The Mystery of Christ

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:4-6 ESV)

The mystery of Christ is that the Jews and Gentiles can be members of the same body through Christ. Paul was chosen to fully proclaim the mystery of Christ, that was hidden for ages but is now revealed to those who are chosen.

I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. (Ephesians 3:9 NLT)

I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:25-27 BSB)

Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith - to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 BSB)

Replacement Theology is False Teaching

I don't want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not be conceited: A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25 CSB)

Gentile Christians do not replace Israel. Rather, they are grafted into Israel. Replacement Theology is a false teaching by conceited Christians.

"In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory. And Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be mine." The Lord has spoken, and he will do these things. (Amos 9:11-12 NLT)

"Shout for joy and be glad, O Daughter of Zion, for I am coming to dwell among you," declares the LORD. "On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you. And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem. Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling." ((Zechariah 2:10-13 BSB)

I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy - just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too. But some of these branches from Abraham's tree - some of the people of Israel - have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God's special olive tree. But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root. "Well," you may say, "those branches were broken off to make room for me." Yes, but remember - those branches were broken off because they didn't believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won't spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong. (Romans 11:13-24 NLT)

Israel Conquest of Jerusalem Fulfils Bible Prophecy

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24 BSB)

Jesus said that Jerusalem will be trodden down by Gentiles and the age of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Therefore, when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, Jerusalem will be restored to Israel. The conquest of west Jerusalem in 1948 and east Jerusalem in 1967 were just part of the process. Jerusalem will continue to be a problem until the end of the tribulation the times of the Gentiles end.

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples. Judah will be besieged, as well as Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:2 BSB)

And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him." (Daniel 9:27 BSB)

This will be fulfilled when Jesus comes again at the end of the great tribulation, when the Jews will say to Him, "Blessed are You who comes in the name of the Lord."

Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Luke 13:35 BSB)

Last Nation To Be Converted

Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. (Isaiah 66:8 ESV)

"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10 ESV)

Jews are unbelievers, just like any other unbelievers in the world. And they have a negative view of Christianity because of their persecution by the Christians. But they are different from other unbelievers in that their conversion is prophesied. They will be the last nation to be converted, at the second coming of Jesus. A nation shall be born in one day.

The gospel starts from Jerusalem and goes west and will come back to Jerusalem from the east. God has not abandoned the Jews, unlike what some Christians think.

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." (Romans 11:25-27 ESV)

The Beginning of the Times of Gentiles

Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. (Daniel 9:24 BSB)

They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24 BSB)

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25 BSB)

Many philosophies and religions (Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Platonism) come to birth around the year 500 BC. Socrates, Buddha and Confucius all lived at around that time. Has anyone wondered why is the period around 600 BC to 500 BC the age for sprouting philosophies and religions?

On 14th August 586 B.C. king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon razed and burned the Temple of God in Jerusalem. The Glory of God had departed from the Temple some time before that happened (Ezekiel 10). Historians will not tell you this, but from that day onward, Jerusalem was trampled under the feet of the Gentiles and the times of Gentiles began.

According to some historians, this is the beginning of the second wave civilisations which lasted from 600/500 BC to 500/600 AD. The Islamic calendar began in 622 AD.

There were four civilisations at the beginning of this period, the Greek, Persian, Indian and Chinese civilisations. These four civilisations will persist in various forms until about seven years before the end of the times of the Gentiles. Then the ten toes kingdom from the Roman empire will conquer the other three civilisation to start a world government under the anti-Christ.

As for the Gentile powers ruling Jerusalem while the Jews are living there are represented by the statue in king Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:31-45) and also the four beasts (Daniel 7:1-28) in Daniel's dream. These would be Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. The Gentile powers that ruled Jerusalem when the Jew were not staying there were not listed in the dreams. They are the Arabs, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Ottoman and finally the British. Here is the full list of Gentile invaders from the beginning - Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greek, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Ottoman, British.

The Last Trumpet and God's Wrath

The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever. The twenty-four elders, who were seated before God on their thrones, fell facedown and worshiped God, saying, We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. (Revelation 11:15-17 CSB)

At the seventh and last trumpet, the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of God and His wrath has come in the form of seven bowls.

The nations were angry, but your wrath has come. The time has come for the dead to be judged and to give the reward to your servants the prophets, to the saints, and to those who fear your name, both small and great, and the time has come to destroy those who destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18 CSB)

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth." (Revelation 16:1 CSB)

Is the rapture of the church a separate event from the second coming of Christ to Jerusalem to rescue the Jews? I believe so. When will the rapture of the Church happen? I think the rapture will occur at the last trumpet. The church will not suffer from the wrath of God, but the Church has to go through the Great Tribulation with Israel. After all, the Church is grafted into Israel through the tribe of Ephraim.

Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 CSB)

He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:31 CSB)

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 CSB)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 KJV)

But Israel will not believe until the nations surround Jerusalem.

Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." (Mark 14:25 BSB)

For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'!" (Matthew 23:39 CSB)

I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. (Hosea 5:15 KJV)

Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son. (Zechariah 12:10 BSB)

When Israel repents, the Lord will come with the saints from heaven and land on mount Olives. He will defend Jerusalem against the nations that surround it.

Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations as he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, forming a huge valley, so that half the mountain will move to the north and half to the south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for the valley of the mountains will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come and all the holy ones with him. (Zechariah 14:3-5 CSB)

It was about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied: "Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against him." (Jude 1:14-15 CSB)

The First Resurrection And The Second Coming

And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2 BSB)

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28-29 ESV)

We know that there are two coming of Christ and two resurrections. The first coming of Christ is to save the world and the second coming of Christ is to judge the world. The first resurrection is the resurrection of life and the second resurrection is the resurrection of condemnation.

But my question is how many first resurrections are there? I know of at least two. Christ's resurrection as the first fruits and then those at His second coming.

For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ's at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:21-23 MEV)

Then I know that all who were asleep will be resurrected before those who are still alive, but we can consider this as the same time, with the sound of the trumpet.

For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 CSB)

And there will be the tribulation saints who will be martyred during the great tribulation. Their resurrection is clearly part of the first resurrection.

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had held. They cried out with a loud voice, "How long, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers should be completed, who would be killed as they were. (Revelation 6:9-11 MEV)

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6 ESV)

Finally, we will have those who are saved and died during the millennial reign of Christ. These should be resurrected after the millennium, together with those unsaved people, but still considered as first resurrection because theirs is a resurrection of life.

For those who believe that the seconding coming of Christ is divided into two phases, one in the air (the rapture) and another landing at Mount Olives, then there will be four first resurrections:

1. First fruits - Jesus;
2. Resurrection of all the saints both asleep and alive during the rapture;
3. The tribulation saints;
4. The millennium saints.

But for those who think that rapture and landing on Mount Olive happen at the same time sequentially (last trumpet), then there will be three first resurrection.

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 MEV)

But if all the saints are resurrected during the seconding coming of Christ with spiritual bodies, then who will be left to populate the millennium?

Second Coming - Is There Two Parts?

The second coming of Christ is the most certain event of the future. But are there two phases, once in the air (rapture) and once landing on Mount Olives?

Rapture (resurrection) of the Church at the sound of trumpet
For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 CSB)

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 MEV)

Coming with the clouds, landing at Mount Olives, to save Israel
Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations as he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, forming a huge valley, so that half the mountain will move to the north and half to the south. You will flee by my mountain valley, for the valley of the mountains will extend to Azal. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come and all the holy ones with him. (Zechariah 14:3-5 CSB)

They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven." (Acts 1:11 CSB)

I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. (Daniel 7:13 CSB)

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30 ESV)

And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." (Mark 14:62 ESV)

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:27 ESV)

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26 ESV)

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:27 ESV)

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. So it is to be. Amen. (Revelation 1:7 CSB)

Gradual Restoration Of Israel Prophesied

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." (Romans 11:25-27 NIV)

All Israel will be saved when the fullness of the Gentiles (πλήρωμα τῶν ἐθνῶν) has come in. When will that happen?

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15 NIV)

When the last trumpet is blown!

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "Sovereign Lord, you alone know."
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Then he said to me: "Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.' Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.'" (Ezekiel 37:1-14 NIV)

Meanwhile, Israel is being gradually restored and start to move to the land promised by God.

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. (Matthew 24:32 NIV)

Trumpet And Rapture

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ESV)

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB)

Sequence of events, according to 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

1. The trumpet will sound;
2. The Lord will descend;
3. We shall all be changed;
4. The dead in Christ will rise first;
5. Those alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds;
6. All will meet the Lord in the air and shall always be with Him;
7. This will happened in the twinkling of an eye.

If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3 CSB)

"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11 NIV)

Basic Theology of Christianity on God and Christ

This is what the Bible affirmed about
1. The nature of God:

1. God is one.
2. God the Father is God.
3. God the Son is God.
4. God the Holy Spirit is God.
5. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is distinct.

2. The nature of Christ:

1. Jesus is wholly God.
2. Jesus is wholly Man.
3. Jesus is one.

Here is a list of heresies on God, collected from the internet:

Denial of the oneness and uniqueness of God
These result from a denial of the statement, "There is only one God."

• Polytheism

Denial of the eternal deity of each Person
These result from a denial of the statement, "Each Person is fully God".

• Adoptionism
• Arianism - Jehovah Witness
• Apollinarianism

Denial of the distinction of Personalities or Persons
These result from a denial of the statement, "The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct, eternal Persons".

• Modalism - Patripassianism, Branhamism, The Local Church (or "Living Stream Ministry")
• Monarchism

Denial of the two, distinct, unmingled natures of Christ

• Nestorianism
• Eutychianism

Mystery (μυστηρίου) of God

Mystery (μυστηρίου) of God
Colossians 2:1-3
King James Version
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
English Standard Version
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

μυστηρίου
Strong's Greek 3466

The mysteries of the kingdom of God
Matthew 13:11
King James Bible
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries (μυστήρια) of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
New American Standard Bible
Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
Mark 4:11-12
King James Bible
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery (μυστήριον) of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
New American Standard Bible
And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN."
Luke 8:10
King James Bible
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries (μυστήρια) of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
New American Standard Bible
And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

Romans 11:25
The Mystery of Israel's Salvation
English Standard Version
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Romans 16:25 N-GNS
GRK: κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν μυστηρίου χρόνοις αἰωνίοις
KJV: to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret

1 Corinthians 2:7 N-DNS
GRK: σοφίαν ἐν μυστηρίῳ τὴν ἀποκεκρυμμένην
KJV: in a mystery, [even] the hidden

1 Corinthians 4:1 N-GNP
GRK: καὶ οἰκονόμους μυστηρίων θεοῦ
KJV: and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 13:2 N-ANP
GRK: εἰδῶ τὰ μυστήρια πάντα καὶ
KJV: understand all mysteries, and all

1 Corinthians 14:2 N-ANP
GRK: δὲ λαλεῖ μυστήρια
KJV: in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1 Corinthians 15:51 N-ANS
GRK: ἰδοὺ μυστήριον ὑμῖν λέγω
KJV: I shew you a mystery; We shall not

Ephesians 1:9 N-ANS
GRK: ἡμῖν τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ θελήματος
KJV: unto us the mystery of his

Ephesians 3:3 N-ANS
GRK: μοι τὸ μυστήριον καθὼς προέγραψα
KJV: unto me the mystery; (as

Ephesians 3:4 N-DNS
GRK: ἐν τῷ μυστηρίῳ τοῦ χριστοῦ
KJV: knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Ephesians 3:9 N-GNS
GRK: οἰκονομία τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου
KJV: [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which

Ephesians 5:32 N-NNS
GRK: τὸ μυστήριον τοῦτο μέγα
KJV: is a great mystery: but I

Ephesians 6:19 N-ANS
GRK: γνωρίσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ εὐαγγελίου
KJV: to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Colossians 1:26 N-ANS
GRK: τὸ μυστήριον τὸ ἀποκεκρυμμένον
KJV: [Even] the mystery which hath been hid

Colossians 1:27 N-GNS
GRK: δόξης τοῦ μυστηρίου τούτου ἐν
KJV: of this mystery among

Colossians 2:2 N-GNS
GRK: ἐπίγνωσιν τοῦ μυστηρίου τοῦ θεοῦ
KJV: the acknowledgement of the mystery of God,

I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery - Christ. (Colossians 2:2 CSB)

Colossians 4:3 N-ANS
GRK: λαλῆσαι τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ χριστοῦ
KJV: to speak the mystery of Christ,

1 Timothy 3:9 N-ANS
GRK: ἔχοντας τὸ μυστήριον τῆς πίστεως
KJV: Holding the mystery of the faith in

1 Timothy 3:16 N-NNS
GRK: τῆς εὐσεβείας μυστήριον Ὃς ἐφανερώθη
KJV: great is the mystery of godliness: God

Revelation 1:20 N-NNS
GRK: τὸ μυστήριον τῶν ἑπτὰ
KJV: The mystery of the seven star

Mystery of lawlessness
2 Thessalonians 2:7
King James Bible
For the mystery (μυστήριον) of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
English Standard Version
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
New American Standard Bible
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
Revelation 17:5-7
King James Bible
And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery (μυστήριον), Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery (μυστήριον) of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
English Standard Version
And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations." And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.

Mystery of God fulfilled
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery (μυστήριον) of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7 KJV)

Natural Numbers Are Not Natural

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 ESV)

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16 ESV)

All things, including abstract objects such as numbers and sets, abstract rules such as mathematics and logic, are created by God. 1 + 1 =2 is a law created by God, not something eternal and self-existence.

How do I know? It is from the unique nature of God as described in the Bible that hinted to me that the abstract concepts of mathematics and logic, which we held to be something always there, is created.

The Bible tells us that God is one, and He is three, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. However, the one and three cannot be the one and three we know of, because one is one and three is three and one cannot be three, as in the case of God. That God is one and three is a mystery that the Bible did not explain because it would be not comprehensible to us. But from the nature of God, we can be sure that natural numbers (1, 2, 3,  ...) do not exist intrinsically, but is created by God within the creation which also contain us. Thus natural numbers have difficulty to describe the nature of the true and living God and we have to invent concepts and analogy to help us comprehend how God can be one and three.

Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me. (John 8:17-18 NASB)

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 John 5:7 KJV)

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. (1 John 5:9 ESV)

Cross's Foolishness Is God's Wisdom

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved. For it is written: 
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.
Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom, because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25 HCSB)

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV)

On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8 HCSB)

The Two Mysteries

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16 ESV)
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7 ESV)

Born and Bought

And every male in Abraham's household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him. (Genesis 17:27 NIV)

But if a priest buys a slave with money, or if a slave is born in his household, that slave may eat his food. (Leviticus 22:11 NIV)

Jews are born into the household of faith. Gentiles are bought.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV)

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV)

Everything in the Gospel is found in embryonic form in the Torah. When Leviticus 22:11 grows up, it becomes Ephesians 3:6. The mystery of the Gospel is revealed.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:6 NIV)

Mystery of God Fulfilled

And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down." And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:4-7 ESV)

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 ESV)

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:4-6 ESV)

Mystery Of The Gospel

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:6 NIV)

He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. (Ephesians 1:9 NASB)

The Mystery of God

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV)

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 3:8-10 NASB)

but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets. (Revelation 10:7 NASB)

The Questions that the Bible did not answer

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 NASB)

There are questions that the Bible did not answer.

1. The Bible did not explain to us eternity and heaven.
2. The Bible did not explain to us the mystery of Trinity.
3. The Bible did not explain to us the mystery of Christ as wholly God and wholly man.
4. The Bible did not explain to us the mystery of free will and predestination.
5. The Bible did not explain to us the sovereignty of God and the accountability of men.

We cannot explain too many things to a baby because the baby has limited knowledge infrastructure to receive our knowledge. For example, the language tool is not fully developed in the baby, thus the baby cannot communicate in languages. When the baby grows into a child, he or she will be able to understand more. Likewise it is so with us. We who live in the temporal world, moment by moment, are not able to comprehend God and eternity. We cannot imagine how God can live simultaneously in the past, present and future, and by implication, we cannot understand how free will, predestination and human responsibility may co-exist.