We were able to complete our overview of the first three chapters of Ephesians containing some of the great doctrines revealed to Paul, and written to us. This truly is the wealth or treasure of our belief that we will now begin to exercise in chapters 4 – 6, as we are encouraged to walk forward in who were are in Christ. We took a brief caveat and did a quick overview of the different aspects of “The Mystery” or secret that was revealed to Paul concerning this dispensation of the grace of God we are living in, known as the times of the Gentiles or the Church Age. The Mystery of... The Incarnation of Christ – 1 Corinthians 2:1-8, Colossians 2:1-9 The Gospel – Ephesians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Christ and his marriage relationship to the Church – Ephesians 5:25-33 The Indwelling of Christ – Colossians 1:21-29 The Jews and Gentiles being in one body – the Church – Ephesians 3:1-12 The Rapture of catching away of the Church – 1 Cor. 15:50-54, 1 Thess. 4:13-18 I also mentioned the “mysteries” or secrets of the false Kingdom of Heaven that the Lord revealed to his disciples in Matthew 13 concerning the current world religious system implemented by Satan, attempting to build a physical religious kingdom while Christ is seated on the right hand of the throne of God, during this period of time known as the spiritual kingdom of God (Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 15:50) -- the dispensation of Grace. The Kingdom of Heaven is no longer that Old Testament kingdom promised to Israel. That kingdom was not an unrevealed secret or mystery -- Matthew 13:11, 34-35. The physical kingdom of heaven, promised to Israel, will be reestablished at the 2nd Advent, when Messiah King Jesus returns to establish the millennial kingdom. Remember, Matthew is the Jewish gospel, written to reveal Jesus as the true messiah king to the Jewish people. So, Matthew 13 should be read understanding that Jesus is describing how things are going to be during his absence. The apostle John was also given three mysteries to write in the book of Revelation. The Mystery... Of the seven churches – Revelation 1:19-20 Of God – Revelation 10:5-7 Of Babylon (the Babylon mystery religion) – Revelation 17:1-7 In the midst of this, we were able to get through Ephesians 3:13-19. Paul's prayer for all of us: That the Lord grant us, not lend us, according to the riches of his glory, strength in our inner man – our new man through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 4:7. 5:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, which comes from hearing the Word. Romans 10:17, Ephesians 2:8-9 That, being grounded in the love of Christ, we may be able to comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of the love of God. Romans 8:35-39 To know the love of Christ which is beyond human knowledge, being filled with all the fulness of God. May we all pray this prayer for one another, dear friends!
