The Bible refers to the “mystery of God” in several places, speaking of God’s grand plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. This mystery is something that was hidden in the past but has now been revealed through the gospel message. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible says about the mystery of God:
Ephesians 3:3-6 refers to the mystery made known by revelation, which is that through the gospel the Gentiles would become fellow heirs with the Jews in Christ. This was not fully understood in previous eras but was made clear through the ministry of the apostles and prophets.
Colossians 1:26-27 states that this mystery is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The indwelling of Christ through the Holy Spirit in all believers was not revealed previously but is a key aspect of the new covenant in Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:7 says that this wisdom of God was hidden and predetermined by God before the ages for our glory. His plan of redemption was established long ago but not understood until the coming of Christ.
Ephesians 1:9 speaks of God revealing the mystery of His will “according to His good pleasure.” Again, the mystery refers to His redemptive plan that He purposed in Himself and brought about in His timing.
1 Timothy 3:16 declares that the mystery of godliness is the incarnation, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. This unfolding plan that centers on Christ was a mystery in ages past.
In Romans 16:25-27, Paul explains that the mystery was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed through prophetic writings and is made known to all Gentiles. He is speaking broadly of God’s plan of redemption through Christ.
Ephesians 6:19 refers to the mystery of the gospel for which Paul was an ambassador in chains. He sought to proclaim clearly this good news of salvation by grace through faith in Christ.
Colossians 4:3 asks for prayer that God may open a door for the word so that Paul may declare the mystery of Christ. Again, it is the good news of Jesus and salvation through Him that was hidden and now revealed.
Romans 11:25-26 speaks of the mystery of Israel’s salvation and restoration. Though they were hardened in part, eventually “all Israel will be saved” in fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
Revelation 10:7 declares that when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled. This refers to God wrapping up the final stages of His redemptive plan for creation.
In summary, the mystery of God refers to His overarching plan of redemption centered in Jesus Christ. Though hinted at in the Old Testament, it was not fully understood until the coming of Christ and the apostolic revelations. This mystery encompasses Gentile inclusion, indwelling of the Spirit, salvation by grace, Christ’s incarnation and resurrection, calling of the church, Israel’s restoration, and the consummation of all things in Christ.
At the heart of this mystery is God’s grace shown to all peoples through faith in Jesus. The mysteries of His will and wisdom were determined before time but hidden until the fullness of time when Christ came. Now this glorious gospel of grace is proclaimed to all nations so that all may become fellow heirs through the gift of salvation by faith alone in Jesus. We stand amazed at this marvelous mystery of God that was kept secret for ages but is now fully revealed through the incarnation, atonement, and resurrection of the Son of God.
All of this was predetermined, foreordained, and hidden in the Almighty God before time began. He purposed and planned to bring about our redemption through the sending of His Son Jesus in human flesh to die for our sins. This wondrous mystery confounded human wisdom but was God’s secret predestined plan from before creation. The prophets searched diligently to understand this mystery that was later revealed. Even the angels longed to look into these things which were not made known in previous eras. But in the last days, God has spoken fully and finally through His Son Jesus Christ, the exact imprint of God’s nature and full revelation of who God is. Now this beautiful mystery of salvation by grace is proclaimed to the nations for the obedience of faith.
We stand in awe of this majestic mystery, this hidden wisdom, this secret purpose determined beforehand by Almighty God. No eye had seen, no ear had heard what God prepared for those who love Him until He brought it to pass through Christ and revealed it by His Spirit to the apostles. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and inscrutable His ways! He orchestrated every detail of this beautiful redemption story across centuries of human history to glorify His name and bring many sons to glory. What an amazing, intricate plot He wove into the fabric of the ages, hidden from the foundation of the world, to save sinners like us through His Son. How we praise God for this magnificent mystery now disclosed!
From beginning to end, the entire narrative of Scripture reveals aspects of this mystery. Like individual brushstrokes on a masterpiece painting, each detail contributes to the fuller revelation. The incarnate Christ is Himself the mystery of God veiled in human flesh, the visible image of the invisible God, the radiance of His glory. When Christ uttered “It is finished” on the cross, the mystery was accomplished, the shadows of the old covenant met their substance, and the curtain in the temple was torn in two giving access. On the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out, this mystery was made alive in the hearts of all believers. Until that time, the disciples themselves did not understand the necessity of the Messiah’s death and resurrection. But after these climatic events, the eyes of their hearts were enlightened. The pieces fell into place for them just as God orchestrated them to. The concealed mystery was finally and fully brought to light through Jesus Christ so that all nations might believe and obey Him.
As Paul declared, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The Old Testament spoke in types and shadows that pointed forward to redemptive truth realized in Christ. Through His death for sin, resurrection in power, and gift of the indwelling Spirit, Christ now lives in all who believe. This is the magnificent mystery of the gospel and the inexhaustible riches of God’s grace toward us in Jesus. We who were once far off have been brought near to God through the blood of Christ! All who turn from sin and trust fully in Him are saved from God’s wrath and adopted as His cherished children. This blessing that we Gentiles now share was not fully grasped in ancient times. But now in Christ the wall of separation has been abolished and we are fellow citizens of God’s covenant family. Both Jews and Gentiles are reconciled as one new man through the cross. This “mystery of Christ” displayed to the world through the church will continue unfolding until the full number of the elect are brought in.
What amazing wisdom and grace God has shown toward us! He purposed before the world began to redeem lost sinners through the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son. This mystery confounds human wisdom but unfolds perfectly according to God’s flawless plan across centuries of redemptive history. Old Testament prophecies, types, and patterns gradually increased understanding over time. Then the coming of Christ, His perfect life, atoning death for sins, resurrection, ascension, and gift of the Spirit brought the revelation of this mystery to its climax. The curtain concealing the Most Holy Place was torn open by God Himself giving access through the blood of Jesus. Now this glorious gospel of grace is proclaimed to all nations that many more might come to obey Christ through faith and receive eternal life. What an unspeakable privilege we have to be ministers of this precious mystery! By God’s grace, may we declare it faithfully and clearly until the full number of Gentiles comes to faith in Jesus Christ.
How humbling it is to consider that Almighty God predestined this mystery for our glory even before time began. He could have left us condemned in our sins, but in His marvelous grace, He sent His Son to redeem us. This has been His perfect plan all along—that Jews and Gentiles together might inherit eternal life solely by trusting in Christ. This mystery surpasses human understanding. No scheme of man could craft a story with such beauty, power, and wisdom. Our God orchestrated all of redemptive history down to the finest details to unveil this mystery in due time and bring Himself maximum glory. He spoke through the prophets, but they yearned to know details not yet revealed. Angels longed to gaze upon these truths disclosed in Christ. Generation after generation saw only glimpses and shadows until the coming of Jesus when the light of the gospel shone fully. In His death and resurrection, Christ accomplished our redemption, tearing the curtain in two, giving all nations access to God by the Spirit through faith.
How privileged we are to live in these last days when the mystery hidden for ages past has now been fully revealed! All who repent and believe in Christ are saved by grace and reconciled to God as His cherished possession, the church. Jews and Gentiles together are fellow heirs of this promise. This glorious gospel mystery produces joy and praise that will echo through eternity future. God is wise beyond our comprehension. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours as the heavens are above the earth. His judgments are unsearchable and His paths beyond tracing out. From eternity past to eternity future, our God reigns sovereign over all things to accomplish His perfect plan. To Him alone be all glory, honor, power, and dominion forever! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord for this magnificent mystery!
We stand in awe of this beautiful story of redemption woven through centuries of history according to God’s flawless script. He spoke in diverse ways through the prophets, revealing aspects of the mystery. But now in these last days He has spoken fully by His Son—the radiance of His glory, the exact representation of His nature, the final Sacrifice, the great high Priest, the King of the universe! By sending His Son in human flesh, God tore open the veil concealing the mystery. What was once hidden has now been fully revealed that we might behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. How blessed we are to see this mystery brought to light and proclaimed to every nation! All who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. God is glorified and sinners are reconciled as His cherished possession, the church. To the only wise God be dominion and glory forever!
One day every knee will bow before the name of Jesus and every tongue confess He is Lord to the glory of God the Father. God’s eternal redemptive plan centered in His Son will culminate in the exaltation of Christ over all creation. The mystery of God foretold by the prophets and concealed through past ages has now been disclosed through the gospel. This good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus is going out to all nations so that the full number of Gentiles will come in. God is gathering His elect from every tribe and tongue until the fullness of the mystery is revealed at Christ’s return. On that glorious day the mystery will be finished, and the shadowy types of the old covenant will meet their complete fulfillment in the reality of Jesus Christ.
Until that day we urge all people everywhere to repent and believe the gospel of this magnificent mystery. Turn from sin and trust in Christ alone, and you will be saved from God’s wrath, adopted as His child, and granted eternal life. This promise is not just for the Jews but also for the Gentiles. All who believe are fellow heirs of the blessings God predestined for His people before time began. What an unspeakable privilege we have to participate in the unfolding of this mystery! Let us proclaim the glories of our God who orchestrated this beautiful redemption story. To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!
How great is this mystery of Christ that was kept secret in past ages but is now revealed! God in His infinite wisdom established this plan before the foundation of the world for our glory. Though spoken of by the prophets, even angels longed to look into these things. But in His perfect timing, God has disclosed this mystery through the gospel so that all nations might come to the obedience of faith. Now revealed, we stand amazed at the intricate beauty of God’s redemptive work across centuries of history. Everything was intricately planned to unfold in just the right way leading up to Christ. At just the right time, Christ came and accomplished our redemption through His sinless life, sacrificial death on the cross, resurrection from the dead, and ascension to God’s right hand. He is the radiance of God’s glory, the full revelation of God, the fulfillment of the old covenant. In Him the shadowy types, patterns, and promises find their decisive substance and meaning. How privileged we are to live in these last days when this mystery hidden for ages past has been gloriously and fully revealed in Christ!
To God alone be the glory for this magnificent mystery! In His flawless wisdom, He crafted a beautiful redemption story across the pages of history. In His perfect timing, He sent the promised Messiah, the Incarnate Son, as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world. This mystery confounded human wisdom but unfolded just as God planned for His praise. We stand in awe of the untraceable riches of His wisdom seen in the wondrous cross, the empty tomb, Christ’s ascension to glory. How great is our salvation that God predestined before the world began! We who once were dead in sin have been made alive in Christ. To God be all glory, wisdom, power, and dominion forever!