Uncovering the Mysteries of the Bible
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matthew 13:10-11
We all tend to enjoy “mysteries.” From playing “Clue” to possibly watching Colombo, many readers like to uncover the facts and solve a mystery. The New Testament speaks at least 14 times about “mysteries.” In order to understand the mysteries, the first mention of it, in the Gospels, must be understood. The Mysteries of the Kingdom of God can be understood! The “mysteries” of the New Testament were not previously understood by Old Testament Saints. The Lord reveals these mysteries to the Christians who are searching for the answers in the Word.
Recently I drove by a modern castle about 30 minutes from where we live in upstate, New York. This huge house did not have a large wall around it, but it would have looked great if it did. Near Lexington Kentucky, there is a beautiful castle that someone lives in as a residence. I have driven by many times.
Imagine a giant door to a castle. Perhaps a European styled castle. What is on the other side of the door? Who is on the inside of the wall? How can I get into this place? Heaven is a wonder place where Jesus is today! How can I go there? Then as a Christian, how can I have access to God and know more about God?
The Kingdom of Heaven has one door, one entrance, and one key that unlocks the door so a person can go in.
Mysteries in the Bible are Understood when we know the following three truths:
Jesus is the Door. Matthew 13:10-17 is the first time “mystery” is mentioned and it is in direct correlation to the first parable Jesus gives about the Farmer planting the seed of the Word of God.
John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
To Understand God, You Must Know Jesus. Jesus was talking, but the people were not listening. He was in front of them, but they did not see Him. People who refuse Jesus are blind and deaf when it comes to the parables that Jesus taught. The parables had clear earthly illustrations in them. At the same time, they contained a Heavenly or spiritual meaning. A person who does not believe Jesus may think of a parable as a good story or merely entertainment. Hearing the parable, the still do not heat the real message.
There is a Penalty for Refusing Jesus. These people who refused to believe Jesus and hear His message could not understand His teaching. In fact, the curse on a person who is given the truth and refuses it is that they will not understand. Being left in the dark is not a good place to be if you are a detective!
The Door that needs opened to understand the mystery of the Kingdom is Jesus. The comprehension and understanding of any of the other mysteries depends on what you do with Jesus. Believe or not believe.
The Bible is the Entrance. This is the idea of a Door Frame or threshold. Mark 4:10-13 indicates that what a person believes about the Bible makes a big difference. In fact, without the Word, we would now know how to be saved.
A person can enter if: the Bible is the Authority and the Bible is trusted. Then the Door can be opened. In this parable, the Seed of the Word of God receives various responses. Each response is indicative of the condition of a human heart.
Why Then Do Some Fall Away? It seems that come allow the Word to entire their life then fall away. Why?
- Some were not believers to begin with. The seed is on the “way side.” Mark 4:15 tells how Satan steals the seed of the Word.
- Some have big troubles that come and are not rooted. Mark 4:16-17
- They are happy for a moment then fade away.
- They have no “depth” in their Christianity.
- There are many shallow Christians. Bible reading, prayer, witnessing, church attendance are the start of depth. Most are unfaithful in this.
- These uprooted are not in the Bible so the deeper things of God are unknown to them.
- Some Have Temptations that are Powerful. Mark 4:18-19
- The cares of this world.
- Riches and money.
- The lust for stuff.
- These things choke out the Word. These are too busy for the things of God.
- They are not focused on the Lord and His Word so they do not understand the deeper things of the Kingdom of God.
- Some grow in the Things of God. Mark 4:20
- They accept the Word.
- They let the Word grow.
- They see fruit in their life.
Our Response to God’s Word is what reveals His mysteries to us.
Radio preacher J Vernon McGee said: “If a man wants to know the Word of God, he can know it. He who wants to know the truth can know it. But you can shut your ears to it. There are multitudes of so-called broadminded people who shut their ears to the Word of God. If you don’t want to hear it, you won’t hear it, my friend. Not only would you fail to hear it, but you wouldn’t understand it if you did hear it. You must have the kind of ear that wants to hear the Word of God.”
Faith is the Key in Luke 8:9-18.
Jesus said in Mathew 16:17 “… Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Since eternal life is a spiritual proposition, it cannot be attained or understood in mere physical terms.
What is Required to Enter the Kingdom? What is needed to Open the Door and Go Through the Entrance? Faith! Faith in Jesus and His Gospel is what is needed! Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
What is Required to Know Jesus and Understand the Word? Faith! Hebrews 11:6 declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
This concept concerning faith is thoughtfully captures in this old song:
“Prayer is the key to Heaven,
But faith unlocks the door;
Words are so easily spoken,
But prayer without faith
Is like a boat without an oar.
Have faith when you speak to the Master,
That’s all he asks you for;
Prayer is the key to Heaven,
But faith unlocks the door.”
The Mysteries of the Kingdom of God can be understood! The mystery is this: the truth is in plain sight, but some do not understand it because of a lack of faith…..
EDC Christian 