The
American
Wisdom Series
Presents
Pamphlet #5166 KCEphesians6
All
things were created by Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Did
you know that?
We now come to chapter three of this exciting Book of
Ephesians.
Why is it so exciting?
For in it we have learned from one of God's chosen vessels,
the Apostle Paul, of the "mystery" of the plan of salvation of God.
Included in that "mystery" is the knowledge of the "Three
Earth Ages" and the foreknowledge of the "World That Then Was", both spoken
of by Peter in 2 Pet 3.
Without understanding these "secrets hidden from the foundation
of this world", the first three chapters of Ephesians become difficult
and "hidden" from eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear.
Christ himself talked about these things which have been
kept "secret" from the beginning just before He explained the Parable of
the Tares, which we covered in chapter 2:
Matthew
13:35 (from the 78th Psalm)
That it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth
in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation
of the world.
Are you "in tune" with the
"mysteries" Paul taught of?
If not, but you have the desire
to know, then ask our Father for the abundance of wisdom and prudence (Eph.
1:8) that He pours out, and keep "digging".
You'll find it!
As we continue to rightly divide this Book of Ephesians
we find that the entirety of chapter 3 is a parenthetical chapter, a true
Parembole,
being complete in itself.
This should be carefully noted so that we may connect
the "Therefore" of chapter 4:1 with chapter 2:22.
There is also contained within chapter 3 another parenthesis,
vv. 2-13, with verse 14 taking up the subject (which was broken off in
vs. 1) and repeating the words "For this cause".
With that background we begin chapter 3, verse 1:
Ephes.
3:1
For this cause
I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
"For this cause" or "On this account", Paul was captive
of the Lord, i.e. he was bound by Christ to deliver the gospel, and the
mystery of the truth, to the Gentiles, as well as to the kings and queens
and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15).
[2]
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given
me to you-ward:
If indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's
grace which was given to me for you,
[3]
How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore
in few words,
We all know how the conversion of Paul took place
and how he was later taken, in spirit, to the third heaven (2 Cor 12:2)
and taught the revelation by Christ.
[4]
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of
Christ)
Read what?
Paul's writing.
The "few words" Paul wrote afore are found in Romans 16:25,26.
Romans
16:25-26
Now to him that
is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of
Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept
secret since the world began, [26]
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according
to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for
the obedience of faith:
Again, we see that the mystery has been kept secret
since the world began.
That's why you haven't heard it before!
Ephes
3:5 Which in other ages was not made known
unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and
prophets by the Spirit;
Which in other generations was not made known...
but it is now, and it is contained in the writings of the apostles, the
New Testament, and the prophets, the Old Testament, i.e. God's Word.
[6]
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers
of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Salvation and the promise, which is to say the inheritance,
is open to all of God's children, to all races and nations.
In Revelation 21:10 we see the New Jerusalem descending
out of heaven from God, with twelve gates, and with the names of the twelve
tribes of Israel on them.
We also see the nations (ethnos) and their kings, of all
that received salvation, present and accounted for.
Rev.
21:24-26
And the nations
of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of
the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. [25]
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be
no night there. [26]
And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
Forever and ever, world without end!
Ephes
3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according
to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working
of his power.
Paul was MADE a minister, he didn't choose the vocation
(at least in this earth age).
God knocked him off of his horse by the effectual working
of His power, and made him His, a captive, a prisoner in Christ, to preach
the gospel.
Quite a story, huh?
[8]
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given,
that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Paul was well aware of how undeserving he was to
be given such grace by Almighty God, to be used mightily to preach the
unsearchable, or unfathomable, riches of Christ to the Gentiles.
After all, he was the chief persecutor of Christians.
He even held the coats of those who stoned Stephen to
death.
That makes him an accessory to the crime.
[9]
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:
All things were created by Jesus Christ, the Living
Word.
Did you know that?
It is declared by the Written Word of God:
John
1:1-5
In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2]
The
same was in the beginning with God. [3]
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that
was made. [4]
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5]
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Continuing with the purpose of Paul's commission:
Ephes
3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities
and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God,
So that the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies
(not just on earth), including Satan, might know the manifold wisdom of
God, through His church.
[11]
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our
Lord:
God has an eternal purpose, beginning with "bringing
back" to Him His sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.
[12]
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.
How strong is your faith in Him?
How boldly and confidently do you approach our Father?
Or are you sheepish because you see yourself as a sinner?
"Oh, God, woe is me!"
If so, just repent, ask forgiveness, and then be bold
and confident, for when He forgives, it is gone!
How boldly and confidently do you approach life?
Can you say to others (not out loud of course) "Do
you know who I am?
I am a son, or daughter, of the Living God. I am
somebody!"
It's too bad that our school systems today teach our youth
that they are merely the end product, through evolution, of organic slime.
What hope and confidence does that instill?
So be bold and confident in Him.
Your inheritance awaits!
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
1 Corinthians
10:11 Now all these things happened unto them {the
ancient Israelites} for
ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends
of the world are come.
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