Comparing Prophecy versus Mystery
Here are 14 simple examples of comparing scripture with scripture clearly indicate that some of God’s people will inherit an earthly Kingdom, while others are members of the Body of Christ, destined for Heaven. Knowing the difference is all important to be established in your faith. You cannot follow instructions given to people of another time whose inheritance is in another place and be successful in your service for the Lord. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. All of the bible is for us, but it is not all about us. The summary of all the above examples is this: Peter and Paul are two different apostles of the Lord. They have two different messages called “the gospel.” Their message is addressed to two different groups of people. Those two groups of people are in two different churches.Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with
Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Comparison Number Three
Christ is the King in the Kingdom:
Jeremiah 33:15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of
righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and
righteousness in the land.
Jeremiah 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell
safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our
righteousness.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it
with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the
LORD of hosts will perform this.
But he is the Living Head of the Body:
Ephesians 1:19 And what is the
exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the
working of his mighty power,
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and
set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is
to come:
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Comparison Number Four
The Kingdom was prophesied in the Old Testament:
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God
of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his
servant David;
Luke 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since
the world began:
Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began.
Acts 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your
God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all
things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Acts 3:23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that
prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Acts 3:24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as
many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days
.But the Body was kept secret:
Ephesians 1:4 According as he
hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to
his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness 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 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his
own will:
Comparison Number Five
Israel is above all people in the Kingdom:
Romans 10:12 For there is no
difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich
unto all that call upon him.
Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have
mercy upon all.
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to
them that were nigh.
Comparison Number Six
In the Kingdom Gentiles are blessed thru Israel:
Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I
will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the
heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess
the gate of his enemies;
Genesis 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Acts 13:44 And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear
the word of God.
Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and
spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and
blaspheming.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that
the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from
you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the
Gentiles
But in the Body without Israel:
Romans 11:28 As concerning the
gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are
beloved for the father's sakes.
Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Romans 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now
obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Romans 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy
they also may obtain mercy.
Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have
mercy upon all.
Comparison Number Seven
In the Kingdom Gentiles blessed thru Israel’s rise:
Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is
risen upon thee.
Isaiah 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness
the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon
thee.
Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the
brightness of thy rising.
Zechariah 8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD
of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Zechariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to
pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even
shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you:
for we have heard that God is with you.
But in the Body through their fall:
Acts
28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the
Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Acts 28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great
reasoning among themselves.
Comparison Number Eight
Prophecy of the Kingdom concerns nations:
Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people:
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning
hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn
war any more.
Ezekiel 37:21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take
the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will
gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
Ezekiel 37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of
Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two
nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.
But the Mystery of the body individuals:
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Comparison Number Ten
In Prophecy salvation is by faith
plus works:
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his
gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved
with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned
the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she
had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness,
is accepted with him.
But in the Mystery by faith alone
Titus 3:5 Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,
being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his
blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God;
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be
just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Comparison Number Eleven
In Prophecy Christ comes to the
Earth:
Isaiah 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from
transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel;
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the
world began.
But the Mystery explains His absence:
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is
of power to stablish 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,
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and
set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is
to come:
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church,
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even
as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath
written unto you;
Comparison Number Twelve
Prophecy was committed to the 12
Apostles:
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not
into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 3:24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as
many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Acts 3:25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God
made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the
kindreds of the earth be blessed.
But the Mystery to Paul alone:
Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I
Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is
given me to you-ward:
Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I
wrote afore in few words,
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace
given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ;
Ephesians 3:9 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, who created all
things by Jesus Christ:
Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which
is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is
the church:
Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of
God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from
generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Colossians 1:27 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:
Comparison Number Thirteen
Prophecy was revealed thru many Prophets:
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the
Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his
kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and
prophesied, saying,
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed
his people,
Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his
servant David;
Luke 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since
the world began:
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy
men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
.But the Mystery was revealed to one man:
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle,
(not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised
him from the dead;)
Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached
of me is not after man.
Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by
the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that
gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of
reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the
uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto
Peter;
Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the
right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the
circumcision.
Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is
given me to you-ward:
Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I
wrote afore in few words,
Comparison Number Fourteen
Prophets didn’t understand:
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what
shall be the end of these things?
Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and
sealed till the time of the end.
Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked
shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
understand.
1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1 Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which
was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ,
and the glory that should follow
.But Paul did and longed that others would also:
Ephesians 1:15 Wherefore I also,
after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my
prayers;
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may
know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and
set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is
to come:
Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the
head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his
will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and
for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the
acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The
Jewish Kingdom Church was formed to call out the new Nation of Israel out of
apostate Israel. The establishment of the Kingdom is yet future. It has not yet
happened. The reason you do not see the Lord Jesus Christ ruling and reigning on
the throne of David as the King in the Kingdom is because God had a secret. The
secret is about another group of people called the Body of Christ. The Body and
the Kingdom are two different things. God’s prophetic program for a “Kingdom
of Heaven upon the earth” gave way during the time of the book of Acts for the
revelation of the mystery. The church which is Christ’s Body has a heavenly
calling and a heavenly inheritance. You only learn that from Paul’s epistles
because he is the only one who received the revelations and the only one who
writes about and unto the body of Christ. Failing to see these distinctions is a
failure to obey the following instructions:
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment;
Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be
sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the
spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to
us of God.
1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's
wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things
with spiritual.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.