EGW SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6

Chapter 16

25 (Ephesians 3:9-11; Colossians 1:26, 27; see EGW on 2 Corinthians 12:1-4). The Eternal Purposes of God—God had a knowledge of the events of the future, even before the creation of the world. He did not make His purposes to fit circumstances, but He allowed matters to develop and work out. He did not work to bring about a certain condition of things, but He knew that such a condition would exist. The plan that should be carried out upon the defection of any of the high intelligences of heaven—this is the secret, the mystery which has been hid from ages. And an offering was prepared in the eternal purposes to do the very work which God has done for fallen humanity (The Signs of the Times, March 25, 1897). 6BC 1082.3

(Genesis 3:15, Ephesians 3:9-11; Colossians 1:26, 27; see EGW on Jeremiah 23:28.) The Mystery Hid for Eternal Ages—The incarnation of Christ is a mystery. The union of divinity with humanity is a mystery indeed, hidden with God, “even the mystery which hath been hid from ages.” It was kept in eternal silence by Jehovah, and was first revealed in Eden, by the prophecy that the Seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, and that he should bruise His heel. 6BC 1082.4

To present to the world this mystery that God kept in silence for eternal ages before the world was created, before man was created, was the part that Christ was to act in the work He entered upon when He came to this earth. And this wonderful mystery, the incarnation of Christ and the atonement that He made, must be declared to every son and daughter of Adam .... His sufferings perfectly fulfilled the claims of the law of God (The Signs of the Times, January 30, 1912, reprinted from The Signs of the Times, March 25, 1897). 6BC 1082.5

(1 Timothy 3:16.) Mystery of All Mysteries—The incarnation of Christ is the mystery of all mysteries (Letter 276, 1904). 6BC 1082.6

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