The mystery is Solved

Read 1 Timothy 3.

From Genesis 3 and through the writings of the prophets, a Messiah had been promised to come.  Though directly stated or guided by the Holy Spirit, the words were mysterious in that they were not fully explained.  By faith, those living in the days of the Old Testament believed what God said and looked forward to the day these things would be fulfilled.

A few of the hundreds of examples include:
Genesis 3:15 "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel."

Genesis 12:3 "...in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Isaiah 7:14 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace."

Micah 5:2 "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come for me on who is to be ruler in Israel."

But who is this one and when would these things take place?  How can a person be human and inflict Satan?  How can one die for the sins of others and then be ruler over Israel?  These and other Old Testament statements continued to be believed though mysterious.  That is, until Jesus came.  On this side of the cross, we can look back and put the pieces together.

In the last verse of chapter 3, the Apostle Paul quoted what is evidently a hymn of his day.  I am indebted to A. Duane Litfin of Dallas Seminary for his writings on this chapter.  The so-called secret of godliness is found in Jesus Christ alone.  Here then is our confession of faith regarding Jesus.
1. The Incarnation.  He is God in the flesh.  The Virgin Mary did in fact conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son.  The angel declared Him to be "Immanuel, which means God with us" (Matthew 1:23) His name is Jesus (Savior) "for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21)  His death on the cross was substitutionary in full and final payment for the sin of the world.
2. The Resurrection.  As David mysteriously penned Psalm 16:10, this "holy one" would not stay in the grave.  God's power over life and death was demonstrated for all to see.  The veracity of all that God said became clear.  The tomb of Jesus is empty.
3. The Exaltation.  Indeed, Jesus dealt the blow to the Devil and his minions.  "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:15)
4. The Proclamation.  Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He charged His followers to be His witnesses of the truth and to tell this message of good news around the world.  (Acts 1:8)
5. The Salvation.  As Peter proclaimed, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)  This life-changing, eternity changing message continues to be in evidence to this day.
6. The Ascension.  "He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things." (Ephesians 4:10).

But the story is not over.  Jesus promised to come again.  On that day, "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)