| On page 27 of The Divine Plan of the Ages is the
following statement: "Paul evidently had more abundant revelations than any other
apostle. These revelations he was not allowed to make known to the church, nor fully and
plainly to the other apostles (2 Cor. 12:4: Gal. 2:2), yet we can see a value to the
entire church in those visions and revelations given to Paul; for although he was not
permitted to tell what he saw, nor to particularize all he knew of the mysteries of God
relating to the "ages to come," yet what he saw gave a force, shading and depth
of meaning to his words which, in the light of subsequent facts, prophetic fulfilments and
the Spirit's guidance, we are able to appreciate more fully than could the early
church." We are grateful for having it called to our attention that the Apostle Paul received abundant revelations. There is another very significant note in the above quotation. The writer refers to the mysteries of God relating to the "ages to come." It will be well for all of us, as Bible Students, to note that the expression used points to a most significant fact: namely, that there are ages to follow the present one, not merely the so-called millennial age. The term "ages" we shall see related to the time alloted to the fulfillment of God's purpose, culminating in the great consummation, mentioned by this same apostle in 1 Corinthinns 15. It will be interesting to pursue this study of the "ages" in its proper place in this treatise. At present. however, we wish to call attention to the thought that there is nothing in the Scriptures to indicate that Paul's revelations could not be disclosed in their proper time. It must be borne in mind that in the chronicling of the "Acts of the Apostles," so long as the kingdom message was still to be heralded to the Jew first, the secret that had been hid in the heart of God could not be given forth, not even by the one specially commissioned to divulge that secret--the apostle Paul. When Israel completely rejected the message given forth by the apostle and refused to accept the messiahship of Jesus Christ; and when even Jewish believers disdained the thougilt of sharing the blessing of His messiahship with gentiles; then, and not till then, could tile apostle unfold the secret, called the "mystery" in the King James Version. The admonition given by Paul. to "study to show yourselves approved unto God . . . rightly dividing the Word of Truth" has not been very carefully followed by us, even when we glibly quoted it, and intended to realize its significance. Just as the address on the envelope is intended to show to whom the message is sent, so the salutation and introduction of the Scriptural messages and accounts unmistakably identify these writings as to their scope, application. and significance. All Scripture is written for our admonition and instruction: but not all Scripture is written to us or directly about us. Earnest Bible study, correctly apportioning the Word of God reveals the interesting fact that the apostle Paul alone revealed the destiny of the church which is His body; while the rest of the Scriptures have to do directly with the preparation for and unfolding of the destiny of Israel, and through them, of the world of mankind. The careful selection and use of titles in the Scriptures reveal the right division of the Word. Paul alone refers to saints in Christ Jesus. The twelve apostles of the Lamb refer to Jesus Christ, or in relation to the nations, the Lord or Lord Jesus. This calls to our attention the fact that while the early disciples and the chosen twelve followed Jesus after the flesh, and identified Him as their Messiah, thus acknowledging Him as Jesus the Christ, the apostle Paul never knew Him as such, but met Him on resurrection ground and learned that the glorified Christ had been on earth as the "Jesus" to the twelve and the disciples; hence in relationship to the church, He is Christ Jesus. To such saints Paul reveals the celestial allotment provided for the church which is His body. When this is clearly appreciated, there will be no tendency on the part of such saints to appropriate all the promises directly to themselves. They will find room in their hearts to apportion scripturally such appelations as "Little Flock," Royal Priesthood," "Holy Nation," "The Lord's Jewels," etc., etc., where they belong--to the Israelites: and they will find abundant provision for the body in the glorious allotment provided by grace through faith. |
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