En Tois Epouranios #8
/By Michael S. Mecikalski
To all of you precious, chosen, adopted "sons of God "...the world will rage on and on; whether it be the rage of a mad emperor in the time of our Lord and the Apostle Paul, or that of murderous individuals in our modem times, it is still "of the world" and should be recognized as such (read Eph. 2:1-10). There is no one that is more secure than a member of the church which is Christ's Body. "...For ye are deadand our life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:1-4); really who or what can touch us? We have absolutely nothing to fear; ever! (Eph. 1:3, 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 6:12).
Last time we briefly put forth 3 differing view-points of interpretation of Eph. 1:10, we defined what a dispensation is; I think that it would be good to translate Eph. 1:10 as best as we can from the original Greek and allow our analysis to unfold from there.
Eph. 1:10: "That in the dispensation of the fullness 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." The first word of this verse translated that (or for in some Scriptures) is the Greek word eis; interestingly, there is much to learn about this short preposition; it can denote entrance into a place, a period of time, or duration through a period of time (i.e. the time in which something is done). It is used when talking about one thing being changed into another. It can indicate motion, direction, or end. In the case of Eph. 1:10, the best rendering of the word "that" (Gr. eis), would be "with a view to". Of course the logical question is, with a view to what?
If the "spirit of wisdom and revelation" has enlightened your heart and mind as to the acknowledgment of the mystery (Eph. 1:17-19), I need not tell you how astounding Eph. Chapter 1 is! Our blessing, sonship adoption, predestination, forgiveness, resurrection, position, wisdom and grace, all are in Christ Jesus the Beloved One in the Heaven Far Above All Heavens. It is equally blessed to realize that all of what we have in Christ is due to the good pleasure of the will of the Father; actually, His delight! We, as members of the Church which is Christ's body, are the Father's delight! Have you ever showered an offspring with abundant blessings just because you love them so much? This is the picture. Is this heady, high-minded, or arrogant belief? (This may be the assumption of a world human mind. Read I Cor. 2:5-16). On the contrary, we need to understand such truths for strength! This is what sustains us in our warfare, our trial, our enduring; it is in the context of our Heavenly Father's delight that Eph. 1:10 was written. This is very important. The view is to the dispensation of the fullness of times. More, Lord willing.
