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In 1 Corinthians 4:1-3 Paul declares that Christians are to be good stewards of the "mysteries of God." Note the plural use of the word. As we examine the word of God we find that there are several "mysteries" mentioned in the New Testament. We have categorized these into the seven as listed below. A mystery as revealed in the New Testament was a truth veiled in the Old Testament. As we look at these mysteries we will find that the Apostle Paul was chosen to reveal six of them to the Church. The other one is revealed by John in the Revelation.
A steward is an overseer, a keeper, a dispenser, and a minister of something entrusted to that person. It might be something material like a ranch, or it may be something spiritual like a truth. Note that we are to be "faithful" stewards.
Matthew 25:14-30
- 1 Timothy 3:16 - "...God manifest in the flesh"
This may be the most difficult to comprehend. This is the mystery of the "Incarnate Word." John 1:1-3, Hebrews 1:8, John 8:58- Ephesians 3:4-8
This is the truth that God was going to come down and dwell in the Gentiles. The Jew had a very difficult time with this. Colossians 1:26-27- Ephesians 5:32 - "...Christ and the church."
The relationship and truth of the "church." Colossians 1:18- Romans 11:25 - "...blindness in part has happened to Israel."
Since Israel rejected Jesus the Gospel has gone out unto the whole world. Romans 3:2- 2 Thessalonians 2:7 - "...the mystery of iniquity..."
There will be a man of sin which we call the "Anti-Christ." He will be a counterfeiter, a fake Christ, a false Messiah.- 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 - "...we shall not all sleep..."
The wonderful truth of the "Rapture of the Church." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18- Revelation 17:5, 18 - "...MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT..."
This is the unveiling of the one who would become the harlot church. A great religious whore.Primary verses referenced:
1 Timothy 3:16 Ephesians 3:3-8 Ephesians 5:32 Romans 11:25 2 Thessalonians 2:7 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 Revelation 17:5,18
Scriptures
Matthew 25:14-30
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.21 ¶ Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.29 ¶ And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:John 1:1-3 1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Colossians 1:26-27 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Romans 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Ephesians 3:3-8 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 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; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
1 Corinthians 15:51-55 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.