What Is God's Mystery?: And Other Bible Questions Explored

By Michael Cox and Mel Turner

Have you heard about Gods mystery? Were you aware that when God finally revealed the truth of this mystery, its power changed the course of history? What is Gods Mystery? opens anew the door to Gods greatest plan, and explains how it continues to affect each of us today.

Plus, have you ever been asked other questions about the Bible that were difficult to answer? We have. These inquiries have come from church members, our family, close friends, and even our own curiosity. As an example, how would you answer a question like, If God made everything (John 1:3) and everything was good (Genesis 1:31), then where did Satan and the demons come from?

People have wrestled with questions such as, When we die do we become angels and play harps in heaven? What does the Bible tell us about hell, or the date of the end of time? How can we know Gods will for our lives? Also, what does the Bible say about personal issues such as drinking wine, going to the movies, watching television, or judging others? What is Gods design for sex and marriage in todays changing world? Did you realize Jesus actually mentions four conditions of man?

These were questions that we felt deserved deeper answers than the traditional responses. Our concentrated search into Gods Word has resulted in discoveries, supported by scripture, that we believe are so important they need to be made available for anyone who honestly desires to know Gods will.

We believe you will find this study very rewarding. And, more importantly, it might spark an interest in studying the Bible that will help you better know its real Author the Lord God Almighty.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490877358

Michael Cox

Michael Cox is a writer of many non-fiction and fiction books for children including titles in the Dead Famous series, Johnny Catbiscuit and How to Drink From a Frog and Wild Things to do with Woodlice for A&C Black.

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What is God’s Mystery?

and Other Bible Questions Explored

Mel Turner and Michael Cox

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Copyright © 2015 Mel Turner and Michael Cox.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-7736-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7737-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7735-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015907722

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/13/2015

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Section I - Bible Questions Explored

• What Is God’s Mystery?

• What Is God’s Will?

• Does God Always Hear Our Prayers?

• What Is the Trinity?

• What Will Heaven Be Like?

• What Is the Truth About Angels and Other Heavenly Hosts?

• Is There Really a Fire and Brimstone Hell?

• Who Are Satan and His Demons?

• What Are the Four Possible Conditions of Man?

• What Does the Bible Say About the Length of Man’s Life?

• Why Are We Tempted and Tested?

• Have You Heard About Grace?

• When Is the End of Time?

Section II - That’s Too Personal! (Questions We Usually Avoid)

• What Does the Bible Say About Sex and Marriage?

• Can We Say What Is Right or Wrong?

• Why Whine About Wine?

• Does Fasting Apply To Us Today?

• Is Driving Over the Speed Limit a Sin?

• Is Cursing a Sin If We Don’t Use God’s Name?

• So, What Do You Think?

• Are There Movies and Television Shows We Should not Watch, or Books We Should Avoid?

• When Does How We Dress Stop Being Modest and Start Being Sinful?

• Exactly What Is Legalism?

• My Job Requires Me To Work Sundays. Is That a Sin?

• Is Going To Church Every Time the Doors Are Open Required By God?

• Is Lukewarm Christian an Oxymoron?

• Who Is Your Daddy?

• Who Is Your Brother?

• Where Do You Find Treasure?

Section III - What If These Were Today’s Headlines?

• Doomsday Preacher Funds Colossal Boat

• Communication Problems Halt Construction

• Talking Donkey Argues With Owner

• Flooded River Suddenly Stops Flowing

• City Destroyed After Outer Walls Collapse

• God Creates Daylight Saving Time

• Two Too Fat and Four For Veggies

• King Seeks Help From Medium

• Birds Feed Holy Man Sandwich Twice a Day

• Water Has No Effect As Fire Consumes Altar

• Name Callers Attacked by Bears

• Prophet Nixes Physics

• Army Panicked By Strange Sounds

• Trophy-Sized Fish Catches Man

• Destructive Demons Exorcised At Cemetery

• Prophet Loses Head Over Young Dancer

Words to Take With You

A Final Word of Encouragement

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the older saints – those whose lives inspire, encourage, and challenge us to be all that the Lord would have us to be.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Acknowledgments

Like most authors we find a need to express our gratitude to those who have helped with this project and have been influential in its content.

Both of us would like to thank Carolyn Turner, Mel Turner Jr., and Donna O’Daniel who spent numerous hours reading and editing the manuscript through several revisions. They have corrected grammar and helped us make the book more readable and concise. Their labor is very much appreciated and a vital part of these pages.

We also give recognition to members of our church who have been participants in Bible study groups and have discussed some of the questions and issues covered in this book. Their contributions, excellent insights, and applications of Bible lessons are reflected in our commentary, even if just one or two valuable sentences. We thank these dear Christians for helping us learn from their experiences.

From Michael: I would like to thank my wife Connie, who is such a dedicated Bible student and teacher. She has the gift of teaching God’s Word to others with humility and real-life application, and presenting the truth with gentle and graceful words. She has helped me think through some of the topics in this book and arrive at personal convictions that are consistent with the Lord’s ways while showing grace to others who may not hold to the same convictions.

I would also like to thank my dear friend Mel Turner for suggesting we write a book together. He approached me with the subject and outlines of What is God’s Mystery?, and it has been a joyful growing experience in my personal life and pastoral ministry to contribute to his thoughts on God’s Word.

From Mel: As always, I would like to offer a special thanks to my greatest critic, my best friend, the love of my life, my wife, Carolyn.

I would also like to thank my Pastor, Michael Cox, for having enough faith to go on this venture with me. It has been a real pleasure as we worked together to accomplish what could have been a much harder job as we tackled some very tough questions.

Introduction

Have you ever been asked questions that were difficult to answer? For instance, how would you answer a question like, Does ‘God’s will’ mean God has everything already planned out for my life? What is your answer to, Do we have our own guardian angel? Here’s another question that is sure to be asked: Why do some churches think it is alright to drink wine and others think you are doomed to hell if you do? People will almost always follow that question with, Didn’t Paul tell Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach? You’ll have to admit these are pretty tough questions, questions with which we have also wrestled.

These inquiries have come from church members, our family, close friends, and even our own curiosity. These were questions in our personal lives needing answers, so we’ve spent considerable time researching the Bible for what it says. The results of our effort have provided authoritative answers that aid spiritual growth and give lives direction as it illuminates the path to living God’s way. We feel our findings are so important that they should be made available for any who honestly desire to know God’s will. This study looks at each topic from different viewpoints and includes over eleven hundred Bible verses to provide support for sound scriptural answers.

The chapters in this book do not have to be read in order. You can browse the table of contents and turn to the question to which you are most interested in discovering God’s answer. We believe you will find the study very rewarding. And, more importantly, it might spark an interest in studying the Bible that will help you better know its real Author – the Lord God Almighty.

Section I

Bible Questions Explored

Could you state in fifty words or less what you believe? Can you back up your belief with Scripture? Have you ever considered the impression we leave when we as Christians are unable to answer questions regarding our faith?

It is especially important to understand what the Bible says regarding our relationship with God and prominent topics in His Word about which people often ask. There are probably some Bible questions to which you are unsure of the answers yourself. This section, hopefully, will provide some of those answers with relevant Scripture verses at your fingertips to develop into a personal Bible study or equip you to lead others in an exploration of God’s Word.

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)

What Is God’s Mystery?

We all love a good mystery, as seen by the number of new mystery books, television shows, and movies offered every year. Many of us reading this book have grown up with mystery stories of the Bobbsey Twins, the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple and an endless line of other fictional heroes.

As we read an unfolding novel, we could almost picture ourselves holding a magnifying glass, donning a two-brimmed cap, balancing a crooked pipe out of our mouth, and looking for clues to solve a whodunit mystery before the plot was exposed by the author.

The interesting thing is, not all mysteries are fiction. We understand that mystery in novels indicates there is a secret or puzzling event for which an answer must be found by following certain clues. But in the Bible the word mystery is used very differently. In the biblical text, the Greek word mysterion means a hidden or secret thing, something not obvious to the understanding. It refers to something that God has kept unknown in the past, but revealed at a later time.

Thankfully God wants us to know His thoughts and ways, and the Bible was written in plain language for the reader to understand. God has said that He will help us understand the marvels of who He is and what He does.

Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it – the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:2-3)

The Bible, which was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, does not contain secret codes that have to be cracked by a special formula or computer program. Predictions of historical events 2000 years in advance of them occurring are not hidden within a sequence of letters or numbers in the Biblical text that can only be deciphered by a computer. God does not hide truths and prophecies from us in this way. To scrutinize God’s Word for a hidden code is a misuse of the Bible. Besides, any person with enough computer savvy can create a mathematical formula and apply it to any section of Scripture to match or support a predetermined conclusion, simply to serve his own purposes. God’s Word is not written in a pattern of hidden x and y messages for math geniuses to solve. This is not what God has intended.

But what is meant by God’s mystery is that God in His wisdom, foresight, and planning has chosen to reveal certain truths at certain prescribed times. It is not that He has been keeping the truth from His people; it’s just that He knew people weren’t ready for certain aspects of the truth and finally revealed that truth in fuller and more wonderful ways. Hopefully you will see what we mean as you read the next few pages.

I. A case from the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament book of Daniel we find an early example of a mystery that began as a secret and strange dream, but the truth behind it was finally revealed. It was something that could not be understood apart from divine revelation or explanation. In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that greatly troubled him. When none of the king’s wise men could interpret this dream, Daniel was called on to provide the answer. Daniel 2:19 says, Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel recognized that God was the one who gave him the true meaning of the king’s dream. Daniel said about God in verse 22, He reveals deep and hidden things.

When Daniel was brought to the king, Daniel said, No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries (Daniel 2:27-28). The mystery Daniel speaks of is a truth or knowledge contained within the eternal plan of God, and only God can make the meaning known.

In this case what Daniel did was to relay King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to him as God gave him the interpretation. How was Daniel able to do this? Why was he called upon for this important duty to the king? Like the other men to whom God revealed His truths, Daniel was a man who honored the Lord and was spiritually in tune with Him. Therefore he was used by God to understand the king’s dream and pass the message on to others for their benefit.

II. God’s mystery in the New Testament.

As you read the New Testament, you will encounter several places where the Apostle Paul uses this concept of mystery. With the understanding that mystery in the biblical sense means a truth unknown to people living in Old Testament times but revealed during the time of Jesus and the apostles, we can see clearly what Paul was saying in his letters to the first Christians.

What is this mystery that Paul wrote about? In his letter to the churches in Galatia, Paul said that the fullness of time had come and that God sent His Son Jesus to redeem those under the law and to receive them through spiritual adoption as sons (see Galatians 4:4-5). When Paul wrote about God’s mystery he meant this: salvation has been announced and revealed in Jesus Christ. God sent His Son Jesus, who was without sin, to die on a cross for the sins of the world, so that those who believe in Him will be saved.

When Paul became aware of this mystery of God, the truth of it was so wonderful, so overwhelming that he was compelled to share it. We can see his enthusiasm as he explained it in another one of his letters.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:7-10)

God’s mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ was something so divine that no human sleuths or detectives (or wise men) could figure it out. The explanation could only come from God. This spiritual truth had been in God’s secret counsels from before the beginning of time, hidden from human understanding until God’s appointed moment of unveiling. This mystery has now been revealed, and is presented in the pages of the New Testament.

III. How does God’s mystery pertain to us?

A. Salvation is not only for the sons of Abraham (the Jews) but also for the Gentiles.

The mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:3-6)

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 3:8-10)

…the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:24-27)

Paul was divinely commissioned to help spread this truth that would bring hope to a lost and sinful world – good news that was both glorious and real. This plan of salvation wasn’t only for Israel (God’s chosen people), but also was available for the Gentiles (everyone else). For us that should be GREAT news!

B. The mystery is used to reflect the marriage relationship.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33)

In these verses Paul teaches that the mystery of marriage as given in Genesis 2:24 contained a more profound truth than people realized. Paul says that the image of a husband and wife being united together is a picture of Christ being united to the church, the body of Christian believers. What was presented in Genesis about the marriage relationship would lead to a fuller portrait of Christ giving himself to his bride, the church, by dying on the cross for her. As a husband and wife are united to be one flesh, so the believer’s union with Christ is even closer and will last for all eternity.

C. The saved will be resurrected in new, glorified, imperishable bodies.

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality… But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, 57)

Paul received a special revelation by God about some future events. One of those events that is yet to occur is what is referred to as the Rapture, a word that comes from the Latin rapere, meaning caught up, to snatch up. The Rapture is when at an unexpected time Christ will come to snatch up all believers instantaneously, to remove them from the earth and take them into heaven. The believers in Christ who are dead will be raised from their graves, and Christians who are alive will join them in the air to meet the Lord. You can read in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 about this taking place. The rapture of Christians is a mystery because it had never been revealed in the Old Testament or to people living during that time. It was a truth revealed in the New Testament. Many Christians are living daily with this expectation and hope of the rapture happening soon.

When Paul used the word mystery in 1 Corinthians 15:51, he implied that there are things to happen that we don’t understand. But he clarified them for us. Some Christians will be alive when Christ comes at the rapture with the sounding of the trumpet, and they will receive changed bodies. This will be an instantaneous change, and these new bodies will never die. They will be incorruptible. Christians will be instantly transformed into their glorified bodies. What a glorious, exciting assurance we can know now!

IV. According to Jesus, God’s mystery is only for the saved to understand.

And when he [Jesus] was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret* of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that they