(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:
I beg to consider this verse alone. There is not perhaps the fellow to it, in relation to the vast subject it treats of in all the Bible. It opens to us the very heart of God, as it respects his whole designs of grace, toward the Church. It shows us, how, from all eternity, the mind of Jehovah hath been occupied on this grand concern. And, what I beg yet more particularly for the Reader to remark with me upon the occasion, is, that it most plainly, and decidedly shows, that the whole designs of Jehovah, are to glorify the Lord Jesus. All is said to be decreed for him. All things are to centre in him. The dispensation of events, and the fullness of times, are all directing their several pursuits to this one termination; and, like the numberless rays of light, converging to one centre, all are to meet in him. I admire the repetition, even in him. There is a blessed emphasis in it, and so designed to be, in order to intimate the importance of the thing: even in him, We have another beautiful example of the same kind, Colossians 1:20. By him I say, saith Paul. As if (and which is in reality the case), the glory of Christ, (which is the only visible manifestation of Jehovah), became the one; and only object, for which the Lord went forth in acts of creation. 2 Corinthians 4:1; John 1:18
I cannot attempt to enter into the vast subject of this one verse. I would ponder over it with the most profound reverence, and attention. And, I would pray the Reader, to do the same. But it, must be God the Spirit's province, to unfold, and explain. The very outlines of it are volumes.
First. What a view is here given, of the original, and ultimate design of Jehovah, in all his dispensations; namely, to gather all things in Christ. Think, Reader! What a wonderful Person must this God-man be in himself, independent of every other consideration, in whom all things are finally to be gathered ?
Secondly. What a new, and living way, is here opened to our contemplation, for communion, and happiness, with Jehovah, in his threefold Personalities, in, and through, this wonderful Person; to whom all things are to be gathered, and in whom, and by whom alone, all access, entrance, and acceptation, can be found ?
Thirdly. What grace, and love, and affection, doth the very plan of Jehovah's wisdom by this way manifest, towards the Church; since, without this bond of fusion, formed by that portion of human nature taken into the Godhead by Christ, there could have been no gathering to God, neither communion with God. For so infinite is the distance, between what is created, and the Creator; between what is visible, and invisible; finite, and infinite; comprehensible, and incomprehensible; that, but for the Son of God assuming union with our nature, to act as a medium, and bond of union; there could have been no meeting-place between God and his creatures, neither open revelation to all eternity. The Apostle, therefore, appears to have been so sensible of this, that, when speaking of this gathering of all things to Christ, he lays the whole emphasis on Him, to whom the gathering is to be. Christ is the great Him: the only Him, by whom, and in whom, it can be accomplished. By virtue of his being the Head of his body the Church, he becomes both the centre of union, and of communication; and is the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Reader! pause over the vast subject! Think of Christ's Person! How dear to God! How dear ought He to be to us! What an awful state must they be in, who deny his Godhead? Oh! the folly, the vast folly, of such unbelief! How can He be less than God, unto whom all things are to be finally gathered ? Think, what an awful gathering that will be, of the infidel, who, when the Lord shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, will appoint him, his portion with the unbelievers. Luke 12:46. And think, what a glorious gathering of his redeemed, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all that believe. 2 Thessalonians 1:10.