9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
The issue that causes the most doubt about God is the problem of evil. How could a loving Creator allow such wickedness and suffering? The answer isn’t found in these verses, but they do reveal an important truth worth remembering: a day will come when evil will be destroyed, and the problem will be over!
In ancient Greece, the word “mystery” typically referred to knowledge that was hidden, secret, and known only to the initiated. The New Testament shifted its meaning from “information that is withheld” to “truth that is made known.” In other words, it refers to God’s purposes that are revealed and made understandable by the Holy Spirit.
I would compare it to a loving father teaching his son the secrets of his trade. He doesn’t dump everything on the poor boy all at once! Instead, as the child grows and can understand more, the father explains and imparts greater expertise and insight. In the same way, throughout the 1500 years of the Bible’s writing, God revealed and explained an increasing understanding of His purposes and will.
I will add that the Greek word for “will” refers to a desire rooted in emotion. The term “good pleasure” indicates “a kind intent, benevolence, a gracious purpose.” In other words, Paul paints a picture of a God motivated by love who acts according to what He believes is for our good. Paul goes on to say that God Himself determined to do so. No one had to twist His arm. He wasn’t reluctant.
So, what did God determine, and how does it relate to evil? I realize that many people doubt God’s love and kindness. I have done so myself at times. Let’s move on to the next verse, which shows God’s ultimate purpose. What is this “mystery” that God has revealed?
The word “dispensation” means “administration,” and the word “time” refers more to “seasons” or “periods” than to chronological time. Every once in a while, someone predicts that the end of the world is near. And of course it never is (we’re still here!). But the Bible makes it clear that history is moving forward in a linear fashion toward a specific goal. A time will come when “fullness” is reached. Just as you can’t add another drop to a full glass, a day will come when there will be no more room for another age or season. That moment in history will be administered by God for His purposes.
And what will happen? When we think of the end of the world, we usually picture the apocalypse and Armageddon. I’m not denying those things, but that’s only part of it, not what Paul mentions here. There is an even higher purpose than the destruction that often comes to mind: restoration.
God’s plan is to gather everything together under Christ. The words “all things” don’t refer only to intelligent beings but to all creation, including animals and nature. In other words, Paul is writing about how God intends to restore the entire universe to what it was before sin made its ugly appearance. The perfect harmony that existed before the fall of mankind will be reestablished. When that happens, there will be no more evil.
We may struggle to reconcile the idea of a loving God with the wickedness we see all around us. But it’s important to remember that this world is not the final product. Thanks to Christ’s death and resurrection, God has made the future restoration of all things possible.