Ephesians 3:1-6: For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles. Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
In this passage Paul speaks of a mystery which had been revealed to him and to other apostles and prophets.
Please note that when God desires to reveal a mystery to the church, he speaks through the apostles and prophets. When God speaks, many will hear, not just one, or a few.
In today's world there are many self proclaimed prophets. Some are false prophets, while others are just deluded in their own pride. Sometimes one of these self proclaimed prophets will try to introduce a new doctrine, or what they would call "a new revelation from God."
Also, understand that in one sense there is no "new revelation from God." Yes, we are always seeing fresh insights, but that revelation has always been in God's Word waiting for us to dig it out. God will bring fresh revelation of his truth. He will show the church things that she has never seen before. But you will be able to find that revelation in the Bible. That revelation will not contradict any other sound doctrine from the Word of God. And God will give that revelation to many apostles and prophets who have their ears attuned to God.
So, if someone claims to have "new revelation", then ask three questions. Does this revelation have a foundation in the Word of God? Does this revelation contradict other sound Biblical doctrine? Are other apostles and prophets receiving the same revelation?
The self proclaimed prophet will lead you away from the Word of God and into error. But if you will judge the new teaching by asking these three questions, then you will remain true to the sound doctrine of the Word of God.
But the church must realize that God wants to bring fresh insight from his Word to the church. And the church must remain vigilant to receive the "spirit of wisdom and revelation" that Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus to receive as recorded in chapter one.
In our text Paul says that a mystery has been revealed to the church. What is that mystery? The Gentiles are heirs together with Israel and we are members together of one body in Christ.
The Jews had not seen this truth. But I want to show you that God has always has had a heart for the Gentiles. God has always wanted to bring Jew and Gentile into his family. God's desire has always been to bring salvation to all nations. I will list several Old Testament verses that reveals God's heart toward the nations. But the Jews looked at these Scriptures and did not see the truth. It was a mystery until God chose to reveal the truth to the church.
There is probably much in the Word of God that is still a mystery to much of the church. Part of that may be by design because of God's timing. But I believe there is much that God desires to show us if we would spend time with him.
Here are some of many Old Testament verses about God's heart toward the Gentiles.
Genesis 12:3: I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples of the earth will be blessed through you. God promised through Abraham that all the peoples of the earth would be blessed through him. (Also see Genesis 18:18, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14 and Psalm 72:17)
Isaish 45:22: Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. God invites the whole earth to be saved, not just the Jewish nation.
Jeremiah 3:17: At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord. ALL NATIONS!!
Micah 4:1-2: In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Many nations will come to go up to the house of the Lord.
In our text Paul is telling us that a mystery had been revealed by the Spirit of God. But all along that mystery had been hidden in the Word of God.
What does this passage say to us today? I believe that there are a plethora of mysteries in the Word of God that God longs to teach his church. As we seek him, he will begin to reveal the mysteries of his word to us. It won't be some strange doctrine unsubstantiated by the Word of God. He will reveal the mysteries of his word. You will see the revelation in the Word of God.
There is much that the Holy Spirit desires to teach you. Today, begin digging in the Word of God, and that spirit of wisdom and revelation will begin to work in you to reveal to you the mysteries of God.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org