The Great Division: Prophecy vs. Mystery
The key to understanding the Bible is to rightly divide it. There is a fundamental distinction we must grasp, found by comparing two key phrases in Scripture. The first is in Acts 3:21, which speaks of things "which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." The second is in Romans 16:25, which speaks of "the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began."
Here we see two distinct programs of God. One was spoken by the prophets since the world began; this is prophecy. The other was kept secret since the world began; this is the mystery. One program has been progressively revealed throughout history, while the other was hidden in God until it was revealed to the Apostle Paul.
In Hebrews 1:1, we read, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets." This refers to the prophetic program—the things spoken "since the world began." This timeline begins in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
However, there were events even before Genesis 1:1. In Job 38:7, God asks Job where he was "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." This took place before the foundation of the world described in Genesis. In Isaiah 14, we read of the fall of Lucifer, son of the morning. He said in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:13-14). This ambition and rebellion happened before the world began.
So, we have the prophetic program, which concerns the earth, the nation of Israel, and a kingdom to be established on the earth. This is what was spoken by all the prophets since the world began.
The Revelation of the Mystery
Contrasted with this is the mystery, which was kept secret. Romans 16:25 speaks of the preaching of Jesus Christ, "according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began." This information was not found in the prophets. It pertains to a new entity, the Body of Christ, which is the Church. In this program, believers are made near to God by the blood of Christ. As Ephesians 2:13 states, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
These two programs have different destinies. The prophetic hope for Israel involves a kingdom on earth and a New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven. In Revelation 21:1-2, John writes, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
The hope for the Church, the Body of Christ, is heavenly. Jesus said in John 14:2-3, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Israel’s hope is the New Jerusalem coming down; the Church’s hope is to be caught up to be with Christ in the Father’s house.
Understanding this division between what was spoken (prophecy) and what was kept secret (mystery) is the essence of rightly dividing the word of truth. It allows us to be workmen who are not ashamed, understanding God's distinct plans and our place in His purpose through Jesus Christ.