“… so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” Ephesians 3:10. ESV)
Confined or constricted as we may be by the limitations of our experience and imagination, our thoughts of ‘wisdom’ may first be personified in the archetypical elder of any culture. As wise and revered as these individuals are, they are but a soupçon of the wisdom of God that is far beyond this and has facets that will continually surprise, delight, expand, and illuminate our understanding, if we will be led by the Holy Spirit into this deeper knowledge and experience of God.
The intent of God is that through the church His manifold wisdom will be made known in heaven, and on earth, in the present age, in contrast to the time before the first coming of Jesus.
The grace of God in the redeeming of God’s people is noticed in heaven (by the rulers and authorities). They then give glory and thanks and praise to God for what he has done in the creation and building up of the church.
The fascinating part of all this is that it involves us! As we seek out and get to know more of the wisdom of God and his grace and pass it on to those around us as God enables us, this has an effect in heaven.
If one sinner repents and is touched/enlightened by the wisdom of God – there is rejoicing in heaven.
Who would have thought we were that well connected!
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when God chose you. Not many of you were considered wise by human standards. Not many of you were powerful. Not many of you belonged to important families. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the things of this world that are common and looked down on. God chose things considered unimportant to do away with things considered important. 29 So no one can boast to God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NIVRV)
It was made known to the prophets that they were not serving themselves. Instead, they were serving you when they spoke about the things that you have now heard. Those who have preached the good news to you have told you these things. They have done it with the help of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:12 NIVRV)
I tell you, it will be the same in heaven. There will be great joy when one sinner turns away from sin. Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins. (Luke 15:7 NIVRV)
All the angels were standing around the throne. They were standing around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces in front of the throne and worshiped God. (Revelation 7:11 NIVRV)
