Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 2 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 2 of 5)

The Revelation of the Mystery

"...according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest..." — Romans 16:25b–26a

The Transition of Ages

In this portion of the passage, Paul introduces the concept of the "mystery" (mysterion). In the context of Romans and the wider New Testament, a mystery is not a confusing riddle to be solved by human intellect, but a sacred secret that was once hidden in the counsel of God and has now been revealed by His decree. The doctrine here is one of Progressive Revelation: the truth that God did not reveal His entire plan for humanity at once, but unfolded it over time, reaching its peak in the person of Jesus Christ.

Extracting the Truth in Context

Paul emphasizes two distinct timeframes: "since the world began" and "but now." By stating that this mystery was "kept secret," he is acknowledging the period of history where God’s plan was present in seed form but not fully understood. To understand this in context, one must contrast it with the nature of prophecy; while the Bible records that "prophecy was spoken since the world began" regarding the coming King and His earthly kingdom, this specific "mystery" was strictly "kept secret since the world began." This distinction reveals a dispensational shift: prophecy dealt with what was foretold to man, whereas the mystery dealt with what was hid in God. This manifestation is not a change in God’s mind, but the scheduled fulfillment of His eternal purpose. In the context of the whole passage, this revelation is the very content of the "preaching of Jesus Christ" mentioned previously. While the entire plan of God is to preach Jesus Christ, we must recognize that we today are to preach Him according to the revelation of the mystery, which is a very specific gospel. This provides the intellectual and spiritual substance that God uses to "stablish" the believer; we are made firm by understanding that we are part of a plan that spans from eternity past to the present day.

Personalizing the Truth

For the reader, this truth provides a profound sense of placement in history. You are not living in a time of spiritual shadows or vague guesses about God’s intent. You live in the era of "manifestation." The "secret" that ancient kings and prophets desired to look into has been laid open before you in the Gospel. This reality should change how you view the Scriptures; they are not merely a book of moral codes, but the unveiling of a cosmic plan in which you are a participant. Understanding that God has been holding this plan since the world began—distinguishing between what He spoke through prophets and what He kept hidden for this moment—reminds you that your faith is rooted in the ancient, deliberate, and unchanging will of the Creator.

Apply the Truth

Let's move beyond mere curiosity and embrace the Gospel with a heart full of conviction. This is not some passing idea or modern trend—it is the eternal mystery of God, hidden for ages and now graciously revealed to us. What a privilege it is to live in the “but now” era, where His plan has been made manifest for all who believe! Let gratitude stir your soul and drive you deeper into His Word. Approach Scripture with intensity and joy, knowing that you are exploring the very mystery God has chosen to unveil in our time. Let this truth inspire you to seek Him earnestly, to treasure the revelation of Christ, and to marvel at the wonder of being entrusted with the Gospel that was once concealed but is now gloriously shared with the world.