旧约涵盖了以色列大约四千年的历史和先知们的预言。旧约所述的历世历代里隐藏了一个极大的奥秘。这个奥秘耶稣在去往以马忤斯的路上告诉了革流巴和另外一个门徒,那就是: 旧约里的很多经文是指着耶稣基督说的。保罗在歌罗西书里则明确的点出了旧约里这个奥秘:耶稣是基督,也就是耶稣是救世主。读旧约的时候,您读出来这个奥秘了吗?
也就是说旧约一方面通过给人十戒和613条律法让人知罪,另一方面通过先知预告了耶稣作为救主将降世死在十字架上担当人的罪。人皆罪人,这是铁打的事实,因为神查验的是人心,而不是人的行为哪个人的心里没有黑暗呢?行为可以假冒伪善,但人心里想什么瞒不过神。耶稣说,看见妇女产生淫念的就犯了奸淫罪; 约翰一书里说,恨人的就犯了杀人罪。因此,哪个人能自己救得了自己呢?哪个人不需要通过耶稣得救呢? 一个人若相信了他自己的罪被耶稣担当了,他就有了神的所赐之义,世界末日的时候就不会被扔进硫磺火湖里消亡,而是与神活在新天新地里永生。耶稣替罪人受惩罚而死,神的爱是何等的长阔高深啊! 而这个奥秘在新约里已经向人显明了。
西1:25 我照神为你们所赐我的职分、作了教会的执事、要把神的道理传得全备.
of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,
西1:26 这道理就是历世历代所隐藏的奥秘、但如今向他的圣徒显明了.
the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,
西1:27 神愿意叫他们知道、这奥秘在外邦人中有何等丰盛的荣耀.就是基督在你们心里成了有荣耀的盼望.
to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;
西2:1 我愿意你们晓得我为你们和老底嘉人、并一切没有与我亲自见面的人、是何等的尽心竭力.
For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
西2:2 要叫他们的心得安慰、因爱心互相联络、以致丰丰足足在悟性中有充足的信心、使他们真知神的奥秘、就是基督.
that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
西2:3 所积蓄的一切智慧知识、都在他里面藏着。
in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.