Ephesians 3:10 “God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

No one expected the church

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil to God was torn, and the Holy Spirit was given to the Jews and the Gentiles. God was up to something BIG. Paul was given a revelation that was hidden from all prophets in the Old Testament.  

Ephesians 3:3-5  

 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit, he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. What was the revelation? All Gentiles are now accepted into the family of God with all the rights of a born Jew. Jesus is building something new. It is the birth of a brand new plan. A worldwide church filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and built upon the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is the cornerstone.  

 …display his (God’s) wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities

It is the church that will now do battle with the leaders of darkness. It is the church that will establish a place of hope and righteousness. A place where broken and lost people can find restoration and relationship with Christ. The church brings down demonic powers and prays for miracles and divine help in troubled times.

The church has a specific purpose.

The power of the church is to proclaim Christ against all the dark rulers of this world. It is the church that is holding back the power of the antichrist and lawlessness. It is the church that leads righteous nations to greatness and the church that proclaims the hope of Christ to the ends of the world.   

Acts 1:8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The end of the church

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17   For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The church will be taken away from the earth during the end times or the tribulations. I cannot imagine a world without the church. It is essential to be a part of the church of Christ while it is still at work today. The church was a masterstroke of God and was kept secret from the world until it was revealed to Paul and the Apostles.

Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:18 “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. “

Let your lightnside shine bright in your church as the end of days approach.