The Fullness of Times Ephesians 1:10

Paul the apostle told the Ephesian church members God has “made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:”, and now that His “mystery” is revealed, in chapter one and verse ten of his letter, Paul shared how this was revealed in “the fullness of times” where we read:

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:

The verse begins, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ,...” Paul began with the phrase, “That in the dispensation” or “in, to, towards, for and among the management, oversight, administration and stewardship” “of the fulness” which means “that with which a thing is filled, abundance and keeping” “of times” or “due measure, a larger or smaller portion, opportune, seasonable and definite time” “he might gather together in one” which is the Greek word “anakephalaioō” and means “repeating summarily and condensing” “all things” which means “each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone and everything” “in Christ” which refers to “the anointed one” and is “the Messiah and Son of God”. It was in God's perfect timing that He was to “gather” everything in His Son Jesus Christ.

The verse goes on to say, “...both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Paul continued with the words, “both which are” or “also, and, even, then and whether” “in heaven” which refers to “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it, the universe and the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things which are eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings exist”, “and which are” or “in, by and with” “on earth” which means “the arable land, ground, and main land a opposed to the sea or water, country, territory or region”; “even in him” which refers to “Jesus Christ”. The “gathering” together of “all things” included not only the things which are on the “earth”, but also everything which is in “heaven” as well.

When we think through these words of Paul, he shared how God chose the precise time in which “the mystery” of His “will” was to be fulfilled. He desired to “gather together in one” everything that exists whether it is in “heaven” above or on “earth” beneath. Let us ever be reminded, our Heavenly Father “gathered” everyone and everything under the power and grace of His Son Jesus, and when we realize our place under His control, may we be humbled enough to refer to Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Next time Paul shares how we have “obtained an inheritance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.