Text: "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. . . ." Ephesians 3:10

There are three audiences when we preach Good News of Jesus Christ.

What I mean is that we have before us, the auditors, the people who are listening. Secondly, we are encompassed about with a great cloud of witnesses who see our struggles, witness our battles, and, I like to think, cheer us on in our kingdom-walking.

Thirdly, we participate in preaching and teaching in a ministry to the powers. The rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms are being informed through us about the manifold wisdom of God. (See Colossians 1:23.)

One writer sees the manifold wisdom of God as being "manifested, therefore, in the infinite variety both of the teaching and the life of the Church--manifold, yet one, as embodying but one life, the life of Jesus Christ."

The Church, then, announces Jesus Christ, the manifold wisdom of God, to the dark powers--not that they might in any way be saved, but that they might be informed of their certain doom and final destruction. This is part of our Lord's open triumph over them at the cross.

-knf