Todd Dennis
Though all history-based systems assume that the covenant and the kingdom, etc., are established at some point in history, it will be more helpful to see that it was the manifestation of those eternal things that was in history, not the establishment. The mystery and the grace were in existence even before the foundation of the kosmos (before the foundation.. even if one believes -- mistakenly -- that the kosmos is only the Mosaic Law). Note the distinction between the reality and the manifestation of that reality:
1 Cor. 2:7,10 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Eph 3:9-10 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
