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#8.
Where history ceases mystery begins.
pp. 209 - 211
---Illustration---
(BE-XXV.209).
In this chart we endeavour to demonstrate the principle that where HISTORY ceases
(so far as Israel is concerned) some element of MYSTERY comes in. It might be the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven; it might be the mysteries of God's purpose in
appointing Nebuchadnezzar; it might be the introduction of the present dispensation of
the mystery, but the sequence is the same. Daniel is the O.T. Paul. He became the
prisoner of the Lord for the Gentiles. In the LXX of the O.T. the Greek word musterion
occurs for the first time in the book of Daniel, where it is translated "secret".
In the chart a series of downward steps is indicated by the passages referred to,
commencing with the failure of Hezekiah, which introduces the prophecy concerning
Babylon. The times of the Gentiles are coincident with the down-treading of Jerusalem,
as Luke 21: 24 will show. As Israel passed off the scene, the Gentile came into
prominence.
The second illustration is taken from the first thirteen chapters of Matthew. The
Messiah, Who must be the Son of David and Abraham, is revealed as having come in the
person of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. He also is attested by the witness of
divinely equipped forerunner and a voice from heaven. By observing our Lord's words
in Matt. 11: 20-24 we understand that one of the objects for which the miracles were
wrought was the repentance of Israel. Their non-repentance leads to the threefold
rejection of Matt. 12: 6, 41 and 42, where Christ is rejected in His offices of priest,
prophet and king. Upon this non-repentance and rejection comes mystery in Matt. 13:
It is suggestive too, that in Matt. 12: 14-21, consequent upon the council of the
Pharisees, we find the reference to the blessing of the Gentiles.
The third illustration is the chief purpose of the chart, to prove that the present
dispensation of the mystery is consequent upon the rejection of Israel in Acts 28:
The prophecy of Joel which underlies the teaching of the day of Pentecost is insistent
upon repentance (Joel 2: 12-14). The restoration of Israel is set forth in the miracle of the
lame man (Acts 3:), and the vision of the sheet that Peter saw (Acts 10:) is an indication
that Jewish exclusiveness is going.
The twofold ministry of the apostle Paul now comes to light (see Acts 20: 17-24 and
Acts 26: 16-18), revealing that his second ministry would be accompanied with
imprisonment, would be related to a second revelation from the Lord, and would be