𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗩𝗦. 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗩𝗦. 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

> Romans 16:25–26 (KJV)
“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, but now is made manifest...”

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

God’s Word reveals two major programs — the Prophetic Program and the Mystery Program.
These two are not the same; they are divinely distinct but doctrinally connected.

Prophecy — God’s plan spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began (Luke 1:68–70).
Mystery — God’s plan kept secret since the world began, now revealed to Paul (Ephesians 3:1–9).

Many churches today mix the two and end up in confusion — taking Israel’s earthly promises and ignoring the Church’s heavenly position.
Let’s rightly divide these truths to understand God’s revelation in its proper dispensation.

POINT 1 —𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

(Acts 3:21; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26)

A. Prophecy Was Spoken by the Prophets — Revealed truth from the beginning of the world (Acts 3:21).
B. Mystery Was Silenced in the Past — Hidden in God until revealed to Paul (Ephesians 3:9).
C. Prophecy Is the Program of Revelation, Mystery Is the Program of Revelation Deferred.

Dispensational View: Prophecy concerns Israel’s earthly kingdom, Mystery concerns the Church’s heavenly calling.

POINT 2 — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

(Isaiah 9:6–7; Ephesians 1:22–23; Philippians 3:20)

A. Prophecy Speaks of a King and His Kingdom — Christ reigning on David’s throne in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 9:7)
B. Mystery Speaks of a Body and Its Head — Christ reigning in the heavenlies as the Head of the Church. (Ephesians 1:22–23)
C. Prophecy Is Earthly in Nature; Mystery Is Heavenly in Blessing.

Dispensational Note: Israel looks for a kingdom on earth, but the Church awaits a rapture to heaven.

POINT 3 — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

(Exodus 19:5–6; Ephesians 2:14–16; Galatians 3:28)

A. Prophecy Involves a Nation — Israel, God’s Earthly People.
B. Mystery Involves a New Creation — The Body of Christ, Jew and Gentile in one. (Ephesians 2:15)
C. Prophecy Deals with Separation; Mystery Reveals Salvation for All.

Dispensational Note: In prophecy, Israel is distinct from the nations; in mystery, there is no distinction in the Body of Christ. (Galatians 3:28)

POINT 4 — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗟 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

(Acts 2:38; Romans 3:28; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4)

A. In Prophecy — Repent and Be Baptized (Acts 2:38).
B. In Mystery — Believe and Be Saved (Romans 3:28).
C. In Prophecy, Salvation Was Through Israel; In Mystery, Salvation Is Apart From Israel.

Dispensational Note: Peter preached the Gospel of the Kingdom (Acts 2–3), Paul preached the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24).
Same Savior — different programs!

POINT 5 — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

(Mark 16:17–18; 1 Corinthians 13:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:7)

A. Prophecy Was Confirmed by Signs and Wonders.
B. Mystery Is Confirmed by Faith and Scripture.
C. Prophecy Operated Under Sight; Mystery Operates Under Faith.

Dispensational Note: The sign gifts (tongues, healing, visions) belonged to Israel’s prophetic program, but today, in the age of Grace, we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

POINT 6 — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬

(Zechariah 14:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Titus 2:13)

A. Prophecy Declares Christ Coming to Earth in Power and Glory.
B. Mystery Declares Christ Coming in the Air for His Body.
C. Prophecy Looks for the Revelation; Mystery Looks for the Rapture.

Dispensational Note: Prophecy points to the Second Coming after the Tribulation, while Mystery reveals the Rapture before the Tribulation.

POINT 7 — 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗦

(Colossians 1:18; Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 19:16)

A. Christ Is the Center of Prophecy — Israel’s Messiah.
B. Christ Is the Core of Mystery — The Church’s Head.
C. Christ Is the Completion of All Things — Both Heaven and Earth. (Ephesians 1:10)

Dispensational Note: Whether in Prophecy or Mystery, Christ is preeminent. All things, both earthly (Israel) and heavenly (Church), are reconciled through Him.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡

Prophecy and Mystery are two sides of God’s eternal purpose.
Prophecy concerns God’s plan for the earth through Israel.
Mystery concerns God’s plan for heaven through the Body of Christ.

When we mix them, we lose both the clarity of doctrine and the comfort of our calling.
But when we rightly divide, we magnify Christ and understand His manifold wisdom. (Ephesians 3:10)

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Study Diligently — Rightly divide the Word (2 Timothy 2:15).
Stand Doctrinally — Follow Paul as he followed Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Share Boldly — Preach the Gospel of Grace (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

Let’s not confuse Israel’s program with ours — let’s rightly divide and boldly proclaim!

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦

Prophecy was spoken — Mystery was secret.
Prophecy is earthly — Mystery is heavenly.
Prophecy concerns a nation — Mystery concerns a body.
Prophecy calls for repentance and baptism — Mystery calls for faith in Christ alone.
Prophecy involves signs and wonders — Mystery operates by faith and grace.
Prophecy awaits the Second Coming — Mystery awaits the Rapture.
Prophecy and Mystery both exalt Christ as Lord of All.

“𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝘆; 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.” — 𝟮 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝟮:𝟳