I N D E X
187
inspired comment) introduces for the first time in the New Testament the words (1) Mystery, (2) The foundation of
the world, and of (3) Isaiah 6:9,10. In answer to the question, the Lord replied:
`Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given ...
Therefore speak I to them in parables ... and in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing
ye shall hear, and shall not understand; etc' (Matt. 13:11,13,14)
and in verses 34 and 35 the added explanation is given:
`All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake He not unto them: That
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter
things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world' (Matt. 13:34,35).
The parables were spoken `unto them' (13:10,11,13,34), `in them' (13:14), `this people' (13:15), and to him that
`hath not' (13:12), referring to the multitude in contrast with the disciples, who are referred to in the passages which
say, `It is given unto you to know' (13:11), `whosoever hath' (13:12), `blessed are your eyes ... ears' (13:16). The
disciples are even compared favourably with `prophets and righteous men' (13:17).
The `mysteries' of the kingdom of heaven were not revealed until it became evident that Israel were going to
reject their King, and that the manifest, open, course of the kingdom would be suspended while a secret aspect,
hitherto unknown, would operate. The `secret' phase of the kingdom of the heavens has its effect upon Gentile
dominion which was also running its course. By the time our Lord came to Bethlehem, the prophetic period of 490
years (Daniel 9) was well-nigh exhausted. The fourth kingdom was ruling the habitable earth and would have easily
produced the Monster with which Gentile rule will close (Rev. 13), if Israel had accepted their King. Tiberius,
Caligula and Nero had all the making of the Beast, and Herod (Acts 12) exhibited characteristics that could easily
have become the Antichrist. The Lord had definitely said, `The time is fulfilled' (Mark 1:15), and Peter declared
that if Israel would but repent the times of refreshing and restitution would begin which had been the theme of all
the holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:19-26). It is impossible to think that had Israel repented, God would
have failed to respond.  Israel did not repent, however, and the kingdom, in all its phases, including
Nebuchadnezzar's line and successors, entered on its `mystery' phase.
A parallel difficulty may be found in the case of John the Baptist, but the difficulty also provides a principle
which can be applied to the matter before us. Was John the Baptist Elijah? No (John 1:21). Yes (Matt. 11:14, and
17:12). It would be as easy to create a faction concerning this problem as to create controversy over the question
whether Rome was or was not the Fourth Beast. The presence of the word `if' in our Lord's answer in Matthew
11:14 provides the answer to the question concerning the mystery of the kingdom, and the Fourth Beast. Was Rome
the Fourth Beast? Yes, for the time was fulfilled. Yes, `if' Israel had repented. Will there be another Beast at the
time of the end, after the gap in prophetic times which `our eyes have seen' but which was hidden till the time of the
Lord's rejection? Yes, for the kingdom has entered into its mystery phase and Babylon, at the end, is called
`Mystery, Babylon' (Rev. 17:5), and when, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet the kingdoms of this world
become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, the `mystery' of God shall be finished (Rev. 10:7; 11:15).
The reader will have noticed where the statement comes which introduces the problem about Elijah. It is in
Matthew 11:15, at the moment when the rejection of the Lord becomes evident. It takes its place as a part of the
mystery of the kingdom with which Matthew 11,12 and 13 are connected.
Associated with these mysteries of the kingdom of heaven is the time period, `The foundation of the world'. The
full expression, `From the foundation of the world', occurs seven times in the New Testament and is associated with
the following items of truth.
Matthew 13:35. The secret, associated with the parables of Matthew 13.
Matthew 25:34. The kingdom, prepared for those of the nations who were kind to the Lord's brethren, even though
not consciously acting as unto Him.
Luke 11:50.
The blood of the prophets, shed for the truth's sake, commences with that of Abel, and so the
expression, `From the foundation of the world', goes back at least to the days of Adam.