Mysteries of the Bible

Have you ever wondered why the bible isnt just 5 or 10 pages long? Aside from all of the history it contains, of course - couldnt the salvation plan and the requirements for good Christian living be laid out much more simply?

Instead, the bible speaks in parables and mysteries and leaves many people confused with interpretations. Wouldnt it be nice if it were just given to us in an easy-to-understand list, much like the ten commandments?

Actually, the bible is a mystery for a reason. God created us for true fellowship, and in order to do so he gave us Free Will. He wants us to actively seek him, and make a conscious choice to enter the kingdom. If it were all simplified, there would be a lot of half-hearted followers. But as it is, a person has to put forth a serious amount of desire and energy to understand the mysteries of the bible… and to come into close fellowship with God.

Consider our own relationships in comparison: When you choose who you would like to spend time with, is it the person who looks up to you and agrees with everything you say - but doesnt really get you or take the time to learn anything about you? Or is it the person who gets to know you sincerely, and contributes something to the relationship themselves?

Perhaps I didnt word that well, but I think you get the point… and thinking along these lines helps us to understand why God might have required so much of those who desire fellowship with him. God expects us to be obedient and sincere, and to put forth an effort on our end.

Jesus didnt speak in parables to confuse people. He did that to challenge those who sincerely sought the truth.

What does the bible say about its mysteries?

Matthew 13:10-17 (NIV)

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables:

Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Jesus was explaining the Parable of the Four Soils. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus goes on to say:

Luke 8:14-18 - The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” (NIV)

‘Consider carefully how you listen’… Hmm. It is not enough to just hear the Word and to believe it. We must continue forward, become mature as Christians, ‘persevere’ and ‘produce crops’. That means we must take what we learn and do something with it.

What does ‘persevere’ mean? It means “to persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement”.

In his letter to the Colossians (2:2-3), Paul said:

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Paul also said, in his letter to the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:14 NIV):

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (NIV)

Every day people get online and search for an understanding of the mysteries contained within the bible. This list of search phrases is just an example of the active searching on this topic that occurs across the major search engines every single day:

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The key to understanding the bible, to getting revelation on the mysteries of the bible, is GOD. Your first step is to get into the Word, because when you do… the Word gets into you. Study daily, continuously seek the answers you are looking for, and pray sincerely that God will give you understanding and discernment.

Seek and you shall find. Ask and it shall be given. Praise God continually, and you will find that your eyes and mind are opened to the truths that lie within the pages of the bible!

If you came here hoping to find any other answer, I’m sorry to say there isnt one. I would encourage you to read through the individual bible studies here on this site, and to study for yourself. You’ll find truth in the Word, and in the Spirit!

It’s not enough to listen to your pastor at church on Sunday morning when he reads from the Word. It’s not enough to just complacently agree that “everything in the bible is true”. We must seek truth and revelation for ourselves, because nobody can lead us blindly into heaven - our salvation is our personal responsibility.

If you have a question about the bible, or would like to see a detailed study on a particular topic or parable from the bible, feel free to email me at Info @ BibleNewz.com (no spaces) with your suggestion. If I post a study on your topic, I will email you the link to it once it is live on the site.

Tags: christianity, bible, bible study, free will, mysteries of the bible, secrets of the bible, bible secrets, mystery, parables