Paul, was
illuminated and understood. And then he wrote: "Who now rejoice in my
sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions
of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: whereof
I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is
given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; even the mystery which
hath been hid for ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the gentiles; which [mystery] is Christ in you,
the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:24-27) The Apostle here emphasizes the
fact that this mystery of God is now made known only to the saints.
Saints means purified ones, which purification comes through receiving
the merit of Christ's sacrifice.
[313]The word Christ signifies anointed. Anointing means designation to
official position in God's arrangement. The Christ is the instrument or
channel for the blessing of mankind. The Christ is composed of Jesus,
the great and mighty head, and 144,000 members. (Revelation 7:4) Christ
Jesus is the head and the church his body. We ofttimes hear the
expression, a body of men with a general at their head. Of the Christ
the Apostle says: "And he [Christ Jesus] is before all things, and by
him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who
is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he
might have the preeminence.
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