The Ages in Ephesians
In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
Paul opens his epistle to the Ephesians with a clear statement about God's purpose in the ages.
An administration suitable to the fulness of times. What does that mean?
Let's break it down a little bit.
The word administration is translated from the Greek word "oikonomian"
The word is translated variously as "stewardship"; "dispensation"; "management"; and literally means "household management" or "house law".
The word fullness is translated from the Greek word "pleroma".
Significantly, pleroma means complete fullness, and is the word used in 1 Cor 10:26, "The earth is the Lord's and all it contains"(NASB)(and the fulness thereof- KJV)
There are many other verses where pleroma means virtually all, but 1 Cor 10:26 is sufficient for this writing.
The "summing up" is a word that is only used twice in the NT, anakephalaiōsasthai
In the KJV it is translated "gathering together into one".
God's plan, executed over a dispensation that includes the completion of all times, is the gathering together into one of all things in Christ.
How often have you heard Ephesians 1:9-11 taught in church or on the radio or TV?
Not likely very often, if ever.
Let's break it down a little further.
"In all wisdom and insight He made known unto us the mystery of His will"....
Paul explains that this "gathering together of all things into one in Christ" is the mystery of the Father's will, and that He has made it known unto us....."according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him"....
The Father's plan is a "kind intention", the KJV calls it His "good pleasure". The Greek word is "eudokia", eu meaning "good" and dokia meaning "will, desire, pleasure". This is the same word used in the angelic proclamation concerning Messiah's birth, "peace on earth, good will(eudokia) towards men".
So, God's purpose in Christ is a "kind intention" with a view to, or from a perspective including the summing up of all things in Christ, whether things in heaven or things in earth.
The word for "all things" is "panta", a tense of the word "pas", which means all, inclusive of everything. Pas/panta is translated "all things"; "all men"; "everything"- and in over 1200 occurrences simply means all. Paul further amplifies the "allness" of this "summing up" by adding, "whether things in heaven or in earth".
The scriptures speak of time in several ways. Seasons(kairos), appointed times(chronos), generations(geneas), generations of generations, ages(aion), ages past and ages to come.
In this introduction in Ephesians Paul speaks of the totality of times as an administration of God's purpose in Christ- to gather into one all things.
Paul makes the same statement in the introduction of the epistle to the Colossians in slightly different terms. In Colossians Paul is much more definitive as to what "all" is.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
The all things that Jesus will reconcile is the same all things that He created. As John says in John 1, "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being".
According to Paul the Father made His fulness(pleroma) dwell in Jesus so that He could reconcile all things to Himself through the blood of His cross. This is "His kind intention which He purposed in Him" in Eph 1, the blood of His cross being the means by which He will gather all things together into one in Christ- reconciling all.
One of the problems with breaking the scriptures up into chapters and verses(there are benefits to it but problems as well) is that we tend to break up continuous thoughts as if they were unrelated. The whole epistle to the Ephesians is not all that long. The continuity and integrity of thought is incredible. Paul tells us the mystery of God's will is the summing up of all things in Christ in verses 9-11 of the first chapter- as a general statement about the purpose of God through the fullness of time. The He prays....
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:
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, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
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: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
God has exalted Christ above every power in this age and in the age to come. Continuing His purpose through the ages, the exaltation of Christ is key to the dispensation of the fulness of times- as it is written in 1 Corinthians 15....
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Paul again plays this glorious theme. Christ has been exalted over all so that all may be gathered unto Him, into Him, even as He prophesied, "If I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men unto me"(John 12:32).
Jesus has been lifted up from the earth, His cross and His throne are inextricably sown together.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Phil 2)
Because Jesus descended furthest, He ascended highest. "No greater love has any man than this". Because He descended in love, He ascends in love, reigns in love, and will gather all things into His love. His corrections and punishments fulfill the purpose of His love, His eyes, as flames of fire and His face, like the sun shining in its strength, will ultimately penetrate every hiding place and pierce every heart until every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
People are generally taught that God will force every knee to bow and every tongue to confess just before He throws them into "hell". Really though, when you read Ephesians 1, Colossians 1 and 1 Cor 15 it becomes apparent that Christ's cross will reconcile all and His throne will subject all so that God will become all in all. Death will be done away with, because death is the penalty for sin, and when all things are gathered into one in Christ, there will be no more need for death, because God will be all in all, "everything in everyone." This is YHWH's purpose in the ages.
32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever(eis tous aiona-to/thruout the ages). Amen.
Notice the similarity of language in all these texts. All things. Unto the ages. Fulness.
When we read the words "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things", we are seeing a summation of the wise counsel of YHWH, whose glory throughout the ages is the gathering together into one of all things in Christ.
Peter speaks of this purpose as it is to begin in earnest in the age to come in one of the first messages after Pentecost,
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
Before we finish we will see that this purpose of gathering all things together into one has been prophesied from ancient times by the prophets. It is the "good news"(euaggelion) of God's "good pleasure"(eudokia). His kind intention towards all. Again, the language of Peter is in keeping with Paul's- who is at this time not even a disciple yet, but is rather about to become a chief adversary of the gospel. Peter is proclaiming that with the return of Messiah, in the age to come, the period of the restoration of all things will begin. A period prophesied by Isaiah for instance.....
The Lord of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;
A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,
And refined, aged wine.
And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples,
Even the veil which is stretched over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death for all time,
And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,
And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.
9 And it will be said in that day,
"Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Paul spoke of this veil in 2 Cor chapters 3 & 4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Isaiah has prophesied that this veil will be removed from over all people. Paul states in 2 Cor 3:
But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Today the veil remains intact over many Christians who read the Bibe ut do not understand God's purpose through the ages to come- or even see that such ages exist. But see what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2, in one of the most quoted portions of scripture there is.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, andseated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace inkindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
We were saved by grace to become His workmanship, conformed to the image of Christ, created in Him for good works prepared from beforehand (protoimazo-predestined) that we should walk in them. As Paul says in the first chapter, just a few sentences earlier, "In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory."
His glory is the gathering together of all things into one in Christ. This "inheritance" unto which "we who were the first to hope in Chist" are predestined to is the "surpassing kindness of His grace" that will be showered upon us "in the ages to come"- the "good works prepared for us beforehand that we should walk in them", the continuing work of "gathering all things into one in Christ".
In the first 3 chapters of Ephesians we have the "administration suitable to the fulness of times"(Eph 1:10); the "this age and age to come"(Eph 1:21); the "ages to come"(Eph 2:7)
In Eph 3 Paul states, "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
This is the same "mystery of His will" from Eph 1:9, the same "wisdom, the same "administration"- it is the gathering together of all things into one in Christ.
In Eph 4 Paul states, of Christ's exaltation, "He who descended is also He who ascended "that He might fill all things"(Eph 4:10).
All of this is consistent with the opening thought, the introduction to God's purpose in Ephesians chapter 1. Then, as we see in Colossians 1:15-20, 1Cor 15:23-28, Phil 2:9-11; Romans 11:32-36- it becomes increasingly clear that God's purpose in Christ is to become all-in-all though the ages past and the ages to come. It also becomes clear that we, as the first to hope in Christ will receive as our inheritance, the joy of serving in the restoration of all things in the ages to come.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
The whole creation groans. The earth is about to yield up its fruit. The first fruits, those that are His at His coming. Their inheritance, their mission, the gathering together into one of all things in Christ, the restoration of all things, the glory of God to be revealed in all the earth as the waters cover the seas.
For by the word of truth He has begotten us a kind of first fruits of His creation.(James 1)
If any man be in Christ Jesus He is a new creation, old things pass away, behold, all things become new.(1 Cor 5)
5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."6 Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.(Rev 21)"
Jesus is the beginning and the end of God's plan for the ages, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be the glory to the ages."
As Paul says in Ephesians 3...
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory among the ecclesia and in Christ Jesus to all generations of the age of the ages(aionos ton aionon). Amen.
So well pulled together and written, EW! Thank you. :dsunny:
D.
Hi EW,
I wish everyone who believes that anyone will be lost could read this but alas, the one's who need this infornation usually never get it.
How do you see this verse?
(Rom. 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
CHB
I think Paul gives the answer a little latter in this ch. when he says:
Rom 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
How? ....Zec_4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Quote from: eaglesway on February 19, 2016, 05:25:59 AM
The Ages in Ephesians
In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
Paul opens his epistle to the Ephesians with a clear statement about God's purpose in the ages.
An administration suitable to the fulness of times. What does that mean?
Let's break it down a little bit.
The word administration is translated from the Greek word "oikonomian"
The word is translated variously as "stewardship"; "dispensation"; "management"; and literally means "household management" or "house law".
The word fullness is translated from the Greek word "pleroma".
Significantly, pleroma means complete fullness, and is the word used in 1 Cor 10:26, "The earth is the Lord's and all it contains"(NASB)(and the fulness thereof- KJV)
There are many other verses where pleroma means virtually all, but 1 Cor 10:26 is sufficient for this writing.
The "summing up" is a word that is only used twice in the NT, anakephalaiōsasthai
In the KJV it is translated "gathering together into one".
God's plan, executed over a dispensation that includes the completion of all times, is the gathering together into one of all things in Christ.
How often have you heard Ephesians 1:9-11 taught in church or on the radio or TV?
Not likely very often, if ever.
Let's break it down a little further.
"In all wisdom and insight He made known unto us the mystery of His will"....
Paul explains that this "gathering together of all things into one in Christ" is the mystery of the Father's will, and that He has made it known unto us....."according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him"....
The Father's plan is a "kind intention", the KJV calls it His "good pleasure". The Greek word is "eudokia", eu meaning "good" and dokia meaning "will, desire, pleasure". This is the same word used in the angelic proclamation concerning Messiah's birth, "peace on earth, good will(eudokia) towards men".
So, God's purpose in Christ is a "kind intention" with a view to, or from a perspective including the summing up of all things in Christ, whether things in heaven or things in earth.
The word for "all things" is "panta", a tense of the word "pas", which means all, inclusive of everything. Pas/panta is translated "all things"; "all men"; "everything"- and in over 1200 occurrences simply means all. Paul further amplifies the "allness" of this "summing up" by adding, "whether things in heaven or in earth".
The scriptures speak of time in several ways. Seasons(kairos), appointed times(chronos), generations(geneas), generations of generations, ages(aion), ages past and ages to come.
In this introduction in Ephesians Paul speaks of the totality of times as an administration of God's purpose in Christ- to gather into one all things.
Paul makes the same statement in the introduction of the epistle to the Colossians in slightly different terms. In Colossians Paul is much more definitive as to what "all" is.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
The all things that Jesus will reconcile is the same all things that He created. As John says in John 1, "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being".
According to Paul the Father made His fulness(pleroma) dwell in Jesus so that He could reconcile all things to Himself through the blood of His cross. This is "His kind intention which He purposed in Him" in Eph 1, the blood of His cross being the means by which He will gather all things together into one in Christ- reconciling all.
One of the problems with breaking the scriptures up into chapters and verses(there are benefits to it but problems as well) is that we tend to break up continuous thoughts as if they were unrelated. The whole epistle to the Ephesians is not all that long. The continuity and integrity of thought is incredible. Paul tells us the mystery of God's will is the summing up of all things in Christ in verses 9-11 of the first chapter- as a general statement about the purpose of God through the fullness of time. The He prays....
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:
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, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
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: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
God has exalted Christ above every power in this age and in the age to come. Continuing His purpose through the ages, the exaltation of Christ is key to the dispensation of the fulness of times- as it is written in 1 Corinthians 15....
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Paul again plays this glorious theme. Christ has been exalted over all so that all may be gathered unto Him, into Him, even as He prophesied, "If I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men unto me"(John 12:32).
Jesus has been lifted up from the earth, His cross and His throne are inextricably sown together.
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Phil 2)
Because Jesus descended furthest, He ascended highest. "No greater love has any man than this". Because He descended in love, He ascends in love, reigns in love, and will gather all things into His love. His corrections and punishments fulfill the purpose of His love, His eyes, as flames of fire and His face, like the sun shining in its strength, will ultimately penetrate every hiding place and pierce every heart until every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
People are generally taught that God will force every knee to bow and every tongue to confess just before He throws them into "hell". Really though, when you read Ephesians 1, Colossians 1 and 1 Cor 15 it becomes apparent that Christ's cross will reconcile all and His throne will subject all so that God will become all in all. Death will be done away with, because death is the penalty for sin, and when all things are gathered into one in Christ, there will be no more need for death, because God will be all in all, "everything in everyone." This is YHWH's purpose in the ages.
32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever(eis tous aiona-to/thruout the ages). Amen.
Notice the similarity of language in all these texts. All things. Unto the ages. Fulness.
When we read the words "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things", we are seeing a summation of the wise counsel of YHWH, whose glory throughout the ages is the gathering together into one of all things in Christ.
Peter speaks of this purpose as it is to begin in earnest in the age to come in one of the first messages after Pentecost,
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
Before we finish we will see that this purpose of gathering all things together into one has been prophesied from ancient times by the prophets. It is the "good news"(euaggelion) of God's "good pleasure"(eudokia). His kind intention towards all. Again, the language of Peter is in keeping with Paul's- who is at this time not even a disciple yet, but is rather about to become a chief adversary of the gospel. Peter is proclaiming that with the return of Messiah, in the age to come, the period of the restoration of all things will begin. A period prophesied by Isaiah for instance.....
The Lord of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;
A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,
And refined, aged wine.
And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples,
Even the veil which is stretched over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death for all time,
And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,
And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.
9 And it will be said in that day,
"Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."
Paul spoke of this veil in 2 Cor chapters 3 & 4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Isaiah has prophesied that this veil will be removed from over all people. Paul states in 2 Cor 3:
But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Today the veil remains intact over many Christians who read the Bibe ut do not understand God's purpose through the ages to come- or even see that such ages exist. But see what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2, in one of the most quoted portions of scripture there is.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, andseated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace inkindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
We were saved by grace to become His workmanship, conformed to the image of Christ, created in Him for good works prepared from beforehand (protoimazo-predestined) that we should walk in them. As Paul says in the first chapter, just a few sentences earlier, "In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory."
His glory is the gathering together of all things into one in Christ. This "inheritance" unto which "we who were the first to hope in Chist" are predestined to is the "surpassing kindness of His grace" that will be showered upon us "in the ages to come"- the "good works prepared for us beforehand that we should walk in them", the continuing work of "gathering all things into one in Christ".
In the first 3 chapters of Ephesians we have the "administration suitable to the fulness of times"(Eph 1:10); the "this age and age to come"(Eph 1:21); the "ages to come"(Eph 2:7)
In Eph 3 Paul states, "To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
This is the same "mystery of His will" from Eph 1:9, the same "wisdom, the same "administration"- it is the gathering together of all things into one in Christ.
In Eph 4 Paul states, of Christ's exaltation, "He who descended is also He who ascended "that He might fill all things"(Eph 4:10).
All of this is consistent with the opening thought, the introduction to God's purpose in Ephesians chapter 1. Then, as we see in Colossians 1:15-20, 1Cor 15:23-28, Phil 2:9-11; Romans 11:32-36- it becomes increasingly clear that God's purpose in Christ is to become all-in-all though the ages past and the ages to come. It also becomes clear that we, as the first to hope in Christ will receive as our inheritance, the joy of serving in the restoration of all things in the ages to come.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
The whole creation groans. The earth is about to yield up its fruit. The first fruits, those that are His at His coming. Their inheritance, their mission, the gathering together into one of all things in Christ, the restoration of all things, the glory of God to be revealed in all the earth as the waters cover the seas.
For by the word of truth He has begotten us a kind of first fruits of His creation.(James 1)
If any man be in Christ Jesus He is a new creation, old things pass away, behold, all things become new.(1 Cor 5)
5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."6 Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.(Rev 21)"
Jesus is the beginning and the end of God's plan for the ages, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be the glory to the ages."
As Paul says in Ephesians 3...
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory among the ecclesia and in Christ Jesus to all generations of the age of the ages(aionos ton aionon). Amen.
Excellent, just excellent :HeartThrob: :dsunny:
Your posts EW are a real blessing to us, including this one on Ephesians.
Joe
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
Quote from: CHB on February 19, 2016, 03:49:40 PM
Hi EW,
I wish everyone who believes that anyone will be lost could read this but alas, the one's who need this infornation usually never get it.
How do you see this verse?
(Rom. 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
CHB
For me it is understanding what leads up to those questions: Going back to verse 12 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek"
It is the foundation upon which UR is founded: that in Adam all die AND in Christ all will be made alive
It is completely understanding that for everyone, their/our beginning and their/our end are the same,
Not believing this good news is to form something that is not of God, more specifically, if we believe some have a different end than another it is not of God.
It is the difference between seeing the larger picture (mankind) opposed to two pictures (Jews and Greeks) or (believers and unbelievers)
Believers believe that for all of mankind the beginning and the end are the same for all (For in Adam all die .... in Christ all will be made alive)
Unbelievers believe that for all of mankind the beginning is the same (in Adam all die) but the end is NOT the same for all (They believe in Adam all die ..... but they do not believe because of HIS FINISHED WORK all will be made alive)
For someone searching for the truth they have to ask "Help me to understand that everyone's beginning and end are the same"
Would like to add: It is the Law of Love ...... the giving of Life to the dead
My :2c:
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.....
and when I had heard and seen,I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things..
Then He sayeth to me 'See thou do it not;for I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethern the prophets,and of them
which keep the sayings of this book;Worship God"
Look around on the earth..see all men and nations that shall inherit eternal life because of God's good intentions..and His Christ.
you/we are called out to declare these things....those who die and are returned home unto Father[prodigals] will
hear what they had not heard..and see what they had not seen. They may speak as Job did..'I had heard about you,but now I see you"
and repent in dust and ashes.
Now is the time of the servant of All..the third measure..that God may be All in All. Now is the time to declare the Salvation
of All men..Now is the time to speak to the prodigals hearts that are far off from their Father..and go forth to meet them..for
it is the spirit of God in you that is doing it. And He will bear wittness.
Prodigals receive the first resurrection...the Best Robe..for this my son was dead. Happy and Holy are those of the first resurrection.
those without the wedding garment will be cast out..if you do not recognize that the Bridegroom come to raise the dead[I Am
the Resurrection] and is the Lord of the dead also..and become one flesh with all men..and takes away all their sin..you are as
the man without a wedding garment. For the accepting of them back in 'is life from the dead'
Quote from: sheila on February 19, 2016, 06:53:44 PM
Prodigals receive the first resurrection...the Best Robe..for this my son was dead. Happy and Holy are those of the first resurrection.
those without the wedding garment will be cast out..if you do not recognize that the Bridegroom come to raise the dead[I Am
the Resurrection] and is the Lord of the dead also..and become one flesh with all men..and takes away all their sin..you are as
the man without a wedding garment. For the accepting of them back in 'is life from the dead'
Hi sheila, before I even read this (what is in bold) I added my last statement
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup: yes,His spirit bears wittness...the last Adam became a quickening spirit..the Christ in us is a quickening spirit at this
time...life from the dead. for that which is mortal must put on immortality..and that which is corrupt must put on incorruption.
ps I hadn't even read your post either...
Quote from: CHB on February 19, 2016, 03:49:40 PM
Hi EW,
I wish everyone who believes that anyone will be lost could read this but alas, the one's who need this infornation usually never get it.
How do you see this verse?
(Rom. 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
CHB
Those verses are dear to my heart. "15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
gladtidings= euaggelion.
I believe in proclaiming the gospel.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."
Isaiah's Commission
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go, and tell this people:
'Keep on listening, but do not perceive;
Keep on looking, but do not understand.'
10 "Render the hearts of this people insensitive,
Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed."
The early church was a testimonial community. A tent of meeting. The glory of the Lord dwelt within and spilled out all over the place. The ark of the Lord's safety, the holy hill of God. It was planted in glory by the outpuring of the Spirit.
I believe the restoration of the victorious gospel is a key to the kingdom and a foundation of the witness of the Spirit in His tabernacle. The coal of fire has touched out lips and God os asking, "Who will go for me?"
But we cannot go in our own strength or will. "How shall one preach unless he is sent?"
So we wait upon the Lord in one mind and one accord for the Outpourng and the Ingathering.
In my lifetime I have seen a few glimpses of the glory of God descending over the mercy seat. I anxiously await one last opportunity to see Him move that way again. Sorta like Sampson, blind and bound but with a lil bit of hair grown back upon his bald head, and nothing left to lose.
"Go up baldpate, Go up" ;o)
Amen John! My fervent hope is that the people of God in the last days shall be as the temple in Haggai:
'Who is left among you who saw this temple[a] in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the Lord; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the Lord, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the Lord of hosts. 5 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'
6 "For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the Lord of hosts. 8 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts. 9 'THE GLORY OF THIS LATTER TEMPLE SHALL BE GREATER THAN THE FORMER,' says the Lord of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:3-9)
Quote from: eaglesway on February 20, 2016, 04:11:29 AM
Quote from: CHB on February 19, 2016, 03:49:40 PM
Hi EW,
I wish everyone who believes that anyone will be lost could read this but alas, the one's who need this infornation usually never get it.
How do you see this verse?
(Rom. 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
CHB
Those verses are dear to my heart. "15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
gladtidings= euaggelion.
I believe in proclaiming the gospel.
Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."
Isaiah's Commission
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" 9 He said, "Go, and tell this people:
'Keep on listening, but do not perceive;
Keep on looking, but do not understand.'
10 "Render the hearts of this people insensitive,
Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed."
The early church was a testimonial community. A tent of meeting. The glory of the Lord dwelt within and spilled out all over the place. The ark of the Lord's safety, the holy hill of God. It was planted in glory by the outpuring of the Spirit.
I believe the restoration of the victorious gospel is a key to the kingdom and a foundation of the witness of the Spirit in His tabernacle. The coal of fire has touched out lips and God os asking, "Who will go for me?"
But we cannot go in our own strength or will. "How shall one preach unless he is sent?"
So we wait upon the Lord in one mind and one accord for the Outpourng and the Ingathering.
In my lifetime I have seen a few glimpses of the glory of God descending over the mercy seat. I anxiously await one last opportunity to see Him move that way again. Sorta like Sampson, blind and bound but with a lil bit of hair grown back upon his bald head, and nothing left to lose.
"Go up baldpate, Go up" ;o)
Thanks EW.
Was just wondering if this verse wasn't telling us that we need to spread the gospel to those who don't understand about the salvation of all?
CHB
Quote from: CHB on February 19, 2016, 03:49:40 PM
Hi EW,
I wish everyone who believes that anyone will be lost could read this but alas, the one's who need this infornation usually never get it.
How do you see this verse?
(Rom. 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
CHB
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
just had to leave a thumbsup before running out.. I have to come back later though and read the whole thread, especially the opening one.. looks very interesting.. :thumbsup:
Quote from: CHB on February 20, 2016, 06:56:55 AM
Thanks EW.
Was just wondering if this verse wasn't telling us that we need to spread the gospel to those who don't understand about the salvation of all?
CHB
I think so in terms of the fact that the salvation of all is (imo) the gospel, so I loo for every opportunity to do so, as the Holy Spirit leads.
Great post :dsunny: :HeartThrob: :thumbsup:
Quote from: eaglesway on February 19, 2016, 05:25:59 AM
The Ages in Ephesians
In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
Paul opens his epistle to the Ephesians with a clear statement about God's purpose in the ages.
An administration suitable to the fulness of times. What does that mean?
Oh my goodness! What an awesome post (an excellent article)! :happyclap: :clapping:
..this verse "For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God." has never really quite clicked into place for me... until i read it in this post today.. I'm coming back to read this again on monday.. :thumbsup: good job.. (thanks!)
Quote from: eaglesway on February 20, 2016, 04:11:29 AM
But we cannot go in our own strength or will. "How shall one preach unless he is sent?"
Key point.
1 Cor 15;10 " By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No I worked harder than any of them-
yet not I but the grace of God that is with me."The ages talked about by Paul emphasize the mystery that WAS hidden for ages, now revealed at the appropriate time to explain the coming ages as glorious, not fearful. All so that Christ could be first in everything. Setting the pace. establishing sound foundations.
The rock that had been with Israel through the wilderness.
Quote from: jugghead on February 19, 2016, 06:39:10 PM
Quote from: CHB on February 19, 2016, 03:49:40 PM
Hi EW,
I wish everyone who believes that anyone will be lost could read this but alas, the one's who need this infornation usually never get it.
How do you see this verse?
(Rom. 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
CHB
For me it is understanding what leads up to those questions: Going back to verse 12 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek"
It is the foundation upon which UR is founded: that in Adam all die AND in Christ all will be made alive
It is completely understanding that for everyone, their/our beginning and their/our end are the same,
Not believing this good news is to form something that is not of God, more specifically, if we believe some have a different end than another it is not of God.
It is the difference between seeing the larger picture (mankind) opposed to two pictures (Jews and Greeks) or (believers and unbelievers)
Believers believe that for all of mankind the beginning and the end are the same for all (For in Adam all die .... in Christ all will be made alive)
Unbelievers believe that for all of mankind the beginning is the same (in Adam all die) but the end is NOT the same for all (They believe in Adam all die ..... but they do not believe because of HIS FINISHED WORK all will be made alive)
For someone searching for the truth they have to ask "Help me to understand that everyone's beginning and end are the same"
Would like to add: It is the Law of Love ...... the giving of Life to the dead
My :2c:
I don't do facebook, but I think this applies:
LIKE!
We know the the Lord come this first time to LIVE AND DIE FO THE WORLD ,
For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever BELIEVES in Him will not die but have Life [ His life in them remain ]
JESUS SPEAKS TO THE DEAD , ALL WHOM HEAR HIS VOICE SHALL LIVE ...the words I speak to you are LIFE
John 6 Many Disciples Turn Away
...62"What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?
63"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
64"But there are some of you who do not believe."
For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him....
As the dead in Christ rise first 1 Thess 4 The Return of the Lord....
...15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord,
will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
we remain in HIS LIVING BODY ... EAT MY BODY AND DRINK MY BLOOD
John 6 Jesus the Bread of Life
...53So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.
54"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
55"For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink....
my LIVING WORD will judge you on the last day
John 12 Some Believe in Jesus
...47"If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him;
for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
48"He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him;
the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
49"For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak....
Father raises the dead and Control by the Spirit
...10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
raises the dead to life John 5 The Father and the Son
...20"For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21"For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22"For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,...
last hour 1 John 2 Beware of Antichrists
18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us....
remain in the BODY OF CHRIST [ALIVE ]
2 Tim 4 Preach the Word
1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction....
Two bodies remain , one or the other , Christ ALIVE and Adam /DEAD , we know Jesus Christ poured out His Spirit on all flesh on pentecost and the gathering in ONE SPIRIT Began , a new and living way ...
Quote from: rosered on February 21, 2016, 06:38:10 PM
Two bodies remain , one or the other , Christ ALIVE and Adam /DEAD , we know Jesus Christ poured out His Spirit on all flesh on pentecost and the gathering in ONE SPIRIT Began , a new and living way ...
True marriage- the two shall become one.
EPh 5;31,32 " For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother[ the flesh] and the two shall become one [the spirit].
This mystery is profound,
But I am speaking about Christ and the ecclesia."
I.M.O the extra brackets about the flesh and the spirit seems to be the profound mystery explained.
Quote from: Ross on February 22, 2016, 02:49:20 AM
Quote from: rosered on February 21, 2016, 06:38:10 PM
Two bodies remain , one or the other , Christ ALIVE and Adam /DEAD , we know Jesus Christ poured out His Spirit on all flesh on pentecost and the gathering in ONE SPIRIT Began , a new and living way ...
True marriage- the two shall become one.
EPh 5;31,32 " For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother[ the flesh] and the two shall become one [the spirit].
This mystery is profound,
But I am speaking about Christ and the ecclesia."
I.M.O the extra brackets about the flesh and the spirit seems to be the profound mystery explained.
Wow , Thank you Ross ,
You really helped clarify .
Quote from: rosered on February 22, 2016, 03:08:08 AM
Quote from: Ross on February 22, 2016, 02:49:20 AM
Quote from: rosered on February 21, 2016, 06:38:10 PM
Two bodies remain , one or the other , Christ ALIVE and Adam /DEAD , we know Jesus Christ poured out His Spirit on all flesh on pentecost and the gathering in ONE SPIRIT Began , a new and living way ...
True marriage- the two shall become one.
EPh 5;31,32 " For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother[ the flesh] and the two shall become one [the spirit].
This mystery is profound,
But I am speaking about Christ and the ecclesia."
I.M.O the extra brackets about the flesh and the spirit seems to be the profound mystery explained.
Wow , Thank you Ross ,
You really helped clarify .
Its like day 1 and 2 in Genesis 1 ..... the separation of light (spirit) from the darkness (flesh)[Day 1] ..... gathered into a people (waters/heavenly host/body of Christ) born from above (Spirit/Christ/Last Adam)..... compared to a people (waters) born from below (flesh/Adam/First Adam) [Day 2] ..... "subject to vanity, not willingly (Romans 8:20)
Quote from: jugghead on February 22, 2016, 04:26:23 PM
Quote from: rosered on February 22, 2016, 03:08:08 AM
Quote from: Ross on February 22, 2016, 02:49:20 AM
Quote from: rosered on February 21, 2016, 06:38:10 PM
Two bodies remain , one or the other , Christ ALIVE and Adam /DEAD , we know Jesus Christ poured out His Spirit on all flesh on pentecost and the gathering in ONE SPIRIT Began , a new and living way ...
True marriage- the two shall become one.
EPh 5;31,32 " For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother[ the flesh] and the two shall become one [the spirit].
This mystery is profound,
But I am speaking about Christ and the ecclesia."
I.M.O the extra brackets about the flesh and the spirit seems to be the profound mystery explained.
Wow , Thank you Ross ,
You really helped clarify .
Its like day 1 and 2 in Genesis 1 ..... the separation of light (spirit) from the darkness (flesh)[Day 1] ..... gathered into a people (waters/heavenly host/body of Christ) born from above (Spirit/Christ/Last Adam)..... compared to a people (waters) born from below (flesh/Adam/First Adam) [Day 2] ..... "subject to vanity, not willingly (Romans 8:20)
Thank you so much and am learning to simplify everything in Christ !!!
The work [6 days] and the rest [One day ] ... I have considered the
Last Day being the rest , Our Lord Jesus Christ is speaking about ,
Because everyone in Christ should be in that Rest [7th day] and have passed from death to life from those 6 days of work ..
John 5 The Father and the Son
...23so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24"Truly, truly, I say to you,
he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 25"
Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live....
Matt 11 27"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father;
and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS....
:HeartThrob:
Quote from: jugghead on February 19, 2016, 06:39:10 PM
Quote from: CHB on February 19, 2016, 03:49:40 PM
Hi EW,
(Rom. 10:14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
CHB
For me it is understanding what leads up to those questions: Going back to verse 12 "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek"
It is the foundation upon which UR is founded: that in Adam all die AND in Christ all will be made alive
It is completely understanding that for everyone, their/our beginning and their/our end are the same,
Not believing this good news is to form something that is not of God, more specifically, if we believe some have a different end than another it is not of God.
It is the difference between seeing the larger picture (mankind) opposed to two pictures (Jews and Greeks) or (believers and unbelievers)
Believers believe that for all of mankind the beginning and the end are the same for all (For in Adam all die .... in Christ all will be made alive)
Unbelievers believe that for all of mankind the beginning is the same (in Adam all die) but the end is NOT the same for all (They believe in Adam all die ..... but they do not believe because of HIS FINISHED WORK all will be made alive)
For someone searching for the truth they have to ask "Help me to understand that everyone's beginning and end are the same"
Would like to add: It is the Law of Love ...... the giving of Life to the dead
My :2c:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Amen! :goodpost:
Quote from: sheila on February 19, 2016, 06:40:10 PM
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven...
..[prodigals] will
hear what they had not heard..and see what they had not seen. They may speak as Job did..'I had heard about you,but now I see you"
and repent in dust and ashes.
:thumbsup:
Quote from: Ross on February 21, 2016, 03:18:00 AM
The ages talked about by Paul emphasize the mystery that WAS hidden for ages, now revealed at the appropriate time to explain the coming ages as glorious, not fearful. All so that Christ could be first in everything. Setting the pace. establishing sound foundations.
The rock that had been with Israel through the wilderness.
:thumbsup: :goodpost:
ahhh, the Ages of God's dealings with humankind...such an important Doctrine but seldom addressed by the Church..it's wonderful to think of the exciting things Jesus has in store for us over the Ages of the Ages stretching out before us !. :dsunny:
Quote from: darryl on February 23, 2016, 01:34:57 AM
ahhh, the Ages of God's dealings with humankind...such an important Doctrine but seldom addressed by the Church..it's wonderful to think of the exciting things Jesus has in store for us over the Ages of the Ages stretching out before us !. :dsunny:
Can you just imagine ages without end? Living for billions and billions of years? :banana: I can't even imagine living a few more years much less billions of years. Wow!! :dsunny:
CHB
Quote from: CHB on February 23, 2016, 07:58:58 PM
Quote from: darryl on February 23, 2016, 01:34:57 AM
ahhh, the Ages of God's dealings with humankind...such an important Doctrine but seldom addressed by the Church..it's wonderful to think of the exciting things Jesus has in store for us over the Ages of the Ages stretching out before us !. :dsunny:
Can you just imagine ages without end? Living for billions and billions of years? :banana: I can't even imagine living a few more years much less billions of years. Wow!! :dsunny:
CHB
The imagination runs rife.
Ephesians 3;14-21 " For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
from Who every family IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, derives it's name
so that He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His spirit
according to the riches of His glory
in your inner being
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith
rooted and grounded in love,
in order that you may be empowered to grasp with all the saints[holy]
what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth,
AND TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE
that you may be filled up to the fullness of God.
Now to the One WHO IS ABLE TO DO FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOUND ALL THAT WE ASK OF IMAGINE,
according to the power THAT IS WORKING WITHIN US,
to Him be the glory in the ecclesia and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ages and ages. Amen!"
* Families on earth AND in heaven.
* Love which exceeds our knowledge
* abundantly beyond what we can ask or imagine.
* power that IS working in us.
All fantidliastic really.
No wonder Paul said the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Do not be conformed to the things of this age, but transformed.
Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth.
We have the mind of Christ.
Quote from: CHB on February 23, 2016, 07:58:58 PM
Quote from: darryl on February 23, 2016, 01:34:57 AM
ahhh, the Ages of God's dealings with humankind...such an important Doctrine but seldom addressed by the Church..it's wonderful to think of the exciting things Jesus has in store for us over the Ages of the Ages stretching out before us !. :dsunny:
Can you just imagine ages without end? Living for billions and billions of years? :banana: I can't even imagine living a few more years much less billions of years. Wow!! :dsunny:
CHB
:banana: :banana: :dsunny: :dsunny: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :iagree: :iagree:
Quote from: CHB on February 23, 2016, 07:58:58 PM
Can you just imagine ages without end? Living for billions and billions of years? :banana: I can't even imagine living a few more years much less billions of years. Wow!! :dsunny:
CHB
Lately I've been thinking about how fast times flies.. days, weeks, months, years.. and wondering how fast it would seem if i'd been alive for thousands of years.. :gsmile:
I think when love is full and joy is full of glory and our being is fully illuminated time will be little consequence. Maybe even a state of being that transcends time, in a final eternal age in which God is all in all.
Quote from: marie glen on March 16, 2016, 04:31:07 PM
Lately I've been thinking about how fast times flies.. days, weeks, months, years.. and wondering how fast it would seem if i'd been alive for thousands of years.. :gsmile:
* Peter mentioned that 1000 years are a day to our Father; that is not a 24/7 time measurement.
Could well be literally seeing time fly when we throw the current clocks out the window.
* Interesting how when looking into the past something that happened 30 years ago can seem like yesterday. But when looking ahead 30 years away seems an eternity.
* Reading through books in the O.T , or Acts in particular in the N.T, there can be a couple of years between incidents that are talked about, yet are in the same chapter. This, to me, helps to clarify that the process of learning is not a 5 minute thing, but an ongoing continual thing.
Quote from: eaglesway on March 19, 2016, 04:28:09 PM
I think when love is full and joy is full of glory and our being is fully illuminated time will be little consequence. Maybe even a state of being that transcends time, in a final eternal age in which God is all in all.
:dsunny: :thumbsup: