THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S WILL - J. C. O'Hair

THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S WILL

Pastor J. C. O'Hair

In Ephesians 1:9 we read “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.” Then in Ephesians 6:19 and 20, Paul wrote that he was in the Roman jail for “the mystery of the gospel.”
As we read the Epistle to the Ephesians, we learn that “the mystery of God’s will” was “the mystery of the gospel.” What was the mystery mentioned in these verses? The mystery has been made known and God, the Father, wants all of His children to know it. (Ephesians 3:9). (Ephesians 1:16 to 23 - Ephesians 3:14 to 19).
Christ, in John 6:39 and 40, told us something of the will of God: “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
This is still God’s will, “by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10). But God’s eternal purpose is to have a company of redeemed sinners separate and distinct from all other companies.
In I Corinthians 15:1 to 4 we read of the gospel by which believing sinners are saved. But note in these verses these words, “according to the Scriptures.” Christ’s death and resurrection was that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. (Acts 13:29 and 30). - (Luke 24:44 to 46). Therefore, when Paul preached that saving gospel, it was not “the mystery of the gospel,” for that “mystery” message was not made known by, or to, any of Israel’s prophets. (Colossians 1:25 and 26). That is why it is called “the unsearchable riches,” meaning “untraceable” or “unprophesied riches.”
“The dispensation of the mystery” is, “according to God’s eternal purpose in Christ.” (Ephesians 3:9 and 11). This grace and purpose was given members of the Body of Christ before the world began. (II Timothy 1:9 - Ephesians 1:4 and 11 - Romans 8:28 and 29). It was God’s secret until after Israel rejected Christ in resurrection. It was revealed to, and through, the apostle Paul, who was born out of due season; chosen by Christ to be “the apostle of the Gentiles.” (Romans 11:13 - I Corinthians 15:6 to 10). It was for this reason that Paul (Saul) was the only unbeliever, the only unsaved person on earth, who saw Christ after He was raised from the dead. Then he said by God’s grace He was the Lord’s master builder, who laid the foundation and saints must build with him. (I Corinthians 3:10).
For this distinctive message and ministry, because he was the custodian of this Divine deposit, he suffered as an evil doer in chains, the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ for Gentiles. (II Timothy 2:8 and 9 - Ephesians 3:1 to 5). And he added that others should be partakers of the same afflictions and suffer persecution. (II Timothy 1:8 and 3:12).
Before Israel was created for God’s glory, before all of the promises concerning Israel’s coming glory and the millennial reign of Christ on earth, yea, before Adam had sinned, or was created, God predestinated that members of the Body of Christ should be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28 and 29). They would be seated in the heavenlies in Christ.
These predestinated and justified believers are to be joined to Christ as one flesh, to make One New Man, the Perfect Man, with heavenly citizenship, to appear with Christ in glory. (Ephesians 2:6 - Ephesians 5:31 and 32 - Ephesians 2:5 - Ephesians 4:13 - Philippians 3:20 and 21 - Colossians 3:1 to 4).
This the Father wants every Christian to make known (Ephesians 3:9). Satan hates this message with a vicious hatred.
Thus we see something of “the mystery of God’s will,” something that differs from the prophesied kingdom. (Acts 3:19 to 21 - Amos 9:11 to 15). God is now building up the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:9 to 13). Christ will return to earth after the close of this age and dispensation of grace to build again the tabernacle of David. (Acts 15:15 to 18).

Posted By – Cecil Spivey

Cspivey1953@gmail.com

 

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