“Paul, to the faithful in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 1:1) “In Him we have REDEMPTION (apolutrōsis: we were born into sin and no longer belonged to God so Jesus came and bought us back to Himself) THROUGH HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of sins…He poured His grace on us by giving us great wisdom and understanding, He made known to us THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when THE TIMES REACH THEIR FULFILLMENT—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” (Ephesians 1:7-10)
WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY THIS?
- THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL: The word “mystery” properly signifies a thing which “was hid from all ages but is now made manifest.” One of the most amazing mysteries is the joining of Jews and Gentiles into ONE PEOPLE together in Christ Jesus. But the mystery here is that we have been REDEEMED BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB we are no longer our own “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are GOD’S CHILDREN. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—HEIRS OF GOD AND CO–HEIRS WITH CHRIST…” (Romans 8:16-17)
- WHEN THE TIMES REACH THEIR FULFILLMENT: This means when all has been accomplished, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many mansions (monē: abode, mansion); if that were not so, would I have told you that I AM GOING THERE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME BACK and TAKE (paralambanō: to take with oneself) YOU TO BE WITH ME that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3) “…the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP TOGETHER (harpazō: to be quickly taken away) with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) IT IS SO VERY COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT WE WILL BE INSTANTLY CAUGHT UP TO BE WITH THE LORD FOREVER…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham