The New Testament presents three outstanding mysteries which together culminate in New Jerusalem.
Colossians 2:2 speaks of “the mystery of God, Christ.” In 1 Corinthians 2:1 Paul came to the Corinthians “announcing to you the mystery of God.” To do this he determined to know nothing except “Jesus Christ, and this One crucified.” This is the first mystery.
In Ephesians 3:4 Paul speaks of “the mystery of Christ.” Verse 6 opens this mystery: “in Christ Jesus the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the Body and fellow partakers of the promise through the gospel.”
Paul was graced by God (v. 7) to announce “the unsearchable riches of Christ as the gospel” (v. 8) and “to enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is” (v. 9). Then verse 10 is about the church, which is according to God’s eternal purpose (v. 11). This is the second mystery.
The latter part of Ephesians 5 is about husband and wife as a picture of Christ and the church. Verse 32: “This mystery is great, but I speak with regard to Christ and the church.” This great mystery is the forerunner of Christ and New Jerusalem as Husband and wife.
Ephesians presents many aspects of the church—the Body and fullness of Christ, the one new man, the kingdom and household of God, the dwelling place of God, the bride, and the corporate warrior. New Jerusalem is the consummation of all of these aspects of Christ and the church as the great mystery.
Photo courtesy of NASA.
