No. You have to start with the New Testament because the mystery was revealed in the New Testament. Going through the Old Testament trying to find the mystery that was revealed in the New Testament is wrong. As Paul said, "The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people." ◄ Colossians 1:26
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OK, I'll bite. What do you think the mystery is? please site scripture if you answer this.
The mystery is clearly the gospel or the good news about Jesus if you read Colossians 1:26 in context. There are certain passages in the Old Testament where God preaches the gospel in advance or prophecies about the gospel, but they are not clear enough which is why the Jews missed their own Messiah. God did not reveal the gospel in its fullness in advance because if they had realized who Jesus was, they would not have crucified him. ◄ 1 Corinthians 2:8
You have to understand Colossians 1:26 in the context of the rest of what the prophets said as well. The Gospel is not exactly what we have been told by State ordained ministers. It is Good News- For SOME people-and a promise of destruction for others, to the gratification of the Elect. These things are intentionally not clear, because God has no desire to save EVERYONE in the world. The same reason He only spoke to people in parables.
So you're saying Satan wants EVERYONE but God doesn't? WRONG.
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." ~1 Timothy 2:3-4
Ok, this is a quote from one of Pauls letters. But what did the Messiah himself say about who he came to save?
Are you saying what Paul said contradicts what the Messiah said?
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12That seeing they may see, and NOT perceive; and hearing they may hear, and NOT understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."---Mark 4:10
These words, and the books of Moses and the prophets, suggest that we should be careful with what we think Paul's letters are saying. There's even a warning in the bible about misinterpreting Paul's letters.
Here is what the bible says about misunderstanding Paul:
"15 Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. 16 He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard not to be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing."---2 Peter 3:15-17
I totally agree and Calvinists are a walking example of the ignorant and unstable people who distort Paul's message into meaning that God doesn't want to save everyone but Satan wants to destroy everyone. They make Satan look better than God!
"And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12That seeing they may see, and NOT perceive; and hearing they may hear, and NOT understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."---Mark 4:10
You really need to realize that not all followers of the Messiah can be grouped into "Christian" denominations.
We're not arguing over denomination. We're arguing over systematic theologies that you have adopted.
I hope we are debating, its not my intent to argue with anyone. What theology is just reading the bible, and doing what it says?
That's the claim everyone makes. Whether those in a denomination or not. You don't have to label your theology or understanding of the Bible. The different interpretations and understandings of the Bible have already been labeled and I can tell which one you believe. It's known as Calvinism which is a very false and destructive theology. It's basically an inverted works-based gospel which is no better than a works-based gospel. It teaches double predestination and claims that God does not want to save everyone.
The reason I have to disagree with this categorization is that John Calvin was still viewing things with the wrong perspective. So I certainly cannot endorse his views. He arrived at SOME of the right conclusions, but with the wrong focus.
God obviously does not want to save everyone. If he really wanted that, then the bible would not contain a bunch of parables and mysteries, nor would He have only spoke in parables. For that matter, He could have done something other then create a perfect deceiver in Lucifer. The books of Moses and the prophets are in line with what the Messiah said, Paul appears to contradict Him on several occasions. Thus the warning about his letters.