Some of us will remember that the rainbow was to be a sign, a promise that God would never flood the Earth again. Great promise!!! But, I wonder, what could a rainbow with a curtain of clouds mean????? Perhaps its mere coincidence, or could it mean something more??? Humm, if a rainbow is a promise and the clouds look something like a curtain, then PERHAPS this could me something hidden beyond the promise that would reveal an even greater blessing than that given to Noah....
World English Bible: Ephesians Chapter 2
[1] You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, [2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; [3] among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. [4] But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, [5] even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus; [8] for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, that no one would boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
[11] Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by that which is called “circumcision,” (in the flesh, made by hands); [12] that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. [14] For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, [15] having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace; [16] and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. [17] He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, [20] being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; [21] in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; [22] in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
WEB: Ephesians Chapter 3
[1] For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, [2] if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; [3] how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, [4] by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; [5] which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; [6] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, [7] of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. [8] To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [9] and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; [10] to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, [11] according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; [12] in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. [13] Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.
Now, I know this is a long passage, but sometimes you just have to read more. This all started with the focus on a mystery, which naturally led me to Ephesians chapter three (the emboldened verses). And as I read, I realized that the rest of the chapter should be included as well. About the third or fourth reading, I "saw" the first verse in the chapter and realized that the previous chapter needed to be included as well. So, there you have it... probably the longest Bible passage I have put on the blog so far. BUT, it was worth it!!!!
God had always intended to reach out to all mankind; to everyone, everywhere. He began with the Jewish people and eventually included the non-Jews (or Gentiles, or uncircumsion, if you will). The Jews were a chosen people, special in the sight of God, his "rainbow" of sorts. From this select group of people came Jesus and through him came salvation through the means of faith. Which is the mystery Paul is talking about. A mystery straight from heaven that has been unfolded just for you. Even though it has a couple of thousand years this is still exciting because it is new for every single generation; new for each of us as we begin to understand the world and seek out spiritual things. Now, I don't really know if the rainbow with a "curtain" really does mean this, but I AM CERTAIN that Jesus who is called Christ came for everyone and that the curtain of mystery about God's will for us all has been lifted and the news is good, very good indeed!!!!!