How does Ephesians 3:3 connect with other Scriptures about divine revelation? The Heart of Ephesians 3:3 “that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I have written briefly.” The Pattern of Divine Revelation in Scripture • God discloses what is hidden, never leaving His people to speculation. • Key snapshots: – Daniel 2:28 — “But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” – Amos 3:7 — “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.” – Deuteronomy 29:29 — “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever…” Old Testament Foreshadowing • Prophets regularly received direct messages, anticipating the fuller unveiling in Christ. • Each prophetic word affirmed that revelation flows from God alone, preparing hearts to receive the ultimate “mystery.” Christ: The Climax of Revelation • Hebrews 1:1-2 — “In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.” • John 1:18 — “No one has ever seen God; but the one and only Son…has made Him known.” • Everything God wished to unveil reached fulfillment in the incarnate Word. Paul’s Personal Revelation and Apostolic Witness • Galatians 1:11-12 — “The gospel… I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” • Acts 26:16 — Christ appeared to appoint Paul “a servant and…witness.” • Ephesians 3:3 shows Paul echoing a consistent New-Testament theme: apostles speak what Heaven discloses. The Mystery Now Shared with the Church • Romans 16:25-26 — “the mystery…now revealed and made known…so that all nations might believe.” • Colossians 1:26-27 — “the mystery…now revealed to His saints…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” • Ephesians 1:9 — “He made known to us the mystery of His will.” • Revelation moves from hidden to public, from apostle to congregation, from Israel to the nations. The Spirit’s Ongoing Role • 1 Corinthians 2:10 — “God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.” • John 14:26; 16:13 — The Spirit teaches and leads into all truth. • Revelation never ceases to be Spirit-given, ensuring the church remains anchored in God-breathed truth. Living in the Light of Revealed Truth • Treasure what has been unveiled—cling to Scripture as wholly trustworthy. • Guard the apostolic gospel—reject additions or subtractions. • Proclaim the mystery—Christ offered to all, Jew and Gentile alike. |
    |