purposed that Christ should be the Head over all things in the coming age. The mystery

here revealed is twofold: first as to the time, and secondly as to the subjects. As to the

period of the headship here made known, it is "a dispensation of the fulness of the

seasons", another name, we take it, for the dispensation of the mystery (3: 9, R.V.), and

refers to the present, not to the future age. We cannot see the fitness of the word

"dispensation"  to the future period  referred to in  Psalm. 8:  and  I Cor. 15:

Dispensations, or God's different ways of dealing with men, sub-divide this present age.

As to the subjects, the passage reveals the wondrous truth that in that dispensation of the

fulness of the seasons God will gather together under one Head (anakephalaiomai) things

in the heavens, and things in the earth.

The passage Eph. 1: 17-23 is alike a subject of "revelation", and is indeed equally a

mystery. the full explanation if the difference between the statement of Eph. 1: 22 and

Heb. 2: 8 is found in the latter half of Eph. 1: 22, where it goes on to say, "and gave

Him to be Head over all things TO THE CHURCH, which is His Body". The words we

have emphasized are the key to the problem. While the rejected Lord is NOT YET Head

over all things as one blessed day (how soon we may not know!) He will be, He has been

given to be Head over all things TO THE CHURCH. What heights and depths are there

to be found in meditating upon this glorious revelation! The works of His hands, kings,

nations, the men of this world, may not yet be manifestly beneath His feet. Enmity and

hatred, sin and sorrow are on every hand. The former things have not yet passed away.

A new heaven and a new earth have not yet been made, but, nevertheless, He is Head

over all things TO THE CHURCH.

The companion epistle, Colossians, reveals the fact that Christ is the Head of all

principality and power (ii.10), and brings the two companies (the church and the

principalities) together in the great reconciliation of chapter 1: 16-18.

Let us rejoice together in this blessed truth. We who by His grace are called into the

fellowship of the church of the One Body look beyond the lawless state of our time to the

right hand of God in the super-heavenlies, for there we have One Who to us is Head over

all things now, and destined to be Head over all in the future.

May our faith and our hope be stedfast in this truth, and may our love abound more

and more.