The book of Daniel contains mysteries about God’s plan for history that are revealed through Daniel. Daniel 2, one of the longest chapters in the Bible, contains an outline of Gentile history that has been given to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in a dream he could not understand. Daniel, one of his Jewish advisors, is able to pray to the Lord for insight into Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and God was pleased to reveal the meaning to Daniel who in turn explained the meaning of the dream to Nebuchadnezzar.
We have seen previously that the Old Testament includes some mysteries or secrets, usually associated with providing new revelation in relation to the progressively unfolding plan of God for history. In a sense, the Old Testament provides a baseline for the revelation of God’s plan for history in relation to the nation of Israel. This is in relation to the many Messianic prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus at His first coming, as well as many still awaiting His second advent...
Jesus revealed to His disciples the mysteries about the kingdom of God in Matthew 13 (Mark 4:1–34; Luke 8:4–18). The parables of Matthew 13 are not identical with the yet to be revealed church age, even though there is some major overlap. Matthew 13 surveys this present age in its relation to the kingdom since the parables cover the period of time between Christ’s two advents—His first and second comings. This includes the present church age, the rapture, the tribulation, the second coming, and the sheep/goats judgment.
Previously we began a look at the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven or kingdom of God as noted in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8. I have also gone over the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1–23 in which the parables were called “mysteries” of the kingdom of God. Therefore we learned that during the interim period between the two comings of Jesus, the parable of the sower indicates there will be varied responses to the proclamation of the message, which is the gospel.
Passage: Matthew 13:17 & Matthew 13:35
In our study of the mysteries in the New Testament I have defined them as a secret part of God’s original plan for mankind that is revealed to the church. This understanding is supported by Matthew 13:17 and 35. Verse 17 is a clear reference to Old Testament prophets and righteous men who did not see prophetically many of the things that Jesus’ disciples were witnessing. They were hidden from those in the Old Testament, even though all of these events were part of God’s original plan from the beginning. This is known as progressive of revelation.