1. Ephesians 3 The Mystery

2. The “Problem of Evil” ? Ephes. 2:1-2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, [2] in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

3. Other World Views

4. The “Problem of Evil” ? Ephes. 2:3 “…We were, by nature, children of wrath…”

5. Ephes. 3:8-12 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, [9] and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; [10] in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

6. Before the Creation of Man… Harmony and PeaceA Rebellion Erupted Ez.28 –The Highest Angelic Being –“Heart Filled with violence… Corrupted by the beauty of his splendor…” –1/3 Angels (Rev.12:4) Ephes. 6:12 “rulers… powers…world forces of this darkness…the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

7. musterion Gen. 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Micah 5:2 "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity."

8. musterion Gen. 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7 Psalm 22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. But I am a worm, and not a man, A reproach of men, and despised by the people. All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, "Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him…" …I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. …They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

9. musterion Gen. 49:10; 2 Sam7:12-15; Psalms 2 Isaiah 9:6-7 Psalm 22 Is. 53 –“He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief… He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

10. musterion : People Were Confused! “But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die. The multitude therefore answered Him, ‘We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever…’” John 12:33-34

11. People Thought:God Thought: John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. musterion

12. musterion The Old Testament is Unclear Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives, And freedom to prisoners; [2] To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, CHRIST STOPPED READING HERE (Lk.4:18f) …And the day of vengeance of our God; 2 Comings:

13. musterion God is Deliberately Unclear John 13:27 And after the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Jesus therefore said to him, "What you do, do quickly." John 12:31-32 "Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out. [32] "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." 1 Cor. 2:7-8 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; [8] the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 2 Cor. 4:4 the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving… Ps.22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? …They pierced my hands and my feet... …They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

14. musterion The Victory of the Cross! Col. 2:13-15 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. [15] When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Eph.3:9 …the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; [10] in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

15. musterion The Plan Since the Beginning! Eph.3:9 …the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things Acts 2:23-24 “this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

16. musterion We’re a Part of It! Eph.3:10 in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 1 Cor. 2:9 But just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” Ephes. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.