The truths concerning the mystery are the deep things of God which have to do with the fulfillment of His eternal counsels concerning Christ the Son of His bosom.
We who believe in Jesus have been blessed with every blessing in the heavenlies, chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. We are holy and without blame before Him in love because in redemption Christ has borne all of our sins. Eph. 1:1-71Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:1‑7).
We have received an inheritance in Christ according to what God purposed long ago. Each believer is "sealed" by the Spirit and has received the "earnest" of the Spirit in view of resurrection when our bodies will be raised. Besides these blessings, we have the "anointing" of the Spirit which gives intelligence to know and enjoy all that has been given us in Christ.
The children of God, scattered before Pentecost, were begun to be gathered at Pentecost and are still being gathered until the rapture takes place. These are the Church, all believers, who form the one body of Christ. John 11:5252And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11:52). Eph. 1:3-103Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness 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: (Ephesians 1:3‑10).
The Apostle Paul speaks of the grace given to him that he should be the one to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, also the administration, or setting up, of churches and being in himself a pattern for others.
The mystery was a secret, hidden from men, hid in God, but now the manifold, all-varied, multicolored wisdom of God as to that which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord is revealed and known to mankind and to angels who are watching the Church and learning deep things which they have never known before. Eph. 3:8-118Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:8‑11).
Hosea the prophet says in regard to the Church, "Ye are the sons of the living God." Hos. 1:1010Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. (Hosea 1:10). Rom. 9:25,2625As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (Romans 9:25‑26). Those who receive Christ have the right to be called the children of God. John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12). There is a witness to us between the Spirit of God and our spirits that we are children of God. Rom. 8:1616The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16). Now if we are children, we are also heirs! heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). We have received the adoption of sons, and God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying. "Abba, Father." Gal. 4:4-64But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:4‑6).
What a blessed home to which we will be brought where want and sorrow will be unknown, where we shall be loved forever by the Father and the Son because we have received Christ in the day of His rejection. Peace and rest shall abide forever.
Christ as Man will serve the Father forever. Ex. 21:1-61Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. 2If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. (Exodus 21:1‑6). 1 Cor. 15:2828And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28). He served the Father in His life here in this world, He served Him at the cross, He served His saints in becoming the propitiation for our sins, He serves us now as God's High Priest, and He will seat us at His table and serve us in the Father's house. What a Savior! It will be a lovely atmosphere as the Lord girds Himself in a servant's attire and serves His bride because He loves her. Luke 12:34-3934For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. (Luke 12:34‑39).
In that cloudless day, as now, the Father will love us as He loves His Son and will grant us to share Christ's happiness in endless bliss. Then we shall realize how much we owe Him.
The angels desire to know these things (1 Peter 1:1212Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)), and the Church at present is the display, here in this world, before principalities and powers (angels), of these very things. How good that through grace God has preserved a testimony before angels and men of what characterizes the true Church surrounded by the false one.
At present the Lord is sanctifying (separating) us from all that belongs to earth through "the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Eph. 5:25-2725Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25‑27).
Men pray with holy hands. 1 Tim. 2:8-128I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:8‑12). They love their wives as a picture of how Christ loves the Church, and they are not bitter against them. The man takes his place as head of the wife to dwell with her according to knowledge, giving her honor as the weaker vessel and as heirs together of the grace of life. 1 Peter 3:1-71Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:1‑7).
On the woman's part, there is the inward adorning (spiritual) rather than the outward, together with a meek, quiet spirit. What a great opportunity we have now to serve Christ here in testimony.
God made man and wife, male and female. There is that manner of life, in keeping with each, which sets forth the Bridegroom and the bride.
The wife is a keeper at home. Titus 2:55To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5). The woman does not wear that which pertains unto the man (1 Tim. 2:99In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (1 Timothy 2:9)), and the man does not wear women's clothes. Deut. 22:55The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 22:5). The woman's hair is her glory, while it is a shame for a man to have long hair.
The woman does not teach doctrine but teaches the younger women in regard to practical things. The man teaches doctrine, (2 Tim. 2:22And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)), and the woman, being silent in the assembly, will ask her husband at home as to the meaning of Scriptures. Much instruction is gained in discussion between men and women as to the things of God. Acts 18:2626And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:26). This is not formal teaching, in which the woman has no place.
The cross of Christ will be the endless theme of heaven. Here in this world we each have a cross to bear. "If I my cross have taken, 'tis but to follow Thee." How the Lord would be delighted if each believer would realize the largeness of his calling, so that he might answer in love and obedience which will bring an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1111For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:11). How we long for rest both for our souls and for our bodies.
"My longing heart, now pillowed
On Jesu's breast of love,
Hath oft to me foreshadowed,
That blissful rest above;
But, O my soul, remember,
None shall be weary there;
The ransomed without number
God's blessed rest will share."
L.F. #30, app.
As we ponder these truths, are we thinking of preparing our hearts by the reading of the Word and prayer to be ready for that glorious moment when we arrive at the place of many mansions, the place that Christ went to prepare for us?
O, what a destiny for the Church in the Father's house where He will pour out the exceeding riches of His grace, also for all the people of God in the place in heaven or on the new earth prepared for them.