Skip to main content

Ephesians 1:10: A Plan for the Fullness of Time


Ephesians 1:10
[10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (ESV)

So many people today live in fear of the future.  Recently, I overheard some people talking about the problem of us using all of our fossil fuels and wondering how we could continue to live on this Earth without them.  It is a legitimate concern if you do not know that there is a God who has a divine purpose not only for our present life, but for our future.

In Ephesians 1:10 Paul tells us that God has a plan for the fullness of time, which ultimately unites everything in Christ.  Let's talk about this phrase, "fullness of time."  In this verse, this phrase is referring to the completion of time. Let's back up a bit.  To understand the completion of time, we need to understand the concept of time in general.  Time is something that God created. It has a beginning.  It has an end.  God is infinite.  He exists outside of time and space. Genesis tells us of how God created all things, and that includes time.  Time also has an end.  And at the end of time, all things find their fullness in Christ, and those who belong to him will spend eternity with him in heaven.

So, when Paul describes the fullness of time, he brings comfort to us.  Our lives have purpose and fulfillment in Christ.  This world will end. We do not have to worry about running out of fossil fuels, over-population, or other worries. Consider this beautiful look at the world where time is no more.  We find a picture of this in the Apostle John's Revelation:

Revelation 21:1–4
[1] Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. [2] And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (ESV)

God has a plan for time.  It's purpose is found in uniting all things in Christ Jesus.  We do not need to worry about time.  But we do need to make the most of it.  Doing all things to glorify Jesus, whom we will live with forever when time is no more.  Glory be to God.

Are you overwhelmed by the future?  Does it bring you fear?  God has a purpose for the future and a future for you. Place your faith in God's hands.  Give glory to Jesus.  All things are united in Him.  As you are united with Jesus, you will find your fear melting away.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co