"And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: that seeing they may see and not perceive; and hearing, they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." (Mark 4:11, 12) Clearly, Jesus did not come to earth with the intention of converting the world. His message was only to those of a hearing ear and a heart willingness to, "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1
So what is the mystery? Colossians tells us the saints (those following Christ) now know the mystery. “The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:26-27) The mystery is that the spirit-begotten, followers of Jesus are called to be heirs with Jesus in glory. “And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17
It is at Jesus’ second advent, that Jesus and His church will resurrect and teach the world. “Behold, the days are coming declares the LORD…when…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God…no longer shall each one teach his neighbor …say, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me…for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’” Jeremiah 31:31-34
In Ephesians 1:9-10, Paul speaks of "the mystery of his will….that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth." This tells us that the mystery involves the kingdom being in two parts: his specially called "peculiar people" have a heavenly calling, while most of humanity will be resurrected to live eternally on earth. We are taught to pray, “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
