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A major theme in the Bible after the day of Pentecost is the mystery which God kept hidden for ages and is revealed to us by the apostle Paul. Check it out in Romans 16:25-27; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8; Ephesians 3:4-6; and Colossians 1:25-27.
A careful reading of Colossians 1:12-21 provides the foundation for understanding the mystery revealed in Colossians 1:25-27. Before he reveals the mystery, he first explains what God has accomplished through Christ. Ephesians follows almost the same pattern as Colossians, but in an expanded form. Both letters move from:
What God accomplished in Christ
The creation of a new humanity through that accomplishment
The revelation of the mystery
The practical implications and application of being part of that new creation
"and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,...from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named," Ephesians 3:9-11, 15.
"He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." 1 Peter 1:20-21
"even as he (God) chose us in him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will," Ephesians 1:4-5
"who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began," 2 Timothy 1:9
When we begin to understand the mystery, and God's eternal purpose, and how God reconciled the world to himself, we can see how Colossians 1:16 fits with the creation of this new humanity. And, we can see how this fits with (and does not contradict) what Paul taught in Athens: "The God who made the world and everything in it....will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." Acts 17:24-31
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places," Ephesians 1:3.
Mark Rohde can be reached at marklrohde@icloud.com.