Dispensations - Ephesians 1:7-10

1:7-9 - Being foreordained to receive the gospel in this life also means having access to "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins… wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will." The IM says, "the term 'mystery of his will' refers to God's plans that a person can discover and understand only as they are revealed by God Himself. Paul was apparently speaking of the plan of salvation, a mystery to the world during times of apostasy. Paul indicated that the 'mystery of Christ' is that the 'Gentiles should be fellowheirs' and equal partakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, an important part of the plan of salvation." Because Paul's audience is mostly gentiles, convincing them that God has intended for them to have the gospel that had been previously reserved for the Jews is important. It would be easy to these gentiles to be convinced, either by some outside Jew or themselves, that they aren't allowed to have the gospel because they aren't of the proper lineage. It's easy to see that they could be made to feel like imposters, like illegitimate pretenders, so it's important for Paul to help them understand that not only are they welcome, but they were part of the plan all along. There's an interesting and incredibly powerful feeling that comes when you finally truly understand that you are wanted and that you've always been wanted. This begs the question, why aren't we all just born with the knowledge of who we are to God? And I think the answer is in the fact that it such a powerful feeling, it can change your life and you have to be ready for that type of information. Clearly these gentile converts were ready and so Paul was giving them this life changing information. 1:10 - It's interesting that Paul brings up "the dispensation of the fulness of times" right after telling that it's always been the plan to give the gentiles the gospel. But maybe it's not that out of place at all. If the "dispensation of the fulness of times" means an accumulation of all gospel knowledge, ordinances, etc from Adam until Christ comes the second time. If the gentiles understand Adam to be the first human, then they would know that all people were descended from him. So by wrapping the gospel into a timeline that started before the world was created and then from Adam until "the dispensation of the fulness of times," Paul can demonstrate that those who accept the gospel are just fulfilling promises made before the beginning of time. They were always important, they were always wanted and they were always valuable.

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