Understanding the Gap: The Mystery Period in God’s Plan

Understanding the Gap: The Mystery Period in God’s Plan

Throughout history, biblical prophecy has painted a clear picture of God’s plan for Israel. From the coming of the Messiah to the promised kingdom, prophecy repeatedly highlighted the sequence of events that were expected to unfold. However, what was never foreseen or mentioned by the prophets was an intervening period—a hidden mystery revealed only through the Apostle Paul. This period, often referred to as the "gap," marks a unique dispensation in which the body of Christ operates under grace, distinct from Israel’s prophetic timeline.

The Gap: A Mystery Kept Secret

One of the most remarkable aspects of the gap period is its complete absence from Old Testament prophecy. If one studies scripture from Adam through the life of Jesus and even into the early chapters of Acts, there is no mention of this time period. The prophetic writings consistently detail Israel’s future, outlining the coming of their Messiah, a time of tribulation, and the eventual establishment of the millennial kingdom.

Had Israel accepted their Messiah, Jesus would have returned, the tribulation would have taken place, and the kingdom would have been established as prophesied (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 9:26). In such a scenario, the grace period—the gap—would never have existed. Yet, because Israel rejected their Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy was delayed (John 1:11; Luke 19:14). Because of Israel’s unbelief, God ushered in a completely unforeseen era: the mystery period, during which the body of Christ operates under grace (Romans 11:11; Acts 13:46). This grace dispensation was never revealed in prophecy but was kept secret by God (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:3-5; Colossians 1:25-26). In this new dispensation, salvation was extended to the Gentiles apart from Israel’s prophetic program (Romans 11:25; Colossians 1:26).

Paul and the Revelation of the Mystery

Paul’s writings repeatedly emphasize the mystery period as something hidden in God’s mind until it was revealed to him. In Ephesians 3:3-5, he describes how this divine revelation was given exclusively to him, marking a significant shift in God’s dealings with mankind. Unlike the prophetic program, which had been declared since the world began (Acts 3:21), Paul states in Romans 16:25 that the mystery had been kept secret from ages past and was only now being made known.

This concept of mystery—or mysterion in Greek—does not refer to something strange or unfathomable but rather to a divine truth deliberately concealed until a specific time. Throughout his epistles, Paul unpacks the details of this grace period, explaining how believers in this dispensation are part of the body of Christ, distinct from Israel’s promises (Colossians 1:26; Romans 11:25). The doctrine he presents is unique—salvation by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28), rather than through the covenantal promises given to Israel (Galatians 3:13-14; Romans 4:13-16).

The Prophetic Timeline and the Absence of the Gap

An interesting element of studying biblical prophecy is recognizing the seamless transition between events. Many Old Testament prophecies speak of the tribulation followed by the Messiah’s return, and the kingdom. There is no mention of an intervening period—no recognition of the church age or the grace dispensation.

For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of the birth of the Messiah and, in the same breath, describes His rule over the throne of David. Similarly, Daniel 9:26 mentions the Messiah being "cut off," followed directly by tribulation events. Even the apostles, during Jesus’ earthly ministry, had no concept of a prolonged gap. Their expectation was immediate kingdom restoration, as revealed by their question in Acts 1:6: “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

The gap was hidden so effectively that even Peter, when preaching after Pentecost, quoted Joel’s prophecy in Acts 2, expecting imminent tribulation and kingdom restoration. The reality, however, was different—God had chosen to extend grace to Gentiles, delaying Israel’s program until their eventual national repentance.

Why Did the Gap Occur?

The kingdom did not come as expected because Israel as a nation rejected their Messiah. While individual Jews believed, God’s plan required national acceptance for the fulfillment of kingdom promises. Since this did not happen, Israel was set aside temporarily (parallel: Acts 13:11), blinded in part until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (Romans 11:25).

In response, God revealed a new dispensation—the grace period—where salvation was made available apart from Israel’s prophetic timeline. This was a radical departure from what had been foretold, introducing a body of believers whose destiny is heavenly rather than earthly.

Jesus Himself did not mention the gap during His earthly ministry. Though He, as God in the flesh, knew the plan, He did not reveal it. An interesting example occurs in Luke 4 when Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue. He stops reading mid-sentence before the passage continues with prophecies about the tribulation and millennial kingdom. This suggests He understood the gap but chose not to disclose it. Wow!! Even Jesus practiced rightly dividing.

The apostles also had no knowledge of a lengthy gap period. Their words and actions demonstrate their belief that the kingdom would come soon. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus promised His disciples that in the regeneration, they would sit on twelve thrones judging Israel’s twelve tribes—reinforcing their expectation of an imminent kingdom. Similarly, just before Jesus’ ascension, they asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). This question reflects their anticipation of an immediate fulfillment of prophecy.

Even Paul did not initially understand the gap. After his conversion, he preached the identity of Jesus in synagogues, proving He was the Christ (Acts 9:19-22). At this stage, Paul’s focus was still on convincing Jews rather than introducing the grace gospel. It was only through divine revelations over time that he came to fully comprehend the mystery of the body of Christ.

The Gap and the First Being Last

The delay of the kingdom created the gap, which is the current period in which we are living today. In this period, instead of wrath, God extends grace. Peter initially expected God's judgment to follow Pentecost, but it did not.

Jesus' words in Matthew 19:30—“Many who are first will be last, and the last first”—may indicate this shift. Israel, originally meant to receive God’s blessing first, was blinded, and the Gentiles became first to receive grace and the indwelling Spirit of God's word. The body of Christ will inherit eternity before Israel inherits the millennial kingdom.

Conclusion

The gap period remains one of the most profound revelations in biblical study. Though completely absent from prophecy, it has shaped history, allowing the gospel of grace to be preached to all nations. When this dispensation ends at the snatching up of the living members of the Body of Christ, the prophetic program for Israel will resume, ushering in the tribulation and the long-awaited millennial kingdom.

Understanding the gap sheds light on the distinct plan God has for both Israel and the Body of Christ, revealing the richness of His grace and the fulfillment of His promises in each unique program and in His perfect timing.