The Seven Churches of Revelation – Part 2 – Ephesus – The Pending Storm

The Seven Churches of Revelation, Part 2

Ephesus — The Pending Storm

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:  (Revelation 2:2)

The Law of Faith

   The first day the Holy Spirit poured out His gifts to the church was the confirmation of all that had been accomplished on the cross, and the divine Person who had accomplished it all. For in Christ’s resurrection, we have the assurance of His divine work, and the completeness of our place in Him. At His ascension we have the power of heaven and earth sat down on the throne of God. The divine proof was, and is still, the gift of the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. I cannot separate the Holy Spirit Himself from God the Father Himself, or the Son of God Himself. The very uniqueness that God IS Spirit draws all three into the fullness of the Godhead bodily. It was the Christ of God, the anointed One, who was anointed with the oil of gladness out of the strength of the horn of the unicorn. (Psalm 92:10) This oil flows as the anointing of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Hebrews 1:9) In the anointing of Christ the Spirit of God was sent down to pour out His gifts upon all who believed. They were, and are, recipients of the holy oil that anointed the Lord Jesus Christ for they have been taken into the body of Christ. This was a divine celebration when the Spirit of God pronounced Himself upon the earth and began calling out a people for the Son of God. It was both a celebration of the people, and of the Spirit of God; the anthems of heaven were sung glorifying the Son of God, Jesus Christ. On earth the words, ‘Rejoice for ever more,’ and spiritual hymns were sung to the great Lord and Savior of the Church. Rejoice ever more would not be forgotten, or would it? God had done a new thing: He had fortified His action by sending a Comforter in the Holy Spirit to fulfill the promise that the Lord Jesus Christ had given to His disciples that He would send the Spirit of truth, and the Spirit of truth would lead them to heaven’s glory. This was a joyous beginning of the church age, but now man, in Christ, would have to live in spirit and truth. Man would have to live under the law of faith. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (Romans 3:27)

The Law of Sin and Death

   The law of faith existed before the law of Moses: before the tables of stone. The law of faith was given to combat the law of sin and death. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:23) Combine Romans 7:23 with Romans 5:12: Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:, we should now see the complete devastation of the law of sin and death. However, we find freedom in Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. It is the Spirit of Christ that has set us free from the bondage of the law of sin and death. To understand the law of sin and death we should also look to the law of faith. The law of sin and death came as judgment because Adam was disobedient to God. The law of faith came by promise, a promise that was made by God that if one would walk in faith and believe in Him then one would be justified through the Spirit of God.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39, 40)

   Abel walked by faith looking forward towards the cross, he was walking towards the fullness of time. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: (Galatians 4:3) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Galatians 4:4) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:5) 　

   As Abel walked in his own time period, he walked by faith seeing the invisible. In fact, all the patriarchs walked in the law of faith to obtain God’s righteousness as Abraham received righteousness according to his faith, so ALL the just shall live by faith. Faith is the consistent factor to overcome sin and death. One law: the law of faith, abolishes the law of sin and death. In Hebrews, Chapter 11, we have a list of names of those who walked by faith. They all had the same path of faith, however, as they were individuals they faced different circumstances, different evils, different trials, and also each one experienced his own individual trials and testing. These were all within the law of faith. The key element of this law of faith was obedience to God and God alone. By their own circumstances they were tried, and God also tested and tried their faithfulness. Every one of the patriarchs were walking in the footprints of time, till the fullness of time. (Galatians 4:4) To Abraham God said, walk before me, and be thou perfect, we have this documented in Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. This of course, would be impossible without the law of faith. We have the authority of the Holy Spirit concerning the faith of Abraham in Romans 4: 1-5. What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? (Romans 4:1) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (Romans 4:2) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (Romans 4:3) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (Romans 4:4) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5) Both the gifts of righteousness and justification can only come through the law of faith. For the just shall live by faith.

For the just shall live by faith

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)

 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4)

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Galatians 3:11)

Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38)

The Great Conflict

   There is only one law of faith. And this law of faith proceeds out from God Himself. (Galatians 2:20) I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. There is a great conflict between the law of sin and death, and the law of faith. The law of sin and death exalts the flesh, and by sin destroys the flesh. The law of faith removes man from himself and gives him a new man in Jesus Christ. The sole purpose of this new man is to glorify God and His Son Jesus Christ. The law of Moses was added TO the law of sin and death. It was added to show us our destitute and depraved condition. The primer of Moses was the law given as a school master to teach man his total depravity under the law of sin and death. And by examining man by the law of Moses (which is greater in depth than just the ten commandments) we absorb these great truths. (Read the first five books of your Bible over and over until you have a knowledge of the complete law of Moses). You will see and understand that it is ADDED to show man his condition under the law of sin and death which Adam (by his transgression) brought on every man and put all mankind under the law of sin and death. The result of this law is all around you today. You will see that the law of sin and death has not been rescinded. The law of sin and death followed Adam and Eve out of the garden. This law was declared by God before the transgression of Adam. The Lord, being righteous, had to uphold the sentence of sin and death, and not allow them to partake of the tree of life. God drove them out of His presence. So that when Adam left the garden of God he left with the law of sin and death upon him. (Romans 7:23) (Romans 8:2) The law of sin and death is unforgiven. There is no provision or way of escape from this law of sin and death. For the strength of this law is in the flesh! ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. This law makes man’s own flesh the minister of the law of sin and death. Now this has to be dealt with as we see in Galatians 5:17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Desiring the flesh to do good is not within the flesh. Even cutting it out, or off, will not free us from the bondage, and the result of sin which is death. Adam died under the law of sin and death, as did Eve, and Abel, and Cain, and on, and on, and on, and that includes now. Sin is in the flesh!

 Side Note: I ask you this question, Do all men have flesh? The answer is, of course, yes, then ALL are under the law of sin and death. Does a little baby have flesh? Yes, so that infant will die under the law of sin and death. But when did that child come under that law? At birth? no, at conception, for sin was passed to the child by the parents. (Romans 5:12) We must interject that God’s grace and His mercy are over the unborn, the infants, and children of this world who died (or die) at a young age. The Lord Jesus without any extenuating circumstances declared without reservation in Matthew 19:14, But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. In the Old Testament we also get a glimpse of God’s grace and mercy with His divine planning and provision for the young. Follow the record of David and his infant son in 2 Samuel, Chapter 12, and see the connection to the kingdom of heaven being occupied with the unborn and little children.

 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. (2 Samuel 12:21)

 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? (2 Samuel 12:22)

 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2 Samuel 12:23)

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. ♦ End of Side Note.

    For years we have attached sin to man by calling it ‘the sin nature,’ however, with scientific studies, we now know that our descendants and our forefathers can be traced through DNA, also, through the so-called helix of man we see certain characteristics passed on throughout and to all humanity, and that is: SIN. Sin is passed by the very DNA of our parents. And sin is the one strand that has dominance over us, so much so that it leads to our death. How do I know this before the wisdom and knowledge of the scientist? it is revealed under the law of sin and death. This law testifies every day in the obituaries of newspapers all over the world. Each and every cemetery witnesses to the result of the law of sin and death. ALL MANKIND DIES! Every man, woman and child (including those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ) will die or be changed because there is no refuge for the natural man in the flesh from the law of sin and death.

   Glory be to God for the law of faith. For within the law of faith we have the gift of NEW LIFE, a new being which is not under sin. Although the natural life or flesh shall perish, the new life and the spiritual man is within, and this life will be given a glorified body which is the image of God in Jesus Christ. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15) If we acknowledge the law of sin and death, we will see that there is nothing that can remove it except being born of the Spirit of God with new life in Jesus Christ.

The Law of Righteousness

   There is also a law that is within God, and this law is part of His divine Being. Before man was created, before the world was, God was and is righteous. This righteousness of God in itself creates a moral law for God and for all His creation. For God cannot be, or become, an act of unrighteousness. Moreover, all creation is under His moral law of righteousness; this includes the angels, and Lucifer who were before the law of sin and death. When they morally failed, God acted according to His righteousness, and cast Lucifer down to the ground, and locked the disobedient angels in chains until the day of judgment. And for their transgressions, they with all unregenerate mankind will be judged by the law of sin and death. As for Lucifer, God says this, till iniquity was found in thee.

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezekiel 28:14) Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. (Ezekiel 28:15)

    Iniquity is a comparative word to sin. These two words both contain equal transgressions. In the New Testament, the disobedient angels are called out for their sin. (2 Peter 2:4) For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. Remember, these angels are a great multitude of transgressors against God Almighty, and because of the immense numbers they could not be allowed to roam free; therefore, unlike Lucifer they were bound and chained to eliminate any further rebellion, and because the Holy Spirit of God uses the word ‘sin’ it puts these angels under the law of sin and death. Both Lucifer and these rebellious angels will be judged along WITH the unrepentant of Adams race. We must remember that Lucifer and the angels were created as spiritual beings; therefore, the judgment for them is only different in that they will be cast into the lake of fire. God has not revealed ALL the particulars of the great white throne judgment, but rest assured that God will judge them along with mankind. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10) Now let’s compare the judgment upon Adams fallen race; those who are not under the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (Revelation 20:11)

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12)

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:13)

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

   These Scriptures conclude the final judgment of Satan and the angels, and all mankind who have not faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. By the way, as you have seen thus far, the law of faith traveled from Abel all the way through the history of man. This law also holds ALL accountable to the law of faith. Without faith it’s impossible to please God; those outside of the veil of faith will be judged for all eternity. So why do we need to go all the way back to the beginning when dealing with the first church at Ephesus? We need to be aware of the darkness that man has come out of in the new birth as a believer in Jesus Christ. This is an inexpressible blessing to be loved by God! And it is blessedness to possess, or rather to be possessed by the Holy Spirit of God sent down from heaven. The wonder of the work of Christ on the cross is the great love of the Bridegroom for His church. Christ is the new wine in the new bottle that we may rejoice in Him. (Mark 2:22)

The Infant Church: Ephesus

    The Ephesian church comes forth out of darkness. Each and every soul is now a member of the heavenlies. The world is behind them, and the heavens are before them. When we consider the birth of the nation of Israel (when they came out of Egypt) they were given the oracles of God. They were given revelation of humanity past back to Adam. Israel knew and were aware of the tremendous judgment that fell in the day of Noah; yet, after they received the oracles of God and the law of God they failed at the very beginning. Then in the fullness of time, the Jews were given the Christ of God, and they cast Him out of the world. The world of Rome and the nations were steeped in idolatry, and this was the world that the infant church was born into. The infant church was born into a world of darkness, a world under the penalty of sin and death. She (the church) was given a Guide in the Spirit of God, and in the word of God. The proof of God’s grace to her were the words, I will never leave thee or forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5) Words we should cling to in our changing times. The world is in a giant whirlpool of sin, and this whirlpool has affected the professing church. Many religions that were once based on true Christianity, now deny the word of God, and try to overthrow its divine inspiration. This is why in the seven churches we have seven references to the overcomer. As they are individual references, they also have a collective message for those who walk with Jesus Christ. Each time an overcomer is mentioned he has direct communion with the Lord Jesus Christ. For in each instance the Lord Jesus fulfills the faith of the overcomer with a promise from His divine throne. So, the overcomer can take comfort in the word of God. Ephesus is first mentioned in the ministry of Paul in the book of Acts.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.(Acts 20:17)

And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,(Acts 20:18)

Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: (Acts 20:19)

And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, (Acts 20:20)

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: (Acts 20:22)

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (Acts 20:23)

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. (Acts 20:25)

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. (Acts 20:26)

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:29)

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30)

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:31)

   Night and day Paul poured himself out as an offering to God for the Ephesians. He preached in the streets, going from house to house, traveling through the streets of darkness among the idols of Diana. He declared of himself that because of the darkness around him he was under much temptation. He found his strength, however, in Christ and Christ alone. Ephesus was in the same region of the other six churches; therefore, it was most likely that Paul ministered in all seven cities. This would draw Paul into the vision of John, and the writing of the seven letters to the seven churches. As Christ came into a world that knew him not (John 1) we point out that the church was born of the Holy Spirit in a world of darkness, and this world of darkness still does not know Him. The world has not changed. It still bears the title, ‘the present evil world.’ We have mass evangelism all over this planet, however, the message is for the glory of the world and man, not Christ. The true Christian has been called OUT of this world.

OUT and IN

    Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13) When the Lord Jesus was praying to God the Father, the Lord expressed His desire that His disciples would be where He was. He was not speaking of the earth, but the heavenly realm that He always possessed. He desired their hearts, their souls, and their spirits to be with Him. This is a present reality with the true believer. We are IN Him, and He is IN us. His divine omnipresence takes us where He is. The Spirit of God has infused in us His divine nature. I once heard a man say that going to heaven for him would be only changing his clothes, for in Spirit he was already there. We should all look to this man’s faith by making our lives a life of heaven. And make that life a reality NOW through the Holy Spirit of God. All power in heaven and earth has been given unto the Lord Jesus Christ. We, as Christians, are part of that power, and this power can bring us into communion with Him anywhere, and any time.

   When the Lord Jesus spoke to Nicodemus and stated as recorded in John 3 that the Son of man was omnipresent both in heaven and on earth it was a revelation of His divine power and deity. Imagine, Christ was standing before Nicodemus, and Nicodemus was looking at the very image that is in heaven for us at this present time. We should remember throughout the gospels the Son of man could break heaven’s glory with His voice at any time. We hear Him many times, looking up to heaven, and speaking to God the Father directly. For heaven was always present with Him, and He was always present with heaven. Therefore, He has given us a divine nature that we might feel His presence and also BE in His presence. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4) With this divine nature we can address the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit at any time or in any place with direct communication between our spirit and the Spirit of God. What a wonderful blessing. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an inward gift. It is only a gift for the new creation in Christ. It is more inward than outward, however, the inward manifestation of the Spirit of God within the believer assures the outward reality in both life and deed. The inward work is the presence of the inward manifestation of the Spirit of God. This is the same manifestation that brought the new birth and brought the Son of God into the world. The new creation in Jesus Christ (that is every believer) is more a citizen of heaven then of this earth. We are taught by the Scriptures to reject this world in every way. The text proof for this is found in 1 John 2:15, 16. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)

   It is the inward manifestation of the Holy Spirit of God, and the divine inspiration of the word of God that combines both Spirit and truth so that we outwardly may separate ourselves from this present evil world. But there is more, in the new birth we are new creatures, we are a new generation. Before the Spirit of God came to dwell in us, we were of Adam (I was of his generation). Now with the Spirit of God within me, I can declare my genealogy for over two thousand years, for I belong to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1) Don’t go away, we are not yet finished. In the new creation my heart is changed, my spirit is changed, and my soul is changed, restored, and delivered. In the individual where does this all begin? It begins with the brooding of the Holy Spirit over the individual, convicting him/her of their transgressions against God. Then, upon response, the Spirit of God puts in the seed of Christ (which is the seed of faith) which comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why to the real believer salvation is so miraculous because they know when the rushing wind went through their soul; they know when they received a new heart, they know when their spirit thirsted after God. May I remind you in the conception of our Lord Jesus Christ it was the Holy Spirit who came upon Mary and gave her that ‘holy thing’ that would be called the Son of God. If you can receive this: it was Christ who exercised His Spirit within you, and gave you, His faith. Through the Holy Spirit of God and the Son of God you were conceived and delivered in a moment of time as a newborn babe in Christ Jesus. In your new creation you came into this world with a divine nature, you have a new life, you have a new world order for you are in the world to condemn the sin of the world, you walk in the same world of darkness, but now you walk in the full power of the Son of God and the Holy Spirit of God. In your new condition do not think that the world has changed around you, it is the same ungodly world that you once possessed. You have been delivered from this madness to serve the living God. Now, however, you have become an enemy to the darkness around you. And you realize that this is a great host of darkness, and the leader of this darkness still goes to and fro throughout the whole earth seeking to devour souls.

Ephesus Today

   In this first church of Ephesus, we have Diana, we also have the image that was reported to have fallen from Jupiter. And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? (Acts 19:35) This was steep darkness, unlike today when the world, once a year, worships the Christmas tree; these Ephesians worshiped Diana every day, and even during the course of their day. We have the same worship today, it is under a different name, but the same pagan religion. We still have the image of Diana under a different name, and this is idolatry. Whenever you see the image pasted on the dashboard of a car you are witnessing the same pagan idolatry as they worshiped in Ephesus. When anyone wears a medal, or an image, around their neck they are worshiping the same pagan religion that was in Ephesus. The Roman soldiers would take their little idols into battle with them believing that their idols would deliver them. So many religions are based on false deliverance, for there is only one name given among men whereby we may be saved: and we see this in the Lord Jesus Christ. We see these idols made of stone (of which there are many) on lawns, and gardens, representing the falsely called ‘mother’ of God.

 Side note: (God doesn’t have a mother, and never had a mother, God is Spirit. The man-child Jesus was born through an earthly woman who knew her position as handmaid, servant and sinner.) Read the words of Mary in Luke 1.

 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:47) Only sinners need a Savior, and she acknowledged her need for a Savior; therefore, she understood that she was a sinner. She said ‘my’ Saviour, not ‘a’ Saviour, or ‘the’ Saviour, but my Saviour.

 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:48) She understand her place in the plan of God: handmaiden, and a servant. A servant is never above the Master. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 10:24, The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord.

 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. (Luke 1:49) She proclaimed that His name and His name only is holy. (There is much more to be said about this section of the words of Mary, but it is not for this article). ♦ End of Side Note. 

    These idols were also found in vast buildings that have been built since the beginning of Christianity trying to deceive the very elect. They are filled with idols that are worshiped by the participants, this is the same evil darkness and worship of Satan that dwelt in Ephesus. It is the cult of Diana under an ever-changing name so that the devil might deceive the world.

Time Travel Back to Ephesus

   Let us go back in time: to Ephesus your labor is hard, and your life is more cruel than it is today. You meet a man by the name of Paul, and he informs you that he has come to tell you of the only Savior of mankind, and he tells you about the Lord Jesus Christ: His life, His death on the cross, and His resurrection. You say to Paul, I already have a god, and the name of my god is Diana of Ephesus, she is the holy mother of all gods, my great grandfather, and great grandmother worshiped Diana, my grandfather and grandmother worshiped Diana, my father and my mother worshiped Diana of Ephesus, and look on my cart I have put an expensive silver image of Diana to keep me safe. Now the apostle Paul tells the man of his condition: that it is the sin of the world that has blinded him to the truth of the God of heaven and earth; and that the gods made of wood, stone, metal (whether silver or gold) cannot walk, or talk, and cannot deliver man from his sin. These are false gods for the fools of this world, and the true God is the Lord Jesus Christ. Then Paul answers your question, What must I do to be saved? You must believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to be the Savior of the world, and that God raised Him from the dead, and in His name, you cast yourself before God as a wretched and repentant soul. God is faithful, for the sake of this one soul in Ephesus God created a divine miracle and gives him life in Jesus Christ. And now, this man can worship the true God of heaven and earth in Spirit and truth. He needs no temple of Diana, no synagogue of the Jews, no arena or building, both he and the apostle Paul can worship together in Spirit and truth. I asked you, If you were ready for this? And that’s not all, for while this man in Ephesus is being born again in a moment of time, in Jerusalem men and women were coming to the truth as well. As he left Diana for Christ, they are leaving Judaism for Christ as well. And this is by the same Spirit of Christ, the same Spirit of God moving at the same exact time in Ephesus and in Jerusalem. What a miracle of grace. And at that moment of time, they are all members of the body of Christ which is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   Let’s bring this up to date: 2020. The work of the Spirit of God is the same today, the work of the Spirit of God in me is omnipresent all over the world working in a multitude of hearts, and all these precious souls are worshiping one God, the Lord Jesus Christ. As the man in Ephesus, we are still in a world of sin and darkness, and there is still the worship of Diana in one form or another. This is why the newborn baby cries for milk, this is why the newborn creature in Christ cries for the sincere milk of the word of God. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:3) The Spirit of God states the food for the newborn creature: first, the word is sincere, meaning complete truth. It is milk that causes growth, and both these qualities are in the word of God. Notice that the Spirit of God qualifies this in verse 3, He states that this milk, this word, is for the children of grace. For they have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The Words of Grace

    The word ‘gracious’ is only used once by Peter, and only twice in the New Testament, the other mention of ‘gracious’ is in Luke 4:22. And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? They noticed the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. Christ spoke words of grace, but the darkness that was listening to these words could only see the carpenter’s son. They could not let themselves behold the Son of God which taketh away the sin of the world. The Spirit of God is linking the Living Word of God in Jesus Christ (Luke 4:22) with the gracious word of God in 1 Peter, Chapter 2, verses 2 and 3. It is not surprising that the Living Word maintains and upholds every character, every sentence, every phrase, every verse, every chapter, and every book in His divine Word, and once again, I will remind you that all power has been given unto Him in both heaven and earth. He is quite capable of keeping His word unsoiled despite the wannabe Greek scholars. Have faith in the SINCERE MILK of the word of God for there you will grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

   Gracious is an Old Testament word, it is used many times throughout the entire Old Testament: 29 times through 28 verses, while only two times in the New Testament. The word ‘grace’ is mentioned 122 times in the New Testament and 3 times in the Old Testament. God never changes, His grace and mercy, His graciousness to mankind flows throughout His word, through all earth ages, through all spiritual highs and lows; God is faithful, what He began (as documented in the Old Testament) is triumphantly culminated in the New Testament. The first mention of ‘gracious’ is very important for it takes place in the life of Joseph who was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Genesis 43:29)

   And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. This scene takes place after the exaltation of Joseph to the throne. Benjamin, Jacob’s last son, stood before Joseph (Benjamin’s long-lost brother). After all Joseph suffered, he is now the second to the throne, only Pharaoh was greater in all of Egypt. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (John 14:28) These words exemplify the life and graciousness of Joseph. Gracious unto thee, my son, Joseph called his brother Benjamin his son. The Holy Spirit wants us to see this in relationship to our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the Lord Jesus is the first born of many brethren. Remember what the father said to the prodigal son when his wayward son returned, the father said, My son. What a wonder that God could love US in such a way that He gave us His Son that we might be called the sons of God. Let’s look at two more Old Testament Scriptures of the word ‘gracious,’

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (Exodus 33:19)

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, (Exodus 34:6)

   The scene is set for us, Moses is on the holy mountain of God, Sinai. Lightning and thunder surround him, the earth shakes beneath him, and he feared and quaked. And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: (Hebrews 12:21) God stated to Moses that God’s grace belonged to God and to no one else, therefore, God uttered these words, and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. Think really hard on these two Scriptures, for I must ask you this question, Has God been gracious to you? Do you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ? Has God the Father called you, My son?

Has God the Father called you, My son?

   This is the witness of the Spirit of Christ within us bringing us to a relationship of a son to the Father of lights and perfection. (Hebrews 12:5) And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: Although this verse describes the chastening of God, it is in relationship to those who have received the title of ‘son.’ This is often missed in this verse, to be called a son of God was confirmed by John in his first epistle.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

    In the reference to the book of Hebrews 12:5, God is dealing with our correction. Even in our correction He addresses us as a ‘son.’ John gives us the reason for God the Fathers’ love and affection for us. He has displayed His love over His children by sending Jesus Christ (His divine Son) to be the first born of many brethren. Let’s apply this back to our previous section in time to Ephesus. Paul is still standing with the man who was converted, Paul and this man make up representatives of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Ephesus. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) This newborn creature experiences the first love of Christ; he now must face a world of darkness and sin. He will also have to fight his own flesh till he puts it aside for his new garment of glory. Every day he will see countless souls go on their own way without God’s Christ. When he publicly prays, he will be laughed at, when he preaches to people they will curse him, some will even throw objects or taunt him. And if they can get close enough, they will even strike out at him. But his God is a great God, and every time he gets a spiritual scrap or bruise Christ is there to pour in the balm of Gilead. Loneliness is filled with God, heart ache is removed by God’s love, chastening keeps him in line and directs him in the will of God. There is never a doubt in the heart of the eternal and endless love of the Father of lights and perfection. As Paul stands with this convert, we see the formation of the church in Ephesus. It was born out of darkness, but now light shines out of the darkness of Diana. Glory to God in the highest!

Two Books Compared: Priest and King

    Paul had a lengthy ministry in Ephesus. It lasted 3 to 5 years, he ministered throughout Asia, then later wrote the Ephesian letter from Rome. He also acknowledged the first bishop of Ephesus, this was his son in the faith, Timothy. (2 Timothy 4:22) The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. (The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.) We see some parallels between the ministry of Paul and the letter given to John in Revelation 2:1. Let’s examine the letter in Revelation, Chapter 2 and compare it with the book of Ephesians, Chapter 1.

   In Revelation 2:1, the first thing we see is the authority of the Son of Man over His church. It is He who holds the seven stars, and they are in His right hand. The right hand is the place of sovereignty. These stars have already been designated as angels by the Son of Man in Revelation 1:20. However, in this verse, first, the stars speak of His complete sovereignty and His divine authority as both priest and King. As priest He is gracious, as King and Sovereign He is righteous. In the priesthood the right ear was anointed, the right thumb was anointed, and the right toe was anointed. (Leviticus 8:23) This gave Aaron the right of priesthood, and in that right, he could intercede for the nation of Israel, however, Aaron could never fill the office of King which of course, the Lord Jesus fulfilled both offices of priest and King.

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.(Hebrews 1:8) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Hebrews 1:9)

    We should also see that the scepter of righteousness is in the right hand of the King designating His sovereign rule; also, after our Lord and Savior purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3) As Melchisedec He fulfills both the office of priest and the office of King. He is a priest of grace, and a King of righteousness and truth for we see grace and truth came together in Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The Stars: The Angels

    The stars in His right hand are the seven angels of the church, and because He is in the place of sovereignty, He uses these creatures as ministers over the church. They have a heavenly responsibility to minister to the church; these are the spirits of God sent forth to minister to them who will be heirs of salvation. (Hebrews 1:14) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? In the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ we have more revealing truth of God’s angels then in any other book of the Bible. The Old Testament book that deals with end time prophecy (the book of Daniel) also reveals the ministry of God’s angels over the powers of nations, as well as the ministers to God’s people. (Read the whole book of Revelation) Each time the Holy Spirit mentions the word ‘angel’ draw a line under the word, as you go through this book you will be amazed at the ministry and the power that the Almighty God gives them. These formidable creatures work in the unseen world, and periodically reveal themselves in the seen world. This is hard, but we have to learn about their presence, we should know who is watching us, and who is guiding us. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2) When I think of these strangers I always think of the servant of Elisha. Elisha could see the heavenly host and their chariots of fire, and yet, his servant could not. So, Elisha besought the Lord to open the eyes of his servant, and when they were opened, he saw the fiery chariots of God and the hosts of angels. (2 Kings 6:17) Therefore, we ought to be aware of the angelic presence around us. They are ministers to the church, and they minister from the right hand of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the angel to the church at Ephesus God ministers, He ministered to the infant church in their present time, and historically through the entire church. We have, in Ephesus, a real church family, and the infant history of the church both working side by side, the seven stars (or angels) brings the complete ministry of Christ to the churches for nothing comes from Adam or man. The ministry of the angels is to preserve what man cannot, and that is truth. Have you ever noticed how politicians can make money disappear? That’s what you’ve been told, well that money has gone someplace or into some pocket. Money doesn’t disappear, it might be moved, or even devaluated, but it does not disappear! In relation to God’s truth, man might try to hide it, but it does not disappear. God’s word will burn its way through the darkness and evils of mankind.

Great High Priest: Mediator: King: Sovereign

   As Christ is the true minister of the covenant of grace, His priesthood is above all priesthoods, it is an eternal priesthood that gives Him complete and divine authority over His church as He walks through the candlesticks. His divine priesthood (which is seen in verse 1 of Revelation, Chapter 2) is under the oath and order of Melchisedec. He is Melchisedec walking among the candlesticks. He takes all authority and responsibility of the priesthood upon Himself. What better priest could we have than the priest of eternity: our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

    The seven angels are a symbol of the sovereignty of Christ, both in the seen world and in the unseen, which includes dominions, and principalities, and powers, and complete sovereignty over the span of history and the actions of man, but this goes further, for the stars in His right hand carry us out of this world and into His presence upon His divine throne in Revelation, Chapters 4 and 5. Here He sits as the Sovereign over all, for this is the fullness of Him who filleth all things. 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. (Ephesians 1:21-23) The candlesticks give us a Mediator, a Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus walking in OUR midst, and by walking in our midst He sees all that we are, all that we do, and all our surroundings. Everything is open to the eyes of the High Priest forever, after the oath and order of Melchisedec. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)

Our Work: Our Labor: Our Patience

    In Revelation, Chapter 2, verse 2, I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. the Lord Jesus (as the Great High Priest) approaches our work, our labor, and our patience, and He is aware of our judgment of both good and evil. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14) There are three principles that are brought forth by the high priest, He evaluates our work on the basis of good and evil. He evaluates our labor on the principal of good and evil, He evaluates our patience on the principle of good and evil. We see this principal brought forth in mans first transgression, for he partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. And he was judged based on his work of transgression. We should read Revelation 2:2, I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. All our works, and labor, and patience are before the Lord for His eyes see all.

   The angels are also ministering spirits. (Hebrews1:14) They have the discernment to judge what is of the truth, and if it is not of the truth then they are evil and liars. Why are we today so afraid of these two words: evil and liars. For the devil is the father of lies, and his ministers carry out his lies. This is a very important verse in Revelation 2, it is ministry to the first church of the seven churches. It is important in this way: that the church is in its infancy, and has to be aware of the false apostles, and the false teachers, and ministers of unrighteousness which today we give no thought to these very first principles that the Lord Jesus Himself wanted us to observe, and to judge between good and evil. The old serpent, the devil, would have you believe that you have no power to discern. He does this by infatuating you with the world, and not the Man in heaven. It is quite evident that the symbol of Christ upon the cross worn around the neck is to take the minds and thoughts away from the supernatural Man  in heaven for us. ALL power has been given to Him in both heaven and earth so that as High Priest He is able to minister to the church in things pertaining to our very existence of life as we travel through this earth. The work that we do should be first determined by Him, and by His will for us! The labor that we exert, both in life and in His work, should be constantly judged with the thought of good and evil. The patience that we have should be divine patience, we should accept waiting for His hand to move us, and not running ahead of His divine purpose. In Ephesus, He first examined their works. They had turned to God from idols, and the chief idol in Ephesus was Diana: they had been tried but remained patient.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:(1 Peter 1:7)

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8)

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9)

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (2 Peter 1:5)

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (2 Peter 1:6)

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.(2 Peter 1:7)

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:8)

    We should remember that Scripture from one book applies to other books in the Bible. Verses dove tail from one book to the other to expand the thoughts of our hearts concerning grace and truth in Jesus Christ. If you had been in Ephesus and had denied Diana, you would have been made a gazing stock, you would have been reproached and disgraced by most of the citizens, but you would have remained companions of those of like faith. You might have lost you job, you might have lost your way of life, you might have suffered physically at the hands of the Ephesians, however, you knew the God that sees all, and that is the fullness of all things. Let’s compare verses from another book, Hebrews 10:32, 33, But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; (Hebrews 10:32) Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used (Hebrews 10:33). We should all take a humble and searching look at our works, and our life for the Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded of the attitude of heart by Moses the servant of God. He began his voyage of faith by rejecting the world.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; (Hebrews 11:24)

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:25)

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:26)

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.(Hebrews 11:27)

   These Scriptures are examples of what all the children of faith should be guided by, however, we simply read over these passages. The Holy Spirit wants these passages to convict us in our work and walk for the Lord Jesus Christ; being tried for our faith should be the norm not the exception. We are in an evil world that crucified our Sovereign, and before they crucified Him, He told His disciples that many of them would be cast out of the world in a like manner. The world, and the religious systems of the world, love to bring up accusations against the righteous. They think that they have the power and the right to condemn us, however, there is only One who has that right, and that is our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter in his epistle spells out our path, the book of Hebrews reflects on our path, Revelation 2, verse 2, tells us about our path under the eyes of Him of whom we have to do.

 Time Out for Meditation

These principles in Peter, Hebrews and Revelation bring us to a point of meditation, our meditation is between our Lord and our own souls. Let’s take a break (if you will) pick up your Bible and read, meditate on the very words you are reading. I am going to take some time because the Lord has put on my heart to meditate on this section that we just covered. When I am through, I will return and finish this section . . . .

 Virtue

   We now come to virtue. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge. (2 Peter 1:5) Virtue is within each and every Christian, virtue has to come from within, and it must come from the power of Christ within. As virtue went out of Him, the Lord of glory, to the woman with the issue of blood so virtue cannot go out of us unless it is of Christ within us. We see in the early church both love and affection for one another, and a divine virtue that was given to them of Christ as they shared all things in common. Those days have far receded into church history, but in Ephesus they were a real quality of hearts and souls. The devil could not stand this, so therefore, he raised up his own clergy and they came in calling themselves apostles. The Lord Jesus condemned them as liars, and the early church with honest divine discernment charged them as liars as well. The Lord Jesus in John, Chapter 10 said that the wolf would come into the flock and try to destroy them. But He comforted them in relating to them that the good shepherd knew their names, knew their personalities, knew their good points and their bad points, but this would not change His love and affection for His own sheep. Paul warned us in the book of Corinthians that evil men would come in among the church, ministers of Satan, and their chief goal would be to take away the truth from the church of God because the truth exposes them, it exposes their nakedness (like Adam and Eve) before a God of judgment: for if they have not the Spirit of Christ, they are none of His. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Romans 8:9)

Not OUT But IN

   Since this letter in Revelation is to Ephesus, we assume that these false apostles were tried by the Ephesian church. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. (Revelation 2:2) These liars were cast out as the result of the entire church recognizing and discerning between good and evil, but what about today? The world church has no moral standing before God for when they cast someone out today, they are casting out the truth, and protecting the lies and liars of their ungodly system. Let a man be found (within their system) with the spirit of Elijah or John the Baptist, or the apostle Paul, and the gates of their ungodly system will be closed to them. If you tell a lie enough times, many will believe the lie. We have had many centuries (even millenniums) of lies, how did they get away with it? They took the word of God out of our hands, and out of the hearts of the majority. Today even the modest professor of Christianity sees the corruption all around the world church. Their coffers are full of gold and silver, and their monuments to men can be seen in the buildings and idols that they have built for themselves. Men who have not the Spirit of Christ are standing in the pulpits of deceit and sending people to hell not to heaven. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel were warned of God that if they told not the truth the blood of the people would be on their hands. If they told the truth, then the people would be responsible for their own blood and for their own souls. This is why we have the word of God to keep evil OUT of the church, instead, we put over our doorways, and on our signs a broad proclamation to ALL, Come worship with us. How can an unregenerate soul worship a Savior he does not know? The church (as a collective gathering) is supposed to be a city of refuge for the CHRISTIAN and not for the world; the church is a place of fellowship centered around the Person of Christ. The Spirit of evangelism is dedicated by the church to GO OUT from the church and reach the masses of the world. We have joined together, and intertwined evangelism with worship; and in doing so, we have lost the truth of form and worship. There is a time for worship, and a time and place for evangelism. By allowing and accepting unregenerate man to dictate the things of God you end up with Diana, the goddess of Ephesus, in your midst.

    I learned a great lesson one day as a young Christian (even though it has been many years) I remember it well! I was witnessing for the Lord, and I had my Bible with me, I read out a verse, and asked a man, What do you say concerning this truth? He was a very clever man, he said, Let me see your Bible. He was well prepared, and as a young Christian, I was not. I passed my Bible to him, and the moment it left my hands I knew I had made a mistake. He went to an obscure verse and then twisted it in his own reasoning, what was I to do? I had given my sword  to him. If you surrender your Bible, the devil will use it against you. He will infuse his lies, and you will have no defense, no ability to counter reply by Scripture. Now, when I am old and approaching my reward, I know that I have hid the word of God in my heart. No one gets my sword! No one takes my shield of faith! No one takes my helmet of salvation! And no one takes the gift of the Holy Spirit of God away from me!

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:14)

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:16)

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)　

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)

The Plurality of Places

   In considering this letter to the Ephesians in Revelation, Chapter 2, we need to compare it with the letter of Paul to the Ephesian church. In Paul’s epistle, in the first Chapter the Holy Spirit of God brings us to all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Chapter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Notice that these blessings are in heavenly places. Notice the plural of this vast dominion of heavens. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3)

   In heavenly places we have the great expanse of Christ’s heavenly dominion. We have been called to have an attitude of heart, spirit and soul in heavenly places not in earthly realms. These spiritual blessings lead us to being called by Christ before the world was. 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. (Ephesians 1:4) The Christian is a creation of a new short, he is a spiritual being who is linked to heaven by a crimson thread of his Savior’s blood. We are IN heavenly places IN Christ for He IS the Omnipotent and Omnipresent God. We see that heaven is not an abstract thought, but a reality in our hearts, spirit, and souls. And who is the center of that spiritual blessing in heavenly places? the Man Christ Jesus. It is quite certain we cannot be blessed outside of His veil of blessing: our blessings are in Christ. Paul (through the Spirit of God) goes now to the heart of the bride. You are betrothed to Christ before the foundation of the world with a sovereign undying love so infallible is this relationship that it is sealed with His own divine blood. And this takes us to Jeremiah 1:4-10.

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (Jeremiah 1:4)

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. (Jeremiah 1:6)

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. (Jeremiah 1:7)

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.(Jeremiah 1:8)

Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.(Jeremiah 1:9)

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.(Jeremiah 1:10)

   Please do not just read over this portion. If you have to read it many times, and THINK, yes, I said think. Let your heart, your spirit and your soul enjoy this part of God’s determinate counsels for you. These counsels were at work before the foundation of the world. Yes, I know man has many different arguments about this chapter in Jeremiah. Some because of their religious persuasion, and lack of the Spirit of God they never read or speak on these verses. They are simply too hard for the carnal mind, but with the mind of the Spirit these verses are like a beautiful flower opening before our eyes. The spirit of man will pull one of his favorite tricks, he will try to discredit these verses by falling back on the Hebrew/Greek translation of the Septuagint trying to deceive you with variances in the two languages. This is poppycock, that’s what the Spirit of God says to that! You either believe the word of God through faith or spend eternity in the frying pan of hell. Faith does not answer to man, faith answers to God!

The Master Plan of God in Creation and Redemption

   God’s determinate counsels before the foundations of the world were a problem with the Ephesian church, and Paul reminds them and stirs them back to the truth. If they could not trust God at His word, they would end up in spiritual chaos. Remember, even in the early church, according to Romans 8:9 ALL did not have the Spirit of Christ. They could not ALL walk through the cloud of everlasting and see the Almighty God and His power. This is the God who spoke the worlds into existence, He had a master plan of creation, and redemption. And with His plan He marched through time to the cross of Calvary where He (by Himself) paid the eternal price for sin. Christ was foreordained to BE the Lamb of sacrifice BEFORE the foundations of the world. He was predestined to be the Redeemer! As time went on, and man fell short of the glory of God, He was not going to turn back. He was set to go on according to His Father’s will, and through Scripture (whether it be the Old or New Testament) we are brought face to face in spirit and soul to the Almighty God. We see throughout Scripture the work of the Father sending out the servant to bring a bride back for His Son. In that brief picture of Abraham, Isaac, Eliezer (the servant), and Rebekah we have a complete picture of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; and the bride who was bought with a great price. All three members of the Godhead were represented in one in Genesis, Chapter 24. We as Christians were chosen IN Christ before the foundation of the world. Remember Jeremiah, the Old Testament saints in promises are linked to the New Testament saints in the fulfillment in the fullness of time with the same blood. For without the shedding of blood there is no remission. Now, turn to Psalm 139:14-18.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14)

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (Psalm 139:15)

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:16)

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (Psalm 139:17)

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. (Psalm 139:18)

   Isn’t the revelation of God a wonderful experience? Just think of the heart of David, he is panting after the water brook, he is reaching out to God, and God by His divine Spirit opens a wonder to the heart, spirit, and soul of David. As Jeremiah knew the voice of God, so David also had listened and heard that same majestic voice. He knew when God spoke, he knew the Spirit of God, and yes, he knew the faith OF and BY Jesus Christ. Faith throws silliness away and believes with all humility and humbleness of heart the Creator of all things. Back to Ephesians . . .

   The Spirit of God concentrates on the counsel of God, this is the counsel of God’s sovereign will to carry out His divine plan. Why so much concentration on the sovereignty of God? Because man is not capable of understanding the fullness of God’s sovereignty. Man wants a God with one arm, or one leg, man doesn’t want a complete God; for if man faces God face to face in God’s sovereign eternity, then man (like wax) will melt before Him. Paul (through the Holy Spirit) was trying to restore the Ephesians to the truth of divine thought; how they had come to the very salvation that they had claimed that they had, and how they claimed to be members of the body of Christ. Think, look at your body, do you have an arm sticking out of your eye? no, because in God’s divine plan HE (God alone) formed man in the image of God, so the body of Christ was formed by that same divine mind.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Ephesians 1:5)

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Ephesians 1:8)

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Ephesians 1: 9)

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: (Ephesians 1:10)

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: (Ephesians 1:11) 　

   This is what we see in Ephesians, Chapter 1, verses 5-11. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. In verse 5, we have the pleasure of His will, compare this with Revelation 4:11, all things were created by Him and for His pleasure.

• In verse 6 of Ephesians Chapter 1, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6) God has made us accepted in the beloved, we did not make ourselves accepted, He made us accepted, how did He do this?

• In verse 7, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7) we have the riches of His grace. Remember, by grace are ye saved THROUGH faith.

• In Verse 8, Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Ephesians 1:8) abounded to us in all wisdom, for Christ is made unto us both wisdom and righteousness.

• In verse 9, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Ephesians 1: 9) we have the mystery of His will which He purposed IN Himself before the foundation of the world.

• In Verse 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: (Ephesians 1:10) we have the fullness of times, which we can compare with Galatians 4:4; But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, however, there is this difference . . . . .

Time and Times

    In Galatians 4:4, there is the fullness of time (singular), this was in relationship to the manifestation of God in the Son of God (Jesus Christ) by the birth of the Son of God into the world. In Ephesians verse 10, we have the fullness of times (plural) two different aspects of time. One, with His birth, which is the fullness of time; the other in His resurrection drawing ALL time unto Himself in His grace, and His love. This includes time back to Abel, and forward to the end of time. The word ‘times’ takes in the complete determinate counsels of God concerning His creature that He created: man. Noah found grace in the sight of God (Genesis 6:8) this does not remove Noah from the determinate counsels of God because he lived before the cross. The fullness of times takes in grace for ALL those who live by faith, and ALL as the Ephesian believers that WILL live by faith. We are blessed today, for if man had his way, there would be no truth, but because of our Savior Jesus Christ, grace can still be found in His Son.

   Once again, let’s return to the sovereign will of God in Revelation 2, verse 1. No one is speaking for Christ; He is declaring Himself as the sole owner of the heavens and the earth. He does this with the symbol of the seven stars. Although in Revelation 1:20 He gives the mystery of the stars as angels, the question now before us is, Why go back to the stars? He is now revealing His sovereignty over heaven and over earth. In verse 1 of Chapter 2, we also have His sovereignty over His church as He walks through the seven golden candlesticks. We have a picture of His omnipresence walking in heaven and walking on earth to minister to His church. This covers the beginning of Revelation, Chapter 2, the church at Ephesus.

   Before we close this article (finally! :), let’s think on meditation. Meditation takes time, and in our busy world one must fight all that works against time. The three adversaries that we have against meditation is: the world, the flesh, and the devil. The sweetest time you can have on earth is when you are surrounded by heavens’ light, meditating on the Lord of glory, and earth seems to fade away. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

Amen

© Copyright 2017, Michael Haigh

Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)