Exposition of Eph.1:3-14; The call and mission of the One New Man. (edited) with new added scriptural support. With new notes on chosen, and purpose

[Antonio39]

The revelation of the Mystery.

An exposition of Eph. 1:3-14.


I. God’s secret will having now been revealed. The Apostle Paul’s Post Acts. 28:25-28 Ministry.

The joint-heirship of the allotted inheritance of His image: the creation, call, and mission; for the investiture of the cosmic Kingship of the corporate one New Man; with the purpose of the ordering of the Cosmos; which will result in the appointed seasons of Israels restoration, and the establishment of God’s Kingdom.

See post on Adamic vocation, an intro to this study if you haven't read already.
Keeping all these things in mind, lets now read the text:

3 Praise be God (hallelujah[1]), and the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us[2] with all the blessing in our spiritual union with Christ in the Heavenly realms,

4 in as, He has, decreed[3] us in Him before the disruption of the order[4], that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love; having determined us for entrance into the inheritance as His glorious ruling sons [5], through Jesus Christ,

God has blessed us in our union with Christ as joint heirs to the allotted promise of the preeminent first-born inheritance over the order of all creation in the heavenly realm; and by our spiritual co-enthronement with Christ (Eph.2:6), we are imparted through the spirit, with the authority of Christ’s exaltation; God having decreed in Himself, before the disruption of the ordering process; that we, the members of the church, which are the body of Christ, would be victorious over the forces of darkness (Eph.6:10-16). In order that He may righteously redeem us into His inheritance, as His first-born glorious image, far above all the rebellious heavenly spirits. Enthroning us as His ruling sons for our faithful sacrificial service, for fulfilling the stewardship that He gave to us (Eph.4:11-16).

This can only be accomplished by our staying connected in dependence to our Head (Col.2:2-3, 6-7); for Knowledge, wisdom, and holiness; His love working through our faith, producing the fruit of righteousness, and a well pleasing walk before God in sacrificial service (Col.1:10-12; Eph.5:1-3).

We will be an offering to God, by our walk and love of service (Phil.1:29; Col.1:24; Rom.15:16), this will be a gift offering for His theophany (cp. Ex. 40:6, 29 ,34), in the person of Christ in the heavenly realm: “He will be made manifest, and we with Him” as the body of His glory, at the right hand of God (this is not the hope of the rapture[6]); we will have then received the reward of the inheritance(Col.3:24), the prize of the high calling (Phil.3:11), for our faithful service, sharing in the exalted glory of Christ’s firstborn inheritance over all creation, as God’s glorious overcoming corporate image (Eph.2:15; 4:24; Col.1:15-18; 3:10).

according to the good pleasure of His will, 6a to the praise of the glory of His grace, The good purpose of Gods will, is His partnership (with His lowly trusting imager) in establishing the order of His kingdom over the powers of chaos (the high rebellious spirits), He does this by the wisdom He gives to them to perform this task; in righteous sacrificial service, for the restoration, love being the bond of perfection. He is rewarding them with the inheritance of firstborn right, which grace and victory gives praise to His glory (Eph.1:12;14;18; 3:19-21).

6b which He has highly favored us in the Beloved. 7 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, The Greek word translated “highly favored” (G5487) is only used in one other place in the N.T. and is the same word used of Mary, she being lowly (Lk.1:28, 48), was the channel that God chose to bring in the appearing of Christ upon the earth, providing the lowly tent of his dwelling (Jn.1:14; Phil.2:7-8). Likewise, God has chosen to use us as the channel for the appearing of Christ in the heavenly realm, who is presently hid in the light of the glory of God (Col.3:3-4;1Tim.6:16), we, being the body of His flesh, are the glorious temple of the dwelling of God (Eph.2:22-23; 5:32). The body of His glory, the temple garment of His priestly glory (Phil.3:22-23). Christ paid the price for our sin, freeing us from the realm of death; to now empower us to overcome the powers of darkness, that He may delivered us unto our inheritance on the day of redemption, as His purchased possession (Eph.1:13-14; 4:30).

8 with which He has been abundant toward us in all wisdom and understanding, (making us competent to perform the service of God’s stewardship)

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He has purposed in Himself,

for a dispensation [7] for a corporate task given to us (for the investiture of Christ’s heavenly kingship, i.e., to head up all things in Christ), for re-establishing the ordering process of the creation,

of the fullness of the appointed seasons from which God’s glory will then fill up the appointed seasons, to head up all things in Christ by subduing all things under the supremacy of Christs headship, filling all the cosmic geographical locations with all the glory of God’s presence, those both in Heaven and on Earth (i.e., God’s presence establishing order to all creation through His image; i.e "fill and subdue" Gen.1:28). This is what for God has decreed in the hidden counsel of His will; for the investiture of the corporate one new man, for Christ to be made manifest in the heavenly realm and we with him(at God's right hand); which is first necessary, for Him to then later appear to every eye, as He heads up all under His sovereignty during the appointed seasons, God’s glory filling the all creation as His holy temple, extending the Eden blessing.

11 in which also out from the heirship we have, out from the decree of His determination (from which we are to be holy and without blame before him in love, for entrance into the inheritance as His ruling sons, vv.4-5) according to the purpose[8] of Him who works all things according the counsel of His own will

By His power God works all out all the trails of this world, and the enemy to our perfection, empowering us by His love in the spirit through faith, to overcome the corruption, persecutions, and afflictions of the enemy, and evil order of this present age; that Christ be made manifest, and we with Him, in glory, as Gods conquering image, at His right hand (Col.3:1-4;Tit.2:11-14). Which will result in the restoration of the ordering process.

12 that we who first trusted in Christ, (before the fullness of the appointed seasons) should be to the praise of His glory, Our reward, and function as His image, to manifestation to all creation, all the power, grace, and kindness of God’s person.

13 in Whom also, you, having heard the word, that of the truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and after having believed, you were marked with the Spirit of the holy promise,14 the earnest of the inheritance, for our redemption as Gods acquired possession, to the praise of His glory. The Spirit of God empowers us, by testifying with our spirit, that we are the children of God, assuring us, of God’s love for us, and the hope that lies before us (cp. Rom.8:15-18, 23-24). The Spirit of God is the seal of our inheritance as God’s paid possession; and is the power of God toward the perfecting of us, for the day of redemption (Eph.4:30).

The function of the image is to reflect the glory of God to all creation, which function is to summons the praises of creation to God, and this will be the function of the corporate New Man in the ages to come (Eph.2:7). In how God has not only favored us in allotting us such an inheritance, but also what He has chosen to accomplish through us now, for the ages (Eph.3:9-11), and we will forever be the emblem of the glory of His praise in what not only has done for us, but also what He has accomplished through us which will result in His glory filling the earth (Eph.3:19-21)

---

[1] The function of the image: summing up the praises of creation to God.

[2] We have been endowed with the spiritual authority over the powers of the kingdom of darkness, no longer under their subjection (Eph.2:6).

[3] In the O.T. we have the example of God's purpose is choosing out the one (i.e., Abraham, Israel, Gen.12:3) out of the many so that through the one, He can restore His blessing back to the many (i.e the Nations). God's choosing-out is corporate and is not referring primarily to individuals. When Paul uses the words chosen and predestination in Ephesians, he is referring to God’s choosing out of the New Man (church) as a channel to restore His blessing to the cosmos (see context, Col.1:14-22) and Israel, at the time of its entrance into its inheritance on the day of redemption (which event has wrongly translated adoption, it is rather a future corporate event, and hope of the believer, i.e. Rom.8:23; 9:4).

[4] When we do a word study of the Greek word used here foundation has the meaning of breakdown or overthrow (see below); the word used for world here is cosmos, meaning the order, this brings us to when Satan, influenced Adams disobedience in not obeying Gods voice, disrupting, or overthrowing the commission given to Adam of extending the Eden blessing to the rest of creation.
The following is a list of the usage of katabole in its English translation (kataballo--verb form) in the Old Testament LXX (O.T.: II Sam. 20:15, cast or thrown down; II Kings 3:19, shall fall or cut down; 3:25, felled or cut down; 6:5, felling; 19:7, fall (by the sword); II Chron. 32:21, slew or cut down; Job 16:14, breaketh; Ps. 37:14, cast down, 73:18, cast them down; Ps. 106:26, overthrow; 106:27, overthrow; 140:10, cast; Prov. 7:26, cast down; 18:8, go down; 25:28, broken down; Jer. 19:7, fall; Ezek. 6:4, cast down; 23:25, shall fall; 26:4, shall destroy; 26:4

[5] see previous post on the true meaning of adoption in the Greek.

[6] The Parousia hope is pre-acts 28. After Acts 28 it is the appearing in glory, at the right hand, not the coming in the clouds (cp. Col.3:1-4).

[7] Oikonomia translated (dispensation) which is an administration of a household or estate, in the context of the book of Ephesians God’s household is not only the church, it is also all of creation, as its creative purpose was in Genesis, and will be in the consummation of the reconciliation of all things (Col.1:14-22), so here we have the administration of God to bring order to the cosmos, where His presence will shine on all creation. The revelation of this mystery was given to the Apostle Paul as the chosen steward of this administration, to instruct the other members of the family (the church) the proper instruction (in all wisdom and insight having made known unto us) that is needed to performed the task of bringing order to the household, first in the members of the church resulting in the day of redemption, which will be the investiture of the corporate one New Man on the thrown of God “the appearing” which will result in the appointed seasons in which order will then be established in the cosmos (1 Tim.6:12-16).

[8] The word here for purpose (G4286, Eph.3:9-11) is translated bread (Mt.12:4). It was the shewbread (12 loaves in the holy place symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel) of God's presence where the priest had to shine the light of the menorah on the bread constantly, which is symbolic of God's blessed presence shinning on the people from the service (intercession) of the priest, where the people would receive provision from God.
It’s use here is to show that it is part of God’s purpose of revealing His glory in how His lowly image that trust in Him can overcome the high rebellious spirits and be greater than them. Also, with these words use with the appointed seasons (Israels Prophetic feasts; four having fully come, three remain, trumpets, the day of atonement, and the feast of tabernacles). By the offering of our service, God’s light will again shine on the nation in their national restoration, and redemption. From us being first filled, and redeemed, then the prophetic clock will begin concerning Israels appointed seasons.

 

[Quentin]

This particular passage in Ephesians is quite powerful. I actually see two parts to Ephesians. Chapters 1-3 deal with the calling and choosing. And chapters 4-6 deal with conduct within the Christian congregation.

Yesterday I saw a debate between a man and a transgender woman (or a man that claims to be a woman). When the man asked the transgender how he knew he was a woman he said because that is what other transgenders told him.

The same is true with the calling and choosing. Many people are told they are going to heaven or told they are called and chosen so that is what they believe. But it is interesting, just as that transgender could not define what a woman was when asked over and over, I think 4 different times, so these who have been told they have been called when asked to explain the calling cannot do it, nor do they understand it.

There is a heavenly nature and an earthly nature. Those born of Adam are like Adam and have the thoughts of Adam. And those born from above by the spirit also receive the thoughts of the spirit. Those who have not been called do not understand that calling. There are many who claim it but they are like that transgender person. They really don't know what they are talking about. They have been fooled.

 

[Antonio39]

This particular passage in Ephesians is quite powerful. I actually see two parts to Ephesians. Chapters 1-3 deal with the calling and choosing. And chapters 4-6 deal with conduct within the Christian congregation.

Yesterday I saw a debate between a man and a transgender woman (or a man that claims to be a woman). When the man asked the transgender how he knew he was a woman he said because that is what other transgenders told him.

The same is true with the calling and choosing. Many people are told they are going to heaven or told they are called and chosen so that is what they believe. But it is interesting, just as that transgender could not define what a woman was when asked over and over, I think 4 different times, so these who have been told they have been called when asked to explain the calling cannot do it, nor do they understand it.

There is a heavenly nature and an earthly nature. Those born of Adam are like Adam and have the thoughts of Adam. And those born from above by the spirit also receive the thoughts of the spirit. Those who have not been called do not understand that calling. There are many who claim it but they are like that transgender person. They really don't know what they are talking about. They have been fooled.

There are different Greek words that are translated chosen or chose, that have different meanings according to the context and specific Greek word.
I see that all humanity is called unto life by faith in Christ. (1 Tim.2:6) Once a child they are called to walk worthy to receive the firstborn inheritance (Eph.4:1; Col.3:24). The choosing out before the overthrow, would be God's secret purpose concerning the entity of the Church, its inheritance, and purpose for the ages. but Satan's attempt is to device and corrupt us of the instructions of our call that we lose out on the firstborn inheritance. so those that enter the firstborn inheritance are the elect (2 Tim.2:15). so, there are differences of meaning.
,

 

[Quentin]

There are different Greek words that are translated chosen or chose, that have different meanings according to the context and specific Greek word.
I see that all humanity is called unto life by faith in Christ. (1 Tim.2:6) Once a child they are called to walk worthy to receive the firstborn inheritance (Eph.4:1; Col.3:24). The choosing out before the overthrow, would be God's secret purpose concerning the entity of the Church, its inheritance, and purpose for the ages. but Satan's attempt is to device and corrupt us of the instructions of our call that we lose out on the firstborn inheritance. so those that enter the firstborn inheritance are the elect (2 Tim.2:15). so, there are differences of meaning.
,

The called and chosen are God's elect (the words Messiah, Christ, and anointed also mean chosen). Ephesians 1 is talking to those whom have been anointed with holy spirit. It is not talking to the world of humankind in general. You are correct that God is calling to everyone everywhere to repent. Now he does that by means of his channel. Those whom have been anointed are appointed as ambassadors substituting for Christ calling out to the world to become reconciled to God by means of the Christ (Jesus).

 

[Antonio39]

See post on Adamic vocation, an intro to this study if you haven't read already.
Keeping all these things in mind, lets now read the text:

3 Praise be God (hallelujah[1]), and the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us[2] with all the blessing in our spiritual union with Christ in the Heavenly realms,

4 in as, He has, decreed[3] us in Him before the disruption of the order[3], that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love; having determined us for entrance into the inheritance as His glorious ruling sons [4], through Jesus Christ,

God has blessed us in our union with Christ as joint heirs to the promise of Christ’s preeminent first-born inheritance over the order of all creation in the heavenly realm; In our spiritual co-enthronement with Christ (Eph.2:6), and the joint-heirship we have to the allotted firstborn inheritance; we are spiritual imparted with the authority of Christ’s exaltation through the spirit; (God) having decreed in Himself, before the disruption of the ordering process; that we, the members of the church, which are the body of Christ, would be victorious over the forces of darkness (Eph.6:10-16). In order to righteously redeem us to our exulted inheritance above the rebellious heavenly spirits. Enthroning us as His ruling sons for our faithful sacrificial service, in fulfilling the stewardship that God gave to us (Eph.4:11-16).

This can only be accomplished by our staying connected in dependence to our Head (Col.2:2-3, 6-7); for Knowledge, wisdom, and holiness; His love working through our faith, producing the fruit of righteousness, and a well pleasing walk before God in sacrificial service (Col.1:10-12; Eph.5:1-3).

We will be an offering to God, by our walk and love of service (Phil.1:29; Col.1:24; Rom.15:16), this will be a gift offering for His theophany(cp. Ex40:6,29,34), in the person of Christ in the heavenly realm: “He will be made manifest, and we with Him” as the body of His glory, at the right hand of God (this is not the hope of the rapture[6]; we will have then received the reward of the inheritance(Col.3:24), the prize of the high calling(Phil.3:11), for our faithful sacrificial service, sharing in the exalted glory of Christ’s firstborn inheritance over all creation, as God’s glorious overcoming corporate image (Eph.2:15; 4:24; Col.1:15-18; 3:10).

according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He has highly favored us in the Beloved. The good purpose of Gods will, is His partnership (with His lowly trusting imager) in establishing the order of His kingdom over the powers of chaos (the high rebellious spirits), He does this by the wisdom He gives to them to perform this task; in righteous sacrificial service, for the restoration, love being the bond of perfection. He is rewarding them with the inheritance of firstborn right, which grace and victory gives praise to His glory (Eph.1:12;14;18; 3:19-21).

The Greek word translated “highly favored” (G5487) is only used in one other place in the N.T. and is the same word used of Mary, she being lowly (Lk.1:28, 48), was the channel that God chose to bring in the appearing of Christ upon the earth, providing the lowly tent of his dwelling (Jn.1:14; Phil.2:7-8). Likewise, God has chosen to use us as the channel for the appearing of Christ in the heavenly realm, who is presently hid in the light of the glory of God (Col.3:3-4;1Tim.6:16), we, being the body of His flesh, are the glorious temple of the dwelling of God (Eph.2:22-23; 5:32). The body of His glory, the temple garment of His priestly glory (Phil.3:22-23).

7 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, Christ paid the price for our sin, freeing us from the realm of death; to now empower us to overcome the powers of darkness, that He may delivered us unto our inheritance on the day of redemption, as His purchased possession (Eph.1:13-14; 4:30).

8 with which He has been abundant toward us in all wisdom and understanding, (making us competent to perform the service of God’s stewardship)

having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He has purposed in Himself,

for a dispensation [7] for a corporate task given to us (for the investiture of Christ’s heavenly kingship, i.e., to head up all things in Christ), for re-establishing the ordering process of the creation,

of the fullness of the appointed seasons from which God’s glory will then fill up the appointed seasons, to head up all things in Christ by subduing all things under the supremacy of Christs headship, filling all the cosmic geographical locations with all the glory of God’s presence, those both in Heaven and on Earth (i.e., God’s presence establishing order to all creation through His image; i.e "fill and subdue" Gen.1:28). This is what for God has decreed in the hidden counsel of His will; for the investiture of the corporate one new man, for Christ to be made manifest in the heavenly realm and we with him(at God's right hand); which is first necessary, for Him to then later appear to every eye, as He heads up all under His sovereignty during the appointed seasons, God’s glory filling the all creation as His holy temple, extending the Eden blessing.

11 in which also out from the heirship we have, out from the decree of His determination (from which we are to be holy and without blame before him in love, for entrance into the inheritance as His ruling sons, vv.4-5) according to the purpose[8] of Him who works all things according the counsel of His own will

By His power God works all out all the trails of this world, and the enemy to our perfection, empowering us by His love in the spirit through faith, to overcome the corruption, persecutions, and afflictions of the enemy, and evil order of this present age; that Christ be made manifest, and we with Him, in glory, as Gods conquering image, at His right hand (Col.3:1-4;Tit.2:11-14). Which will result in the restoration of the ordering process.

12 that we who first trusted in Christ, (before the fullness of the appointed seasons) should be to the praise of His glory, Our reward, and function as His image, to manifestation to all creation, all the power, grace, and kindness of God’s person.

13 in Whom also, you, having heard the word, that of the truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and after having believed, you were marked with the Spirit of the holy promise,14 the earnest of the inheritance, for our redemption as Gods acquired possession, to the praise of His glory. The Spirit of God empowers us, by testifying with our spirit, that we are the children of God, assuring us, of God’s love for us, and the hope that lies before us (cp. Rom.8:15-18, 23-24). The Spirit of God is the seal of our inheritance as God’s paid possession; and is the power of God toward the perfecting of us, for the day of redemption (Eph.4:30).

The function of the image is to reflect the glory of God to all creation, which function is to summons the praises of creation to God, and this will be the function of the corporate New Man in the ages to come (Eph.2:7). In how God has not only favored us in allotting us such an inheritance, but also what He has chosen to accomplish through us now, for the ages (Eph.3:9-11), and we will forever be the emblem of the glory of His praise in what not only has done for us, but also what He has accomplished through us which will result in His glory filling the earth (Eph.3:19-21)

---

[1] The function of the image: summing up the praises of creation to God.

[2] We have already received the blessing of Christ’s firstborn right, being endowed with the spiritual authority over the powers of the kingdom of darkness, no longer under their subjection (Eph.2:6).

[3] God's purpose is choosing one (i.e., Abraham, Israel, Gen.12:3) out of the many so that through the one, He can restore His blessing back to the many. This choosing-out is corporate and is not referring primarily to individuals. When Paul uses the words chosen and predestination in Ephesians, he is referring to God’s choosing out of the New Man (church) as a channel to restore His blessing to the cosmos (see context, Col.1:14-22) and Israel, at the time of its entrance into its inheritance on the day of redemption (which event has wrongly translated adoption, it is rather a future corporate event, and hope of the believer, i.e. Rom.8:23; 9:4).

[4] When we do a word study of the Greek word used here foundation has the meaning of breakdown or overthrow (see below); the word used for world here is cosmos, meaning the order, this brings us to when Satan, influenced Adams disobedience in not obeying Gods voice, disrupting, or overthrowing the commission given to Adam of extending the Eden blessing to the rest of creation.
The following is a list of the usage of katabole in its English translation (kataballo--verb form) in the Old Testament LXX (O.T.: II Sam. 20:15, cast or thrown down; II Kings 3:19, shall fall or cut down; 3:25, felled or cut down; 6:5, felling; 19:7, fall (by the sword); II Chron. 32:21, slew or cut down; Job 16:14, breaketh; Ps. 37:14, cast down, 73:18, cast them down; Ps. 106:26, overthrow; 106:27, overthrow; 140:10, cast; Prov. 7:26, cast down; 18:8, go down; 25:28, broken down; Jer. 19:7, fall; Ezek. 6:4, cast down; 23:25, shall fall; 26:4, shall destroy; 26:4

[5] see previous post on the true meaning of adoption in the Greek.

[6] The Parousia hope is pre-acts 28. After Acts 28 it is the appearing in glory, at the right hand, not the coming in the clouds (cp. Col.3:1-4).

[7] Oikonomia translated (dispensation) which is an administration of a household or estate, in the context of the book of Ephesians God’s household is not only the church, it is also all of creation, as its creative purpose was in Genesis, and will be in the consummation of the reconciliation of all things (Col.1:14-22), so here we have the administration of God to bring order to the cosmos, where His presence will shine on all creation. The revelation of this mystery was given to the Apostle Paul as the chosen steward of this administration, to instruct the other members of the family (the church) the proper instruction (in all wisdom and insight having made known unto us) that is needed to performed the task of bringing order to the household, first in the members of the church resulting in the day of redemption, which will be the investiture of the corporate one New Man on the thrown of God “the appearing” which will result in the appointed seasons in which order will then be established in the cosmos (1 Tim.6:12-16).

[8] The word here for purpose (G4286, Eph.3:9-11) is translated bread (Mt.12:4). It was the shewbread (12 loaves in the holy place symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel) of God's presence where the priest had to shine the light of the menorah on the bread constantly, which is symbolic of God's blessed presence shinning on the people from the service (intercession) of the priest, where the people would receive provision from God.
It’s use here is to show that it is part of God’s purpose of revealing His glory in how His lowly image that trust in Him can overcome the high rebellious spirits and be greater than them. Also, with these words use with the appointed seasons (Israels Prophetic feasts; four having fully come, three remain, trumpets, the day of atonement, and the feast of tabernacles). By the offering of our service, God’s light will again shine on the nation in their national restoration, and redemption. From us being first filled, and redeemed, then the prophetic clock will begin concerning Israels appointed seasons.

New notes
[3] In the O.T. we have the example of God's purpose is choosing out the one (i.e., Abraham, Israel, Gen.12:3) out of the many so that through the one, He can restore His blessing back to the many (i.e the Nations). God's choosing-out is corporate and is not referring primarily to individuals. When Paul uses the words chosen and predestination in Ephesians, he is referring to God’s choosing out of the New Man (church) as a channel to restore His blessing to the cosmos (see context, Col.1:14-22) and Israel, at the time of its entrance into its inheritance on the day of redemption (which event has wrongly translated adoption, it is rather a future corporate event, and hope of the believer, i.e. Rom.8:23; 9:4).

[8] The word here for purpose (G4286, Eph.3:9-11) is translated bread (Mt.12:4). It was the shewbread (12 loaves in the holy place symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel) of God's presence where the priest had to shine the light of the menorah on the bread constantly, which is symbolic of God's blessed presence shinning on the people from the service (intercession) of the priest, where the people would receive provision from God.
It’s use here is to show that it is part of God’s purpose of revealing His glory in how His lowly image that trust in Him can overcome the high rebellious spirits and be greater than them. Also, with these words use with the appointed seasons (Israels Prophetic feasts; four having fully come, three remain, trumpets, the day of atonement, and the feast of tabernacles). By the offering of our service, God’s light will again shine on the nation in their national restoration, and redemption. From us being first filled, and redeemed, then the prophetic clock will begin concerning Israels appointed seasons.

 

[Antonio39]

Exposition of Eph.1:15-23; The resurrection of Christ; the power to enthrone His image over all creation, that the coming Age may Come!

15 Because of this I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love to all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,

Because of this I also... because of our redemption which he just was speaking about in the previous verse, In the letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul says that this love that is manifested to the saints, is for the Hope that is laid up for them in the Heaven; the working service of building up the body of Christ, is for the hope of the appearing of Christ in the heavenly realm, and our appearing with Him in glory (Col.1:4-5,23,27; 3:1-4).

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the recognition of him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance within the Holy ones.

Paul’s prayer is for growth of maturity, that they continually grow in wisdom and revelation from learning the truth of who God is in the person of Christ. In order that they may know what is required from them that they attain unto the hope to which they have been graciously called (Phil.3:12) (in how we will appear with Christ in the heavenly realm, Col. 3:1-4,). That this hope to which we have been called becomes a living reality. For us to know the greatness of the inheritance that God has allotted unto us, as His corporate image in the middle of the divine counsel (Col.1:12; cp.Ps.89:5-8); this becomes the driving force to endure, by growing in the loving presence of God, in our knowing Him, energizes us to fulfill the working service that has been given us (Eph.3:19-21; 4:12-30).

19 and what the greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might,20 which He wrought in the Christ, having raised him out of the dead, and did set [him] at His right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one;22 and all things He did put under his feet, and did give him -- head over all things to the assembly, 23 which is his body, the fulness of the all (the cosmic geographical locations), wherein all (of God’s glory) fills.

Paul is revealing the power that is accessible unto us who are believing in the operation of God, who are believing that God raised Christ out from the dead ones, and in our union with Him by the baptism of the Spirit (Col.2:12), His headship has been given to us over the evil powers in the heavenly realm; as the channel through which God’s liberates us through His life-giving power (Eph.2:5-8). Believing that as God’s power over came the forces of darkness and raised Christ out from the dead as head over the order of creation, this same power is at work in us, which is able overcome the powers of this Age, to redeem us unto our inheritance, and bring in the coming age, the times for the restoration of all things (Phil.3:20-21; cp. Acts.3:19-21).

When we are enthroned with Christ upon the thrown of the ages [1] at the investiture (the appearing of Christ) of the one New corporate Man as God's image (1Tim.1:17; 6:16; lit. King of the Ages. cp. Col.3:10), God’s glory will then begin the ordering process, turning the time wheel of the cosmos from this age, into the next age, where God’s glory will fill all of creation during the appointed seasons (Eph.1:10).

God’s power through the Head of the New man will bring in the New creation through His body, by redeeming us into our inheritance. This is why we are the fullness of all that is to be filled, it is Gods power flowing through us towards our perfection, that the day of our redemption may come, to bring in the filling of all that is to be filled.

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[1] See Ez.1:26; Heb. 1:2; 11:3; wrongly translated worlds, it should be translated Ages (i.e. Mt.24:3, used in the singular form. Age), the lord fixed the time of creation. The ages of the constellations (Job.38:31-33).
[2] Gen. 2:6-7; 10-14.

 

[Antonio39]

The dispensation of the mystery is the Establishing of God’s rule over the order of creation, by the investiture of God’s sovereign image on the thrown of creation, which brings in the appointed seasons.



The dispensation of the grace of God was what was given to the Apostle Paul for us (peoples of the nations). Which was the secret of God’s will that we would have an allotted inheritance over all creation in our union with Christ (Eph.3:6); by our identification with Christ, and the gift of His headship over all that was given to us, in order to energizes us, His body (by giving access to God’s presence, Eph.2:1-8; 3:2,7-8,11-12; 4:7; 6:10-12; 2 Tim.2:1); to overcome the evil powers of this Age, in how He has decreed the members of the of the church, unto holiness (for the appearance of Christ, to bring blessing to the cosmos); having predetermined to appoint us as His rulings sons on the day of redemption (Eph.1:4-5, 7,11,14; 4:30); into our co-inheritance with Christ on the throne of God’s glory, over all: heading up all the cosmic geographies of creation in Christ (Eph.1.9-10).

It is God’s will to establish His rule over the order of the Ages, through His low trusting corporate image (Phil.5-11; cp. Ps.8:1-2). This will happen, by our believing that as God’s power over came the forces of darkness, and raised Christ out from the dead, as head over the order of creation (Col. 1:15-18); this same power is at work in us, in order to overcome the powers of this present Age, to perfect the New Man(Eph.4:13; Col.1:28-29), that Christ may appear, and redeem us unto our inheritance, as we appear with him at the right hand of God in glory (Col.3:1-4); for the fullness of the appointed seasons, from which the cosmic wheel of time will then turn from this age, into the next age, where God will extend the glory of His sovereign order out, filling all creation (1 Tim.1:17; 6:16, G166 i.e. should be Translated King of the Ages).