As limited human beings, we can never hope to know God fully.
Yes, we can (and should!) learn as much as we can about Him through prayer, studying the Scriptures, and experience, but some things will always be a mystery too big for us to comprehend.
In fact, God tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9,
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,’
declares the Lord.
‘As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”
This lack of understanding doesn’t mean that God isn’t real. It simply means that we’re mere mortals.
The same is true when it comes to the Bible. While there’s a great deal we can learn, there are several biblical mysteries we may never fully understand — and that’s okay! It’s still fun to speculate and learn what we can.
1. Where Did All the People Come From?
The Bible tells us in Genesis 4 that Adam and Eve (the first people to live on the Earth) had Cain, Abel, and Seth. We know that these sons (except for Abel) had children of their own.
Yet the Bible never tells us: Where did their wives come from? Did they all just marry each other or did God create more people? Also, why was Cain worried that other people would seek revenge on him (Genesis 4:14) if the Bible never records that any other people have been created yet?
The most likely explanation is that God did create additional people beyond Adam and Eve, but Scripture doesn’t tell us when or how.
2. Who Were the Nephilim?
Genesis 6:4 tells us, “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.”
Yet, the Bible never gives us any additional information on these strange creatures.
Were the Nephilim angels? Human giants? Demon-possed people?
While we know that the Nephilim lived on the Earth both before (Genesis 6:4) and after (Numbers 13:33) the great flood, that’s pretty much about all we know about this mysterious “people.”
3. Who Was Melchizedek?
Melchizedek, the king-priest of Salem, is barely mentioned in the Bible. Yet, that doesn’t stop Christians today from speculating who he was or what role he played in the biblical narrative.
We are first (briefly) introduced to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18-20.
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.’Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Despite this brief appearance, Melchizedek shows up again throughout the New Testament book of Hebrews, where he is presented as a type (or foreshadowing) of Christ. For this reason, some speculate that he may have been Christ himself, though no one knows for sure.
4. How Does the Trinity Work?
Despite the fact that the word “Trinity” never appears in Scripture, the concept is at the heart of Christian belief.
It states that God (the Father), Jesus (the Son), and the Holy Spirit are all simultaneously three distinct persons in one person.
How this works, no one knows. Scripture does allude to the concept, but it doesn’t spell out the details.
5. How did the Urim and Thummim work?
The Bible mentions the Urim and Thummim, a set of small physical objects used for discerning God’s will, a few times throughout its pages.
However, almost no information is given about what these objects are, what they look like, or how they are used. Biblical scholars speculate that they may have been small rocks or gemstones, possibly with inscriptions carved onto them, but the Bible doesn’t say.
In Exodus 28:30, God gives this command:
“Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.”
We also see the Urim and Thummim mentioned in Leviticus 8:8, Numbers 27:21, Deuteronomy 33:8, 1 Samuel 28:6, Ezra 2:63, and Nehemiah 7:65, though no additional information is given.
6. How Can a Good, All Powerful God Allow Suffering?
How can a God who is good, all-knowing, and all-powerful allow suffering? Why doesn’t He prevent bad things from happening to good people? These are questions that Christians and non-Christians alike have grappled with, often unsuccessfully, for years.
The Bible doesn’t promise us that everything happens for a reason.
But it does promise us that God works all things out for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28 assures us:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Unfortunately, this is one troubling mystery we will never fully understand on this side of Heaven. We simply have to trust that God is good, He knows what He’s doing, and He has a plan — even if we can’t see or comprehend it now.
7. Why Does God Seem So Different from the Old Testament to the New?
In the Old Testament, God often seems angry, vengeful, or spiteful. In the New, Jesus often seems meek and mild. And yet we know, according to the Trinity, God and Jesus are two parts of one eternal being.
So how do we reconcile the apparent differences?
Thankfully, much of this mystery goes away as you learn to read and study the Bible for yourself. The Old Testament is full of references to and examples of God’s unending love and compassion, while there are certainly times in the New Testament where Jesus isn’t afraid to make enemies.
Still, it’s a mystery worth pondering.
8. Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?
Shortly after Jesus arrives at Jerusalem in preparation for his final days, we read how he stops and curses a fig tree for not producing fruit out of season.
“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.” –Mark 11:12-14
As a result, when Jesus and the disciples returned the next morning, the fig tree had withered.
“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!'”
While the metaphor is fairly obvious (don’t have a faith that’s all show and no substance), it’s unclear why Jesus was so angry with this particular tree — especially since it wasn’t the season for figs. Jesus never explains, leaving us to ponder on our own.
9. Who Was the Unclothed Man in Mark’s Gospel?
The Bible isn’t all rules, restrictions, and punishments. It’s actually chock full of hilarious stories too. Take Mark 14:51-52, for example.
“A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled [without clothing], leaving his garment behind.”
No one is quite sure who this man was. Some biblical scholars suggest that it was Mark himself or that the verses are metaphorical, though that seems less likely. Either way, this would have been quite a sight to see and an embarrassing story to tell!
10. How Do Faith and Good Deeds Work Together for Salvation?
Do you go to Heaven for being a good person? Can you earn your spot by doing good deeds? Both Catholic and Protestant Christians are adamant that the answer is NO. It is only through God’s grace that we can reach this eternal resting place.
Many Protestants even believe in Sola Fide, the belief that “faith alone” is enough for salvation.
Yet, the Bible is full of scary verses that seem to imply our good works do matter and do affect our eventual salvation.
James 2:24 tells, “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”
Matthew 19:16-17, Matthew 19:29, Matthew 25:31-46, Romans 2:6-7, Romans 2:13, James 2:14-17, James 2:19, James 2:21-26 all seem to imply a works-based salvation as well.
How faith and works go together is a mystery, but the Bible is clear that works must play a role somehow.
11. How Good is “Good Enough?”
Along those same lines, we’re left to wonder, “How good is good enough?”
How much faith do we need to have? How many good works do we need to do, and does the type matter? Is there a certain cut-off point we should be aware of, if we want to make it into Heaven?
While we know we shouldn’t compare our faith journey to others, it’s really difficult to know how well we’re doing spiritually when you can’t assign a solid number to your spiritual growth or maturity. We simply have to do our best (with God’s help) and hope it’s enough.
12. When Will the End Times Take Place?
If you’ve ever read the biblical book of Revelation, you know that the end times (also known as the apocalypse) is sure to be a terrifying time — both for Christians and non-Christians.
Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately), we have very little idea exactly when this time will happen.
This is why Jesus warns his disciples in Mark 13:32-33, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”
Many people, cults, and civilizations have tried to predict when this final destruction will be (often with tragic consequences), but no one has successfully guessed it yet.
13. Who is the AntiChrist?
Also in Revelation, we read about the final Antichrist. According to GotQuestions.org, “the Antichrist is the end-times false messiah who seeks, and likely achieves, world domination so that he can destroy Israel and all followers of Jesus Christ.”
We also read about the Antichrist in 1 John 2:18, 1 John 2:22, 1 John 4:3, and 2 John 1:7.
While we know God eventually wins against the powers of darkness, there are many details we don’t yet know. And personally, I’m not in a hurry to find out!
Are We Witnessing the Apocalypse? 10 Alarming Signs Hinting at Christ’s Second Coming
For centuries, Christians have been eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus in what’s known as the Second Coming. They often search the Bible for clues that might show when this return is near. While it’s important to approach these signs with care and humility, some people suggest that recent events and changes match what the Bible prophesies.
Are We Witnessing the Apocalypse? 10 Alarming Signs Hinting at Christ’s Second Coming
Oops! These 10 Popular Bible Verses Don’t Mean What You Think
The Bible is full of inspirational verses that can encourage us, lift us up, and remind us of God’s goodness.
Yet, just because a verse sounds encouraging doesn’t mean that’s the way the original author meant his or her words to be understood.
Here are 10 popular Bible verses people love to take out of context, completely distorting their original meaning in the process.
Oops! These 10 Popular Bible Verses Don’t Mean What You Think
Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author and founder of Equipping Godly Women and Monetize My Ministry. She’s also a Christian speaker, podcaster, and conference host. Her work has been featured on numerous TV, radio, and online ministries, including CBN, MSN, Christianity Today, Evangelical Alliance, Patheos, Crosswalk, and more.
