In Ephesians 3:10, Paul speaks of the “manifold” wisdom of God. Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott translation of this text uses the word “diversified.” The apostle also shows that this diversified wisdom of God is being manifested even to the angelic beings in the universe, being revealed to them specially through God’s dealings with the church of this age. This means that God’s creatures on the other planes of existence are being benefited by observing the outworking of the divine plan for the recovery of the human race from the results of sin.

In the selection and preparation of the church to cooperate with Jesus in the future kingdom work of rehabilitating the lost race, there is a still further manifestation of divine wisdom. How wise that representatives of the fallen race should be chosen, tested, and then equipped to deal with and bless their fellows in the mediatorial arrangements of the new age.

And the qualification test placed upon these is so wise; namely, that they love God’s will supremely and their fellow men so unselfishly that they gladly lay down their lives in service now—imperfect though that service may be—in order that they may be exalted to a glorious future service which will actually give life to all mankind. It is this that Paul refers to as a baptism for the dead. —I Cor. 15:29

Yes, those who will follow in Jesus’ footsteps now, will reign with him in his thousand-year kingdom. The purpose of that kingdom is the restoration of the entire human race to the lost earthly paradise. During those thousand years Christ and the church will serve as a mediatorial board to instruct and bless the world; and finally, to restore the people to at-onement with the Creator. —Rev. 20:4; Acts 3:20,21; Acts 15:16,17

Thus we see that God’s plan displays his love, his justice, his power, and his wisdom. The more we learn about that plan the better we can see God’s glorious character revealed therein. In the light of God’s plan even the present severe experiences through which the human race is passing are understandable, because we can view them from the standpoint of the wonderful future provision God has made for the blessing of all the people.