Ephesians 2
Another chapter many have problems understanding, but we will make it as simple as the Word does. Eph.2 and verse 1 reads.
Eph.2:1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Quickened means to make alive. Made alive through repentance. There is no reason for a Christian to be called a sinner, not when we have forgiveness through repentance, that price the Lord has already paid for us on the cross, which is now our Salvation.
Eph.2:2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Prince is Satan, the children of disobedience are the Serpents seed. The offspring of Cain, which are the Kenites.
Eph.2:3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
We sin in the flesh, but now in Christ we walk in the spirit. We came out of confusion and came back to the LORD. Zerubbabel is Hebrew and means; sown in Babylon or born in confusion but comes out of it. This means a lot for those that have their eyes open. For this is not only for God’s elect, but for the gentiles also. Let’s go to Revelations.7:9-10 and it reads.
Rev.7:9] After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
[10] And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Salvation not only for the Elect but for the gentiles also. Back to Eph.2 and verse 4 reads.
Eph.2:4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Made us live through Christ, grace is unmerited favor, we didn’t earn it. But that he loved us so, we received it.
Eph.2:6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That through Christ we also are resurrected. Remember in John 14, The Father and the Son will abode with us. That means dwell within us.
Eph.2:7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
The ages to come, is another wall, for those that don’t know about the “Three heaven and earth ages”. But I trust that you will read it, if you haven’t already, in the Topical Teachings.
Eph.2:8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Gift is charisma, works show our faith.
Eph.2:9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We cannot take credit for our Salvation. Now this word ordained is talking about those predestinated.
Eph.2:11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Saying those that were circumcised were circumcised by those in the flesh for the flesh.
Eph.2:12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Speaking to the church of Ephesus, in Perine. Both gentile and children of that promise, Israel, can only have salvation by Jesus Christ.
Eph.2:13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Salvation is now for whomsoever believes. This excludes those of the Jews who do not accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior. For them that stay under the law, and the blood ordinances, will not stand before the Lord. Let’s go to the First Epistle of John and read 4:2-3.
1Ep.John 4:2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
This is where “boldly and without apology” is tough. My fellow brothers of Judah, it was written in the Old Testament that the Mesiah would come. Come to salvation, come to Jesus Christ. Back to Eph.2 and verse 15 reads.
Eph.2:15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Specifically showing us here that it is the blood ordinances that were done away with and not the whole law. His blood on the cross was for once and for all time. No more blood sacrifices.
Eph.2:16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Remember this word enmity? God was talking to Satan when he said this. Let’s go to Gen.3:15 and it reads.
Gen.3:15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
The first prophesy in the Bible. Satan bruised his heel when they nailed them to the cross, but Jesus will bruise his head at the seventh trump. Don’t overlook enmity, it is between the Serpents seed and mother Israel’s seed. Verse 16 said that they would be slain, talking about the Kenites. Back to Eph.2 and verse 17 reads.
Eph.2:17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
God himself sent us (Paul speaking to those in Ephesus) to those that were gentiles and to those that were of Judah.
Eph.2:18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Pray to the Father through the Son. Mat.6, the LORD’s prayer.
Eph.2:19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
The gentiles that believe on Jesus Christ are fellow recipients of Grace through the Salvation of Jesus Christ.
Eph.2:20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Bringing together the Old and the New Testaments together through Jesus Christ.
Eph.2:21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
We, the Israelites and the gentiles, bring together all of God’s children unto him. And all of us bring together the church, his body, to him exactly as it is written, Isaiah 62 and verse 2 reads.
Isa.62:2] And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
And that name is Christ men, Christians. Back to Eph.2 and the last verse reads.
Eph.2:22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Through the Spirit we are brought together in Christ to be his children. All, including the gentiles, though it is through Judah salvation would come. 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