The Secret of the Lord – Understanding the Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven

Based on Scott Mitchell's Bible Lesson The Secret of the Lord Part 2 – How Israel’s Rejection Revealed God’s Hidden Plan of Grace

The Danger of Deception in the Last Days

Today, false doctrines and counterfeit gospels are spreading faster than ever before. Many are being “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” as Paul foretold (Ephesians 4:14).

This departing from sound teaching is no surprise to those who study the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul wrote that in the latter times some would depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1). Yet God has provided a safeguard for those who seek Him—the understanding of His mysteries. Psalm 25:14 declares, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”

To withstand deception, believers must know the secret of the Lord. It is not found through man’s wisdom or church tradition but through reverent fear of God and faith in His revealed Word.

The Kingdom of Heaven and God’s Covenant with Israel

From the beginning, God’s purpose for Israel was to establish them as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5–6). When John the Baptist began preaching, his message echoed this divine promise: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The same call came from the Lord Jesus as He proclaimed repentance and the coming of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:17).

This message was specifically directed to Israel. It was national in scope, offering the fulfillment of what the prophets had spoken. Zechariah and Simeon both looked for the consolation of Israel, believing God would send deliverance through the Messiah (Luke 1:68–79; Luke 2:25–32).

However, this kingdom required Israel’s repentance and faithfulness. When the nation rejected their King, the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven was postponed. The focus then shifted from national restoration to individual salvation through grace.

Parables and the Concealing of the Kingdom

When Israel’s leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy and rejected His works as being of Satan (Matthew 12:31–37), the Lord began to teach in parables. This was not to make truth easier to understand but to conceal it from those who refused to believe. He said, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Matthew 13:11).

The use of parables marked a turning point. It revealed that the knowledge of God’s kingdom would become a hidden mystery, understood only by those who truly sought the Lord. The unbelieving nation would no longer see plainly what God was doing.

From Rejection to Revelation: A New Gospel Emerges

The rejection of the Holy Ghost culminated in the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:51–59). This act symbolized Israel’s complete refusal to receive their Messiah and the Spirit’s witness. Yet in God’s mercy, this rejection opened the door to a greater revelation.

Through the Apostle Paul, God revealed a mystery gospel—the message of salvation by grace through faith apart from works of the Law. This gospel, hidden since before the foundation of the world, offered hope not just to Israel but to all nations. What was once a national promise became a universal offer of redemption.

The Apostle wrote, “If the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” (Romans 11:12). Israel’s fall made room for the Gentiles to be grafted into God’s plan of salvation.

The Secret of the Lord Revealed

The secret that was once concealed in types and shadows has now been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Those who believe the gospel of grace are made partakers of God’s eternal purpose. This secret is not learned in seminaries or rituals but through the Spirit who reveals the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Understanding the Secret of the Lord establishes the believer in truth and guards against deception. It brings peace in a time of confusion and anchors faith amid widespread apostasy.

A Call to Personal Faith

While God’s covenant with Israel remains, His invitation of grace is extended to every individual today. Salvation is not through national identity or religious observance but through personal faith in Jesus Christ.

The question each of us must answer is this: Have I trusted Christ alone for salvation? The same Lord who offered the Kingdom to Israel now offers eternal life to all who believe the gospel of grace. As Scripture declares, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).

The secret of the Lord is still with those who fear Him. To know it is to know Him—our Savior, Redeemer, and soon-coming King.