Understanding The Great Mysteries Of God: Why Do They Matter?

The enigmas of the divine realm have fascinated humans for generations, propelling numerous individuals deeper into their spiritual quests. From the spiritual practices of antiquity to contemporary Christianity, there exists a profound sense of wonder and respect in delving into the mysteries that remain beyond our understanding.

For Christians, this exploration takes on special importance because they believe that the Holy Spirit teaches them the mysteries of God. The word “mystery” implies something that is not easily understood but can be revealed through prayer and contemplation.

By looking to God’s Word and other sources of spiritual inspiration, one may come closer to understanding the divine plan set forth by the Lord in heaven.

What Is The Mystery Of God In The Bible?

The mystery of God[1] in the Bible is an age-old concept that has been studied and contemplated for millennia. It refers to the idea that we, as finite human beings, can never fully understand or comprehend God’s divine nature, his plans, or his intentions for us.

This divine mystery is embodied in various ways in the Scripture, from the Trinity—the belief that God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—to parables and prophetic visions of Jesus Christ. In essence, it highlights our lack of knowledge regarding God’s power and design while simultaneously challenging us to explore how he interacts with our lives on a daily basis.

To explore this concept further, one may look at what is often referred to as the paradox of omniscience. God revealed himself to be omniscient—knowing all things, past and present—yet he still chooses to work through us in his plans. This paradox demonstrates how we should not approach this mystery with a sense of finality but instead with humility and reverence, remembering that many aspects of God remain unknown even after centuries of study.

Another way to examine the mystery of God is by looking at its role in our lives. As humans, we form relationships by understanding each other’s thoughts and feelings. However, because we cannot understand what it means to be divine, any relationship between a human being and God must be based on faith.

Furthermore, the Bible tells us that at the core of the mystery of God lies the figure of Jesus Christ. Of all the mysteries in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament, this one holds the greatest significance.

As the Lord Jesus Christ, he embodies the divine essence, manifesting God’s infinite love and mercy. Through his teachings and actions, Jesus Christ brought forth God’s Word, offering guidance and wisdom to humanity.

The Holy Spirit, a divine presence, is also woven into this spiritual tapestry, serving as a guiding force and comforter for believers. Together, Jesus Christ, God’s Word, and the Holy Spirit form an enigmatic trinity, inviting us to delve deeper into the profound nature of faith and the glorious riches of God’s mystery.

There is a large and growing literature on this subject that may help inform our understanding of God’s mysterious nature, including Curtis Vaughan’s The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI), Herbert Carson’s The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and Philemon (Grand Rapids, MI), and Lightfoot’s The Crossway Classic Commentaries: Colossians and Philemon (Wheaton, IL).

What Are Some Of The Mysteries Of God?

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way, all Israel will be saved.

— Romans 11:25–26

The mysteries of God are a source of wonder and fascination. They go beyond what we can understand or explain, yet they remain an integral part of our faith. There are overviews of some of the most compelling mysteries associated with God, from how he exists outside time to how he interacts with human beings on Earth.

God Above Time

One of the most perplexing questions about God is whether he exists above or outside of time. On the one hand, it seems reasonable to believe that someone who created and sustains all existence must exist beyond it.

However, if he exists outside of time, what does that mean for our limited experience of linear time? Does God exist in an eternal present, or does he have access to all moments in human history? The answer to this question is unknown, and it remains one of the great mysteries associated with God’s existence.

God’s Plan For Humanity

Another mystery about God involves his plan for humanity. Many people believe that God reveals a purpose or destiny planned out for each person and that we are called to do something specific with our lives according to God’s plan.

This idea implies a level of divine knowledge and understanding far greater than humans can comprehend in life. Even within religious circles, there are different perspectives on how much influence or control God has over our lives and what his plan for us may involve. This great mystery will likely remain unsolved until we can gain a more direct understanding of God himself.

God’s Nature

Perhaps one of the most mysterious aspects of God is his nature, or “personality.” How does he interact with humans on Earth? Does he intervene in our lives, or does he simply watch with detached interest? Is he loving and forgiving, or wrathful and judgmental?

These questions are difficult to answer because they involve subjective elements that cannot be proven empirically. Even within religious circles, there are different perspectives on the true nature of God, making this another one of the mysteries surrounding him.

Deuteronomy 29:29 says that “the secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Ultimately, there is still much to learn about the true nature of God, but one thing we can be sure of is that he is ultimately loving and forgiving.

Miracles

The concept of miracles is another fascinating mystery associated with God. While many people believe in the power of prayer, some experience far more tangible results from their faith. These supernatural occurrences are known as miracles and often defy natural laws or scientific explanations. Whether through instantaneous healing or answered prayers, these events seem to confirm the belief that there is something greater than us at work in the world.

1 Corinthians 2:13 says, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” In other words, miracles are beyond the scope of human understanding and can only be explained by spiritual insight.

God’s Will

Finally, one of God’s greatest mysteries is his will and how it relates to human beings on Earth. Does he have a specific plan for each person’s life? Is our destiny predetermined by him or determined by our choices? How does he decide when to intervene in our lives and when to allow us to make decisions for ourselves? These questions remain largely unanswered and will likely continue to be a source of speculation and debate.

Yet, some believe that God’s will extends to the entire world. It is thought that he desires all the nations to be at peace and live in harmony with one another. He may even have a plan for each nation, although it is difficult to know exactly what this plan entails. Regardless, we can trust that God has a good and merciful will for the entire world.

What Are Paul’s Mysteries Of God?

Paul’s mysteries of God are explained in the New Testament. In Romans 11:25, he uses the phrase “the mystery of God, which was kept secret for long ages.” This refers to the plan of salvation that was put into action before time began but only revealed after Christ’s death and resurrection (Ephesians 3:3–6).

In Ephesians 1:9–11, Paul explains that this mystery was “purposed in him and through him,” meaning that it was part of God’s plan from eternity past. He further clarifies this point in Colossians 1:26–27 by stating that “this mystery is Christ himself, who is the hope of glory for all people.”

Another mystery Paul describes is the unity between Jews and Gentiles in one body, which he speaks about in Ephesians 2:11–13. In this passage, he explains that both groups have been reconciled to each other through Christ’s death on the cross and now share a common identity in him. Neither group previously knew or understood this mystery before Jesus’ coming (Ephesians 3:3–6).

The last central mystery mentioned by Paul is related to our eternal destiny. In 1 Corinthians 15:51–52, he states, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”

Here, he is referencing the idea that when Jesus returns, those who are alive will be taken up to heaven with him, while those who have died will be resurrected. This was a surprise to many people and not something they would have expected based on their understanding of the Scriptures before his coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

Other enigmatic Messianic prophecies often mentioned by the church include the reign of David’s seed, the chief cornerstone, universal reign and repentance of nations, death swallowed up in victory, new heavens and a new earth, and everlasting dominion.

Conclusion

The mystery of God is a concept that has been explored and discussed for centuries. It highlights our lack of understanding regarding his divine nature, plans, and intentions for us. While we may not be able to comprehend all aspects of this mysterious topic, the Bible reveals several essential mysteries associated with him: his existence outside time, his plan for humanity, his nature, miracles, and his will.

Furthermore, Paul provides further insight into these concepts by unearthing several specific mysteries related to Jesus’ coming and our salvation.

Thus, while we can never fully understand God or what he has in store for us, studying the Bible helps us learn more about him and appreciate the greater mystery surrounding him.