2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 7-11; 1 Timothy 3:16
What is a mystery?
Mysteries are hidden truths and secrets! They are the dark sentences and coated languages of God. From our texts above, there happen to be two kinds of mysteries. The first is called the Mystery of iniquity, which appears to be holy, righteous, and heavenly but in truth, is not so. It is the coated and dark secret of the devil used to deceive and draw men to hell. This is the reason we are charged to beware of the mystery of iniquity. Within it are lying wonders, miracles and signs which come to pass, but are not of God. It aims to deceive gullible Christian, such as refused to believe the Truth of God when it came because it was Simple; but when lying mysteries came, they believes it to be the road to Heaven - 1 Corinthians 1:18-29. These people whom God gave up to delusions because they chose to believe the lying wonders of the evil one, refusing His love of Truth. These workers of the mystery of iniquity preach about Jesus, but He isn't the Lord of their lives. They preach of Heaven, yet are not prepared to go there. They talk of rapture, but within are full of doubts concerning it. All their words, actions and ways are geared towards snatching men from the ways of Heaven. And those days will not come till there be a general backsliding from the faith. It is at this time that the Antichrist will be revealed.
The second Mystery is that of Godliness, whose attributes are holiness, righteousness, purity and godliness. Who could have believed it, that God became flesh and came in the body of Christ, was justified by the Spirit's words, "...this is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased"; were heralded by the angels at His birth when they cried to the shepherds, "...unto You is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord;”was later revealed to the Gentiles, a people who had no hope or future of eternal life, whom He drew to Himself. It is believed in the world by his 'so-called Sons and Daughters' who have received Him, were also received into His eternal embassy; and received up into glory above. Blessed are those who do not see yet believe. These two mysteries are very important because they lead to the End of the World: thus, they will either make you or mar you. If you believe in the mystery of iniquity, it will lead you to hell; but that of godliness leads to eternal life.
All Scripture leads to Jesus- Revelation 19:10-11. Isaiah 8:20. Anyone who doesn't believe the Word of God, does not have eternal life which only can be found in Jesus. Right from creation till now, man has been in a search to know the secrets behind the creation and the contents of creation, but has not been able, because everything created is a part of God's mysteries - Deuteronomy 29:29. When Pharaoh dreamed dreams and called all his wise men and astrologers to reveal them, they could not because there was a need for the light of God to reveal the hidden secrets in the dreams. So Joseph was called upon, who before had revealed the hidden secrets in the dreams of the baker and the king's cupbearer, and he gave the true interpretation of the dreams as revealed to him by the Lord to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh worshipped him and made him the second in command in Egypt. But, before all this, Joseph had told Pharaoh, " It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." When Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream and forgot it, he still desired his wise men to tell him both the dream and its interpretation, because it was a fearful one. This is an impossible thing for any man, so the wise men could do nothing. Thus, the king commanded that they all be killed. But when Daniel came to hear of it, he asked the king time to reveal the dream, and went to his friends, "That they would desire the mercy of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon." God, in His wisdom and mercy, revealed the secret to them in a night vision. Every mystery from creation even to redemption point to one Man. The Man Jesus. Paul made it clear that the mystery of God which had been hidden for years (mysteries which contained salvation for mankind, and restoration to his original place in glory) now has been revealed; It is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:26-27. This mystery of God has been before all men, Satan, the angels and Heaven. He is the head of the Church, had been in the beginning with God, and without Him was anything made that was made- Colossians 1:13-18. If you don't believe in this Mystery of God, you will not see God. Any man who desires to know God through his natural senses will fail. It is by faith we know God, by faith we hear Him, follow Him, live for Him and eventually enter Heaven. When Mary received the news that she would become the mother of the baby Saviour Jesus, she asked, " How can these things be?' When Nicodemus was told that in order to enter the Kingdom of God, one must be born again, he asked," How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" These are questions begging for answers? But it is only by faith that we are able to know their answers, and please God- Hebrews 11:6. Your coming to Church does not matter, rather have you been changed by an encounter with the God of the Church? Your claiming to know Jesus does not matter; rather has He saved you?
Men and brethren, look around the world, into communities, villages, states and countries... Peace has been taken away, and many left in fear; while the few who still fear God and are still holding on to Him, have questions in their heart. Romans 8:18-23. There used to be a time when your house used to be a safe haven from the enemies, also a time when the defaulter runs to the Temple for help from the executioner and is safe. But this is no more so. Peace is about to be taken away from the Church because destruction is on the increase and fear has taken control. Thus is the fulfillment of the mystery which tells us that Satan will take peace away from the world, after the Lord had come and given the world salvation - Revelation 6:1-4. Though man may try to get peace, yet the Scriptures must be fulfilled - The only safe haven is Jesus. If you have been coming to Church, yet haven't given your life, heart and mind to Jesus, you are on your own. Romans 1: 18-32. Everything the Lord has endowed you with sends a message of Him. Likewise the things He created... Ranging from the created firmament above to the life He gave to you.
Why this warning? If you love your soul, this is the hour of decision - 1 John 4:1, James 1:5. This is the time to say, " Lord, save my soul." For if you refuse, time will fail you, so also will the government and the world fail you. And that soul you refused to give attention to will be dammed be eternally. 1 Thessalonians 5:14. There is anguish everywhere! Many things are on the increase... Crises are prevailing, conflicts are rising, and anger, lamentation and pain is seen on the faces of people all over who are in need of salvation, freedom and help. And despite man's many advancements, there has been no end to the groanings in the heart of the earnest creature... And the Lord watches and knows, for the Word must come to pass. Hope is found only in the Word of God. 2 Peter 3:5-7. The Lord's desire is that even after the whole world collapses and goes extinct, the righteous remains. We are saved by hope; yet when we get into Heaven, there will be no need for hope.
Jesus tasted death for mankind, so that both He that sanctifies and the sanctified can be called 'brethren' because they now are alike - Hebrews 2:9-11; Isaiah 53:1-6; John 13:1&3; John 17:1-26. He is the only One the Father has given power to give forgiveness, reconciliation, salvation and eternal life to all who believe. Eternal Life is that you believe in God as the only true God and believe on His Son whom He has sent. Eternal life begins here on earth. Do you wish to overcome sin, the world, poverty, sorrow, trials, temptations, self and the devil? It only can be by Jesus. Jesus was that Lamb seen in Revelation 6:1-2, who came to take away the sins of the whole world. But the devil came to steal, kill and destroy- John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:7. Therefore, the way out is only through the Prince of peace- Isaiah 9:6-7. In John 14:27 He says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Also in John 16:33, He also says, "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." The Hope and Strength you need to come out of this peace-less world is Jesus- Proverbs 18:10. Peace does not come from the world - Isaiah 57:21.
Brethren, I charge you to come to Him who has conquered for you, and will yet keep conquering for you (if only you will abide in Him). Revelation 5:14, 6:1-2. The life of God is not in any religion, organization or movement; but in His Son. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11-12; Deuteronomy 30:19-20. These Two GreatMysteries can only be comprehended by the Spirit of God who is the Father of all flesh - Jeremiah 32:27; Hebrews 12:9.
REMAIN BLESSED.
Pst Ig Nwabuo Mysteries are hidden truths and secrets.