16.To whom is the many-sided wisdom of God being revealed?

The rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by [through] the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Ephesians 3:10).

Ephesians 3:10 is an astonishing statement. It is one of those verses that reveal the breadth of the Divine plan in Christ.

Why would the Lord God be interested in making known His multifaceted wisdom to rulers and authorities in the spirit realm? Exactly who are these exalted beings? Why has God decided to speak to them through the Church? First of all, there is no doubt that God is demonstrating His wisdom to angelic leaders. These authorities are of high rank, some obedient to God and some wicked and rebellious. Paul speaks of both types.

Paul mentions "elect angels," suggesting that they have a direct interest in the manner in which Timothy behaves himself in the household of God:

I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality (I Timothy 5:21). Does God choose (elect) angels?

Again:

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels (I Corinthians 11:10). Paul speaks also of the fallen angelic rulers:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places (Ephesians 6:12).

Several passages of the Scriptures imply that before God created the heavens and the earth there was a rebellion against His rule on the part of a large number of angels—some of high rank in Heaven.

We notice that as soon as God created man in His image, Satan, apparently the leader of the rebellion, was on hand to spread the poison of sin and death in the personalities of the new type of creature.

The Father withdrew into His own counsels and created a plan that would accomplish several major goals: A living temple for Himself.

A wife for the Lamb.

A multitude of sons in His own image, and younger brothers of Christ.

Rulers, trained in obedience, who will be able to assume the thrones presently held by the rebellious angels. Judges through whom God will be able to exercise righteous judgment in the creation.

An army of mighty men, strengthened in righteousness and holiness—valiant heroes who will serve eternally as an honor guard, a wall of defense around the new Jerusalem.

Priests, perfected in holiness toward God, and understanding and compassion toward people.

Sin will be judged and destroyed from the creation forever. An honor guard of sons will stand eternally vigilant and ready to drive all traces of sin from the Presence of God throughout the eons to come. The Personality of Christ will grow and increase until the whole universe is filled with Christ.

All these marvels will be brought forth though the Church, the Body of Christ. Both the elect and wicked angels are studying the saints intently so they may understand exactly what the Father is accomplishing. The elect angels are rejoicing, always being supportive of what God is working through Christ. The wicked angels are scheming, plotting, always seeking to prevent the accomplishment of God’s plan.

One of the reasons for the vicious resistance of the angelic authorities is that they desire to maintain dominion over the material creation, whereas God has turned over the creation as an inheritance to His new sons, whom He has made heirs of all things through Christ.

The angels are seeking to understand what is taking place.

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves [the Hebrew Prophets], 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 (I Peter 1:12).

The most important aspect of the eternal plan of God is that all things in Heaven and on the earth, all things of both the spiritual and the material realms, are being gathered together and centered in Christ. Christ has been designated as the Possessor of all of God: of all God is, of all God does, of all that belongs to God.

The rebellious angels appear to resent the giving of all things to Christ and His brothers, but they will not be able to prevent it. Their resistance results only in the creation of wisdom and strength in the sons of God.

The Word of God, Christ, became a Man in whom was revealed the Fullness of the Father. We who are members of the Body of Christ are having Christ formed in us so that there may be an even fuller and expanded manifestation of the Lord God to His creation (Ephesians 1:23; John 17:21-23).

The angels can only understand what is in the mind of the Father as the Father reveals Himself in Christ, and then through Christ in the Body of Christ.

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 (I Timothy 3:16).

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