The Things Left Unsaid

Throughout the Holy Scripture, God has revealed His plans to mankind in a number of ways that are both clear or obvious, but also some that were more obscure in their disclosure.

Prophecies often contain explicit statements about the future, yet there are also many instances where key details are left unspoken—only hinted at through implication, later revelation, or by the unfolding of history itself. These “things left unsaid” create an intricate tapestry of divine mystery, encouraging believers to search the Scriptures diligently and seek wisdom.

The Judgment of the World: From Water to Fire

One of the earliest and most striking examples of divine omission occurs in Genesis 8-9. After the great flood, God makes a covenant with Noah, promising that He will never again destroy the world with water:

Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. Genesis 9:11

However, what He does not say is just as significant—because He does not promise to never destroy the world again; He only specifies that water will not be the means. It is only two thousand-plus years later, in 2 Peter 3:7, that we learn the full picture:

But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

God withheld this detail from Noah, perhaps because it was not yet time for mankind to comprehend such a judgment. The flood was a cleansing, but the final destruction by fire will be a purging, making way for the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1).

The Unspoken Destinies of Enoch, Moses, and Elijah

Both Enoch and Elijah were taken from the earth in supernatural, extraordinary ways. For example, Genesis 5:24 simply states:

And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

However, the book of Hebrews later tells us why “he was not,” so here is what was left out for thousands of years:

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Hebrews 11:5

According to the Old Testament (Torah), we learn when and where Moses died, but not how or why.

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.6 And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. Deut. 34:5-7

However, aside from not getting to enter into the promised land (which is foretelling enough), but Jude gives us another interesting scenario that plays out here that was not previously known or discussed:

Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9

Similarly, 2 Kings 2:11 describes Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. However, the Bible never explicitly tells us why Elijah was uniquely chosen for such a departure where he is removed from the earth without experiencing death.

Later prophetic passages singularly suggest he will have a future role in God’s plan (Malachi 4:5), while they both (Elijah and Moses) appear at the Mount of Transfiguration event (Matt 17, Mark 9). Most respected theologians consider Moses and Elijah as the primary candidates for the two witnesses in Revelation 11, as they both represent perfectly (aside from Christ) the embodiment of the law and the prophets.

The Mystery of the Messiah’s Two Comings

The Old Testament is filled with prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. However, these prophecies often intertwine His first coming as the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) with His second coming as the omnipotent King (Zechariah 14:9). What is left unsaid is that these two roles would be fulfilled at separate times, separated by thousands of years. Jesus refers to this in His "Mystery Kingdom" parables (Matt 13), indicating that His Kingdom would come first in its mystery form. But its mystery form would not be its final form.

Even Jesus’ disciples struggled with this concept. In Acts 1:6, they ask Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” They expected an immediate fulfillment of the messianic reign, not realizing that the kingdom would come in two stages—spiritually through the Church Age and physically upon His return.

The Silence of the Intertestamental Period

Between the Old and New Testaments, there is a 400-year gap where God does not speak through prophets. This silence is striking, especially considering the detailed prophecies given before and after this period. While no new revelation was given, the world was not without divine movement—there were the prophesied historical events, such as the rise of the Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, which perfectly set the stage (Pax Romana) for Christ’s arrival. The silence itself was a form of prophecy, demonstrating that God’s timing is precise (Luke 19:42), even when He does not explicitly reveal His plans.

Additional Examples of Things Left Unsaid

• The Origin of Melchizedek: Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14 as a priest of God Most High, but the Bible does not explain his lineage or background. Hebrews 7:3 describes him as being “without father, without mother, without genealogy,” leaving his identity a mystery.

• The Lost Years of Jesus’ Childhood: Apart from His birth and a brief episode at age 12 (Luke 2:41-50), the Bible is silent on Jesus’ early years. This omission invites speculation but also emphasizes the importance of His public ministry.

• The Full Nature of the New Heavens and New Earth: Revelation 21 gives us glimpses of the new creation, but many details remain veiled. What will life be like in eternity? What role will resurrected believers play in the celestial dispensation?

• The Identity of the Restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7: Paul speaks of a mysterious Being that restrains the appearance of the Antichrist, but he does not explicitly identify who He is. The only logical conclusion could be that it refers to the Holy Spirit’s presence through the Church, but the somewhat ambiguous text has left plenty of room for debate.

• The Contents of the Seven Thunders in Revelation 10: John hears seven thunders speak, but he is commanded not to write down what they said. This suggests that God withholds certain revelations from humanity until the proper time.

The Hidden Timing of the Rapture and the Second Coming

Given the aforementioned examples, it makes perfect sense that the most strategic and powerful mind in the entire universe wisely guards the timing of the most important future prophetic maneuvers. The timing of the conclusive ending for this human drama could not be known for thousands of years. It wouldn't be known until the generation arrived that meets all the criteria of "the last generation," that being:

a. Israel back in her land as a sovereign nation

b. The geopolitical picture aligns with the prophetic narrative (Gog, globalism, Islam, etc.)

c. Mankind finally reaches a state of technological progress that matches the world of Revelation 11 and 13

d. The church reaches peak "Laodicean" era

That said, one of the most debated “things left unsaid” concerns the timing of end-time events. Jesus plainly states in Matthew 24:36:

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

However, the Bible also indicates in several places that the watching believer will see 'that Day' approaching (1 Thess 5:1-9, Heb 10:25, Rev 3:3). Despite this, many have tried to precisely predict when Christ would return. All attempts (thus far) have failed. We cannot know the specific time, but only the general time frame. Nevertheless, Scripture intentionally keeps the exact moment shrouded in mystery. This forces believers to live in a state of readiness, as Jesus emphasizes in Matthew 25 with the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

Conclusion: Embracing the Mystery

And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:9-10

God’s revelation concerning key prophetic themes—such as Israel, the Messiah, and salvation—is typically clear and evident throughout Scripture. However, prophecies regarding the timing of future events, particularly those of the last days, are often veiled as to their start dates, only becoming fully understandable to the generation they pertain to.

In this way, God provides both clear and concealed instruction, leading us toward faith—but not blind faith—rather than a complete understanding. Just as Daniel was told to "go his way" because certain prophecies would remain hidden until the time of the end, we too are only given insight into what is relevant for our time. That said, the prophetic gaps, the things left unsaid, are not oversights but intentional omissions designed to encourage dependence on Him.

As Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us:

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.”