One of the promises in the Bible that is a favorite for many Christians is found in I Corinthians 2:9 which says, '...“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”'
There is a general assumption that this verse is talking about God blessing us with spiritual or material things which have not been seen or heard of. But by reading this verse in light of the context within which Paul writes it, we will be able to see that there is an entirely different truth that is being brought out to us.
We’ll begin by looking at some of the preceding verses in I Corinthians 2:6-9 which say, '6However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, THE HIDDEN WISDOM which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”'
It can be readily seen that when Paul is talking about the things which no eye has seen or ear heard, he is referring to things revealed through the wisdom of God. Notice that Paul says in I Corinthians 2:7, '7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory… '
Mysteries are divine secrets of God. These divine secrets are what Paul calls 'the hidden wisdom' of God. This hidden wisdom is that which, '...“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard…' Paul therefore infers that the mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ which he taught, preached and wrote in his epistles was revealed to him by God, and this mystery was kept hidden before the age of the new covenant. Paul emphasizes this same truth in Colossians 1:26 when he says, '26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. '
The Ages
The mystery of the gospel that is found in the epistles had never been preached before the age of the new covenant. No eye had seen and no ear had heard the gospel of Jesus Christ until the apostles preached it on the day of Pentecost.
Under the old covenant, they had examples, types and shadows that symbolized the things that were to come under the new covenant. When observing the Passover for instance, the old covenant folk sacrificed a lamb that had no blemish, which pointed to the perfect sacrifice of the life of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The age of the new covenant and the Church age are the 'ages' that Paul infers when he says in I Corinthians 2:7, '7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the AGES for our glory… '
The new covenant age began when Jesus died on the cross. Hebrews 9:16-18 says, '16For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. '
The book of Hebrews tells us quite expressly that a covenant can only be in force after the death or the shedding of the blood of the bearer of that covenant. You recall at the last supper when Jesus took the cup, he said '... “This cup is the new covenant in My blood…' (I Corinthians 11:25). The new covenant was ushered in by the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ.
Subsequently, the Church age came into being when the Holy Ghost was sent down on the earth on the day of Pentecost. The Church age could not have come into being without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world, for then it would not be possible for anyone to receive the new birth or the gift of the Holy Ghost.
One of the distinct characteristics of this Church age is the baptism of the Holy Spirit coupled with the evidence of speaking with other tongues. The gift of the Holy Spirit was not poured out in any other age as He was on the day of Pentecost.
We can find the record of this truth in Acts 2:1-4 which says, '1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.'
We are still in this Church age, and the Holy Ghost has been with the Church from the day that Jesus sent Him here on the day of Pentecost.
The age of the new covenant and the Church age are the ages in which the hidden wisdom of God is now revealed through the gospel that is found in the epistles. This hidden wisdom is what Paul makes reference to when he says in I Corinthians 2:9, '9But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”'
The Mystery Revealed
The epistles contain the revelation of God’s wisdom which was kept hidden under the old covenant. Paul brings out this fact when he goes on to say in I Corinthians 2:10, '10But God HAS REVEALED THEM TO US through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. '
Notice the expression, 'But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.' God has revealed that which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man. The hidden wisdom contained in the epistles was not seen, or heard or perceived with the heart under the old covenant, because God ordained the age of the new covenant to be the age within which this hidden wisdom would be revealed.
For more on this study, click here to get a copy of my book, Wisdom and Revelation from the Word of God.