(Continued from p.269.)

The apostle speaks here of "the mystery of God." This appears to be the best reading-omitting, "And of the Father and of Christ." In this mystery, he declares, are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He asserts this in opposition to those who were beginning to claim higher and fuller knowledge than that found in the Christian revelation. Gnosticism in its various forms began to be manifested in the latter half of the first Christian century.

In considering what this phrase-"the mystery of God" -embraces, it may be well to review the use of the term, "mystery," in Paul's epistles. In his earliest second epistle, he uses it in quite an opposite connection-"the mystery of lawlessness" (2 Thess. 2:7). This mystery includes the various plans and efforts put into operation by spiritual powers of wickedness under Satan's direction, to control and order this world-system and its affairs, of which he is called both prince and god, all in view to introduce his man, "whose coming is according to the working of Satan."

This mystery was at work in the apostle's day. In fact, we may say, its operation became manifest very early in man's history. Then God's promise pointed on to His Man. And though the blessed "mystery of godliness" of God manifested in flesh and the glorious mystery of God's eternal purpose in Christ were not yet revealed, not even to heavenly principalities and powers, yet it became evident from the Old Testament Scriptures, given in successive stages, that God would bring in a Man who would accomplish deliverance from evil, rule in righteousness, and have world-wide dominion. But the amazing wonder of who this Person would be was veiled until the fulness of time had come. Even these partial unfoldings engaged angelic attention, but "the mystery" was not yet revealed.

Under these conditions Satan worked against the purpose of God, and though without the full intelligence he must now have, ever strove toward accomplishing his own counter-purpose of world-rule and the setting up of his own man. Because of this, God's chosen people, Israel, were his special object of attack in one form or another, for it was at least clear that through that nation God intended to bring His plans to accomplishment. Against all Satan's multiform machinations God has directed counter-movements by which He has restrained evil, directed the course of events, and made use of even Satan's wickedness -causing all to contribute to the consummation of His eternal purpose. So too now, there is "that which restrains," that he [Satan's man] should be revealed in his own time-not as Satan might choose, but in God's order. "The mystery of lawlessness already works," said the apostle, "only there is He who restrains now until He be gone."

The centuries rolled on until Christ came. In the Man Jesus, Satan could readily observe one who was unique among all men. He must either bring this Man into subjection or destroy Him. Hence the temptations in which he so signally failed, and then the cross to compass the latter end. The resurrection sounded the knell of Satan's defeat, and the Man-child was taken up to the throne of God, there to sit until His enemies should be made the footstool of His feet. Consequent upon this the Holy Spirit came, and "the mystery, hidden throughout the ages," was soon revealed. In it is disclosed the all-various wisdom of God, according to the purpose of the ages which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:and all of this is shown to have special relation to the assembly, His Body, formed by the Holy Spirit since He came at Pentecost.
Now, the heavenly authorities and powers are made acquainted with the purpose of God, His mystery has been revealed. It embraces His multiform wisdom-treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

This wisdom is distinctively Christian; it is not of this world, nor of its rulers who come to nought-an end to which the resurrection of Christ foredooms them. This wisdom of God, proclaimed in the mystery, was predetermined before the ages for our glory (1 Cor. 2:6-8). The princes of this world knew nothing of this holy mystery; it was not revealed till after Jesus was glorified. Had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; they knew not that the One they called Jesus was the appointed Heir of all things, and according to the eternal purpose to be, as man, Head over all things, above every principality, authority, power and dominion, and ascend up above all the heavens that He might fill all things.

So the apostle can speak of his "glad tidings and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery," as to which silence has been kept in previous ages, but which has now been made manifest and "made known for obedience of faith to all the nations" (Rom. l 6:25, 26). This is "the mystery of the glad tidings" which he desired boldness to make known (Eph. 6:19).

The great central feature of "the mystery of God" is the place and glory of the Man Christ Jesus, founded upon His work of atonement. It is also fittingly called "the mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4; Col. 4:3).

There are mysteries spoken of which, however, really form part of the larger one which we have been considering.

The mystery of our being changed into the image of Christ (1 Cor. 15:51).

The mystery of Israel's blindness (Rom. 11:25).

The mystery of the kingdom of heaven, and of God (in the Gospels).

The mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:-16).

These are treasures found in the mystery of God.

In Rev. 10:7 we are told that in the days of the voice of the seventh angel "the mystery of God also shall be completed, as He has made known the glad tidings to His own bondmen the prophets." When the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, great voices in heaven say, "The kingdom of the world of our Lord and of His Christ is come, and He shall reign to the ages of ages." The worshiping elders say, "We give Thee thanks, Lord God Almighty, He who is, and who was, that Thou hast taken thy great power and hast reigned." The sounding of the seventh trumpet brings in the glorious consummation of all God's ways which form the mystery of which we have been speaking.

Christian maturity, or perfection, is found in having full knowledge of this mystery of God, and having it in such full assurance that the whole life is under its power. May we constantly remember the exhortation, "Walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye have been called." We have been called by God to His own kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2:12).

The things of which we have been speaking are as needful for us to-day as ever. In them, as dwelling in us richly, there is power to keep us from being deluded by any one through persuasive speech. We are thus safeguarded against the cunning of Satan and the many forms of error he introduces through various agencies. This was the apostle's object in what he said to the Colossians (ver. 4).
John Bloore

(To be continued, D. V.)