Know the Mysteries

Reading: Matt 13:10-17, also found in Mark 4:10-12, Luke 8:9,10

"Jesus went out.. and sat by the sea. And a great multitude were gathered together to Him, so that he got into a boat and sat... Then He spoke many things to them in parables..." Later the disciples came and asked Him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" NKJ

"You are permitted
to understand the secrets (mysteries) of the Kingdom of Heaven,
but others are not.
To those who listen to my teaching 
more understanding will be given... 
But for those who are not listening, 
even what little understanding they have will be taken away... 
That is why I use these parables.
For they look, but they don't really see. 
They hear, but they don't really listen or understand.

This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says...

"For the hearts of these people are hardened and
their ears can not hear,
and they have closed their eyes, 
so their eyes can not see, 
and their ears cannot hear, 
and their hearts cannot understand 
and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them."
Matt. 13:10-15 NLT

"Is a lamp brought to be put

under a basket or under a bed?

Is it not set on a lamp stand? 

For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, 

nor has anything been kept secret

but that it should come to light.

If anyone who has ears to hear let him hear." 

Mark 4:21-23 NKJ

Those who believe in God, who listen to His words are permitted to know the secrets and mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven!!!

When Jesus speaks of "Ears to hear" He is referring to those who listen to what He says; whose hearts are not hard, but are ready and willing to listen. They have not closed their eyes nor stopped up their ears. For those who truly listen, more understanding will be given as we press in to hear His voice.

The word mystery means "to initiate into the mysteries,... something hidden requiring special revelation... something that people could never know by their own understanding and that demands revelation from God. The secret thoughts, plans, and dispensations of God remain hidden from unregenerate mankind, but are revealed to all believers." Word Wealth New Spirit Filled Bible

There is a great mystery in the kingdom of heaven that prophets of old and even angels had a glimpse of and have longed to look into. This greatest mystery of all the ages has now been revealed. Gaining a grasp of this mystery is the theme for the parables.

"...the mystery which has been hidden from ages and generations,
but now has been revealed to His saints.
To them God willed to make known
what are the riches of the glory of this mystery...which is
Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 1:26, 27 NKJ


"But blessed are your eyes for they see
and your ears for they hear...
many prophets and righteous desired to see
what you see and did not see it,
to hear what you hear and did not hear it."
Matt 13:16,17NLT

It is incredible to consider the privilege that we have been given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and to receive our salvation prophesied so long ago. Praise God for His great mercy and loving kindness to provide us with such glorious riches in Christ. In Hebrews 11:30-12:2 it speaks of the suffering, torture and death of prophets and saints in days gone, yet they did not receive the promises in their lifetime. God provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. What should our response should be to the precious gift He has given us through Christ? Check Hebrews 12:1,2 to see. (Hint: Run the Race)