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Mystery of Evil in God's Redemptive Plan

The concept of "mystery" in God's redemptive plan refers to divine truths that were once hidden but have since been revealed, particularly through the Gospel [6, 11]. These mysteries are not unknowable secrets but rather aspects of God's will and wisdom that become manifest at an appointed time [12]. The biblical understanding of mystery often relates to God's previously undisclosed intentions concerning salvation and the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in His redemptive purposes [14, 15].

One significant aspect of this mystery is God's overarching plan to bring all things together under the authority of Christ, ensuring His universal recognition as Lord [11]. This includes the calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church, a truth that was long hidden but is now made manifest [6, 14]. Paul frequently uses the term "mystery" to describe this divine truth, which was formerly concealed but is now revealed through the Good News [11]. For instance, in Colossians, the mystery is identified as "Christ in you (Gentiles) the hope of glory" [14]. Similarly, in Romans, the mystery concerns the relationship between Jews and Gentiles within God's plan of salvation [15].

The wisdom of God, which is perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, and unsearchable, undergirds these mysteries [7]. This divine wisdom is exhibited in God's works and is the source from which all human wisdom is derived [7]. The Gospel itself contains treasures of this wisdom [7]. The "mystery of iniquity" is presented as a counterpoint to the "mystery of godliness," representing an anti-Christian force that works latently before its final manifestation [12]. This suggests that even the presence of evil, in some sense, operates within a divine framework, though its ultimate purpose is opposed to God's redemptive plan [12].

The existence of evil and suffering within God's sovereign plan is a profound theological challenge. While God's judgments can involve the infliction of punishment on the wicked [2], the Bible also speaks of God being glorified even in the afflictions of the wicked [5]. These afflictions are sometimes judicially sent and can serve as examples to others [5]. However, they are often ineffectual in themselves for the conversion of the wicked [5]. The psalmist, for example, speaks of God hiding him in a tabernacle "in the day of evil," suggesting divine protection amidst adversity [1].

The "mystery of iniquity" (2 Thessalonians 2:7) is described as an anti-Christian force that is latently at work, distinct from its final, open manifestation [12]. This "mystery" is not something that remains perpetually secret but is hidden for a time before being revealed [12]. It suggests that Satan's opposition to God's plan will intensify, culminating in a final effort to maintain dominion, anticipating Christ's return [12]. This implies that evil, though contrary to God's nature, is permitted to operate within a divinely ordained timeline, ultimately serving to highlight God's redemptive power.

God's "secret decisions of His will" are also referred to as His judgments [2]. These secrets are particularly revealed to those who fear Him, encompassing His purposes regarding election, redemption through His Son, the calling of the elect, and their predestination to adoption and eternal life [10]. These "deep things of God" are revealed by the Spirit of God in effectual calling [10]. This suggests that while some aspects of God's plan remain mysterious to the general populace, they are unveiled to His chosen people.

The concept of redemption itself, symbolized by names like "Geuel" meaning "God's redemption" [3], is central to understanding how evil fits into God's plan. The expectation of a redeemer is ancient, as seen in Job's declaration, "I know that my redeemer liveth" (Job 19:25) [13]. This hope for vindication and resurrection, even of the body, points to a future where God's redemptive work will fully overcome the effects of evil and suffering [13].

The "mystery" also encompasses the resurrection of the dead and other doctrines that require explanation but cannot be fully grasped by finite human intelligence [6]. The union between Christ and His people, symbolized by the marriage union, is another such mystery [6, 8]. These elements underscore that God's redemptive plan involves profound truths that transcend human comprehension, yet are progressively revealed through divine revelation.

The timing of Christ's second coming, which will bring about "times of refreshing" and "restitution of all things," is also a mystery, unknown to anyone but God [4]. This future event signifies the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan over all evil and suffering, leading to a renewed creation [4]. The "wine of the wrath of God" and torment with fire and sulfur for the wicked in the presence of the Lamb (Revelation 14:10) illustrate the final judgment and the complete eradication of evil from God's perfected creation [9].

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 27:5 (YLT) — For He hideth me in a tabernacle in the day of evil, He hideth me in a secret place of His tent, On a rock he raiseth me up.”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judgments of God — (1.) The secret decisions of God's will (Ps. 110:5; 36:6). (2.) The revelations of his will (Ex. 21:1; Deut. 6:20; Ps. 119:7-175). (3.) The infliction of punishment on the wicked (Ex. 6:6; 12:12; Ezek. 25:11; Rev. 16:7), such as is mentioned in Gen. 7; 19:24, 25; Judg. 1:6, 7; Acts 5:1-10, etc.”
  3. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Geuel — God's redemption”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions of the Wicked, The — God is glorified in -- Ex 14:4; Eze 38:22,23. God holds in derision -- Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26,27. Are multiplied -- De 31:17; Job 20:12-18; Ps 32:10. Are continual -- Job 15:20; Ec 2:23; Isa 32:10. Are often sudden -- Ps 73:10; Pr 6:15; Isa 30:13; Re 18:10. Are often judicially sent -- Job 21:17; Ps 107:17; Jer 30:15. Are for examples to others -- Ps 64:7-9; Zep 3:6,7; 1Co 10:5-11; 2Pe 2:6. Are ineffectual of themselves, for their conversion -- Ex 9:30; Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30; Hag 2:17. Their persecution of saints, a cause of -- De 30:7; Ps 55”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mystery — The calling of the Gentiles into the Christian Church, so designated (Eph. 1:9, 10; 3:8-11; Col. 1:25-27); a truth undiscoverable except by revelation, long hid, now made manifest. The resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:51), and other doctrines which need to be explained but which cannot be fully understood by finite intelligence (Matt. 13:11; Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 13:2); the union between Christ and his people symbolized by the marriage union (Eph. 5:31, 32; comp. 6:19); the seven stars and the seven candlesticks (Rev. 1:20); and the woman clothed in scarlet”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
  8. Ephesians “Ephesians 5:32 (LEB) — (This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.)”
  9. Revelation “he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. -- Revelation 14:10”
  10. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:14: The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him,.... The secret of his purposes with them; as his purpose according to election; his resolution to redeem his chosen ones by his Son; his design to call them by his grace; his predestination of them to the adoption of children, and eternal life; which are the deep things of God the Spirit of God reveals; and all which are made manifest to them in effectual calling; and the secret of his providences is with them; some are made known to them that fear the Lord before they come to pass; as the destruction of Sodom and Go”
  11. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:8: 1:8-10 Wisdom and understanding come from the revelation of God’s mysterious will regarding Christ. In Paul’s writings, mysterious will (traditionally mystery) often refers to a divine truth formerly hidden but now revealed in the Good News (see 3:9). Here it refers to how God will bring everything together under the authority of Christ, so that he may be universally recognized and respected as Lord (see Phil 2:9-11; Col 1:16-20, 26-27; 2:2, 19; 4:3). Ephesians focuses specifically on the inclusion of Gentiles as well as Jews in God’s redeemed people (see Eph 3:”
  12. 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:7: the mystery of iniquity--the counterwork to "the mystery of godliness" (Ti1 3:16). Anti-Christianity latently working, as distinguished from its final open manifestation. "Mystery" in Scripture means, not what remains always a secret, but that which is for a while hidden, but in due time manifested (compare Eph 3:4-5). Satan will resort to a mode of opposition more conformed to the then imminent "appearing" and "presence" of the Saviour, and will anticipate Him with a last effort to maintain the dominion of the world [DE BURGH], just as at His ”
  13. Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 19:25: redeemer--UMBREIT and others understand this and Job 19:26, of God appearing as Job's avenger before his death, when his body would be wasted to a skeleton. But Job uniformly despairs of restoration and vindication of his cause in this life (Job 17:15-16). One hope alone was left, which the Spirit revealed--a vindication in a future life: it would be no full vindication if his soul alone were to be happy without the body, as some explain (Job 19:26) "out of the flesh." It was his body that had chiefly suffered: the resurrection of his body, therefore, al”
  14. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:26: the mystery--(See on Eph 1:9-10; Eph 3:5-9). The mystery, once hidden, now revealed, is redemption for the whole Gentile world, as well as for the Jews, "Christ in you (Gentiles) the hope of glory" (Col 1:27). from ages--"from," according to ALFORD, refers to time, not "hidden from": from the time of the ages; still what is meant is that the mystery was hidden from the beings living in those "ages." The "ages" are the vast successive periods marked by successive orders of beings and stages of creation. Greek, "Æons," a word used by the Gnostics ”
  15. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 11:25: 11:25 Paul usually uses the word mystery to refer to an event of the last days that has already been determined by God. Such a mystery already exists in heaven and is revealed to God’s people in the Christian era (see 16:25; 1 Cor 2:1, 7; 4:1; 15:51; Eph 1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 6:19; Col 1:26, 27; 2:2; 4:3; 1 Tim 3:9, 16). Here, the mystery is the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in the plan of salvation, which is at the heart of this entire passage (Rom 11:11-32).”
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