From May 11th, 2020
Ephesians 3 (NLT)
3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
*
*** I have always loved this passage but something new jumped out at me recently. Paul in writing tells of the “Mystery” regarding the salvation of the Gentiles and their inclusion in the kingdom and purposes of God. Paul explains that through Christ both Jews and Gentiles are merged into “One New Man”. This was not clearly revealed in the old covenant yet there are scriptures stating that salvation would come to the gentiles.
*** What has intrigued me recently is in verse 10. Paul is stating that God was going to use His church made up of Jews and Gentiles to display His wisdom to “all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”. Somehow, I am feeling that those rulers who serve Him in heaven don’t need this revelation. This Idea that the wicked powers in the heavenly places need to have it spelled out for them is implied further in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8.
“No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. “
*** Our existence and ministry are meant to declare the perfect power and plan of God to those fallen angels and demonic powers who currently have control of this world. By being who He called us to be and fully walking in all that he has gifted us to walk in we continually proclaim Christ’s victory and their impending judgement.
Hope Echos 
Leave a Reply