The Place to Be #10

 Ephesians 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Paul now pulls together everything he has been talking about: the Grace of God, the Riches of Christ, the Purpose of God as it has been revealed in Christ, and the part of each person in God's Plan.  In the middle of the paragraph Paul points out the reason for it all: 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. God presented His plan first to them so they could show it to spiritual beings.  It is one of those things you cannot understand until it is demonstrated to you.  In the same way, Paul applies all this to his present situation, being in prison.  He is part of what God is doing, and though it may seem strange that an ambassador for the King would be rotting in jail, it was consistent with God's plan of revealing his Gospel far and wide, up and down, and all around.  It is all part of learning to see things from God's perspective.