In Whom Ye Also Are Builded Together For An Habitation of God Through the Spirit - Part 1679

"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God," writes apostle Paul to the Gentiles, "which is given me to you-ward, how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in a few words, whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)." (Ephesians 3:1-4)

Herein, Paul is writing of the mystery of Christ, whereby, in other ages the mystery was not made known unto the sons of men. Paul is noting that this mystery has now been revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel ..." (Ephesians 3:5-6)

The word "mystery" in this context refers to a hidden truth. As an aside for those who may not be aware, Saul/Paul was chosen by Jesus of Nazareth on the road to Damascus to preach specifically to the Gentiles. When Saul was blinded by the glory of the light of the Lord Jesus, he was told to meet with Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews who dwelt there. When the two met, Ananias laid hands on Saul and he received his sight. He then said to Saul, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard." (Acts 22:6-21)

Note that on the road to Damascus Jesus asked him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." When Paul asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" Jesus told him, "I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutes." (Acts 22:5-6; Acts 9:1-22)

In another place, Paul shares his experience this way -- "And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And I said, "Who art thou, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." (Acts 26:14-18)
Returning to the original point, apostle Paul's message to us in this current dispensation of grace is that the mystery has now been revealed in the Lord Jesus -- in the "resurrected gospel" -- confirming to us that if we be Christ's, then are we similarly Abraham's seed, and heirs according to His promise. (Galatians 3:28-29)

Herein, we understand that apostle Paul would not that we should be ignorant of this mystery either, "lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25)

Thus, Paul (as a servant of Jesus Christ) confirms that which was promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures. That is, "now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever, amen." (Romans 16:25-27)

So, what is the mystery? The righteousness of God revealed when God became flesh and dwelt among us. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11) God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
The Lord Himself came forth as a mighty man -- to redeem His beloved from their sin, and instead fill them with His peace and joy and love. And if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you -- the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost. His Name is JESUS!

Stand in the offering plate.