Intro:

Mysteries have intrigued people since the dawn of time, and men have spent their lives searching out mysteries from ancient days.

Men have spent their lives studying out the mystery of how stone hinge in Great Britain was constructed? or how the ancient egyptians constructed those massive pyramids? Or why these pyramids have hollow tunnels positioned to point directly up to specific stars? Or how the Rapa Nui of Easter Island constructed and transported huge stone statues (about 900) some weighing in at over 80 tons, and yet carefully placed on platforms on the edges all around the Island. How did they do it?

The Bible also contains mysteries that have intrigued humans for thousands of years — But there is one mystery that is older than all other mysteries, a truth that has been hidden from the foundation of the world and only now has been revealed. What is this age old mystery?

“God’s Plan To Redeem Fallen Humanity”

You may say, “Oh that story!!! I already know that story, it’s old news, Jesus died, rose to life, and now we can receive Him into our hearts — That’s no mystery!” But wait a minute, maybe you missed it.

The gospel isn’t just the story of Jesus death and resurrection, you hear it once and then it become old news — the drama of the ages reaches deeper than mere superficial facts we think we have got nailed! You can know the story of Jesus, and yet totally miss the Mystery of the Ages!

The Gospel isn’t just a story filled with bland facts, The Gospel isn’t the four books of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) — Oh no, you haven’t tasted this mystery until you know how lost you truly are, and how deep, and dark Jesus was willing to go for you that you might not be lost forever.

The Power of the Gospel radically changed the life of the Apostle Paul — and the New

Testament Church —  

• Paul had been one of the fiercest persecutors of the church
• he had been steeped in jewish education, and was thoroughly convinced Jesus was a fraud
• he was part of the stoning of Stephen the first Christian Martyr, which only emboldened his efforts to find and imprison or kill more Christians — he was the jihadist, of the New Testament — and yet when Paul came into that blinding encounter with the Lord Jesus, his eyes were opened to understand the mystery hidden for ages… Paul had known the story of Jesus before he understood the mystery of the gospel!

[Rom 16:25 KJV] 25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Here is the first truth about the Oldest Mystery in the Bible — you can’t learn this mystery from history books, encyclopedia’s, or taking careful notes during Sabbath sermons. The Mystery of God is revealed, not observed or learned!

[1Co 2:9-10 NKJV] 9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed [them] to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Jesus told his disciples:

[Mar 4:11 KJV] 11 “… Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:”

Just as the true meaning of Jesus parables are a mystery to us until the Holy Spirit opens up their meaning, and the full significance, so the gospel is a mystery not fully understood or received until the Holy Spirit reveals it.  

The unconverted man can not receive or understand this mystery

[1Co 2:14 NKJV] 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Wisdom and knowledge can not impart to you this mystery, because it is not learned it is revealed!

[Mat 11:25 NKJV] 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from [the] wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

Why is it only revealed, not learned? Because this mystery is hidden IN God.

[Eph 3:9 NKJV] 9 and to make all see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

This is why the gospel is called a “Mystery of God”, because you can not access it through human means — It is a mystery which God alone can reveal, in His time, in His way, according to His purpose. This Mystery has been hidden with God from before Creation. HOW OLD IS THIS MYSTERY?

[Rev 13:8 NKJV] 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

“That which in the councils of heaven the Father and the Son deemed essential for the salvation of man, was defined from eternity by infinite truths which finite beings cannot fail to comprehend.” — Fundamentals in Christian Education, 408.

But although the mystery of the plan of salvation is older than the earth, it was not revealed in full to the people of that time.

[Col 1:26-27 KJV] 26 [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

The Different Ages:

1. The Age of Sinlessness — Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden before sin:

In this age, there was no need for a revelation of the plan of salvation, because Adam and Eve did not have sin that they needed to be redeemed from.

To reveal the full plan of salvation now before the depths of sin and death and disease were understood may have give Satan an excuse to present to Adam and Eve — he could’ve said “why not sin, Jesus will forgive it, Jesus will pay the penalty… it’s no big deal” — but Adam and Eve could not now understand the depth of the plan of salvation, until they understood the darkness and depth of sin.

Angels can not fathom fully what it is to be redeemed, for they have never needed redemption. Angels can not fathom it, but fallen man who has seen death, disease, and the affects of sin is then able to appreciate the gift of Righteousness and the healing which the gospel alone can bring.

2.       The Age of the Fallen Race

Once Adam and Eve experienced sin, the way was now opened where a portion of the mystery of God must be revealed. God did this in His curse of the serpent:

Genesis 3:15 (KJV) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

But God did not at this time open to their view the full plan. He did not reveal the many years that would pass before the Messiah would come, lest they become discouraged and give up, He did not reveal the darkness of the suffering Christ would face lest their hearts would be burdened down with unbearable sorrow, God shielded much of the mystery from their view for their good and happiness and yet He revealed enough of His plan that they could hope in it, place their faith in it, and encourage one another toward a life of devotion to God.

In this age they knew of God’s love, of a coming Messiah, and that death was needed to atone for their sin! God gave them the sacrificial service as a shadow of the mystery that would unfolded later.

3.      Age of the Patriarch’s

In this age God revealed that a special people would be preserved through whom the Christ would come! The choosing of Israel was part of God’s plan — they were used as examples of God’s work.

[1Co 10:11 NKJV] 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

It was here in this age that God began to open more fully to patriarchs and prophets the mystery of the gospel. Abraham was shown Christ in vision!

“Abraham learned of God the greatest lesson ever given to mortal. His prayer that he might see Christ before he should die was answered. He saw Christ; he saw all that mortal can see, and live. By making an entire surrender, he was able to understand the vision of Christ, which had been given him. He was shown that in giving His onlybegotten Son to save sinners from eternal ruin, God was making a greater and more wonderful sacrifice than ever man could make.” — DA 469.1

But even this revelation was dim — the things that were shown to them were shown not mainly for their benefit, but the Scripture says it was shown for ours:

1 Peter 1:10-12 (KJV) 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into”

4. The Age of the Prophets

The closer you came to the revelation of Jesus Christ, the more and more God opened up the plan of salvation.

— David was shown in the Psalms how the Christ would be crucified

— Isaiah was shown the character of Jesus and His burial among thieves  

— Daniel was shown the time of the Christ’s arrival

— Zechariah was shown the exact amount the Christ would be betrayed for

— Micah was shown the city the Christ would be born in

5. The Age of the Apostles

This is the age when the gospel was revealed in a way it had never before been revealed

[Col 1:26-27 KJV] 26 [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

but even here the full mystery of the gospel had not yet been totally revealed. God revealed the gospel as the time of the fulfillment of His plan, laid before the Creation of the World, had come. Paul says:

[Eph 2:7 NKJV] 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

6. The Age of End Times

[Rev 10:7 KJV] 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

This represents our day up to the coming of Christ — what more has been revealed of God’s plan that had not been known before?  

To Seventh-day Adventists it has been given to understand the mystery of Christ’s work of atonement in the heavenly sanctuary for mankind — This mystery was especially revealed in after 1844 at the time when Jesus began His work in the Most Holy Place of preparing a people for His soon return.

During this anti-typical day of atonement — God’s people are to search their hearts for sin, and in cooperation with Christ renounce every sin in their life until they come to the place through the power of the indwelling Christ of fully reflecting their Redeemer…

WHAT IS THE MYSTERY?

1. The Mystery is … “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel”

[Eph 3:3-6 KJV] 3 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:

“Mysteries which had been hidden for ages were revealed to him [Paul], and as much as he could bear of the workings of God, and of His dealings with human minds, was made known. The Lord told Paul that he must preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Light was to be given to the Gentiles. This is a mystery which had been hidden for ages” (The Signs of the Times, January 30, 1912, reprinted from The Signs of the Times, March 25, 1897).  . 6BC 1107.3

Why would the mystery, hid from ages past, be that a way is opened for the Gentiles to inherit eternal life?

It is a mystery to human reasoning… It goes against our natural human logic, how we would do things in the flesh — We look at the situation of the Gentiles ((Born into godless homes, trained in unrighteousness from childhood, learning the depths of sin and the art of deceit…

Gentiles worshipped idols — which meant that some would offer human sacrifices, they would participate in wild immoral parties, they would drink and eat whatever fulfilled their  lusts… Just listen to the list Paul gives:

[1Co 6:9-10 KJV] 9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

We look at this list and say, these people are LOST! They have no hope, and are as far from

God as it is possible — To the human mind they are unreachable! And certainly to the jewish mind of the New Testament, a gentile could not be called a child of God, he was beyond salvation. Paul captures this mindset by saying:

[Gal 2:15 KJV] 15 We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Jews by nature: Think about it, they had the advantage — They were raised learning the scriptures, their tables were clean food and pure drink, they were taught holiness. It would not be surprising that God would accept the jew, for the jew had cultured for heaven from youth. They prided themselves for their righteousness! And more than this, THEY were chosen by

God:

[Deu 7:6 KJV] 6 For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth.

[Rom 3:1-2 KJV] 1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

But mystery of mysteries, that God’s mercy and grace in Christ would reach and embrace one who had sunk so deep in sin and was so far from the culture of heaven — and yet in the plan of God, through Christ even this Gentile who responds to the gospel through faith and repentance could be redeemed, would be accepted, and could be restored by the power of Christ to holiness. The Apostle Paul, after giving his list of sins that were commonly practiced among the Gentiles, adds this in the next verse:

[1Co 6:11 KJV] 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

That’s the mystery! To the Jewish mind, and even to our mind today, we look at those who are sunk deep in the pit of sin, maybe even that person is “Us”, and we say — God can’t save that sort of person? I don’t even believe that person can be saved, or will ever chose Christ. They are too far gone. The sins of addiction are to deep rooted, it just ain’t goin’ to happen — but the mystery of the gospel is that the power of Christ received into the life can accomplish what human wisdom says is impossible! It doesn’t matter how dark your past, how deep your guilt, how strong your addiction, how desperate your situation — If you are a breathing human being, who feels the touch of the Holy Spirit — God can reach you, He can redeem you, He can save you, He can lift you from the pit, He has predestined you for greater works, a holier life… The Mystery of the Gospel is that God can save someone like ME!

You don’t need to have been born in the right family, it doesn’t matter anyways because all of us are adopted! We are all brought into the higher and better family, through faith we are part of

God’s family.

“God estimates man not by the circumstances of his birth, not by his position or wealth, not by his advantages in educational lines, but by the price paid for his redemption. Man is of value with God in proportion as he permits the divine image to be retraced upon his soul. However misshapen has been his character, although he may have been counted as an outcast among men, the man who permits the grace of Christ to enter his soul will be reformed in character and will be raised up from his condition of guilt, degradation, and wretchedness. God has made every provision in order that the lost one may become His child. The frailest human being may be elevated, ennobled, refined, and sanctified by the grace of God.” — Southern Work, 31.1

This is part of the Mystery of God, but the Bible indicates that this is not the only part of the Mystery of God, there is more…

2. The Mystery is … “God manifested in the flesh”

[1Ti 3:16 KJV] 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.

“The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in human flesh is a mystery, “even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations.” It is the great and profound mystery of godliness. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” Christ took upon Himself human nature, a nature inferior to His heavenly nature.

Nothing so shows the wonderful condescension of God as this…. “ — 5BC 1130.6

Now why is the incarnation a mystery? It is a mystery, because to associate divinity which holy, and pure and righteous and that God would condescend to walk among sinful men was a wonder that even the angels could not comprehend.

On the one hand the angels of heaven knew of God’s abhorrence of sin — such that sin could not exist in the unrestrained glory of God without being consumed — it was a wonder to angels that the Son of God was willing to veil His own glory so that sinful men could abide in His presence, and He could walk among them. Think of the contrast, and think of the depth of love that would motivate One who hates sin to such a degree and yet loves the sinner that He would be willing to live in the midst of it.

“Christ took upon Himself human nature, a nature inferior to His heavenly nature. Nothing so shows the wonderful condescension of God as this. He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). John presents this wonderful subject with such simplicity that all may grasp the ideas set forth, and be enlightened. 1SM 246.3

Christ did not make believe take human nature; He did verily take it. He did in reality possess human nature. “As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same” (Hebrews 2:14). He was the son of Mary; He was of the seed of David according to human descent. He is declared to be a man, even the Man Christ Jesus. “This man,” writes Paul, “was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house” (Hebrews 3:3).” — 1SM 247.

It also was part of God’s mystery to reveal through the life of Christ how a human can find total freedom from sin through His power — As Christ overcame sin, so we too can overcome! That’s the mystery of the gospel friends, that God could take someone so steeped in our vices as us, and bring a holy life out of our unholy life.

[Heb 2:16-18 KJV] 16 For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

And that brings us to the final Mystery — the Mystery that is part of Christ’s work in the Most Holy Place — the Final Mystery of God..  

3. The Mystery is … “Christ in YOU, the hope of glory”

[Col 1:26-27 KJV] 26 [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:

Friends, when this mystery is completed in you — the Mystery of God will be complete! There is one final point that needs to be mentioned though, and that is that our hope is not in the Gospel — in the Plan of Salvation itself… Listen to how the Spirit of Prophecy explains it:

THE MYSTERY IS CHRIST, NOT THE GOSPEL

“When Christ gave Himself, He opened up a spiritual fountain of divine influence, that by faith in

Him, man might partake of the divine nature. In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father. In Him is all the fulness of the Godhead. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God are expressed in His character. Every page of the New Testament Scriptures shines with His light. Every text is a diamond, touched and irradiated by the divine rays. The Gospel is Christ unfolded, and Christ is the Gospel embodied. We are not to worship the Gospel, but Christ, the Lord of the Gospel. The Gospel is glorious because it is made up of Christ’s righteousness.” — ST November 24, 1898, par. 1 Appeal:

My friends, today my appeal is for you to hunger and thirst for a fuller revelation of the oldest mystery of the Bible — that Christ may be revealed in you!

Will you pray with me now: “Lord, reveal your ancient mystery to me” — Lord help me to receive it, to know it, and live it out in my life. May the mystery of God be complete in me. Is that your prayer? Would you pray that with me just now?