The Mystery of the Gospel
THIRD QUARTER 2023
SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #6
AUGUST 5, 2023
“THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL”
When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus (about 62 AD), he was in chains (Ephesians 6:20) and was considered a criminal suspect expecting to be judged by Nero. This caused discouragement among the Ephesians (3:13).
Paul was imprisoned for believing and preaching Christ. His conscience was clear. From other letters he wrote during that same time, he was confident of being released soon (Philippians 2:24; Philemon 22). Furthermore, he never considered himself a prisoner of Rome. He was a “prisoner of Christ” (3:1).
Even in his confinement at Rome, he continued to gather groups of people to proclaim the gospel to them (Ephesians 6:18-20).
The revelation of the mystery
The mystery God revealed to Paul had not been fully known before, but now it was disclosed through the apostles and prophets who had received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:5).
What is this mystery?
- The gospel — Ephesians 6:19.
- The gospel of Christ — Ephesians 3:3-6; Romans 1:16-17.
- The gospel of God — Romans 15:16.
Today the mystery of the gospel is in the process of being finished during the proclamation of the seventh trumpet—the third woe (Revelation 10:7). Here it is called the “mystery of God.” Here too, the gospel was “declared to His servants the prophets.” The verb “declared” is translated “gospel” 15 times.
The verb was used by Jesus in Luke 4:18— “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (See also Romans 10:15; 2 Corinthians 10:16; Galatians 1:8,9).
This same verb is translated “preach” in the first angel’s message of Revelation 14:6— “I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”
In 1892 A. T. Jones wrote:
“This everlasting gospel is the mystery of God which is again to be preached unto me; and that mystery of ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ And that is the preaching that is now to go to the world, in the glorious threefold message which makes up the third angel's message. And now is the time when the gospel, the mystery of God, is to be preached and revealed in a power, a majesty, and a glory such as has never been known except in the time of the apostles, if it does not even surpass that.” —A. T. Jones, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, August 2, 1892.
The “mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 3:2-4) is conceptualized as the “mystery of Christ.” Christ is the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Mrs. White has this to say:
“The Gospel is Christ unfolded, and Christ is the Gospel embodied…. The Gospel is glorious because it is made up of Christ's righteousness.” (The Signs of the Times, November 24,1898).
The Purpose of the mystery
What is the purpose of this mystery? “…that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6).
How is the “Mystery of the Gospel” revealed?
It is revealed through God’s Church (Ephesians 3:7-12). The “mystery of Christ” is the “mystery of God” (Romans 15:16). The ministering of Jesus to the Gentiles, as well as to believers, is “ministering the gospel” (Romans 15:16).
Although Paul received special revelations, he did not consider himself as special. He had a sense of unworthiness (3:8); he saw himself as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). This is because he saw himself as a great sinner. This is a lesson for us. The nearer we are drawn to Jesus, the more unworthy we see ourselves. But at the same time, we are being transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The change that occurs in our lives is a testimony that makes known the goodness, the righteousness, and the wisdom of God to the inhabitants of earth and even to “principalities and powers” (Ephesians 3:10). The evil “principalities and powers” know their false accusations against God have been exposed, and that they are defeated and condemned.
Consequences of the revelation
Paul kneels to pray to the Father. He begins with a statement (in the original language): every family (patria) takes its name from the Father (patēr). All families (no matter how imperfect they may be) belong to God (Ephesians 3:15).
Next Paul states the humanly impossible—that we may know in four dimensions: “the width and length and depth and height” of that which “surpasses knowledge” — the love of Christ (3:18-19).
As Paul meditates on the love of Christ, he bursts into a doxology of praise and glory, praying that Christ may be glorified in the Church (3:20-21).
This doxology teaches us that:
- God is able to do far more than what we ask or think.
- God can do for us that which we don't understand.
- His power works in us.
- As a Church, we must always give glory to Jesus.
Which of these teachings are especially significant to you?
In closing, let’s consider that “The Mystery of God” (“the everlasting gospel”) which is “Christ in you” must truly first be in us before it goes to the world with an unrelenting and unstoppable power. The greatest Bible studies are just ahead; the greatest preaching is just ahead; God’s greatest movement is just ahead of us. What a privilege we have. What a gospel we have. What a God we serve who gives us this gospel and this privilege!
~Pastor Jerry Finneman