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We come now to the last definition for the word “center” that we will consider in regards to the centrality of Christ.  This is a powerful and fitting last definition for it leads us to consider the culmination of God’s eternal purpose in and through His Son.  This final definition, taken from The Online Plain Text English Dictionary, is:

“A principal or important point of concentration; the nucleus around which things are gathered or to which they tend; an object of attention, action, or force; as, a center of attraction.”

In our previous meditation we saw how all things in the eternal purpose and are “out from” (“ek”) the Father as the supreme Source.  We also saw how all things come “through” (“dia”), “in” and “by” (“en”) the Son as the Mediator and Instrumentality of the Father in the outworking of His eternal purpose.

In this meditation, we will see how all things return to, gather around, and concentrate back in the appointed “Center”.

To help us unlock this truth, we will use the fourth “key”, the little Greek word “eis”.

“Eis” is a primary preposition denoting motion into, unto, to, towards, and for.   When used in Scripture in relation to the eternal purpose, it indicates that movement in which all things are heading towards, being drawn, moving, gathering, concentrating, consummating, and culminating in a central and final destination.  In this regard, it is found in Scripture applying to both the Son and the Father, as we shall see.

All Things Are “Eis” the Son

The primary place this key word “eis” is found in relation to the Son, in the outworking of the eternal purpose, is Colossians 1:16:

“All things were created by (“en”) Him and for (“eis”) Him.” 

This is, indeed, a little key, and yet it unlocks an immense door of understanding.  Christ, the Son of God, is not only the Agent of creation, He is also the Heir of creation.  Not only do all things come through Him, in Him, and by Him (“dia” and “en”), all things also culminate into Him, unto Him and for Him (“eis”).

Hebrews 1:2 says:

“…in these last days He [God] has spoken to us by His Son,whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.”

As “heir of all things”, all that exists in creation, seen and unseen, has been given by the Father to the Son as His allotment and possession to enjoy and to administrate as He wills.  Along with the legal right to the inheritance, He has also received administrative authority over the inheritance.  After the resurrection, Jesus said,

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

“All authority” has been granted to govern and administrate “all things” that have been given unto Him as His inheritance.  Paul, speaking of the resurrection of Christ by the Father said,

“… He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything…” (Ephesians 1:19-22)

The Son, who willingly emptied Himself, became poor, made Himself of no reputation, became the lowest of servants, was obedient to the Father in all things, and poured out His soul unto death, is now the resurrected Lamb, “standing in the center of the Throne” (Revelation 5:6); the Heir of all things, and the Head of all things.

“All things were created…for Him.” (Colossians 1:16)

We further see this movement “into, unto, to, towards, and for” in one of the clearest Scriptures in the New Testament concerning the eternal purpose, Ephesians 1:9-10:

“And He [God the Father] made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.“

Here, in the culmination of the ages, Christ is the center point of concentration.  All things are gathering “together in one” (KJV) and “summing up” (NAS) in Him.  The Greek word, used to express all things being brought “together under one head” is, “Anakephalaiomai”.  It has as its root a word meaning, “head”, “a principle thing”, “main point”, “a sum”.  Marvin Vincent, a New Testament Greek scholar,in his work, Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament, interprets its full meaning as:

“…to bring back to and gather round the main point.”

Christ Jesus is the “Main Point” in the eternal purpose of God.

If we go to our present definition for the word “center”, we see how it perfectly it is suited to describe the Lord Jesus Christ as the Center of God’s purpose:

“A principal or important point of concentration; the nucleus around which things are gathered or to which they tend; an object of attention, action, or force; as, a center of attraction.”

This accurately and beautifully describes Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Main Point, the Center, the Sum, the Heir of all things, the Head of all things, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

All things Are “Eis” the Father, “Dia” the Son

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in (en) Him, and through (“dia”) Him to reconcile to (“eis”) Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through (“dia”) His blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20)

Even as all things come out “from” the Father “through” Christ, so also all things are ordained to return back “to” the Father “through” Christ  through His work of redemption, headship, and dominion.  As all things concentrate and consummate back into the Son, they are brought through Him, in Him and by Him unto the Father.

“Then the end will come, when He [Christ] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.  For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death. …When He has done this, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put everything under Him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)

“The end” will consummate ultimately in God being “all in all” through the comprehensive outworking and manifestation of Creation, Redemption, the Church, and the Kingdom through, in, and by His Son.  In this glorious “mystery”, the Father has ordained His Beloved to be central and supreme in all things.  In union and co-operation with Him, the eternal purpose of the Father will be accomplished.

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This series of posts, concerning “Christ the Center”, is but a cracking of the door of understanding into the depths of the eternal purpose of God.  How vast an expanse lies fully on the other side of that door!  How we need the eyes of our heart enlightened, through a spirit of wisdom and revelation, to know more fully “the mystery of His will” (Ephesians 1:9), and “the mystery of God, namely Christ” (Colossians 2:2).

May God grant it by His grace!

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

~ Romans 11:33,36 ~

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Next: The Process of the Purpose (“Christ the Center” series revisited – Part 6)

Previous in series:
A Copernican-Style Revelation and Revolution – Part 1
Centering the Clay – Part 2
The Heart of the Matter – Part 3
Unlocking God’s Eternal Purpose – Part 4