God’s plan has Christ as its foundation, its very center, as well as its purpose. The multiple aspects of God’s wisdom are being displayed in this plan. It is like a beautiful diamond that displays a multiplicity of colors and designs to the amazed observer. This is all linked to the blessed person of Jesus, who is Jehovah and who is also a Man—mystery of mysteries. God anointed Him on earth when He opened the heavens after John’s baptism and the Holy Spirit descended on Him at the beginning of His public ministry. After His work was completed—His death, burial, and resurrection—He ascended to heaven, where God anointed Him a second time. Peter confirmed this fact when he told the crowd assembled in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, that God had “made Him, this Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Christ means Anointed.

It was God’s plan, from before the world’s foundation, to have many sons who would be brought to glory (Heb. 2:10). These “many sons” imply all true born-again believers from the day of Pentecost until the rapture of the Church. God wants to share with them “the unsearchable riches of the Christ” (Eph. 3:8). He has in view having true fellowship with them and receiving a response in worship and adoration from those “many sons,” which includes all brothers and sisters in Christ.

God’s eternal purpose in today’s verse has in view a response that will continue throughout eternity! From our side, true submission to our Lord Jesus is required. The two go together, but God’s side or purpose is always distinguished from our response.