29 Dec 2012-
In the book The Last Trumpet: The Mystery of God is Finished and a New Age Begins, author Robert Johnston explores biblical prophecy and the promises of God that relate to the end times. This excerpt is from chapter 2:
THE "MYSTERY" OF THE CHURCH
This time, however, the interruption would last much longer. In God’s eyes the plan for the nation of Israel was suspended, while his plan for the rest of the world intervened. This plan for the world is the “mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Col. 1:26). It is the mystery of God’s eternal spirit, the Holy Spirit, invading Israel’s suspended time period to impart the kingdom of heaven into men’s souls. It is the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory for the world. It is the mystery of the kingdom of God, dwelling in this world through his church.
Let us take a brief, thoughtful pause here to understand what this mystery is all about before continuing with the time of the “ingathering of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:25 AMP). Here are several scriptures describing this “mystery”:
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables.
—Mark 4:11 (emphasis mine)
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
—Romans 11:25 (emphasis mine)
Now to him that is of power to establish you 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, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.
—Romans 16:25–26 (emphasis mine)
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.
—Ephesians 1:9–10 (emphasis mine)
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery.
—Ephesians 3:1–3 (emphasis mine)
That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.
—vv. 8–9 (emphasis mine)
Wherefore I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you . . . Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
—Colossians 1:25–27 (emphasis mine)
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he should begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
—Revelation 10:7 (emphasis mine)
From Luke 21:24 (AMP) we understand that the “times of the Gentiles” will last until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. We understand from Revelation 10:7 that the mystery will end when the voice of the seventh angel begins to sound. We are beginning to see that the time of the Gentiles, the mystery, will extend into the tribulation period, up to the time of the seventh angel, who has the last trumpet. The seventh angel is the last angel to sound his voice before the seven bowls of God’s wrath will be poured out on the world. This wrath will be poured out near the end of the tribulation period. We do not know what the seventh angel said when he thundered seven times because in Revelation 10:4 the apostle John was told to seal up the things he had said.
To read all book excerpts from The Last Trumpet, please use the search bar. Thank you.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
References for pictures:
http://xe7.xanga.com/221c811573433216802417/z169647234.jpg
http://a3.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/8/bdae11c1603442f7a6c20ee30d304fc2/l.jpg
http://ghettoscorner.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/revelation16-1_7angelsbowlswrath_250.jpg
Leave a Reply