Revelation! But to Whom?!

In Chapter 3 of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains to his readers how there was a “spiritual mystery” that was kept from men until Paul’s time and his call to reveal it. That mystery, of course, was that gentiles were also to be brought into the kingdom of God. And again, it was generally made known to only a very few during the four thousand biblical years before Christ. It was kept as a mystery until the time predetermined by God that it should be revealed. 

This fact that gentiles (that’s you and me, or anyone not Hebrew by birth or adoption) were also destined for the kingdom of God has now been a fundamental understanding of the Church for nearly two thousand years. So, why was it kept secret for four thousand years previous? Paul’s answer to that simply jumped out at me when reading Ephesians 3. Paul wrote: 

“…the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”

Apparently, God kept this mystery of the inclusion of gentiles into the kingdom of God so the Church (once it was established) could reveal it, not so much to humanity, but to principalities and powers in the heavenly places! Once again, principalities and powers in the heavenly places!  God wanted to show His wisdom to beings not of this earth! He wanted to show His wisdom to heavenly beings in positions of leadership and power (principalities, etc,.) God also had a predetermined time He wanted this revelation to occur, and to be revealed by His newly birthed Church.  Such is quite a thought. God is not just revealing Himself to us here on earth. But He is revealing himself to beings not of earth, but of the heavens — and to those who possess power and authority. Now, that is something! Something that should make one think a little bit in new and, perhaps, unorthodox ways. 

Bottom line, and it should be obvious, we are not alone in this universe!

Mark Johnson/Lay Leader NSUMC/Aug 6, 2021