Ephesians 1:[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
[2] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 2:6)
Our blessings are spiritual. (Romans 15:27) Though we receive certain blessings from God time to time in this life, there are those eternal spiritual blessings awaiting us in eternity. They are laid out here in chapter one of Ephesians. Though there are those who preach what is called prosperity gospel we find through study of the Word we who are in Christ are guaranteed in this life only tribulation ( 1 Thessalonians 3:4) and persecution (11 Timothy 3:12). In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us if this life our hope is fulfilled we are then MISERABLE (1 Corinthians 15:19). Now that doesn’t sound like one who is having a prosperous life now does it? Let us praise God for those promises He has made in eternity for those of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior.
Be presented holy and without blame because of the finished work of Jesus. vs. 4
Be adopted into God’s family. vs5
Be accepted by the Father. vs. 6
Receive the forgiveness of sins. vs. 7
Revelation of His will. vs. 8-9
Gathered together. vs. 10
An inheritance. vs. 11
Sealed by the Holy Spirit. vs. 13
Sealed until the day of redemption. vs14
These are His promises to us. Please note the repetitive phrase in HIM. These promises are not made to anyone but those who have put their trust in Christ. Nor are they promised to us BEFORE we put our trust in Him. ANYONE may put their trust in Christ BUT only those who have may receive these blessings. We are not PREDESTINED to put our trust in Christ BUT those who do are predestined to receive these blessings. So then, God did not choose who would trust Christ BUT chose to give these blessings to whomever does.
[4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Those who have trusted Christ are promised to be presented holy and without blame because of the finished work of Jesus.
[5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Those who have put their trust in Christ are promised to be adopted into God’s family.
[6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Those who have put their trust in Christ have been promised to be accepted by the Father.
[7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Because of God’s grace extended to those who have put their trust in Christ have been promised to receive the forgiveness of sins.
[8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Those of us who have put our trust in Christ have given us spiritual understanding and revealed to us through His Spirit and the Word His will.
[10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
God has promised to those who have trusted Christ to be gathered together according to His timetable.
[11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
God has promised to those who have trusted Christ an inheritance. We can trust these promises because the Creator of the universe Himself has decided to do this. God Who is not willing that any should perish has extended His grace to mankind that we all might be saved.
[12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
[13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
[14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Let us note the order of events.:
FIRST we must trust in Christ.
In order to receive these blessings and promises. In order to become predestined to them we must FIRST TRUST CHRIST. When we were lost we were only destined to one thing and that is to HELL. But AFTER having put our trust in the finished work of the cross we become PREDESTINED to these wonderful blessings given to us by God’s grace.
When did we trust in Christ? AFTER we heard the Word of truth the gospel. Then we believed the truth of the gospel. Then we were sealed by the Holy Spirit of what? PROMISE!. When will receive these blessings? When we are REDEEMED. Until the redemption we are SEALED.
So then we have:
Hearing
Believing
Trusting
Receiving
Predestination
Redemption
So then the last spiritual blessing listed those of us who have put our trust in Christ will be sealed until the day of redemption.
[15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
[17] 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:
[18] 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,
[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
These peoples faith produced a noteworthy love for the brethren. So noteworthy, it was brought to the attention of the Apostle Paul causing him to give God thanks for them and praying to God on their behalf that they may receive knowledge.
All of these spiritual blessings heaped upon us (again) who have BELIEVED. The criteria for receiving was NOT based upon God choosing who would believe but God choosing to give these blessings to anyone who believed.
[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
[21] 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:
[22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
[23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Christ’s current position is on the right hand of the Father. (Colossians 3:1) It is noteworthy here mentioned there is a world (age) to come. This is an age of glory where Christ will reign on the throne in Jerusalem for a thousand years. Prophesied of and awaited for by the saints of God. The church being the body of Christ. We are indeed flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones as wife to husband. We are to be the conformed to His image representing Him to the lost and dying world.