to the initiated few. All Christians are the initiated; unbelievers alone are the uninitiated (2Co 4:3). The union of Christ and the church is such "a great mystery" (Eph 5:31-32). The church becoming a harlot by conformity to the world is a counter "mystery" (Re 17:5). "Iniquity" (anomia) in the harlot is a leaven working in "mystery" at first, i.e. latently; afterward when she is destroyed iniquity shall be revealed in "the man of iniquity" (ho anomos), the open embodiment of all previous evil, for popery cannot at once be the mystery of iniquity and the revealed antichrist (2Th 2:7-8).
The mystery of God (Re 10:7), in contrast, is man's "redemption from all iniquity" and its consequences; a mystery once hidden in God's secret counsels, dimly-shadowed forth in types and prophecies, but now more and more clearly revealed according as the gospel kingdom develops itself up to its fullest consummation. "The mystery of godliness" (1Ti 3:16) is the divine scheme embodied in Christ (Col 1:26-27). Hidden before "with God" as the "mystery," He is now made manifest (Joh 1:1,14; Ro 16:25-26). Redemption for the whole Gentile world as well as Israel, to whom it seemed in a great measure restricted in Old Testament, is now revealed to all. "The glory of this mystery is Christ in you (now by faith as your hidden life, Col 3:8), the hope of glory" (your hereafter to be manifested life: 1Co 2:7-9; 2Co 4:17). There are six New Testament "mysteries":
(1) The incarnation (1Ti 3:16).
(2) The mystery of iniquity (2Th 2:7).
(3) Christ's marriage to the church, Eph 5:32, translated "this mystery is great," i.e. this truth hidden once but now revealed, namely, Christ's spiritual union with the church, mystically represented by marriage, is of great import; not as Vulgate "this is a great sacrament"; not marriage in general, but that of Christ and His church, is the mystery, as Paul declares "I say it in regard to (eis) Christ, and to (eis)) the church," whereas Ge 2:24 refers primarily to literal marriage. (See MARRIAGE.)
(4) The union of Jews and Gentiles in one body, the present election church (Eph 3:4-6); the Old Testament did not foretell we should form Christ's one body, the temple of the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit not merely gives influences as in Old Testament, but personally comes and dwells in the church, joining Jews and Gentiles in one fellowship of God and Christ; He is the earnest of the coming inheritance and the seal of redemption; the Old Testament saints had "proetermission" (paresis) of sins, the New Testament saints have "full remission" (afesis); the forbearance of God was exercised then, the righteousness of God is revealed now (Ro 3:25-26) in our justification.
(5) Israel's full and final restoration (Ro 11:25).
(6) The resurrection of the body (1Co 15:51).
Ordinarily "mystery" refers to those from whom the knowledge is withheld; in the New Testament mystery refers to those to whom it is revealed. It is hidden in God until brought forward; even when brought forward it remains hidden from the carnal. "Mysteries" (1Co 14:2) mean what is unintelligible to the hearers, exciting wonder rather than instructing; this is in the common sense, but the New Testament does not sanction in the gospel mysteries in this sense. In Re 1:20 "the mystery of the seven stars" is a oncehidden truth, veiled under this symbol, but now revealed; its correlative is revelation. In 1Co 13:2 "mysteries" refer to God's deep counsels heretofore secret but now revealed, "knowledge" to truths long known.
So in Mt 13:11; Mr 4:11; Lu 8:10, "mysteries" answer in parallelism to "parables"; to the receptive "the mysteries," or once hidden things of the kingdom of God, are now known by God's gift; to the unbelieving they remain "parables," on which they see only the outward shell but do not taste the kernel (1Co 2:9-10,14-15; Ps 25:14; 1Jo 4:20-21; Joh 15:15). The parabolic form is designed to rouse the carnal to search and reflection; from whence Jesus did not begin to use it until after He had for some time been speaking plainly. In contrast to paganism, there were no mysteries revealed by God to ministers or priests that were not designed for all. De 29:29; "secret things belong to Jehovah (compare Job 11:7; Ro 11:33-34; at this point we must not presume to speculate; Col 2:18), but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
The little ones must hear all revelation as much as the intellectual (De 6:7; Jos 8:34-35; Ne 8:1-2). Moses and the prophets and the apostles practiced no "reserve." So Jesus ordered (Mt 10:27; 28:19). Paul preached publicly and from house to house the "whole counsel of God" (Ac 20:20,27), "keeping back nothing profitable." They taught babes indeed elementary essentials first, yet did not reserve the deepest truths out of sight, as the pagan mysteries; but set the ultimate goal of perfect knowledge from the first as that to be striven toward (1Co 2:6; 3:2; Heb 5:12).
Gnosticism introduced the system of esoteric and exoteric doctrine; the mediaeval church perpetuated it. Christ as God had the power to reserve His manifestation of Himself to a few during His earthly ministry, previous to the Pentecostal effusion of the Spirit (Mr 4:33; 9:9; Lu 9:21); but His ministers have no such right. Paul disclaims it, 2Co 4:2; "we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." On men themselves rests the responsibility how they use the whole counsel of God set before them (2Co 2:15-16).
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what I tell you in private, declare it in publick: and what is whisper'd in the ear, proclaim from the battlements of the house.
to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed.
go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost:
he answered, you are admitted into the secret of the gospel-dispensation: but to unbelievers every thing is couch'd in parables; because,
Thus he instructed them by such a variety of parables as were adapted to their capacity.
as they were going down the mountain, he order'd them not to tell any body what they had seen, till the son of man was raised from the dead:
he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear.
however, Jesus strictly charged them not to say so much to any body; adding,
In the beginning was the Logos, and the Logos was with God, and the Logos was God.
The Logos became incarnate, and had his tabernacle among us, being full of grace and truth; and we contemplated his glory, such glory as the Monogenes derived from the father.
henceforth I do not treat you as servants; for the servant is unacquainted with his master's affairs: but I have treated you as friends; for what I have learnt of my father, I have communicated to you.
that I have conceal'd nothing that might be useful to you, but have inform'd you of it, and instructed you therein, both in publick and in private:
for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve.
whom God had ordained, thro' faith, to be the propitiatory victim by his blood, for the manifestation of his goodness, by patiently passing over their past transgressions: to manifest, I say, his goodness at this time: that he might appear to be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.
I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this secret, (for fear you should presume too much on your selves) that blindness has fallen upon a part of Israel, until the time when the Gentiles shall be fully come in.
O the depth of the divine goodness, wisdom, and contrivance! how impenetrable are his decrees, and his ways past finding out! for who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his counsellor?
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret from antient times, but now is laid open, and by the writings of the prophets (according to the commandment of the eternal God) made known to all the Gentiles, to induce them to obey the faith:
However, what we preach is wisdom, to those who are thoroughly instructed: yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who will soon come to nothing. but we explain that mysterious plan of divine wisdom, which God had contriv'd before the ages, for our glory: read more. which none of the rulers of this age understood: for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. but, as it is written, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
but, as it is written, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." this is what God has revealed to us by his spirit: for the spirit penetrates into all things, even the profound counsels of God.
but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. but they are all expos'd to the judgment of the spiritual, whilst he himself is not subject to the judgment of any man.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, nor have you yet sufficient strength.
and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.
for he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God: for no man can understand the mysteries he delivers by the spirit.
I shall now tell you a very great secret: we shall not all of us sleep, but we shall all be changed,
for God is pleased to accept my christian labours, in favour both of those who are in a saving, and of those who are in a ruinous state: by the one my preaching is taken as a deadly poison, to the other it is a reviving potion. and who is so sufficient for such a commission?
renouncing all secret dishonesty, and void of all artifice, I deliver the word of God unadulterated, and recommend my self by urging the truth home to every man's conscience, as in the presence of God. but if our gospel be obscure, it is so only to those who are lost:
by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ. which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit, read more. "that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel."
the scripture says, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be united to his wife, and they two shall be as one." these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church.
these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church.
that mystery, which has been hid from ages and generations, but is now made manifest to his saints: to whom God does disclose the glorious advantages of this mystery to you Gentiles, to wit, "that by Christ you may have the expectation of glory."
Let no man condemn you, from an affectation of humility, in worshipping of Angels, boldly prying into matters which he knows nothing of, being vainly puft up with his Jewish conceits:
but now renounce them all, as well as anger, animosity, malice: let calumny and obscene discourse be banish'd from your lips.
that you read the epistle from Laodicea. give Archippus this instruction from me, take care to discharge the function, you
for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away:
for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away: and then the lawless will be discover'd, whom the Lord will extirpate by the spirit of his mouth, and at his glorious advent, will intirely abolish him,
the mystery of piety is the pillar and basts of truth; and certainly most extraordinary. God has appear'd in the flesh, been justified by the spirit, seen by angels, proclaim'd to the Gentiles, believ'd by the world, and assum'd into glory.
the mystery of piety is the pillar and basts of truth; and certainly most extraordinary. God has appear'd in the flesh, been justified by the spirit, seen by angels, proclaim'd to the Gentiles, believ'd by the world, and assum'd into glory.
for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment.
the conceal'd meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden candlesticks, is this: the seven stars signify the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw, signify the seven churches.
but when the seventh angel should speak, and the trumpet should sound, the mystery of God should be accomplish'd, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Upon her forehead this mystical title was written, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
Hastings
MYSTERY
The Greek myst
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to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed.
to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed.
At that very time Jesus fell into a divine transport, and said, "I magnify thee, O father, the Lord of heaven and earth, for having conceal'd these things from the artful and the crafty, whilst thou hast reveal'd them to the unskilful. justly, O father, hast thou thus dispens'd thy favour."
but by the divine favour I am still preserv'd alive, testifying to the small and to the great nothing but what Moses and the prophets have predicted should happen: "that Christ should suffer:
I owe what service I can do to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians, to the learned, and to the illiterate.
I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this secret, (for fear you should presume too much on your selves) that blindness has fallen upon a part of Israel, until the time when the Gentiles shall be fully come in.
Though they are violently prejudiced against the gospel upon your account: yet they are objects of favour upon the account of their having been chosen out of respect to your fore-fathers.
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret from antient times, but now is laid open,
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret from antient times, but now is laid open,
As for me, my brethren, when I appear'd among you, it was not to represent to you the divine mystery in sublime language, and with human literature.
However, what we preach is wisdom, to those who are thoroughly instructed: yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who will soon come to nothing. but we explain that mysterious plan of divine wisdom, which God had contriv'd before the ages, for our glory:
but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Let men consider us, as the ministers of Christ, who dispense the divine mysteries.
and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.
for he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God: for no man can understand the mysteries he delivers by the spirit.
I shall now tell you a very great secret: we shall not all of us sleep, but we shall all be changed,
and mark'd me with his seal, and given me the earnest of the spirit in my heart.
but if our gospel be obscure, it is so only to those who are lost: to those unbelievers, whose minds the God of this world has so blinded, that the glorious lustre of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, does not enlighten them.
an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance.
an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance.
these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church.
Let us therefore, who have been instructed, have this in view: and if you are sollicitous about any thing else, God will reveal even that unto you.
it is not my indigence that makes me say this: for I have learn'd, in whatevever state I am, therewith to be content: I know how to be in want,
he it is that we preach, exhorting, and instructing men in every part of divine knowledge, that they may all be perfectly acquainted with the doctrine of Christ Jesus.
that their hearts might be comforted, and that being firmly united in love, they might possess the highest and fullest persuasion of the truth of this doctrine, by entring into this mystery, even of God the father, and of Christ,
for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away:
for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away:
it is a proposition worthy to be believ'd, and be embrac'd by all, that Jesus Christ is come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest.
who wills that all men be saved, by embracing the truth.
you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, that is, in the church of the true God.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have received the heavenly gifts, communicated by the holy spirit,
souls. Let your behaviour among the Gentiles be virtuous, that instead of inveighing against you as vicious, they may observe your honest behaviour,
by observing the religious chastity of their manners.
for, the information we gave you of the powerful advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, did not proceed from any artfully contriv'd fables, we our selves having been spectators of his majesty.
the conceal'd meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden candlesticks, is this: the seven stars signify the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw, signify the seven churches.
the conceal'd meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden candlesticks, is this: the seven stars signify the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw, signify the seven churches.
saying, "hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
but when the seventh angel should speak, and the trumpet should sound, the mystery of God should be accomplish'd, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
but when the seventh angel should speak, and the trumpet should sound, the mystery of God should be accomplish'd, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
but when the seventh angel should speak, and the trumpet should sound, the mystery of God should be accomplish'd, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Upon her forehead this mystical title was written, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
Upon her forehead this mystical title was written, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
and the angel said to me, wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystical meaning of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
and the angel said to me, wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystical meaning of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Morish
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. Re 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. Mt 13:11; Mr 4:11; Lu 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. 1Co 2:7; 4:1; Eph 6:19; Col 4:3; 1Ti 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. 9/type/mace'>Eph 1:9; 3:3-4,9; Col 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. 1Co 15:51. In opposition to God there is the 'mystery of iniquity,' that was secretly working in the church in the apostles' days. 2Th 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." 7/5/type/mace'>Re 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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to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed.
he answered, you are admitted into the secret of the gospel-dispensation: but to unbelievers every thing is couch'd in parables; because,
he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear.
but we explain that mysterious plan of divine wisdom, which God had contriv'd before the ages, for our glory:
Let men consider us, as the ministers of Christ, who dispense the divine mysteries.
I shall now tell you a very great secret: we shall not all of us sleep, but we shall all be changed,
for he has discover'd to us the secret of his will, that out of his meer good pleasure, he had purposed in himself,
having revealed to me the secret, I now mention'd in short, by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ.
and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things:
in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel,
that mystery, which has been hid from ages and generations, but is now made manifest to his saints: to whom God does disclose the glorious advantages of this mystery to you Gentiles, to wit, "that by Christ you may have the expectation of glory."
put up your requests likewise for me, that God would give me an opportunity to declare the mystery of Christ (for which I am even in bonds:)
for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away:
but avoid frivolous enquiries about genealogies, and vexatious disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
but when the seventh angel should speak, and the trumpet should sound, the mystery of God should be accomplish'd, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Upon her forehead this mystical title was written, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.
and the angel said to me, wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystical meaning of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Watsons
MYSTERY. The Greek word ????????? denotes,
1. Something hidden, or not fully manifest. Thus, 2Th 2:7, we read of the "mystery of iniquity," which began to work in secret, but was not then completely disclosed or manifested.
2. Some sacred thing hidden or secret, which is naturally unknown to human reason, and is only known by the revelation of God. Thus, "Great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified by the Spirit," &c, 1Ti 3:16. The mystery of godliness, or of true religion, consisted in the several particulars here mentioned by the Apostle; particulars, indeed, which it would never have "entered into the heart of man to conceive," 1Co 2:9, had not God accomplished them in fact, and published them by the preaching of his Gospel; but which, being thus manifested, are intelligible, as facts, to the meanest understanding. In like manner, the term mystery, Ro 11:25; 1Co 15:51, denotes what was hidden or unknown, till revealed; and thus the Apostle speaks of a man's "understanding all mysteries," 1Co 13:2; that is, all the revealed truths of the Christian religion which is elsewhere called the "mystery of faith," 1Ti 3:9. And when he who spake in an unknown tongue is said to "speak mysteries," 1Co 14:2, it is plain, that these mysteries, however unintelligible to others on account of the language in which they were spoken, were yet understood by the person himself, because he hereby "edified himself," 1Co 14:4; Ac 2:11; 10:46. And though in 1Co 2:7-8, we read of the "wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which none of the princes of this world knew;" yet, says the Apostle, we speak or declare this wisdom; and he observes, verse 10, that God had revealed the particulars of which it consisted to them by his Spirit. So when the Apostles are called "stewards of the mysteries of God," 1Co 4:1, these mysteries could not mean what were, as facts, unknown to them; (because to them it was "given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God," Mt 13:11;) yea, the character here ascribed to them implies not only that they knew these mysteries themselves, but that as faithful stewards they were to dispense or make them known to others, Lu 12:42; 1Pe 4:10. In Col 2:2, St. Paul mentions his praying for his converts, that their hearts might be comforted "to the knowledge of the mystery of God, even of the Father, and of Christ;" for thus the passage should be translated. But if, with our translators, we render ?????????, acknowledgment, still the word ????????? can by no means exclude knowledge; "for this is life eternal," saith our Lord, Joh 17:3, "that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." And, lastly, whatever be the particular meaning of the "mystery of God," mentioned Re 10:7, yet it was something he had declared "to (or rather by) his servants the prophets."
3. The word mystery is sometimes in the writings of St. Paul applied in a peculiar sense to the calling of the Gentiles, which he styles "the mystery," Eph 3:3-6; and "the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy Apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of Christ by the Gospel," Ro 16:25; Eph 1:9; 3:9; 6:19; Col 1:26-27; 4:3.
4. It denotes spiritual truth couched under an external representation or similitude, and concealed or hidden thereby, unless some explanation of it be otherwise given. Thus, Re 1:20, "The mystery," that is, the spiritual meaning, "of the seven stars: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." So Re 17:5, "And upon her forehead a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great," that is, Babylon in a spiritual sense, "the mother of idolatry and abominations;" and, verse 7, "I will tell thee the mystery" or spiritual signification "of the woman." Compare Mt 13:11; Mr 4:11; Lu 8:10; Eph 5:32; and their respective contexts.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed.
to whom he answered, because you are allowed to know the mysteries of the gospel-dispensation, but to them it is not allowed.
he answered, you are admitted into the secret of the gospel-dispensation: but to unbelievers every thing is couch'd in parables; because,
he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear.
Jesus answered, if there be a faithful prudent steward, appointed by his master to give his domesticks their stated allowance; happy is such a servant,
and this is life eternal, to acknowledge thee to be the only true God, and Jesus to be the Messiah whom thou hast sent.
Cretes, and Arabians, we hear them all proclaiming in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
for they heard them express their praises to God in divers languages.
I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this secret, (for fear you should presume too much on your selves) that blindness has fallen upon a part of Israel, until the time when the Gentiles shall be fully come in.
Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, conformable to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret from antient times, but now is laid open,
but we explain that mysterious plan of divine wisdom, which God had contriv'd before the ages, for our glory: which none of the rulers of this age understood: for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. read more. but, as it is written, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
Let men consider us, as the ministers of Christ, who dispense the divine mysteries.
and tho' I should have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and tho' I had all the faith necessary to remove mountains, and had no benevolence, it would signify nothing.
for he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God: for no man can understand the mysteries he delivers by the spirit.
he that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself alone: but he that expounds, edifies the church.
for he has discover'd to us the secret of his will, that out of his meer good pleasure, he had purposed in himself,
having revealed to me the secret, I now mention'd in short, by the reading whereof you may perceive how far I am let into the secret of Christ. read more. which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit, "that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel."
and display to all the world that mysterious dispensation, which from all past ages has been conceal'd in the secret purpose of God, who created all things:
these words contain a very mystical sense, I mean in reference to Christ and the church.
in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel,
that mystery, which has been hid from ages and generations, but is now made manifest to his saints: to whom God does disclose the glorious advantages of this mystery to you Gentiles, to wit, "that by Christ you may have the expectation of glory."
that their hearts might be comforted, and that being firmly united in love, they might possess the highest and fullest persuasion of the truth of this doctrine, by entring into this mystery, even of God the father, and of Christ,
put up your requests likewise for me, that God would give me an opportunity to declare the mystery of Christ (for which I am even in bonds:)
for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away:
but by their integrity maintain the reverence due to the gospel.
the mystery of piety is the pillar and basts of truth; and certainly most extraordinary. God has appear'd in the flesh, been justified by the spirit, seen by angels, proclaim'd to the Gentiles, believ'd by the world, and assum'd into glory.
the conceal'd meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven golden candlesticks, is this: the seven stars signify the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw, signify the seven churches.
but when the seventh angel should speak, and the trumpet should sound, the mystery of God should be accomplish'd, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Upon her forehead this mystical title was written, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.