This was His eternal plan, which He carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.
Ephesians 3:11-12
According to His eternal plan? What was His eternal plan? Paul is either talking about the plan related to the Gentiles being included in the plan of salvation along with the Jews and for the church to be the agent of this good news to all creatures, including the fallen angels. In other words, relating back to the immediate context. Or he is going back to the overall plan which he talked about in Ephesians 1:9-10, referring to everything coming under Christ’s headship. I opt for the former. God’s eternal plan was always to include all of His creation. This includes the Gentiles found in Ephesus. They too were part of the plan. The Ephesian church was an integral part of the process of making known the gospel to all of creation. These Gentile Christians at Ephesus had the privilege of taking Christ to the nations and further more of remind the fallen angels of the power and might oadoptionf the one they have forsaken. The Christians in Ephesus lived in the midst of the Satanic realm. Everyday they observed the practices of those worshipping at the temple of Diana. Their city was a famous centre of cultic worship. The power of the demonic was all around them. Just like living in Asia in the 21st Century, or anywhere on this earth actually. But when we, His church, practice what we preach, we are displaying His wisdom (and power) to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. We are engaged in His eternal plan which He carried out through Christ Jesus.
Some have asked me from time to time why Jesus surname is sometimes written first, before His Christian name. It’s a funny way of putting the question. Jesus is not His first name and Christ is not His family name. There are two somewhat independent names for the one who is the author and finisher of our salvation. He is Christ, the Messiah and He is Jesus [Yeshua – Salvation]. This eternal plan of God in always and only accomplished through and in the Messiah [Christ], Jesus, the one destined to save us. God’s eternal plan was only possible in and through Jesus, the promised Messiah.
Why does Paul then say . . . “because of this . . . we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence”? Because in Christ, both Jew and Gentile can come into the very throne room of God and be accepted. Before Christ this was unheard of, for the Jew, much less for the ones who were afar off – the Gentiles. If it was hard for the Jew, it was impossible for the Gentiles.
Look at the the book of Hebrews to get a fuller picture of what all this means. Beyond the passage I refer to below. This is only the initial reference to point you to Hebrews.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.
Hebrews 10:19-23
To use the adoption analogy once more, you have been adopted “in Christ” and because of that you have immediate rights to go right into the throne room of the King of the Universe and sit on His lap as His adopted son or daughter. You are an integral part of His eternal plan. It is now your responsibility to take your full role and to remind the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenlies of the fact that they are defeated already. As an adopted child of the King, learn to exercise your throne rights and take your place in God’s grand scheme to overthrow the devil and bring salvation to all of mankind. Be a part of His church, which is destined to usher in His authority over every created being.
The sad thing in the midst of all this majesty and grandeur is that many in the church don’t take their rightful place, and instead cower “under the breakfast bar”, defeated and enslaved. Don’t let the devil pull your teeth. Arm yourself in all the power of God to bring in His reign. His reign can’t be established in His creation as He intends (Eph 1:9,10) until He reigns in you. In other words, YOU are submitted to His headship and coming under His authority. That’s why I included “You” and “The Church” in the chart or flow diagram I drew up for Gem 623. It all connects together. God’s plan is all encompassing. Make sure you are a part of it and playing your part fully.
Some of us think we must ‘get away’ in order to experience intimacy with God. No place is closer to God than where you are right now!
Bob Gass
You are as close to God as you desire and discipline yourself to be!
Ian Vail
We don’t have to understand everything that God asks us to do. We just need to do it.
Joyce Meyer
SOON, is not as good as NOW! Do it now!
Rick Godwin