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derived "mutter", and such words as mum, mum-chance, mum budget, mumble, all of
which have the idea of something shut or hidden, as a common factor. There are other
terms found in the N.T. that indicate an intended contrast with the pagan mysteries which
were in active operation in the earth. The many references to "the perfect" is one such
term, the word indicating one who had been "initiated" into the mysteries.
"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect . . . . . the wisdom of God in
a mystery" (I Cor. 2: 6, 7).
"Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded" (Phil. 3: 15).
When the Apostle said "in all things I am instructed" (Phil. 4: 12) he used the Greek
word mueomai "to be initiated into a mystery". It is significant that where some of Israel
are shown to be blind and the proclamation of the near advent of the kingdom of heaven
gives place to "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" that the word kammuo is used,
"to close, and to shut" the eyes (Matt. 13: 15), kammuo being a compound of kata
"down" and muo "shut". While it must ever remain true, that if God hides a thing, no
human wisdom or power will ever lead to its discovery, it is also true that, when once
such a mystery has been made known, it is as understandable as any other subject of
revelation, and the following passages make this feature quite clear.
"It is given unto you TO KNOW the mysteries" (Matt. 13: 11).
"Ye should not be IGNORANT of this mystery" (Rom. 11: 25).
"According to the REVELATION of the mystery" (Rom. 16: 25).
"We SPEAK the wisdom of God in a mystery" (I Cor. 2: 7).
"Though I UNDERSTAND all mysteries" (I Cor. 13: 2).
"Having MADE KNOWN the mystery" (Eph. 1: 9; 3: 3).
Other passages could be cited but these are sufficient to show that there is nothing
"mysterious" about the mysteries of Scripture, they are secrets, hidden by God until the
appointed time for the revelation arrives and thus they form a part of the truth that
pertains to the time then present.
MYSTERY OR MYTH
The word translated "fable" in I and II Timothy, Titus and II Peter is the Greek
muthos, another derivative of muo. At the end of his ministry, the apostle Paul warns of
perilous times, and among other things says:
"All they which are in Asia be turned away from me."
"They shall turn away their ears from the TRUTH, and shall be turned unto MYTHS"
(II Tim. 1: 15; 4: 4).
We can see this sad turning away from Paul and his teaching to-day, and the
ever-increasing substitution of the "myth" with all its blight and deception, for the
"mystery" with all its glory and grace.
The first occurrence of musterion "secret" or "mystery" is in the book of the prophet
Daniel, and there is significance in that simple fact. Daniel may be likened to the apostle
Paul. Both were "prisoners of the Lord", both had a special message for the "Gentiles",