Instantaneous communication 30AD

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness...

In 1 Timothy 3:16 [Paul] quotes from a fascinating little hymn which helps us here. Jesus, says the hymn, 'was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory' (RSV).

This is a summary of Jesus' career. But the ascension comes last, following the universal proclamation of the gospel and a universal response. Historically, the conversion of the world takes place in the interval between the ascension of Christ and his return in glory (and that is how Paul views it in 1 Cor. 15:22-28). But theologically, Christ returned to glory bringing with him a redeemed world, a Victor with the spoils of war in his train - and this is the thought in 1 Timothy 3:16 (as also in Eph. 2:6 and 4:8-10).

(p. 123, Israel in the plan of God: Light on today's debate, 1989, Leicester: IVP)

Steve Motyer again with some interesting and Christ-honouring stuff.