Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven- Key of Knowledge

 Power of the Keys

KEYS, POWER OF THE. Normally in the Bible, and always in the NT, “key” (κλέις) is used in a fig. sense to refer to the means of entry into the realms of spiritual destiny. The phrase “the power of the keys” is not, strictly speaking, a Biblical one, although the keys themselves do symbolize the spiritual authority to open or close the gates of hell or the kingdom of heaven.

I. Keys in the ancient world. Many ancient peoples thought of the realms of spiritual destiny as entered by doors, and of the gods and angelic beings or the demons as having the keys to those realms. Among the holders of such keys were Shamash (Babylonia), Dike (Greece), Janus (Rome), Aion-Kronos (Mithraism) and Helios (Neo-Platonic period). The underworld, too, had key-keepers: Nedu (Babylonia), Pluto, Aiacos, Persephone and Selena-Hecate (Greece), Anubis (magic lit.) and Isis (mystery religions). Cf. Jeremias, 744ff.

II. Keys in the OT and Judaism. Judges 3:25 refers to the key to the doors of King Eglon’s private quarters; in this case alone is the word “key” used non-fig. Isaiah 22:22 refers to the investing of Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, with the authority of comptroller of David’s household: “I [Yahweh] will lay the key of the house of David on his shoulder; what he opens no man shall shut and what he shuts no man shall open” (NEB). Of this crucial v. Bright comments most significantly for an understanding of NT usage: “The key, carried slung from the shoulder, was the symbol of the major-domo’s authority to admit or deny access to the king...” (Peake, in loc.).

Consistent with Isaianic usage, the rabbinics refer to the giving of keys as a symbol of the granting of authority. For example, in the 2nd cent. Apocalypse of Baruch the angel Michael is described as ὁ κλειδοῦχος τῆς βασιλείας τῶν ὀυρανῶν (the keeper of the keys of the heavenly realm). In Heb. Enoch, ’Anaphiel Yahweh keeps the keys to the palaces in the seventh heaven where the righteous dead are kept. Also significant are the reference in the Babylonian Talmud to the key of rain which opens the doors of heaven and other references to the keys to thunder, lightning, snow, ice and frost (cf. Jeremias, 745).

III. Keys in the NT

1. The key to the sky. Much in the tradition of the Babylonian Talmud, Luke 4:25 speaks of a time in Elijah’s days when the doors of heaven (the sky) never opened to let the rain come down and Revelation 11:6 says the two witnesses have the “power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall.”

2. Keys to the realms of spiritual destiny. On a more spiritual level is the idea of the key to the reign of God (Matt 16:19 and 23:13). In the former v. Jesus tells Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The pl. here reflects a Jewish belief that God held four keys in His hand—to rain, conception, resuscitation of the dead, and crops (see also IV below). In the latter v., the Pharisees and legal experts are accused of shutting (the verb is κλείειν, lit. “to lock [with a key]”) the door of the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. In the light of Bright’s comment (above) and the Jewish tendency to use “heaven” as a substitute for “God,” the Jewish leaders are accused of preventing the access of men to God’s royal presence.

The underworld had many keys because it had many doors or gates. Rabbi ’Aqiba tells of the time when God will give Michael and Gabriel the keys to open the 40,000 gates of gēhinnōm (“hell”) (cf. Jeremias, 746, n. 33). God says (Rev 1:18) “I have the keys of Death and Hades (ἁδης).” Bousset suggests that to get these keys from the ruler of the underworld God must have won them in a victorious battle; Cullmann adds that God intends to open the doors of Death’s domain for those imprisoned inside (209; cf. also Jeremias, 746). Revelation 9:1 and 20:1 refer to “the key of the (shaft of the) bottomless pit.” Jeremias sees this as a well-like shaft where evil spirits are imprisoned. It is to be opened in the end-time so that demonic locusts can blight the earth, and once again at the beginning of the millennium so that Satan can be incarcerated in it. Jeremias also argues that this abyss must be distinguished from Death’s domain (746). In these NT passages Death, hell and the “bottomless pit” all reflect a view of the grave as a prison in which men are bound and held captive.

3. The key of David. John is told to write the words of Christ, “who has the key of David; who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens” (Rev 3:7). Christ has set before the church at Philadelphia “an open door, which no one is able to shut,” i.e. access to God and to David’s city, the new Jerusalem, in the last age. The allusion to Isaiah 22:22 is apparent.

4. The key of (to) knowledge. Luke 11:52 criticizes the Jewish lawyers for taking away the key of knowledge, i.e. of the kingdom of God. Scholars have debated the meaning of this passage (cf. the parallel form in Matt 23:13). On the lips of Jesus (Sitz im Leben Jesu), Jeremias suggests, the phrase τῆς γνώσεως was prob. a genitive of apposition: “You have taken away the key to God’s kingdom, namely knowledge of him.” But in its present Lucan context it would be more natural as an objective genitive: “You have taken away the key to knowledge,” i.e. the knowledge of God contained in the OT Scriptures which the scribes were supposed to unlock for God’s people (Jeremias, 747f.).

IV. Peter’s keys. Matthew 16:17-19 assumed in the course of church history a significance far out of proportion to the role the passage plays in the Gospel. Particularly as the doctrine of penance was elaborated in the Western church and at the time of the Protestant Reformation did it become a crux interpretationem. Within the Roman Catholic tradition, the doctrine of the “privilege of Peter” developed into a doctrine of church unity centering in the bishop of Rome, the “pope.” He delegated to those bishops and priests in communion with him the power to forgive sins through a system of penance and absolution. Protestants traditionally have emphasized Peter’s faith as the foundation “rock” of the Church, and have rejected the idea that Peter’s privilege was transmitted to Peter’s successors. Although the keys are not specifically mentioned, most contemporary Biblical exegetes see the giving of the keys to Peter as synonymous in meaning (Matt 18:18) with “binding” and “loosing” (q.v.). They therefore agree that the same authority given to Peter (Matt 16:19) is here given to the other apostles, and in fact to the whole Christian congregation (but for a different view, see Jeremias, 752). Typical are the words of the Catholic Biblical scholar T. Worden: “The actual power to forgive sins is not given directly to Peter and the apostles in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18. These verses are better interpreted as referring to the full authority given to the Church in matters of doctrine and morals.” There is a tendency to see the exercise of the keys in the threefold process of excommunication by reprimand, public rebuke, and full excommunication of Matthew 18:15-17 and Titus 3:10. Agreement has not been reached on the extent of the correspondence between Peter’s authority to bind and loose and the current Catholic practice of penance.

Bibliography By far the most important article on the topic is J. Jeremias, “κλέις,” TDNT, 3: 744-753. See also Thomas Worden, “The Remission of Sins: II,” New Testament Abstracts, 2 (1958), 262; O. Cullmann, Peter: Disciple, Apostle, Martyr (2nd ed., 1962), 209, 210; J. Bright, “Isaiah I,” [Peakes] Commentary on the Bible (1962) on Isa 22:22; R. Bultmann, History of the Synoptic Tradition (1963), 138-142, 258f., et in passim; W. Bousset, Kyrios Christos (1970), 65. For relevant periodical lit., see B. M. Metzger, Index to Periodical Literature on Christ and the Gospels, and, for more recent material, New Testament Abstracts.

Speaking to His disciples on the coast of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus said to Peter, “…I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19).

Then, when they had come to Capernaum, He told his disciples, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 18:18). In the first of these passages the phrase, “keys to the kingdom of heaven” is used. The concept of “keys” is that of a way of entrance. We use a key to unlock the entrance into our house, other buildings or our car. In both of these passages, the understanding of what the keys are is seen.

The gospel of Christ, orally proclaimed or written constitutes the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Christ first began to wield the keys, but then passed that responsibility on to the apostles upon His departure. The Hebrew writer said of these keys, “which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that hear him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will” (Heb. 2:3-4).

The apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). There is no doubt that the gospel of Christ is the keys to heaven. However, though the word “keys” is not used with the following, we wish to include them among the “keys to the kingdom of heaven”, for they also are needed to open the way.

Desire to enter into heaven is a key. Let’s face it, no one will ever put forth the effort to learn the gospel of Christ without a desire to enter into the kingdom. Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find…” (Matt. 7:7). And, “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).

There must be a seeking if there is to be a finding. This requires recognition of the two options, eternal damnation or eternal life. In the long ago, God through Moses pointed the children of Israel to this recognition and to the choice they should make. He said, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deut. 30:19).

Knowledge is a key. This seems close akin to the gospel being the key, but let us consider it separately. God told Israel through the prophet Hosea, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…” (Hos. 4:6). Knowledge of God’s way is a necessity in order to gain entrance into heaven.

Paul said of his fellow Jews, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:2-3). We are not at leisure to just make up our own keys and expect them to open the door to heaven. Paul told Timothy, “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully” (II Tim. 2:5).

Obedience to the gospel is a key. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

Doing the will of the Father is the same thing as being obedient to the Father. Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus told His apostles, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18). Obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ is a key to open the door to the kingdom.

The Hebrew writer said, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). Paul told the Thessalonians that when the Lord returned, He would take “…vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thess. 1:8).

Just one more key to the kingdom of heaven. Perseverance is a key. No one who is a quitter will ever be a winner of the kingdom of heaven. Paul said that we will be presented “…holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel…” (Col. 1:22-23).

We must persevere through the times of trial and temptation, but also through the times of peace, tranquility and prosperity. In fact these prosperous and peaceful times may be the most dangerous. In the parable of the soils, Jesus said, “that which fell among thorns are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life…” (Luke 8:14).

THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE
By Eldon McNabb

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ . . . to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse." "I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 1:1,2; Col. 2:1-3)

The Key

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes gives a running account of how God planned for there to be seasons of good and bad events in the history of His creation, its fall, and the process of our redemption. He said, "There is a time for every purpose (of God) under heaven." The good and bad are both "beautiful in His time," for they are germane to his overall plan for mankind, and our redemption. The subject continues through verse seventeen, at least.

Before God left the subject, He defined for us how it all related to His work, and how He had hidden His work from even His own children. In so doing, with incredible clarity and brevity, He gave us the definition of The Key of Knowledge. Solomon faithfully recorded these words, as he was moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord. "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

My Testimony

Though not raised in a church-oriented home, I became interested in going to church when I was nine years of age. At first I attended a Baptist Sunday School near my home. The following Summer, when I was ten, my aunt and her family, from Oklahoma, came to visit us for a month at our home in California. With their prompting, I began to attend a Church of the Nazarene which was about a mile from our home. A week or so after my aunt Lieu and uncle Audie Rodden had left, I felt the call of God on my heart. I went to that altar to pray and was wonderfully born again of the Spirit of God.

Immediately after my conversion, I became an avid reader of the Holy Scriptures. Often, as other youngsters romped during recess at school, I would be sitting on the school steps reading the Bible. In my teens, I became aware that there was a treasure of wisdom and knowledge in the pages of the Bible which I was not able to ferret out. I sought for some clue as to how to effectively study the Holy Scriptures, but to no avail. Inquiries which I made among the ministers of the organization with which I worshiped at the time were equally fruitless. In my early twenties, I came upon a particular reference Bible which looked promising. With great expectations, I received one as a gift from my parents for my 22nd birthday. Before long, I realized that it was no more help than my other pursuits had been. But, God had seen my hunger, and had heard my prayers. He was ready to meet the desire of my heart.

I had heard Bishop Grady R. Kent preach and teach on occasion for approximately six years, at that time. Although I had enjoyed what I had experienced of his ministry, I was not aware of how special his ministry really was. But it was not long until circumstances would bring us together in the work of the Lord. Then I really began to be blessed to share in the benefits of one of the greatest gifts which God had given to Bishop Kent: "The Key of Knowledge." (Luke 11:52)

The Key Is Given

The Key of Knowledge was not newly given at the dawning of the grace age, as was the case with being born of the Spirit and being baptized with the Holy Spirit. It had been entrusted to the chosen people of God from the days of Moses. However, their leaders had hidden it from the people at the time of the ministry of Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus said, "Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." It is apparent that modern times have not changed the picture, as far as many religious leaders are concerned.

In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul said, "This know also, that in the last days" there will be those who are "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." We see this condition existing today. Many, if not most, ministers attend some school of religious learning. Unfortunately, those schools have fallen into the error of using man’s method of study. The Apostle Paul aptly referred to it as "the words of man’s wisdom" and "the wisdom of this world." All of us who are ministers of the New Testament are always learning, but we are not always learning the things which we ought to know about God and His work. What we really need, is to become acquainted with the method of learning which Paul advocated in his writings. With it we can truly become "able ministers of the New Testament."

By using the wisdom of this world, many have analyzed the Bible over and over and over again. They have written books about it. They have written commentaries about it. Some have even taken it upon themselves to write new "bibles." Some have written new Greek texts and new Greek dictionaries, to give the appearance of validity to their works, as they have gone about altering the meaning of the Bible to suit their own ideas. In so doing, some have even brought upon themselves the curse in Rev. 22:19. Even as I write, at least one English speaking scholar, whom I have met personally, is laboring to create another Greek text of the New Testament for the English speaking population of the World. I have often wondered for what reason God might inspire someone to write a new Greek text. I can’t think of one! Unless, of course, you are Greek.

Paul spoke of God’s method of teaching in 1 Cor. 2:6-13. He said, "We speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." "God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

Jesus called the way the Holy Ghost teaches "The Key of Knowledge." That key is not about the gospel of Jesus Christ as pertains to the born again experience and walking in the way of holiness. God showed us, in Isa. 35:8, that to walk in the way of holiness does not require any wisdom at all. He said "An highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of Holiness; . . . the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." No, it is about the "hidden wisdom." It is about the "Revelation of the Mystery," of which Paul spoke. It is also about "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass." (Rev. 1:1)

The angel told John, "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." Some of the "words of this prophecy" are about things which had already happened when John wrote about them. They are included in the prophecy to help us understand "the things which shall be" in the days just prior to the coming of our Lord. The expression, "to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass," simply means that they will be revealed to His servants only a short while before they are to be fulfilled. The word of God is written by the Spirit, about spiritual things. And, with the help of the Spirit of Truth, we can come to the knowledge of those things, and find out the work of God and of His Christ, "from the beginning to the end." (Eccl. 3:11)

Jesus and Paul both taught in such a way as to hide the true meaning from the multitude, as well as from the Scribes and Pharisees. One day, as Jesus was speaking to the multitude in parables, His disciples asked Him why He taught in that fashion. "He answered, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Therefore speak I to them in parables." (Matt. 13:10-13; Matt. 13:35; 2 Cor. 11:12)

The Apostle Paul wanted us to understand what he called, "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: Which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers (apostles and prophets) in heavenly places might be known by The Church the manifold wisdom of God." (Eph. 3:5-10)

Perhaps it would be good to note here that God never changes. The only thing which has changed from Moses’ day is that there is a new, and special, manifestation of "the Spirit of the Lord." (Isa. 11:2) The gifts of the ministry, which are prophesied of by the figure of the five ministries of the Old Testament, are now given to us by that Spirit. That ministry of the Law of Moses included the higher calling of the two sons of Aaron, and the lesser three ministries of the three sons of Levi. The priesthood of Eleazar and Ithamar foreshadowed the N. T. Apostles and Prophets. Likewise, Gershom, Kohath and Merari foreshadowed the Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers of the New Testament era.

Each of these five families had their own special work in the Old Testament. The same is true in the New Testament era. The men who have received the gifts of Apostle and Prophet are the fulfillment of the Priesthood of Eleazar and Ithamar, and the secret things of God are given to them, so they can feed His Church with knowledge and understanding.

In addition to their ministerial gifts, these Apostles and Prophets are given other gifts which they need in order to accomplish their work. In Eph. 1:15-20, Paul mentioned one if those gifts. He called it "The spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of (God)." It is the second of the "Four Spirits of the Heavens" of Isa 11:2, and Zech. 6:5. Also, concerning coming to an understanding of The Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Apostle John mentioned "The Spirit of Prophecy," at least three times. In Rev. 12:17, he even mentioned a group of people who had that Spirit. (Rev. 1:2 and Rev. 12:17;19:10)

It is not only the ministers who need these gifts, because, in order for the other saints to understand it, they also must have a measure of those gifts. The Saints at Ephesus had already received the gift of the Holy Ghost, yet Paul diligently prayed that God would give them "The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Him: The eyes of (their) understanding being enlightened; that (they might) know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the Saints."

I believe it is safe to say that the outpouring of the Holy Ghost is the greatest single feature of the New Testament Era. The Holy Spirit was sent on this mission to accomplish our new birth in Jesus Christ. He also came as "The Spirit of Truth," to guide us into all truth. In order to accomplish that goal, He brought with Him the gifts which our new High Priest had received from His Father. (Heb. 8:3) Five of those gifts are named in Eph. 4, and their part in His work of bringing us unto the knowledge of all truth is duly noted.

In Heb. 13:7,8,17, Paul further showed that those who are gifted to feed the flock were also given the honor of being their leaders. He admonished us to follow their faith, because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. God never changes. He has always set leaders over His people, and He always will. This fact is very clearly set forth in Matt. 24:45-47, where Jesus showed that there would be a man over His household, giving them meat in due season, when He comes back. Thus shall be fulfilled the faithful promise of the Father, "I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." (Jer. 3:15)

Throughout the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul repeatedly demonstrated that all of the Old Testament was given to us as, either direct prophecies or, allegories of things which were to take place in the grace age. Frequently, in his epistles, Paul used words such as figure, allegory, and shadow. For example, in Heb. 10:1, he said, "The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things." Of course, Jesus said it first, in Matt. 11:13. "All the prophets and the law prophesied."

Some things in the New Testament era seem different from the Old, but the precepts remain the same. For instance, we still need a blood sacrifice for sin, because "without shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb. 9:22) The glorious fact of the New Testament, is that Jesus Christ is our sacrifice. He is the atonement for our sins. We still have a priesthood. It is just a different lineage. Now, Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God in the seat of the High Priest. And, on earth, a "royal priesthood," of wonderfully gifted ministers, has been appointed to administer the new "law of faith." (Heb. 7:11,12; Rom. 3:27)

One notable constant in God’s plan is that the Judge’s seat continues to be part of the New Testament ministerial structure. Jesus revealed this truth in Mark 13:34, by saying, "He commanded the porter to watch." In Acts 15:13-21, we see the porter at work. After James, the Lord’s brother, had heard all of their disputing about the circumcision, he judged the matter, citing at least two prophecies in support of his decision. One of those prophecies showed the reason why they must not overburden the Gentiles with unnecessary rules. Then, he referred to Moses, as certification of his authority to pass sentence on the matter. In the process, he alluded to the instructions of Moses in Deut. 17:8-13, about how to handle such matters of controversy in the Church.

The precept of "the twelve" was carried over into the New Testament era by Jesus himself. When that precept is reapplied at this end of the grace age, it will actually expand the number to "twenty-four," as in the days of King David. In Gal. 4:22-26, we are told, "It is written, that Abraham had two sons." Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat twelve sons. Ishmael also begat twelve sons. God named both Isaac and Ishmael, and later, God told Abraham, "As for Ishmael, I have blessed him, twelve princes shall he beget." (Gen. 16:11 and 17:20) Their names are given in the twenty-fifth chapter of Genesis. These twenty-four "sons of Abraham" are a shadow of twenty-four apostles in the New Testament era. The men who have faithfully served in those offices shall sit round about the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ, as His four and twenty elders, when he sits upon the throne of His glory. (See the promise which Jesus made to His twelve in Matt. 19:27,28)

The Apostle Peter believed that there were actually more than twelve apostles in his day. Accordingly, he, and the rest of the Twelve, confidently fulfilled their obligation to keep those offices filled with gifted Apostles. He quoted two prophecies in the Psalms to show that they were required to appoint a man to take the place of Judas. One of those Psalms says, "Let another take his office." (Acts 1:16-26; Psalm 69:25; Psalm 109:8) (This is one of those cases where your Bible may have been altered.) There are about twenty Apostles mentioned in the New Testament, including Paul, Barnabas, and James, the Lords brother. (Gal. 1:19) None of those three were ever counted among The Twelve.

In Rom. 2:10-11, Paul assured us that God is going to give those same gifts to a group of Gentiles, and refill those offices in the Church. It is necessary for that to be done, because the Bride the Lamb’s Wife must have those gifts operating, if she is to make herself ready. Jesus, the last Adam, must be able to say of His bride what the first Adam said of his: "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." He will be able to say that, because she will be made after the pattern of things in the heavens. She will be in the image of God, the same as that "Jerusalem which is above, the mother of us all."

You know the manner in which Jesus told us to pray. His words are repeated around the world millions of times each day. "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." The throne upon which Jesus shall sit will be a copy of the one on which His Father sits in heaven. It would seem as if God caused the use of this prayer to be very popular, so that we would always be aware of that fact.

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." (Prov. 25:2) God hid all of these things, but we can now say that the Key of Knowledge has helped us to understand them, at least somewhat. I would also like for us to note how that Jesus used other things, besides parables, by which to foretell His works.

John told us of miracles which Jesus performed, which He also used as allegories, to convey to us the knowledge of His plans. Let us consider the miracle of the loaves and fishes in John 6: especially verses 12,13,39. In verse twelve He said, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." They did as he commanded and "filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves." With that miracle, Jesus showed that He was going to raise the Church up again at the last day. It looks as if the whole idea of Church, the way Jesus set it up, has been lost. But, in verse thirty-nine Jesus said, "I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." In another miracle, in Matt. 15:33-37, in which He caused them to take up seven baskets full of fragments, Jesus showed that He will also restore "the seven" to the Church. He will build the Church again just before His return. As it is written, "When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in his glory." (Psa. 102:16)

This theme is variously repeated throughout the Holy Scriptures, and is especially clear in the allegory of Solomon’s Temple. In the Old Testament, the Temple was built by Solomon, destroyed by Babylon, and was built again by Zerubbabel and Joshua the son of Josedech. Likewise the New Testament Temple was built by "a greater than Solomon:" Jesus of Nazareth. It has long since been destroyed by "Mystery, Babylon the Great," and must be built again by men of God’s choosing.

It is to the glory of God that He has hidden all of these things, revealed them to those early disciples, and hidden them again for so great a length of time. Paul and his fellow Apostles and Prophets received glory and honor by searching out the revelation of the mystery in their day. The same thing must occur with the Apostles and Prophets in this day, as the appearing of our Lord and King draws near. God did it that way, so that His children could confidently follow the leadership of the men which He raises up to lead them. (Prov. 25:2; 1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Cor 2:6-7)

Some have, understandably, decided that we will never be able to know the meaning of all the Bible. Well, if we continue without the use of the Key of Knowledge, that will surely be true. The fact remains that God has promised us that we will be able to comprehend it all, and He will make it happen. Paul certainly believed that when he said, "Unto me is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And 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: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Eph. 3:8-11)

In A Nutshell

Jesus Christ the same in Moses’ day, in Paul’s day, and today. It is impossible to come to the Knowledge of the Son of God, unless we first truly comprehend that God is unchanging. Solomon said it so well, and gave us a description of the Key of Knowledge in a nutshell. He said, "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past." (Eccl. 3:14,15) Therefore, we have confidence that we can always recognize His handiwork, because it will have upon it the mark of His method of operation.

Jesus gave The Key of Knowledge to His disciples, and God has given it to us. Now we can begin to "know the things that are freely given us of God." Let us use the Key of Knowledge, with thankfulness, as we begin to see what God really intends to do, in the near future.

Jesus is coming soon, and the details of His itinerary are there for us to know. However, at the present time, almost all Christians are as Israel was in the days of the first coming of the Messiah. They were expecting a King, but it was the Lamb of God which came. Today, multitudes of Christians have set their hope on the rapture. But this time, the King really is coming, to execute judgment upon all, and to wrest the control of this world from the hand of the Prince of this world. Let us prepare our hearts to receive the King of Glory.

Let us shake ourselves to spiritual alertness, and begin to feast upon "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," that we may indeed earn the approval of God. Then shall we be as the children of Issachar "which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." (1 Chron. 12:32)

Jesus said, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." The friendship of Jesus and the Grace of God be with you. Amen.

The Wisdom of God in the Bible

When it comes to the wisdom of God, a picture is worth more than a thousand words. As we look at a few passages of Scripture which speak of the wisdom of God, we will attempt to sharpen the definition of God’s wisdom and show its relevance to our daily lives.

WISDOM AT THE FALL OF MAN: GENESIS 2 AND 3; PROVERBS 3

I must confess I had never considered the account of the fall in Genesis in light of the wisdom of God. Nevertheless, it is clear that Eve’s desire for wisdom contributed to her fall:

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.’” 4 And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make [one] wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:1-6, emphasis mine).

Verse 6 informs the reader just how Eve came to perceive the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She perceived it as good, good for food. She came to see it as delightful to look at and as desirable because she now believed the fruit of this tree would make her wise.

Let us be very clear: the way Eve perceived the forbidden fruit of that tree was not reality. Eve now saw the fruit of that tree as Satan wanted her to perceive it. She saw the tree as desirable because she was deceived:

13 For it was Adam who was first created, [and] then Eve. 14 And [it was] not Adam [who] was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But [women] shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint (1 Timothy 2:13-15).

The fruit of the tree was not good for food, because God had forbidden Eve and her husband to eat it. And neither was the fruit of that tree able to make one wise. The tree was able to do what its name indicates. It was not called the “tree of wisdom,” but the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Eating of the fruit of the tree did enable Adam and Eve to “know good and evil.”

Wisdom is not “knowing good and evil.” Wisdom is knowing good from evil. Eating the fruit of the forbidden tree did cause Adam and Eve to know evil. They knew evil by experience.19 The worst of it is that Adam and Eve did come to a new awareness of “good and evil,” but notice what happened in the process. What was evil became “good” in their eyes. Eating of the fruit of that tree was forbidden by God. To eat that fruit was to do what was evil. And yet, with a little prompting and deception by Satan, Eve came to see this “evil” (by God’s definition) as “good” (in her perception, as suggested by Satan).

After eating the forbidden fruit, that which was “good” came to be looked upon as evil. When God made Adam and then His wife, they (like all the rest of God’s creation) were good in His sight. They were created naked, and they knew no shame. Their nakedness was good in their state of innocence. But once they sinned by eating the fruit of that tree, they were ashamed of their nakedness and tried to cover themselves. Their nakedness was no longer “good” but “evil.” And the fellowship they enjoyed with God was most certainly good. But once they disobeyed Him, they tried to hide from His presence rather than enjoy it. Why? Because this “good” (of enjoying God) was now “evil.” They knew good and evil, but now the labels have been switched. Is Satan not guilty of doing that which God forbade?

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20).

Satan assured Eve that in eating the fruit of the forbidden tree she would be “like God, knowing good and evil” (verse 5). Satan’s sin was in trying to be “like God” in a competitive way and by his own effort (Isaiah 14:14). I fear Eve’s motivation may have been similar. The truth was that eating of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” would not make Eve “like God.” Eating that fruit was disobedience; it was sin. God is righteous, and one does not become like Him by sinning. She was deceived, quite deceived, as Paul points out in 1 Timothy 2:14.

But was it wrong for Eve to desire to be wise? Surely it cannot be evil to desire to be wise, can it? When “knowledge” is the knowledge of evil, then ignorance truly is bliss. But did God want to keep Adam and Eve ignorant? Did He forbid them to become wise? Not at all! God wanted Adam and Eve to be wise concerning what is good and ignorant of what is evil:

19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil (Romans 16:19).

Satan’s “wisdom” was a knowledge of “good” and “evil.” And in the knowing of evil, Adam and Eve became alienated from the enjoyment of “good.”

Adam and Eve were given every opportunity and encouragement by God to know Him, to be like Him, and to be wise with respect to all that is good. Let us note some of the ways God made this possible. First, they could be wise concerning good by becoming students of creation:

24 O LORD, how many are Thy works! in wisdom Thou hast made them all; The earth is full of Thy possessions. 25 There is the sea, great and broad, In which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great. 26 There the ships move along, [And] Leviathan, which Thou hast formed to sport in it (Psalms 104:24-26).

5 Him who made the heavens with skill, For His lovingkindness is everlasting (Psalms 136:5).

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, And the skies drip with dew (Proverbs 3:19-20).

22 “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth; 26 While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world. 27 When He established the heavens, I was there, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, 29 When He set for the sea its boundary, So that the water should not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was beside Him, [as] a master workman; And I was daily [His] delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And [having] my delight in the sons of men” (Proverbs 8:22-31).

12 [It is] He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens (Jeremiah 10:12).

15 [It is] He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom, And by His understanding He stretched out the heavens. 16 When He utters His voice, [there is] a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings forth the wind from His storehouses (Jeremiah 51:15-16).

Did Adam and Eve wish to be wise? Then let them study the creation of which they were a part. Did they wish to know “good?” Then let them know it in His creation:

24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:24-25).

Did Adam and Eve desire to know “good” and to become wise, like God? Then let them take every advantage which God gave them to be with Him in sweet communion and fellowship. It would seem God daily was walking in the garden with Adam and his wife (Genesis 3:8). And the moment they sinned by disobeying Him, they attempted to avoid being in His presence. How much they could have learned of Him and from Him!

Did Adam and Eve wish to become wise and understanding? Then let them obey God:

6 “So keep and do [them], for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’” (Deuteronomy 4:6).

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do [His commandments]; His praise endures forever (Psalms 111:10).

Satan deceived Eve into believing disobedience was the path to wisdom when the opposite was, and still is, true. Wisdom is not the cause of obedience as much as the result of obedience. We obey God not because we are wise enough to do so, but because we trust in God and His wisdom which is revealed in His commandments. By disobeying God, Adam and Eve evidenced their distrust in God and His infinite wisdom.

Finally, Adam and Eve could have become wise by eating of the fruit of that other tree, just as prominently placed, perhaps even more prominently placed, in the center of the garden—the tree of life. Our understanding of Genesis 3 is greatly enhanced by a consideration of Proverbs 3.

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father, the son in whom he delights. 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding. 14 For its profit is better than the profit of silver, And its gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens. 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, And the skies drip with dew (Proverbs 3:1-20, emphasis mine).

From a cursory study of this text, several truths are self-evident and serve as a most helpful commentary on Genesis 3 and the fall of man. First, we are urged to desire wisdom as something of the highest value (see verses 13-18). Divine wisdom is to be greatly desired. Satan turned Eve’s desires in the opposite direction—to that which would lead her from wisdom to folly—from life to death. Second, we are told that divine wisdom is evident in creation (verses 19-20). Adam and Eve had all creation before them to teach them of God’s wisdom. God was not withholding His wisdom from them, but displaying it before them. Third, wisdom does not balk at discipline, but recognizes it as an evidence of the love of God (verses 11-12). Eve was led to believe exactly the opposite. Satan suggested God withheld the forbidden fruit because He was selfish and unloving. Fourth, wisdom is the result of obedience (verses 1-2). Satan convinced Eve that wisdom would result from her disobedience. Fifth, to have true wisdom, we must cease trusting in ourselves and our own assessment of what is “good” and trust rather in God’s wisdom and in His commands. Sixth, we should see that wisdom is a “tree of life” (verses 2, 18). I do not think this image of a “tree of life” is haphazard. Eating of the “tree of life” was the way to wisdom, which is why Satan sought to change the focus of Eve’s attention and desire from this tree to the forbidden tree.

The fall of Adam and Eve may seem a distant, unrelated event of ancient history, but do not be deceived by this false perception. We have much to learn from Eve and much to apply in our own daily lives. As Paul urged, we must seek to be wise about what is good and ignorant concerning evil: “I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil” (Romans 16:19b). We must learn to focus our desires on what is good and to discipline those desires which lead to our destruction:

6 Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved (1 Corinthians 10:6).

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11).

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God (Psalms 42:1).

1 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation (1 Peter 2:1-2).

Christians today seek to be wise, but all too often it is not God’s wisdom they seek. They seem ignorant of the fact that there is a false wisdom which must be rejected:

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and [so] lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:13-18).

12 For our proud confidence is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you (2 Corinthians 1:12).

23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, [but are] of no value against fleshly indulgence (Colossians 2:23).

The wisdom of God and the “wisdom” of men are not the same; they are not compatible. Indeed, they are in opposition to each other:

18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not [come to] know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden [wisdom,] which God predestined before the ages to our glory (1 Corinthians 2:1-7).

We sometimes hear, “All truth is God’s truth.” In a sense, I suppose this is true. But the only “truth” we know to be truth is the “truth” which is in Christ, the truth revealed in God’s Word (John 17:17). All other “truths” are claims of truth which may or may not be true. The one thing we do know about these other “truths” is that they are not essential truths, for God has revealed to us “all that is necessary for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4).

True wisdom, the wisdom which is a “tree of life,” does not come from below, from man; it comes from above, from God. Too many Christians try to become wise by reading secular sources (not that we should avoid all secular reading, but we should not read these to become wise). And even more Christians are reading books and works written by “Christian experts,” who merely mouth secular thinking baptized with religious terminology. Let us desire God’s wisdom as a “tree of life,” and let us look for it in God’s Word and pursue it by keeping His commands. Let us not persist in the very thing which brought about the fall.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth [come] knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge [and] discretion. 13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate. 14 Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly. 17 I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. 18 Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield than choicest silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21 To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries” (Proverbs 8:12-21).

THE WISDOM OF GOD IN CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH: EPHESIANS 1 AND 3

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8 which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth (Ephesians 1:7-10).

8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; 10 in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly [places.] 11 [This was] in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory (Ephesians 3:8-13).

GOD’S WISDOM REVEALED THROUGH ISRAEL: ROMANS 9-11

God promised Abraham that in him, in his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). It seems this would have taken place through the entire nation, but history makes it clear the nation will not be subject to God and will persistently resist and rebel against God. It was not through the seed (plural) of Abraham that God brought about the blessing of the world, but through the seed (singular) of Abraham—Jesus Christ:

16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as [referring] to many, but [rather] to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ (Galatians 3:16).

And the “sons of Abraham” are not just the physical seed of Abraham (see Romans 9:6-13) but the spiritual seed of Abraham:

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:26-29; see also Romans 4).

It was not through the obedience of the nation Israel the Gentiles came to possess the blessings of Abraham’s seed; it was through their disobedience:

30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all (Romans 11:30-32).

Looking back on the salvation God has brought about in Christ, in spite of and even because of Israel’s disobedience, Paul can only stand in awe of the wisdom of God to plan such a thing and bring it about:

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him [be] the glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:33-36).

God’s wisdom exceeds man’s wisdom and even man’s imagination. God brings about what He has promised in ways we could never imagine or even believe if we were told in advance. God’s wisdom is seen in His dealings with the nation Israel.

GOD’S WISDOM REVEALED IN CHRIST TO THE CHURCH: EPHESIANS 1

Paul indicates in Ephesians 1 the eternal purpose of God to sum up all things in Christ. In the Old Testament, the coming of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah was progressively revealed in greater detail. This began with the promise of salvation from sin and the defeat of Satan through Eve’s seed in Genesis 3:15. It was more fully disclosed in the Abrahamic (Genesis 12:1-3) and Davidic (2 Samuel 7:14) covenants. In the Psalms (e.g. Psalm 22) and the prophets (e.g. Isaiah 52:13–53:12), more and more was said about Messiah, until in Micah 5:2, we are told His birthplace.

God promised to bring salvation and blessing not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. He promised a Messiah who was a man, the seed of Eve and of Abraham and of David, but also One who was the divine Son of God. He foretold of a coming of Christ in which He would be rejected and suffer for the sins of men (Psalm 22; Isaiah 52:13–53:12) and of a triumphal coming of Messiah to put down His enemies (Psalm 2:7-9; 110). These seemingly contradictory promises made the whole matter of God’s purpose a mystery (see, for example, 1 Peter 1:10-12). But with the first coming of Christ, the mystery has been resolved. And now, as Paul indicates in Ephesians 1, the matter has come into focus in Christ. All of God’s purposes and promises culminate in Christ. And now, in place of wonder at the mystery of the past, we are overcome with wonder at the wisdom of God which accomplished all of this.

GOD’S WISDOM IS BEING REVEALED THROUGH THE CHURCH: EPHESIANS 3

God’s eternal purpose is to reveal His wisdom to the celestial beings as well as to His church. God is still accomplishing His purpose, which will culminate in the second coming of His Son and the establishment of His kingdom upon the earth. When this purpose and program is completed, the full scope of God’s wisdom will have been revealed, and this wisdom will be revealed as so great it will provide the fuel for the praise of God throughout all eternity.

Is it any wonder the basis for every creature’s (earthly and heavenly) eternal praise may be worthy of thousands of years to establish? No wonder God is taking His time in revealing and bringing to completion His marvelous plan decreed in eternity past, which in its culmination discloses His infinite wisdom.

In thinking about this text in Ephesians 3, it suddenly occurred to me that God is something like an awesome writer, producer and director, although I wouldn’t press the analogy too far. In eternity past, the script of history was written, and there are no edits. His eternal plan was formulated in His goodness and wisdom. The Israelites and saints of Old were the actors or players in times past, and the saints (not to mention all others) are the players today. Even the angelic host, including Satan, is involved in this great drama. Each act is a dispensation or, for non-dispensationalists, a new outworking of God’s plan. Act I began with the creation of the angelic hosts and ended with the fall of Satan. Act II began at the creation of the world and with mankind, starting with Adam and Eve. Act III commenced with the calling of Abraham. Act IV began with the birth of the nation Israel at the Exodus. Act V commenced with the first coming of Christ. The great and final act begins with the second coming of Christ.

The purpose of this lengthy drama is the demonstration of the glory of God. In Ephesians 3, Paul speaks of God’s purpose as God presently working to display His wisdom through the church. When this act or chapter is consummated, all creation, including the heavenly creatures, will have all eternity to marvel at His wisdom and to praise and glorify Him.

Do we sometimes wonder why God takes so long to fulfill His promises and to answer our prayers? It is because His drama is vastly bigger than we are, and He has chosen to take thousands of years to present it to the cosmic audience. Do we wonder why we cannot understand at present exactly what God is doing, how he is using the most unusual circumstances (including man’s sin and rebellion, sickness, death, sorrow) to achieve His purposes? God leaves these matters a mystery because He is creating and sustaining the interest of His audience. He, the great author, producer, and director, is creating the suspense appropriate to the grand conclusion of the final act. He dare not inform us, because we would then not be proven faithful to the degree that we are. And He also dare not inform us because this would dispel the intense curiosity and wonder which holds all of heaven in rapt attention (see 1 Peter 1:12; 1 Corinthians 11:10).

Do we sometimes wonder why God is putting us to the test in a seemingly private and personal way, a way that no one seems to be aware of but us? Our thinking is wrong! There is, as the writer to the Hebrews informs us, a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) looking on with fixed attention even this moment. When we endure the tests and trials of this life, without knowing as Job did, for example, we are left with only one thing in which to trust—God Himself. When life simply does not make sense, we must look to Him who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith, to Him who has a great cosmic plan, a plan to reveal His glory and to accomplish that which is good for His people. We must trust in Him who is all-wise and who is also all powerful.

What a great privilege is ours to be a part of this great drama and to have a part in bringing praise and glory to our all-wise God! This matter is beautifully summed up by A. W. Tozer: