βWhereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of Godβ (Colossians 1:25).
Genesis chapter 1 contains Godβs original instructions to man: β[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earthβ¦. [28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue itβ¦β
From here until Paulβs apostleship (Acts chapter 9), Scripture talked about Godβs plans for restoring earthβs governments unto Himself, offices Satan defiled with sin. Adam and Eve, Noah and his descendants, and Abraham and his descendants (Israelites) were all to serve in earthβs governmental offices. With Paul, God began something differentβa heavenly people.
Remember, Satan had not only usurped Godβs governmental authority in earth, but also in heaven. So, God formed Israel to be His earthly representatives; He created the Church the Body of Christ to fulfill His will and reestablish His headship in heaven. With the Pauline revelations, we see the entire will of God. Accordingly, Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:9,10: βHaving made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:β
The secret God revealed to Paul βfulfils [completes] the word of Godβ (todayβs Scripture). To wit, with Paulβs writings (Romans through Philemon), we have a complete revelation from God, a final set of βhousehold rules.β We see how, by God withholding a secret, He outsmarted Satan (1 Corinthians 2:6-8), in earth and in heaven. Jesus Christβs shed blood provides God with two believing groupsβredeemed Israel and the Church the Body of Christβto serve Him forever in two spheresβheaven and earth (Colossians 1:16-20)!
Now we conclude this devotionals arc⦠source
