April 1, 2022

. . .but in the days of the sounding of [the trumpet of] the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He announced to His servants the prophets.  Revelation 10:7

The mystery spoken of by the mighty angel of Revelation 10 encompasses the entire purpose of God: to establish His eternal kingdom in the universe by eradicating sin. Our world is currently the place of confinement for Satan and the angels who fell. By creating people on earth, God is making a display of the difference between the two forms of government. Satan’s government consists of disregard for God and His governing principles. God’s government is founded on love, and He leaves the choice up to each individual to follow His principles. Satan is busy deceiving and coercing people to disobey God while representing Him as a tyrant. He will entice you to sin, then turn you in for sinning. He is the Accuser. In actuality, it is Satan’s ways that bring tyranny…and misery. Earth is a stage. The universe is watching.

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle [Greek word for theater] to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 1 Corinthians 4:9 NIV

The concept of sin itself is regarded as a mystery (2 Thessalonians 2:7). If sin could be explained, it could be excused. The Biblical definition for sin, or iniquity, is lawlessness—the rebellion against God’s principles. This rebellion brings with it a downward spiral of misery, the companion of sin. The inexplicable rebellion of Lucifer against God in heaven is mirrored for us in the story of Absalom’s campaign against his father, King David (the essence of this “skit” is shown in 2 Samuel 14:25 and 15:1-6). The adversary wants to win followers by convincing people that God and His principles are not worth obeying. He also blasphemes, denying the power of the Holy Spirit to guide people into harmony with God’s standard. He that blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation (Mark 3:29).

The great controversy between Christ and Satan is older than our world. The Bible gives us a record, from the beginning of human history, of how the adversary became “the god of this world” through trickery and deception. He has repeatedly attempted to defend his usurped territory by preventing Jesus from entering into this world—or into the hearts and minds of people. But Jesus says: “Behold! I make all things new!” Revelation 21:25

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God for obedience to the faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Romans 16:25-27

. . . the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:26-28