Mystery And Prophecy Controversy
Written by: Delbert Magusara Haim
November 8, 2012
There is a certain group of Christian that always preaching about the things that differ between Prophecy and Mystery in the Bible. They make charts to elaborate the programs of these two terms and it shows there; a program for prophecy and another program for mystery.
Actually, I was with this group before and I learned a lot of things from their doctrines. I studied very well what they believed and of course everything is biblical but I have found something wrong in process of interpretation. Their way of interpreting terms is by understanding its normal sense but I think it’s wrong. For we know that the prophecy was not written to be interpreted by its normal meaning because it is a hidden truth. In fact, even the apostle Peter could not directly understand visions or dreams because God’s mind is wiser than the thoughts of men.
I know they need to interpret terms by its normal meaning for safety purposes but they don’t know by doing in such way it simply lead them to foolishness, like the revelation of mystery that Peter saw and heard from a vision;
Now, if you were Peter would you interpret them by its normal sense? If you will, then you are better than Peter because he took hours to think of what the vision means for he knew it is a cryptic message as the manner of God’s revelation. In other words, he did study the vision.
Notice here, when Peter followed the instruction given from the vision and met a certain man name Cornelius with the other gentiles, he realized that the message is all about to call no man unclean, and then he understood.
That is exactly how the mystery revealed to Peter. In this point, we now may reconcile the difference of how we understand the scriptures. First, we need to know that a term “revelation” has the same context with the “prophecy”. When God reveal something to men it will manifest to them in dreams and visions and called then as the prophecy. A prophecy is part of the fulfillment which God had made to reveal his secrets and when it is fulfilled by the facts, a mystery becomes made known to all and no longer a mystery. Whether you will agree or not but this is the cycle of truth; from God to prophets, from prophets to men, from men to all nations, and so the nations will hear his voice.
For example: (About the mystery that had been kept secret since the word began)
The mystery that was kept secret since the world began was made manifest by the apostles and of course also by the scriptures of the prophets because it was prophesied before them. The word “manifest” simply means “appear or reveal”. The mystery here that made manifest or revealed by the apostles like Peter is the gospel of Christ that said; there are no more unclean creatures in the sight of God and so they shall call no man unclean. That message has the same context with the gospel received and preached by Paul; that the Gentiles now are of the same body with the Jews.
But before this mystery or gospel was revealed to Paul and Peter, it was already prophesied by many prophets of their forefathers but still not made known to all sons or children of Israel because it is sealed for a purpose. The seal here is prepared only for them who always do evil and called as the sons of men.
Job said ;( In the Old Testament)
The same with Paul he says; (In the New Testament)
So, how the prophecy of mystery had been sealed that no sons of men could see? The answer is simple, just read the prophecies written below and judge by yourself.
You see? All of the above passages are not so clear and composed with creative terms. They are sealed and stated figuratively just to keep it secret until the ascension of Christ. Unlike to the messages of Paul and Peter as written;
So clearly, the mystery from the beginning of the world was prophesied by many prophets in ancient time, and then was fulfilled during the time of Acts when Christ ascended into the heaven and published by the Holy Apostles to all nations.
Wherefore it is written “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets”
But I can’t imagine the interpretation of others that there is another program for mystery and another to prophecy and these two terms have their distinctive ending. They thought that the prophecy of the prophets concerning the gentiles is another program in contrast to the revelation of mystery that Peter and Paul had received.
To give you a fair and clear judgment, you can now compare my studies to your distinctive programs and judge. For your guidance:
- If you know the gospel of Christ, then you have the gospel of grace.
- And if you have now the gospel of grace, then you know exactly what the mystery is.
- And if you know the mystery very well, so you also know when it was prophesied.
- And if you know the prophecy, then you can see the revelation of mystery.
November 8, 2012
There is a certain group of Christian that always preaching about the things that differ between Prophecy and Mystery in the Bible. They make charts to elaborate the programs of these two terms and it shows there; a program for prophecy and another program for mystery.
Actually, I was with this group before and I learned a lot of things from their doctrines. I studied very well what they believed and of course everything is biblical but I have found something wrong in process of interpretation. Their way of interpreting terms is by understanding its normal sense but I think it’s wrong. For we know that the prophecy was not written to be interpreted by its normal meaning because it is a hidden truth. In fact, even the apostle Peter could not directly understand visions or dreams because God’s mind is wiser than the thoughts of men.
- Act 10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
I know they need to interpret terms by its normal meaning for safety purposes but they don’t know by doing in such way it simply lead them to foolishness, like the revelation of mystery that Peter saw and heard from a vision;
- Act 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
Now, if you were Peter would you interpret them by its normal sense? If you will, then you are better than Peter because he took hours to think of what the vision means for he knew it is a cryptic message as the manner of God’s revelation. In other words, he did study the vision.
- Act 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Notice here, when Peter followed the instruction given from the vision and met a certain man name Cornelius with the other gentiles, he realized that the message is all about to call no man unclean, and then he understood.
- Act 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
That is exactly how the mystery revealed to Peter. In this point, we now may reconcile the difference of how we understand the scriptures. First, we need to know that a term “revelation” has the same context with the “prophecy”. When God reveal something to men it will manifest to them in dreams and visions and called then as the prophecy. A prophecy is part of the fulfillment which God had made to reveal his secrets and when it is fulfilled by the facts, a mystery becomes made known to all and no longer a mystery. Whether you will agree or not but this is the cycle of truth; from God to prophets, from prophets to men, from men to all nations, and so the nations will hear his voice.
For example: (About the mystery that had been kept secret since the word began)
- Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
The mystery that was kept secret since the world began was made manifest by the apostles and of course also by the scriptures of the prophets because it was prophesied before them. The word “manifest” simply means “appear or reveal”. The mystery here that made manifest or revealed by the apostles like Peter is the gospel of Christ that said; there are no more unclean creatures in the sight of God and so they shall call no man unclean. That message has the same context with the gospel received and preached by Paul; that the Gentiles now are of the same body with the Jews.
- Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
But before this mystery or gospel was revealed to Paul and Peter, it was already prophesied by many prophets of their forefathers but still not made known to all sons or children of Israel because it is sealed for a purpose. The seal here is prepared only for them who always do evil and called as the sons of men.
Job said ;( In the Old Testament)
- In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. Job 33:15-17
The same with Paul he says; (In the New Testament)
- Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
So, how the prophecy of mystery had been sealed that no sons of men could see? The answer is simple, just read the prophecies written below and judge by yourself.
- Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den
- Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
- Isa 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
- Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
- Isaiah 62:2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
- Lamentations 2:9 Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.
- Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
You see? All of the above passages are not so clear and composed with creative terms. They are sealed and stated figuratively just to keep it secret until the ascension of Christ. Unlike to the messages of Paul and Peter as written;
- Act 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
- Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
So clearly, the mystery from the beginning of the world was prophesied by many prophets in ancient time, and then was fulfilled during the time of Acts when Christ ascended into the heaven and published by the Holy Apostles to all nations.
Wherefore it is written “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets”
But I can’t imagine the interpretation of others that there is another program for mystery and another to prophecy and these two terms have their distinctive ending. They thought that the prophecy of the prophets concerning the gentiles is another program in contrast to the revelation of mystery that Peter and Paul had received.
To give you a fair and clear judgment, you can now compare my studies to your distinctive programs and judge. For your guidance:
- If you know the gospel of Christ, then you have the gospel of grace.
- And if you have now the gospel of grace, then you know exactly what the mystery is.
- And if you know the mystery very well, so you also know when it was prophesied.
- And if you know the prophecy, then you can see the revelation of mystery.