Parables - Mystery
Some think that Paul is merely talking about the church as the bride of Christ, when he speaks of the mystery. Certainly, the bride is part of the mystery. The rabbis have no concept of the Messiah having a bride. But there is more to it than that.
A search on academia.com for "New Testament authors use of Old Testament" returns over 179,000 results. Apparently it has become a favorite topic for seminary professors to assign to their students. They push the agenda that New Testament authors misused the Old Testament. They declare that the Old Testament is merely literal-historical. Their students must interpret scripture by ascertaining the original human authors' intent.
This agenda is hostile to the word of God. They directly contradict Jesus who said that all the scripture spoke of him. He did not say that it all alluded to him in some vague manner, or that it all prepared the world for him. It 'spoke' of him. When he read scripture he did not see Adam and Noah, but himself in it all.
▸ ± Mr 4:11 And he said unto them, 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:
When Jesus interpreted the parable of the sower for his disciples, he made the mystery known to them, but he still taught them so that they would not understand until after the cross. The seed is Christ. The word is Christ. The parable has two meanings the same as Samson's riddle and answer did. He explained the first knowing that the Holy Spirit would reveal the second, after the cross.
▸ ± Ro 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
▸ ± Ro 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish 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,
▸ ± 1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
▸ ± 1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
▸ ± Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
▸ ± Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
▸ ± Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
▸ ± Eph 3:9 And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
▸ ± Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
▸ ± Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
▸ ± Col 1:26 [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
▸ ± Col 1:27 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:
▸ ± Col 2:2 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;
▸ ± Col 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
▸ ± 2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.
▸ ± 1Ti 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
▸ ± 1Ti 3:16 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.
▸ ± Re 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
▸ ± Re 10:7 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.
▸ ± Re 17:5 And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
▸ ± Re 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
