The purpose of God Pt1Unsearchable riches of Christ in Ephesians · part 8 of 112Rev. Ivan Foster · Sun Dec 16, 2001Ephesians 1:10-12 · Sunday Service

We last considered how that God had revealed to us the mystery of His will through the gospel of Christ, verse 9 (1 Cor 2:7-10). Now we come to what is at the heart of God's purpose. That purpose is stated in verse 10. He might gather together in one all things. The phrase means to bring together again. Sin is a scatterer, a bringer of disorder. It scattered God's order in creation and it is God's purpose to gather that which was scattered together again.

Consider what these verses teach us regarding this gathering together again of all things.

I. THEY ARE GATHERED AGAIN THROUGH CHRIST

1. Christ is God's Gatherer. The marring of Creation through sin is far above our understanding. Christ undertook the gathering of that scattered together again. Man has his plan to gather together. It was seen at the Tower of Babel, Gen 11:9 and in the modern Ecumenical movement and the future apostasy under Antichrist. But this is a gathering in REBELLION. Christ will gather through RECONCILIATION.

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven, Colossians 1:20.

2. His work of redemption will have far-reaching results. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, Colossians 1:15. That is: He is the source of life for all of redeemed creation. See Rom 8:19-23; 1 Cor 15:22-29; Rev 21:1-6.

3. Through Christ, paradise is regained. In the Garden of Eden, God walked with Adam and Eve. Earth and Heaven will again walk in harmony. How ignorant of heavenly things this earth is! Angels, saints in heaven etc, are a frightening mystery because of man's sinful ignorance. Christ will bring about AGAIN a harmonising of all creation.

ID: 1260219199 · The purpose of God Pt1