The Two Great Mysteries in God’s Economy: Christ as the Mystery of God vs. the Church as the Mystery of Christ

 

The Two Great Mysteries in God’s Economy: Christ as the Mystery of God vs. the Church as the Mystery of Christ

Colossians 2:2: "That their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ."

Ephesians 3:4: "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ."

Colossians 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

 

Item	Christ is the Mystery of God	The Church is the Mystery of Christ
Meaning	Christ is the concrete manifestation and expression of God, the visible embodiment of the invisible God	The church is the Body of Christ, the corporate expression and continuation of Christ on earth
Distinction	1. The first mystery in God's economy 2. Focuses on Christ as an individual, the embodiment of God 3. Resolves the problem of God's invisibility to man	1. The second mystery in God's economy 2. Focuses on the corporate Christ, the Body of Christ 3. Resolves the need for Christ's expression on earth
Explanation	God Himself is a mystery because He is real, living, and almighty, yet invisible. Christ, as the embodiment of God, makes the invisible God visible, becoming God's expression, interpretation, and explanation.	Although Christ dwells in believers, He remains a mystery to the world. The church as the Body of Christ expresses Christ, making the mysterious Christ knowable and experienceable, serving as Christ's continuation on earth.
Examples	1.      John 14:9: "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." Christ revealed the Father God to His disciples 2. Colossians 1:15: "Who is the image of the invisible God" 3. Colossians 1:19: "For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell"	1. Acts 9:4: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" Christ identifies the church as Himself 2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13: Believers are baptized into one Body 3. Ephesians 1:22-23: The church is Christ's Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all
Application	1. Believers should know God through knowing Christ 2. Find God's riches and attributes in Christ 3. Believers express Christ in their living, reflecting God's image	1. Believers need to live the corporate church life 2. Experience Christ in the church and express Christ 3. Build up the Body of Christ, living out the corporate testimony of Christ
Interrelationship	1. Christ is the mystery of God, making God knowable 2. Christ is the first stage of God's economy 3. Christ brings all God's riches to humanity	1. The church is the mystery of Christ, making Christ expressible 2. The church is the second stage of God's economy 3. The church continues and extends Christ's riches
Detailed Related Scriptures	1. Colossians 1:15-19: "Who is the image of the invisible God...For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell" 2. John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" 3. Colossians 2:9: "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" 4. 1 Timothy 3:16: "Great is the mystery of godliness"	1. Ephesians 3:3-11: Paul refers to the mystery of Christ, which is the church 2. Ephesians 5:32: "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church" 3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27: The relationship between Christ and the church as head and body 4. Ephesians 1:22-23: "The church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all"

  

Conclusion:

l   These two mysteries form an inseparable chain in God's salvation plan: First, God Himself is the mystery of the universe because He is invisible; then, Christ becomes the mystery of God, making the invisible God visible; finally, the church becomes the mystery of Christ, enabling Christ to be corporately expressed on earth.

l   These three stages form a complete divine mystery chain: God → Christ → Church, with each stage being the expression and continuation of the previous one. Christ is the embodiment of God, while the church is the Body and expression of Christ. When we see the church, we see Christ; when we contact the church, we contact Christ; when we enter the church, we enter Christ.

l   This divine economy mystery chain aims to bring the Triune God into humanity and gain a corporate expression on earth, ultimately fulfilling God's eternal purpose.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 21 The Mystery of the Church