Understanding God’s Mysteries – Part 1: The Secret of the Lord

Based on Scott Mitchell's Bible StudyThe Secret of the Lord – Understanding God’s Mysteries in the Last Days Part 1

The Age of Deception

Jesus warned that the final days before His return would be marked by deception. His words were not a suggestion but a command: “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4). Those who love the truth will find themselves in a battle for discernment. Many doctrines today deny grace, distort truth, and diminish the authority of the Apostle Paul.

Paul forewarned that men would not endure sound doctrine but would turn their ears from the truth to fables (2 Timothy 4:3–4). We are living in that very season. The enemy’s greatest weapon is not violence but deception — twisting the Word of God just enough to confuse those who will not study it.

The safeguard against apostasy remains unchanged: understanding God’s Mysteries, the truths He has revealed through His Word and Spirit.

The Secret of the Lord and the Fear of God

The psalmist wrote, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant.” (Psalm 25:14). The Hebrew word סוֹד (sôd) means “counsel,” “assembly,” or “intimate conversation.” It signifies an inner circle of fellowship with God — not secret knowledge for the elite, but divine intimacy shared with the faithful.

The fear of the Lord is the key to revelation. The proud and self-sufficient cannot understand spiritual truth because they will not humble themselves before the Author of it. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7).

The closer one walks with God, the clearer His counsel becomes. The secret of the Lord is not hidden from His people but for His people — available to all who walk in obedience and reverence.

The Mystery Revealed Through Paul

In the New Testament, the Greek word μυστήριον (mystērion) builds upon the Old Testament concept of sôd. It refers to hidden wisdom — divine truth previously concealed but now made manifest through the Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:7). These mysteries center on Christ and His body, the Church. They were unknown to the prophets of Israel and hidden from the foundation of the world.

This revelation was entrusted to Paul, the Apostle of grace, who received it directly from the risen Christ. The Church’s heavenly calling and position differ from Israel’s earthly promises. To understand Scripture rightly, one must discern that difference and rightly divide the Word of truth.

Paul’s Role in God’s Revelation

Paul’s writings do not conflict with Christ’s teachings; they extend them to their heavenly fulfillment. Jesus ministered to Israel during His earthly life, but after His resurrection, He revealed a new dispensation through Paul — the calling of Jew and Gentile alike into one body by grace through faith.

Paul declared, “According to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest.” (Romans 16:25–26).

This hidden wisdom was not an afterthought but the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose. Understanding this mystery protects believers from deception and establishes them in sound doctrine.

Hidden from the World, Revealed to Believers

Spiritual blindness is not new. From the beginning, God has concealed His wisdom from the proud and revealed it to the humble. Jesus 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).

He spoke in parables, not to confuse, but to reveal truth to those who had ears to hear. The Holy Spirit continues this ministry today. Spiritual understanding does not come through intellect or education but through revelation (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The mysteries of God are discerned only by those who have been born of the Spirit. Knowledge without the Spirit produces pride; revelation through the Spirit produces faith.

The Mystery of Grace

When Israel rejected her Messiah, God paused His prophetic program and revealed the mystery of grace through Paul. Salvation today is by grace through faith alone — apart from the works of the law or national covenant. This truth, hidden from the world, is now freely offered to all who believe.

Those who trust in Christ’s finished work are sealed with the Holy Spirit and made part of His body, the Church. Israel’s trial lies ahead in the time of Jacob’s trouble, but the believer’s hope is already secured in heaven.

Stewards of God’s Mysteries

Paul wrote, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1). Every believer is called to guard the truth, not merely for knowledge’s sake but for faithful living.

To be a steward of God’s mysteries is to walk in truth, discern deception, and share the gospel of grace without compromise. The Lord continues to reveal His counsel to those who fear Him. His Word is preserved, His truth is unchanging, and His mysteries are made known to those who seek Him with a sincere heart.