The book of Ephesians is not understood by most pastors because they don’t understand the three heaven and earth ages. But here at The Christ Ministries we will teach it very boldly and without apology.
Ephesians 1 and verse 1 reads.
Eph.1:1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Apostle means “Sent One”. Saints are “Set aside ones”. Notice he, Paul, is sent by the will of God.
Eph.1:2] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Blessed us with the Light in this world.
Eph.1:4] 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:
Foundation is Katabole, G2602 in the Strong’s and means the overthrow of Satan from the first earth age. World is this earth age. Chosen are the Elect. So, what this is saying is this. He, God, has chosen from the first earth age those that would be his elect in this earth age.
Eph.1:5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
[6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Predestinated meaning from the first earth age. Let’s go to Romans 8 and pick it up with verse 26 and it reads.
Rom.8:26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
This is saying “we don’t even know what to pray for.” And that the Lord takes care of his children.
Rom.8:27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
God only can read our hearts, our minds. And God will intercede in our lives for his purpose. At some point you might have experienced this. Ever wonder how you escaped an accident.
Rom.8:28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Speaking about the elect here.
Rom.1:29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Letting us know that Gods elect are predestinated, they will stand before Satan and God will speak through them.
Rom.8;30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Those that God predestinate are his Elect, they have been justified (that means judged) before and found Just. Does this mean we get a free pass, no but that his elect love him and that he will protect his children. Back to Eph.1 and verse 7 reads.
Eph.1:7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
This being Jesus Christ.
Eph.1:8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
That the LORD will open the eyes of the elect in due season, and reveal his truth to them. But what is this Mystery? We find that in 1Corinthians 15:51-52 and it reads.
1Cor.15:51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
At the last trump, that’s the seventh trump, all that are in the flesh alive shall be changed to our spiritual bodies, in an instant. Because the true Christ has come, and the antichrist has been in Jerusalem deceiving the whole world and churches also. The churches are so ashamed that they pray for mountains to fall on them. This is the mystery that most churches have no understanding of. Back to Eph.1 and verse 10 reads.
Eph.1:10] 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:
At the seventh trump those in heaven and those that are on earth. Remember he brings an army with him.
Eph.1:11] 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:
This just said obtained, pass tense, meaning in the first earth age his elect earned their inheritance already. Meaning his elect won’t face judgement in the flesh, with the exception of the unpardonable sin. That is refusing to let the Holy Spirit from speaking though us.
Eph.1:12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Important in understanding this and the next verse is simple. “We” are the Elect, and “Ye” are those that come to Christ and receive salvation through Faith.
Eph.1:13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The promise of salvation to whomsoever believes.
Eph.1:14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
This is the down payment, for our belief in him and his word.
Eph.1:15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
After hearing of their faith and the love they showed to the workers in the church.
Eph.1:17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Revelation is to make known, talking about his word. But don’t overlook the spirit of wisdom. This means it is given to us by God.
Eph.1:18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
That our eyes might be opened, by God, that his elect should be shown in conscience who they are.
Eph.1:19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
This just read that there is a world to come, the third heaven and earth age. Remember the LORD can open eyes or he can shut them. Christ has the power given to him by the Father.
Eph.1:22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
[23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Jesus is the Living Word. “Take ye and eat it all, this is my body”. Jesus is our Daily Bread. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible