Hi Doug,
As I said, there are two mysteries referred to in Ephesians 3, 'The Mystery' that Paul was about to reveal to his readers, that had been Divinely revealed to him alone, concerning the church which is the Body of Christ: This mystery, as we see in verses 8 & 9 was 'hid in God' until made known to Paul. Hidden from ages and generations since the world began (Colossians 1:26).
Whereas 'The Mystery of Christ', that Paul refers to in Eph.3:3, Was made known to all the New Testament Apostles and Prophets, and though 'hidden', was none the less written on the pages of Scripture, in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament (see Romans 16:25-26),
'Whereby, when ye read,
ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
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;'
(Eph 3:4-5)
'Now to Him that is of power to stablish you
according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery,
which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest,
and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
made known to all nations
for the obedience of faith:'
(Rom 16:25-26)
A mystery is a secret waiting to be revealed. In the case of 'The Mystery of Christ', made known to the apostles and prophets of the New Testament: It was, though secret, within plain sight; awaiting the revelation of the Holy Spirit. It was hid from the Prophets of the Old Testament, though they searched diligently to understand what they were being told:-
'Of which salvation the prophets have enquired
and searched diligently,
who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
Searching what, or what manner of time
the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify,
when it testified beforehand
the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.'
(1Pe 1:10-11)
* I did not intend saying that God revealed the mystery of Christ to His disciples in Luke 24:45. It was intended merely as an example of how the disciples needed divine revelation in order to see what was written in plain sight: but looking back at reply#32, the one in question, I realise that it does look as though that is what I intend, I am sorry.
* We are not told when the Mystery of Christ was revealed to the apostles and prophets of the New Testament, including Paul. In Luke 24:45, there is definitely a revelation given to the twelve by the risen Christ though.
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris