“…and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:9)
The “mystery” was NOT hidden in the Scriptures, but was hidden “in GOD”. This mystery could not have been discovered by studying the Old Testament.
“I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has NOW been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…” (Ephesians 3:1-5)
And what was the Mystery?
“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6)
The job of preaching to EVERYONE this HIDDEN mystery of God’s Grace for all mankind was given to Paul...
The “mystery” was NOT hidden in the Scriptures, but was hidden “in GOD”. This mystery could not have been discovered by studying the Old Testament.
“I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has NOW been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…” (Ephesians 3:1-5)
And what was the Mystery?
“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6)
The job of preaching to EVERYONE this HIDDEN mystery of God’s Grace for all mankind was given to Paul...
“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for EVERYONE what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:7-11)
The mystery of the Salvation of both Israel and Gentiles (together referred to as the church) would make known to the “rulers and authorities in heavenly places” the wisdom of God. So what exactly would happen that would make known to the angels and other spirit beings in “heavenly places” this wisdom of God?
Well the context clearly indicates it is the “promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” which is the good news promise that Christ would return to resurrect the dead.
“Behold, I tell you a mystery… in the twinkling of an eye…the dead will be raised imperishable…I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope…For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Corinthians 15: 51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
The mystery of the Salvation of both Israel and Gentiles (together referred to as the church) would make known to the “rulers and authorities in heavenly places” the wisdom of God. So what exactly would happen that would make known to the angels and other spirit beings in “heavenly places” this wisdom of God?
Well the context clearly indicates it is the “promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” which is the good news promise that Christ would return to resurrect the dead.
“Behold, I tell you a mystery… in the twinkling of an eye…the dead will be raised imperishable…I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope…For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Corinthians 15: 51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)