Mystery

Normally, God's plan of salvation which, though once unknown to human beings, is now revealed by God.

God's character and purpose cannot be discerned by human reason

Job 11:7 See also Job 38:1–42:6

Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

God reveals his plans through dreams, interpreted by his servant

Daniel 2:28 Nebuchadnezzar's dreams require the interpretation that God discloses to Daniel before they can be understood as a revelation of divine purposes for Babylon and the surrounding nations. See also Daniel 2:17–49, Daniel 4:9

But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:

God's mysteries are revealed to a man inspired by his Spirit

Daniel 4:18 See also Amos 3:7

This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the wise men of my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

The mystery of God's kingdom

Matthew 13:11 parallels Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10 God's plan to establish his kingdom is revealed only to those chosen to receive it. To those “outside” it is hidden in parables.

He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Mystery as God's plan of salvation

God's plan, now revealed, has been hidden for long ages

Ephesians 3:9 The use of “mystery” in this sense is found particularly in Paul's letters. See also Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Colossians 1:26

and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

God's plan is fulfilled in Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:9 See also Ephesians 3:4; Colossians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:16 The “mystery of godliness” is the revealed secret that produces godliness in people.

And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ

God's plan through Jesus Christ is for the salvation of Gentiles as well as Jews

Ephesians 3:6 See also Romans 11:25; Colossians 1:27

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ultimately God's plan is for the transformation of the whole creation

Ephesians 1:9–10 See also 1 Corinthians 15:51–53; Revelation 10:7, Revelation 17:5–8

And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.

God's plan is revealed by his Spirit so that his servants may publicly proclaim it

Ephesians 3:8–9 See also Ephesians 3:4–6, Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 1:25–27, Colossians 4:3; Revelation 10:7

Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Mystery as other aspects of God's purposes, spiritually discerned

2 Thessalonians 2:7 Paul's reference to “the secret power (literally “mystery”) of lawlessness” suggests that we know some things about evil only as God reveals them. See also 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 14:2

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now restrains it will continue until he is taken out of the way.

Mystery as an allegorical understanding of a biblical text, revealed to Paul by God

Ephesians 5:31–32 Paul sees Genesis 2:24 as symbolising the unity between Jesus Christ and his church; the unity of husband and wife is a human reflection of that relationship.

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.