PROPHECY

THE MYSTERY

Concerns a kingdom; a political organization.

(Dan 2:44, Mat 6:10)

Concerns a body; a living, breathing organism.

(1 Cor 12:12,27, Eph 4:12-16)

The kingdom to be established on earth.

(Jer 23:5, Mat 6:10)

The body given a position in heaven.

(Eph 1:3,2:5-6, Col 3:1-3)

Christ to be its King

(Jer 23:5, Isa 9:6-7, Dan 7:13-14)

Christ its living Head

(Eph 1:19-23, Col 1:18)

The kingdom prophesied “since the world began”

(Luk 1:68-70, Acts 3:21)

The body chosen in Christ but “kept secret since the world began”

(Rom 16:25, Eph 1:4-11, 3:1-9)

Israel to be given supremacy over the nations.

(Isa 60:10-12, 61:6, Deut 7:6)

Jew and Gentile placed on the same level before God. (Rom 10:12, 11:32, Eph 2:16-17, Gal 3:28)

The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel’s instrumentality.

(Gen 22:17-18, Zec 8:13)

The Gentiles blessed through Israel’s obstinacy.

(Acts 13:44-46, Rom 11:28-32)

The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel’s rise.

(Isa 60:1-3, Zec 8:22-23)

The Gentiles blessed through Israel’s fall.

(Acts 28:27-28, Rom 11:11-15)

Prophesy mainly concerns nations.

(Isa 2:4, Eze 37:21-22)

The mystery concerns individuals.

(Rom 10:12-13, 2 Cor 5:14-17)

Prophesy concerns blessings, both material and spiritual on earth.

(Deu 28:1-2, Isa 2:3-4, 11:1-9)

The mystery concerns “all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies”

(Eph 1:3, Col 3:1-3)

Prophesy concerns Christ’s coming to the earth.

(Isa 59:20, Zech 14:4)

The mystery explains Christ’s present absence from the earth.

(Eph 1:20-23, Col 3:1-3)

In prophesy salvation by grace through faith alone is not contemplated. (Acts 13:38, Rom 6:14, Luk 18:18-20)

Salvation by grace through faith alone lies at the very heart of the mystery.

(Rom 3:21-26, 4:5, Eph 2:8-9)

Proclamation of the prophetic program committed particularly to the twelve.

(Mat 10:5-7, Act 1:6-8, 3:19-26)

Proclamation of the mystery committed particularly to Paul. (Eph 3:1-3, 8-9, Col 1:24-27, Rom 11:13)

The prophetic program revealed through many of God’s servants.

(Luk 1:70, 2 Pet 1:21)

The mystery revealed through one man: Paul

(Gal 1:1,11-12, 2:2,7,9, Eph 3:2-3)

Old testament writers frequently did not understand the prophecies made known through them. (Dam 12:8-10, 1 Pet 1:10-12)

Paul both understood and longed that others might understand the mystery revealed through him. (Eph 1:15-23, 3:14-21, Col 1:9-10, 2:1-3)