MYSTERY REVEALED
Apostle Paul writes about “the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: and the fellowship of the mystery, from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ.
This mystery of the Age of Dispensation of Grace was revealed to Paul. We should understand what this dispensation is and how we can make use of this mystery for our benefits of eternity. For this we should study the Word of God dividing it properly according to the dispensations. The entire Bible is God breathed, which means inspired by the Holy Spirit, but written by men. The unity of theme and the quintessential message prove this authorship of the Holy Spirit.
God created man and blessed him to multiply and fill the earth.
Genesis 1:28
After the flood He told Noah the same message, to multiply and fill the earth. Then He chose Abraham to reach the land which was set aside for him and his descendants. Israelites were delivered from the slavery of Egypt and they were brought to their Promised Land. God ruled them as their king.
But they wanted a human king as the gentiles had. God gave them kings, but they too deviated from the plan of God. He sent prophets to warn them and they didn’t listen to the prophets. Israelites were sent into exile and they suffered all afflictions because of their iniquities. Their land was devastated by the gentile kings. Jesus came to earth to establish His kingdom which is basically spiritual , the kingdom of God. His plan was to redeem His people, the Jewish people and wished that through them He could establish His kingdom on earth. They rejected their Messiah and killed Him.
His disciples when they had come together, after His resurrection , asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Acts 1:16
His plan was to empower them with the Holy Spirit and spread the Gospel through His disciples. The Jewish people except a few rejected them. Those few believers got scattered and they spread the news that Jesus was their Christ but they were reluctant to accept Jesus as their Messiah. His plan of establishing his kingdom on earth could not be accomplished because of their unbelief. God caught Saul the main activist and persecutor of the followers of Christ. Saul’s conversion set the milestone for the dispensation of grace. He became the ambassador of Christ for the entire earth. He started preaching the gospel of reconciliation. which was made possible through faith in the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
During the dispensation of law it was necessary to seek the Lord through works of law.
Now Law is removed for those who believe in His crucifixion and resurrection. “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.
And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross”.
Colossians 2:14
Now all our iniquities are forgiven and wiped out. And now:
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20
How did we receive this citizenship of heaven? This is the mystery that was hidden in Him and is revealed to Paul. Paul had several encounters with Lord Jesus and we are the beneficiaries of this great mystery.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,Ephesians 2:4-6
then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2
-What a great privilege we enjoy in this age of Grace.
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
I Thessalonians 5:9-10
Let us be established in Christ and live and grow in Him in order to be raptured to join Christ in heaven.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Colossians 3:2-4
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the age of grace you have provided for us that we may enjoy the benefits of the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus. Help us to be established and grow in Him. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Sol. Salomi Kurian