Ephesians 3:9-11 KJVS
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: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Cutting to the chase, a few scriptures that Paul wrote in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians discloses what that end purpose is.

Ephesians 1:9-10 KJVS
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1 Corinthians 15:25-26,28 KJVS
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. [28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

But God also has a additional purpose in mind regarding Christ. God intends to see a 1000 year kingdom of peace and righteousness on this earth. Of which Jesus Christ and the body of Christ play a key governmental role.

Revelation 20:4,6 KJVS
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

It has been a long arduous process by God, working out his purpose throughout history. The 9th chapter of Romans highlights some of this as it applies to the election, chosen, of God. And that epistle contains glimpses of the methodology that God uses in carrying out his purpose in Christ.

Romans 9:8-11,16,18-24 KJVS
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [9] For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. [10] And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; [11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. [18] Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. [19] Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? [20] Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? [21] Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? [22] What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: [23] And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, [24] Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

The definition of the word “that” at the beginning of verse 23 has great significance to it’s meaning.

Strong’s Number
G2443
Original Word
ἵνα
Transliterated Word
hina
Phonetic Spelling
hin’-ah
Parts of Speech
Conjunction
Strong’s Definition
Probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result): – albeit because to the intent (that) lest so as (so) that (for) to. Compare G3363 .

In order that (denoting the purpose or the result). Essentially a cause and effect relationship. It was necessary to have the vessels of wrath in order to have the vessels of mercy. How so? Spiritual maturity is only acquired by having your senses exercise to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 5:12-14 KJVS
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

That word exercised in verse 14 is the same Greek word that appears in the 12 chapter in connection with being chastised by God.

Hebrews 12:11 KJVS
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

I urge the reader to read the above verse in context. Being chastised by God is a large part of being justified, along with the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Ghost and being sanctified by the washing of the water of the word, Titus 3:4-7, Eph 5:26. The Saints of God are his workmanship in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:10. Which makes a believer capable to rule and reign with Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:12 ESV
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

The following verse has a form of a Greek word that appears only once in the Bible. That word is inheritance.

Ephesians 1:11 KJVS
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Strong’s Number
G2820
Original Word
κληρόω
Transliterated Word
klēroō
Phonetic Spelling
klay-ro’-o
Parts of Speech
Verb
Strong’s Definition
From G2819; to allot that is (figuratively) to assign (a privilege): – obtain an inheritance
Thayer’s Definition
1. to cast lots, determine by lot
2. to choose by lot
to allot, assign by lot

Those members of the body of Christ were known in Christ at the foundation of the world. Which was determined by a lottery., using present day vernacular.

Ephesians 1:4 KJVS
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

On the surfaces this appears to be unfair, but keep in mind that God is going to save all men, 1 Ti 4:9-11. And because spiritual maturity is acquired by being exercised in discerning good and evil, it was necessary to have evil in the world, great and small in order to do that. And at the end of the day, former things will not be remembered.

Revelation 21:4 KJVS
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Now given some thought, of which I did considerable, there really is no other way that God could accomplish his purpose on the Earth. But pain and suffering is a big part of change. The school of hard knocks taught me a lot. But not everybody is as hardheaded as I am.