A mystery
is not something which must be kept secret, but rather a concealed
Truth which God is pleased to unveil when the time is ripe.
Thus the mysteries of the kingdom were revealed to the disciples,
but not to the prophets preceding them:
Matthew 13:10-17: "The disciples
came to Him [Jesus] and asked, 'Why do You speak to the
people in parables?'
"He replied, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the
kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from
him. This is why I speak to them in parables:
"'"Though
seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or
understand."
"'In them is fulfilled the prophecy of
Isaiah: "You will be ever hearing but never
understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with
their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they
might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with
their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."
"'But blessed are your eyes because they see, and
your ears because they hear. For I tell you the Truth, many
prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not
see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear
it.'"
This
mystery that is now disclosed to the saints is the Word, by which
we will be held accountable before God:
John 12:47-50: [Jesus said,] "As
for the person who hears My Words but does not keep them, I do not
judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save
it. There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not
accept My Words; that very Word which I spoke will condemn him at
the last day. For I did not speak of My Own accord, but the
Father Who sent Me commanded Me what to say and how to say
it. I know that His command leads to eternal life. So
whatever I say is just what the Father has told Me to
say."
Hebrews 4:12-13: "For the Word of
God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in
all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered
and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give
account."
