“…And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:9
Dear Ones:
What is a mystery? It is that which is hidden, not yet revealed, but is none the less real. The “mystery” of which Paul writes here in his letter to the Ephesians, and also, to the Colossians, is very specific and far reaching, with monumental effects, because of the power of God involved. Paul would write that this mystery, this hidden truth of God and His ways, has been hidden “…from the beginning of the world.” (Eph. 3:9) It has been specifically “hid in God,” the Creator. To the Colossians, he would add: “…the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.” (Col. 1:26) From these words we can gather that this mystery was not only in the mind of God from before the foundation of the world, but in His design, and purpose, with regard to the redemption of men, and the unveiling of His glory and purpose, He chose the moment to reveal it to men, specifically, to believers. The unveiling, or revelation, of this mystery, would have far reaching effects, not only in “the church,” Christ’s body of believers, but also, before the “principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” God’s eternal purpose would be realized by the unveiling of this mystery, and every true believer in Christ, would become a beneficiary of that revealed truth. What then was this mystery, and how does it affect the church, specifically, every believer?
If we would look over the testimony of Scripture, from the creation to this present moment, we should discover the unveiling of the nature and character of God to man. There would be also the unveiling of His ways, and eternal purpose. There would be the gradual, and increasing, manifestation of the glory of God, “…to the Jew first,” and then to the Gentile. To the nation of Israel, God would intervene in His grace and mercy, to reveal His glory. And then during the inter-testament period, it seems like there is a pause, to accentuate the coming of the Messiah. The Son of God would be born without fanfare, and in the hidden quietness of Nazareth, grow into manhood, ever receiving from His Father all that He needed to be to be prepared for the moment of His baptism, and the beginning of His ministry. We understand from Scripture, specifically the prophets, that Christ would be the sacrificial Lamb of God, destined to take away the sin of the world. This He would do on Calvary, and certify the truth of that act and work by being raised from the dead. However, there was another very important moment when Christ would ascend unto the Father, there to receive from Him, the promise of the ages…the Spirit of Pentecost, to be given to all men, both Jew and Gentile. It is in the gift of the Spirit, poured out upon all flesh, that the great mystery of God begins to be revealed to the church. How?
On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God came, the “body of Christ” having not been formed, or declared to be “the church.” This would be the fulfillment of the words of John the Baptist, when he said of Jesus: “…the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.” (Jn. 1:33) On that day, when the promise of the Father was realized, and the Spirit was poured out, the church was born, the body of Christ was formed, for Christ would “baptize” every believer into Him, His work, His Spirit, His Life. Paul wrote about this when he said: “But of God are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30) That day, by virtue of the living and permanent union of Christ by His Spirit and the believer, brought the church into a new realm of blessing, where Christ had become the Life, its “All in All.”
Dear Father, Reveal to us our union with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad