Immediately before verse 3 is the reference to the dispensation of the grace of God,

and immediately following verse 8 is the reference to the dispensation of the mystery.

The parenthesis, verses 4-7, may now be studied in its right relationship with the

context, and this we propose to do in our next paper.

The "mysteries" are practically peculiar to the N.T. Out of eight different words

rendered "secret" in the O.T. the LXX translated but one of them by the Greek word

musterion, and that is confined to the Chaldee section of the book of Daniel (chapters 2:

and 4:). The Chaldee portion of Daniel pertains to the Gentiles and the transfer of the

sovereignty from Israel to Nebuchadnezzar. This is an important and suggestive fact.

The word mystery was not used by Christ when on earth until his rejection by Israel

became evident. The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are revelations of that phase of

God's purpose that came into operation consequent upon Israel's rejection of the Lord. It

is vitally associated, by the Lord Himself, with Isa. 6: 10. When Israel of the dispersion

had followed in the same steps as Israel in the land, Isa. 6: 10 was again quoted, and

again was closely associated with mystery. The epistle to the Ephesians, of which the

mystery is the theme, follows the setting aside of Israel in Acts 28:

Eph. 3: speaks not only of the mystery as it relates to the new dispensational dealings

of God with the Gentiles, but also with the mystery of Christ. Now this mystery must not

be read as meaning simply the fulfillment of prophecy. While many in Israel saw the

teaching of their Scriptures as to the coming of the Messiah in glory and dominion, few

saw the mystery of the Messiah which related to His Coming in lowliness, rejection and

suffering. Christ said, speaking of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, "Many

prophets and righteous men have desired to see these things . . . . . . . . but have not

seen them" (Matt. 13: 17), and into the mystery of Christ "angels desired to look"

(I Pet. 1: 12). Mystery necessitates revelation. It is something that cannot be inferred or

arrived at by study.

We pointed out in our last paper that verses 4-7 are a parenthesis and that verse 3

reads on to verse 8. We have therefore the means to a clearer view of the theme before

the apostle by leaving the parenthesis out for a time and observing his teaching

concerning the wondrous dispensation which he had received. Some features we have

already considered, so we will merely tabulate them in order to have a full statement.