Ephesians 1:7-14

These verses are full of the great riches God has for us in Christ.  The book of Ephesians is about life in Heaven.  We start out with repentance and receiving forgiveness at the point of our salvation because we are redeemed by the blood of Christ.  It is according to the riches of God’s grace.  I deserve nothing of this.  Next, He abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence. 
Notice the words:  ‘according to’.  It is because of His good pleasure we know the mystery of His will.  The reason it was a mystery was that no one knew what the Old Testament prophecies were all about until is was revealed to the Church after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   

The term “fullness of times” is referring to when all redeemed people will be gathered together in Christ.  There are good ways and bad ways to use the word predestinate.  The good way is what I am predestined to and not from something.  From the time I was saved I was in Christ and on my way to Heaven.  Never mind about those who may say some are predestined not to be saved.  II Peter 3:9 refutes that thought: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Next I want to say something about the Holy Spirit.  This just means His presence is the seal of the fact that I am where I am, and I know who I am.  We have an inheritance in God and no one can keep it from us.  Romans 8:17 says we are joint heirs with Christ.  That is rich indeed!  Are we living in the goodness of it?

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