In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him. Ephesians 1:7-10

Christ wants me to know how vast is the mercy that covers matters small and large. Helpful translators rightly note that this forgiveness is “in accord with,” not out of the riches of, God’s grace (Eph.1:7c). The One who possesses the riches of the universe does not reach into his penny purse to provide a little grace to cover my sin. No, his grace is in accord with his vast riches. The abundance of his heavenly goodness is raining down on me, immersing me, washing me, taking my sin away as far as the east is from the west , so that now, continually and forever , because I am united to Christ, I am clothed with the righteousness of God’s own Son.

Bryan Chapell

The apostle says that it is the will of God at the time of fulfillment of all things to bring together heaven and earth.  We will be with the angels and, because we are united to Christ our King, we will share his glory with them. This is an amazing thought. The inhabitants of heaven and earth and the domain of heaven and earth will be one. What we pray for in the Lord’s prayer will be done. The will of God will be as present here as there; saints and angels will exist together in glory (see Rev.11:15). There will be a reunion of loved ones already with him and those of us who remain, and we will be co-inhabitants with beings whose glory we can scarcely imagine.

Bryan Chapell

It is the teaching rather that all things will be subjected to Christ— some willingly as those who have been redeemed by Jesus joyfully exalt in his rule, some unwillingly as evil is nevertheless restrained and all are forced to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all.

Lloyd Jones writes, “The perfect harmony that will be restored will be harmony in man and between men. Harmony on the earth and in the brute creation! Harmony in heaven, and all under this blessed Lord Jesus Christ who will be the head of all! Everything will again be united in him. And wonder of wonders, marvellous beyond all compare, when all this happens it will never be undone again. All will be re-united in him to all eternity. That is the message; that is God’s plan. That is the mystery which has been revealed unto us…. These things are so marvellous that you will never hear anything greater, either in this world or the world to come.”   James Montgomery Boice