Eph. 3:8-13, The Epistemic Appetite of the Angels (2)

Our previous post concluded with the concern of the angels in Daniel 8.  There is another similar event in Daniel 12.  The event in Dan. 8 that was to occur in the time of a ruler over Israel who was one of four rulers who succeeded Alexander the Great.  Daniel 10-12 records another vision of Daniel that gives some incredible detail to the actions of this evil ruler.  In Ch. 12 we see that Michael the archangel will come to the rescue of the people of Israel.  The time being described, as was the case in Dan. 8, is said to be “at the time of the end” (11:40; 12:4).  But in 12:4 Daniel is told, “shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end.”  In other words, how the salvation of God’s people comes about is hidden, kept secret, not revealed.  And again, we see in 12:6 that the angels do not even know the end, because, as in 8:13, an angel again asks, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”  The angels, who exist for the glory of God, long for the day when He will be truly glorified on earth.  Thus we see the “epistemic appetite of the angels.”

The Apostle Paul spoke of this longing in Eph. 3:8-12.  The “mystery” Paul speaks of in v9 has to do with the exaltation of Christ.  He had spoken of this in Eph. 1:9-10 that in the fullness of times all things would be gathered together in Christ.  The Body of Christ (the Church) is a major part of Christ’s exaltation since He is the head of all things to the church (1:22-23).  Christ, Who was promised the nations as an inheritance, is being exalted through the Church as Jews and Gentiles come to Christ, something that was hidden in OT times but now was being revealed through Paul (v8-9).  Thus Paul concludes that God’s great wisdom was made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places (v10-11).  In other words, the Church helps to satisfy the “epistemic appetite” of the angels.

Finally, we come to Rev. 5:11-12.  The “book” that Daniel was required to seal was now ready to be opened, by the only One worthy to open it: Jesus Christ!  This book is the content of Rev. 6-20, which ends with Jesus exalted in the glory of His second coming and in His Kingdom reign.  Finally, the story will be completed.  And what do we see and hear?  The voice of many angels around the throne … the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands and thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!  Their appetite is fully satisfied.  They are no more wondering how it could possibly make sense for the Son of God to become poor (2 Cor. 8:9).  Instead, along with those who have been made rich by His poverty, they can say, Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15).