Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in One all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:3-14)
"For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit ..." (Ephesians 3:1-5)
Herein, apostle Paul references the dispensation of God which was given to him for us -- to fulfill the Word of God. It refers to the fullness of times, wherein the Lord in the New Testament does a new thing. Thus, when Paul writes of the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, he refers to the time when the dayspring from on high would visit His people. And thankfully, this mystery has now (in the time in which we live this day) been made manifest to His saints -- "the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Hebrews 9:8)
There had to be a changing of the guard (if you will) -- a moment in time when a purchase in blood would be made, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, we (and they too) might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Everlasting life in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
The mystery that was from the very beginning is that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) That the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) That He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. That He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. (II Corinthians 5:19) Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
You see, Paul was an apostle born out of due time. (I Corinthians 15:7-9) Paul did not walk with Jesus while He walked on this earth, but rather, received his understanding of the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ by revelation. And yes, it is apostle Paul who was chosen to preach to the Gentiles (you and I who are not Jews/Israelites) so that we could know the mystery of Christ -- which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men. But now, in this current time, we have the promise, wherein we are to "take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)
The mystery? That the promised Messiah from afore; the prophesied Lord's Christ; His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins; has now come so that we might have abundant, everlasting life in Him. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 9:8; Revelation 1:8)
"After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)
His free gift of salvation? The purchase made with His own precious blood so that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, becoming clothed in His righteousness.
Why? Because He hath made us accepted in the beloved; in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him.
It is for this reason that apostle Paul never wavered in presenting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to one and all -- because the mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning has now been revealed. The Word made flesh and dwelt among us so that we can behold His glory. (John 1:1-14) Jesus -- the Great I AM willingly and decidedly (even before the foundation of the world was formed) to redeem His beloved people -- through the cross, shedding His own precious holy blood. (John 8:58)
This is why Jesus could say, "I AM the Bread of Life!" (John 6:35)
"I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man come unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
Paul has signified that in the fullness of times -- the period of time in which we live today, there is a harvest coming in, wherein He is gathering together in One all things in Christ. The body of Christ church wherein Jesus is the Head.
In the fourth New Testament citation of the word "dispensation" we see that Paul varies the meaning somewhat while writing to the saints and churches in Corinth. That is, Paul writes:
"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [of the gospel] is committed unto me. What is my reward then? [Verily] that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel." (I Corinthians 9:16-18)
You see, when the Lord Jesus appeared to persecutor of Christian believers Saul (later renamed Paul) on the road to Damascus, it was because the Lord had a purpose for him to fulfill. And, as we understand from Acts 13, when Paul and Barnabas waxed bold -- "It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." (Acts 13:46) There was 400 years of silence between the old and the new, when the Israelites did not hear from God because these worshipped another/ strange gods.
Nevertheless, there was a people who were not originally His people -- you and I -- the Gentiles who the Lord knew would become His chosen. Therefore, in these last days, the fullness of times, we are privileged to know the risen Jesus -- who is King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending -- and that He is extending the same invitation of salvation -- His free gift of salvation and mercy to one and all today.
Do not harden your hearts but rather, draw closer to Him who loved you from the very beginning. Study His Word for your daily sustenance and life, knowing that Jesus had a plan all along -- to become your Redeemer. The Great I AM who is and was and is to come. His Name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.
Stand in the offering plate.
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