“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV). This passage is often misapplied, particularly in funeral sermons. However, the reference is not to heaven, but to the revelation of God’s will to mankind. In fact, the very next verse, which is seldom read with the previous, would make this clear to the hearer. “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (v. 10).
What is it then, that has been revealed by God? God has revealed the things which before were neither seen, nor heard, nor had entered the heart of man. Of necessity, there had to be a revealing. Now, these things have been revealed by God; therefore, it is no longer true that “eye hath not seen” the things that have been revealed. It is important to keep in mind that this was prophesied nearly 750 years before Christ by Isaiah (Isaiah 64:4).
Therefore, Christianity is neither a mystery, nor is it mysterious. In fact, Paul refers to it as a mystery explained, a secret reveal and made known to all nations for the obedience of the faith (Romans 1:15, 25,26). The apostle, “by revelation,” came to know the mystery “which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is NOW REVEALED unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ BY THE GOSPEL” (Ephesians 3:3-6, emphasis, WR). It should be noted that the mystery of the Gospel was revealed to the apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. They wrote it so that we could read it, and understand it. In verse four, Paul stated: “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.”
The finality of God’s revelation to mankind is often affirmed in the Scriptures. God is making NO new or LATTER day revelations (Galatians 1:6-10; Revalation 22:18-19). This is why we appeal to the Bible in all matters of faith and practice. “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED unto the saints” (Jude 3 ASV, emphasis, WR). Consider also Peter’s words: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV).
