God's Mystery Master Plan Revealed

God’s Mystery Master Plan Revealed

There are many things about God He has chosen not to reveal to us. However, a whole book has been dedicated to His will and plan – the Bible. God has a master plan. He has chosen to reveal it to us - His Church Family. Listen to Paul in Ephesians 1:1-10:

7 In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both[a] which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.

What in the world is Paul talking about – the mystery of His will made known? Our first observation is that the mystery revelation is placed right behind redemption by His blood and the forgiveness of our sins according to His grace. These first two things have already taken place. We have been redeemed – Christ already died and rose from death to purchase and secure our redemption. We have also been forgiven forever. The revealed mystery is about something yet to come or in the process of coming to pass.

What is the mystery that is revealed? It is: 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both[a] which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him” It is a Master plan or Strategy of God. Dispensation literally means (in the Greek) household or stewardship. In order words, in God’s management of His household or stewardship of His estate, God’s plan would come to pass at the proper times. His plan is to gather together all things in Christ. It is a reconciling (adding up like in accounting) process. Things that do not make sense to us now would then make sense in Christ in the set times.

God in the beginning made a perfect world. Lucifer (a created being) came into the picture wanting to be equal with God. The only problem for Lucifer is that there is only One God and there will be no other. Lucifer was cast down with a host of angels who were his loyalists. Then Lucifer (Satan) decided and sold the same nonsense to Adam and Eve and they bought into wanting to be God. Adam and Eve wanted the “knowledge of good and evil” so they can decide what is good and evil and be in control. Instead of things being under their control, the whole creation became out of control and evil has reigned. Before you knew it, there was the first murder – Cain kills his brother Able. It has been a fallen world that we inherited through Adam. Humans still want to decide what is good instead of what God has called good. An example is the issue of gay marriage. It is not new. God in Christ is Truth and Life and the only Way.

God now in Christ intends to reconcile His creation and bring order in His kingdom. We humans that love God (or rather “chosen” and loved by God) cannot wait for this day when evil shall cease and justice and love reign. Even the other creations are yawning for this day. Listen to Paul:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:18-25

I am looking forward with great hope for the “gathering together in Christ”. Are you? As believers in Christ we may disagree on the working out of the times but we must be united in the “gathering together in Christ all things whether in heaven or on earth”. (Caution: Let’s not think we know it all because knowledge puffs, let’s love one another in Christ). Whether you subscribe to Dispensational or Covenantal Theology (two different views of biblical history); Pre, Post or No Tribulation Theology; my first question is “Are you in Christ?” Have you been redeemed, forgiven forever? Have you “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”(Ephesians 1:13)? Do you want to be in control or will you yield control to God – the all-wise and loving One?

I thank God that He will reconcile all things at the end. I also thank God that we have been invited to be part of what God is doing in bringing all things together in Christ by proclaiming the gospel of our salvation. We are comforted and encouraged by the words of God in Revelation 21:4 and 5: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new”.

Let’s rejoice greatly and give God His praise, honor and blessing. Amen.