4. READ: COLOSSIANS 1:24-29
b. What is God's "mystery"?
Answer: God's "mystery" is His Word in its fullness, (verses 25 and 26).
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."
This mystery is the Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ. Its fullness is revealed so that all nations might believe and obey Him:
Romans 16:25-27: "Now to Him Who is able to establish you by my Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey Him--to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."