The Two Divisions of the Bible, Prophecy and Mystery (part 2)
Christopher Combs
PROPHECY:
What is at the heart of Prophecy? The Messianic kingdom; that is, the "kingdom of heaven" which was spoken of by John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus Christ and the twelve disciples, which will be set up on the EARTH; (Matt. 3:1-2, 4:17, 10:5-7). Since the "kingdom of heaven" is not yet established on the earth, it will be set up in the near future when the Lord Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah, returns to the earth on the Mount of Olives, then on to Jerusalem at the Second Advent and sets up His kingdom and reign upon THE EARTH for one thousand years. This is also called the Millennium. The main purpose or the main goal of prophecy is the establishment of the "kingdom of heaven" upon THE EARTH (Rom. 11:25-29). The Messianic Kingdom will be set up on THE EARTH: (Psalms 2:8) "I shall give Thee . . . the uttermost parts of THE EARTH for Thy possession". (Jeremiah. 23:5) "A King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in THE EARTH". The Lord Jesus Christ who is the second member of the Godhead, who is God, will rule as God, from Jerusalem and He will reign over the entire world. It will be a theocracy. "They shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Isaiah 7:14) (Matt. 1:23). "And His name shall be called . . . The mighty God" (Isaiah 9:6). "The Lord shall be King over all THE EARTH" (Zech. 14:9).
MYSTERY:
God's purpose concerning HEAVEN and the exaltation of the Body of Christ there with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Body, is the subject of "The Mystery". What is the Mystery? There are many mysteries in the bible, but this refers to "THE MYSTERY" which is that great body of truth given to the Apostle Paul by direct revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ, from heaven. The "kingdom of heaven" one day being set up on the earth and the coming Messiah was well known and prophesied by the holy prophets. But, the Body of Christ with its heavenly calling and position was not prophesied. Nothing, not even one mention can be found in the pages of prophecy about the Body of Christ. God kept this a complete secret until the proper time when He brought the Body of Christ into existence, revealing THE MYSTERY only to the Apostle Paul. (Rom. 16:25) "kept secret since the world began". Then also in (Ephesians 3:9) "from the beginning of the world . . . hid in God". "hid from ages and from generations" (Col.1:26).
The nation Israel was temporarily set aside along with the unbelieving Gentiles. "Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for" (Rom. 11:7). "Because of unbelief they were broken off" (Rom. 11:12). A new dispensation was slowly being brought in and mercy was shown to all. "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all (Rom. 11:32). "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (gentile)" (Rom. 10:12-13). No longer is the gospel of the kingdom proclaimed, but the gospel of the Grace of God, which is Christ's finished work on the cross. The Apostle Paul declared "the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD" and "THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD which is given me to you-ward" (Acts 20:24) (Ephesians 3:2).
About the Author
A christian who has a desire to help others find the truth.
Click here to view more articles by Christopher Combs.
Reprinted with Permission from IdeaMarketers.com, your source for free content.