“…and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:9
What is a “mystery,” but that which is hidden, that which has not yet been revealed. When the Apostle Paul came preaching the Gospel which was first revealed to him, and then preached and taught by him as the Spirit of God led him, he spoke of certain mysteries. The first one of monumental importance was that which he declared to the Colossian believers: “…the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (1:27) Fundamental to everything else in the life of born-again believers is the miracle by which God created His church, which would not only be called the temple of God, but the very living body of Christ on earth, His spiritual bride, in and through whom He would reveal His glory to the world. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers, he would write that this mystery had been hidden in God, “…from the beginning of the ages,” but now revealed. God’s infinite wisdom would now be made known “by the church” to the “principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” (3:10) Paul would continue writing on this matter to the Colossians that this mystery has been revealed to His saints, every born-again believer. Not only would the mystery of Christ indwelling the believer be revealed, so that the believer could live a new life in Christ, by the appropriation of Him by faith, but that the living body of Christ, the church, would be born on the day of Pentecost soon after the ascension of Christ. Christ would not only be “walking among the candlesticks,” being present with the different churches throughout time to this very day, but He would be dwelling IN the church, to be its life and power. Why is the knowledge of the believer’s union with Christ, and His presence IN the churches so very important? It is because of faith, true faith. If faith is to lay hold upon Christ in order to live by and for Him, and if Christ is to be revealed in His church in a powerful way so that the world will know that He is God, then the truths of these two mysteries are essential to know, and to live by.
When Jesus taught His disciples concerning life in the church, speaking of a gathering of unified believers, He would call them to consider the matter of agreement among themselves concerning effective prayer. The power and potential of prayer is revealed by Jesus when he said, “…if two of you agree on earth concerning anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” Why would Jesus say that just two people, who were agreed on a spiritual matter, could pray effectively, holding to the promise that the Father in heaven would answer the prayer? It was because of a “mystery.” Before Pentecost, the Spirit of God most certainly led the disciples at different times to be unified in their praying, which confirmed the will of God. After Pentecost, when the Spirit of God came to dwell in the heart, there was the witness of the Spirit with the other believer concerning the knowledge of the will of God. Much more ground could be crossed, and more effective prayer made.
In speaking of the church, the church of Christ, which He would build, Jesus would declare: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) The church by virtue of the “hidden” truth of Christ’s indwelling of the church, would be victorious on this earth because He dwelled IN the church to reveal His presence and power.
Lastly, Christ would accomplish in His church the “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think,” and this, in answer to prayer and faith. The mystery now revealed would have its monumental effect on earth.
Dear Father, Show forth Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.