The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #5163 KCEphesians3

I guess those who walk around with half a book (just the New Testament) can't know much about the Millennium or the inheritance of the saints.

We learned in Ephesians 1:11 that the saints, the set aside ones, those who are "predestinated according to the purpose of Him..." have obtained an inheritance.

The question is, what is that inheritance?

Does the Bible tell us?

The answer is "of course".

We also learned in our last study, from Paul's writing in the Book of Romans, that those predestinated ones have also been "justified".

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Let's look into the future, by going back into the Old Testament, and see what is the inheritance of these "justified".

Did you know that the last eight chapters of the Book of EZEK-I-EL (meaning God is strong, or God strengthens) refer to the period just ahead that we call the Millennium, i.e. AFTER Jesus Christ has returned to this earth to rule ALL nations with a rod of iron?

That's right, we're talking the "Old Testament" here!

I guess those who walk around with half a book (just the New Testament) can't know much about the Millennium or the inheritance of the saints.

The Hebrew word for "just" is Zadok.

In Ezekiel 44:15 you will find that the priests of God are called the sons of Zadok, or the "just".

In Genesis 14:18 we read of "Melchizedek", king of Salem (which means peace) who was the priest of the most high God.

"Melchi" means King and "zedek or zadok" means just.

He was the King of the just.

Then in Ezekiel 44:28 we find what the inheritance is for the "just", the ones who are "justified".

The subject is the Zadok and the Lord is speaking:

Ezekiel 44:28
And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.
Is this not incredible?

The inheritance of the Zadok is not land (give them no possession in the land).

Why?

For God is our inheritance.

 Now you know.

Think about it!

We now continue with verse 12 of Ephesians, a continuation of verse 11:

Ephes. 1:12
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
The "we" spoken of here are the predestinated ones whose inheritance Paul is discussing.

This is in contrast to the "ye" of the next verse.

When did the "we" first trust in Christ?

Well, you could say that in as much as Paul is speaking to those saved members of the Pentecostal church closed by the judgment pronouncement of Acts 28:25,28 that they were the first to trust in Christ.

However, if you are "attuned" to the subject in this chapter of those "chosen before the foundation of this world", who were "justified", then you could say that they first "trusted" then, in "the world that then was", at the "katabole".

Is it still a "mystery" or are you beginning to see?

Paul is now addressing those who trusted "after they heard the word of truth":

[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,
After they believed, trusted and accepted Christ as their savior, they were also sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (inheritance).

Make no mistake.

God's elect are no better that anyone else, just because they were first.

All of God's children who believe, trust and accept Christ partake in His inheritance.

[14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Look up the word earnest in Strong's concordance (or a dictionary for that matter).

It means a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest: - earnest.

When you purchase something it is the earnest money (the down payment, the security) that binds or validates the contract.

Your belief is your down payment.

[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;
Paul had a special "paternal" affection for these believers, for it was through his teaching that they came to know the Lord.
[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,

Have the "eyes of your understanding" been opened?

Or are you still "slumbering" with those who are anesthetized with the "wine" from the golden cup of Babylon, confusion, churchianity?

Does some of what we've discussed seem new, different from that which you've always heard?

Good!

That's good!

[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,
[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,
By His mighty power He raised Christ, who now sits at His right hand, in whom ALL things that are in heaven and earth are placed under His feet:
[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:
All kings, all rulers, all authorities, both now, in this earth age, and throughout all eternity are subject  to Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

That's a pretty comforting thought when you realize that it is He who gives us power over all our enemies.

And so Romans 8:31 is backed by ALL power in heaven and earth: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

[22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
Christ is the head of the church.

He is not a steeple.
The church is not a building.
It is not a denomination.
There is no need to wander from place to place searching for the "True" church.

 If you believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as your savior then YOU ARE THE CHURCH (Greek "ecclesia", a calling out).

You are part of the body of Christ, which transcends all denominations.

It cannot be bound nor controlled by man with systems, buildings, ceremonies, do's and don'ts, or membership lists.

[23] Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.
His members "fill up" the body of Christ, bringing...
... together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: [vs. 10]
... which completes...
... the dispensation of the fulness of times . [vs. 10 also]

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them {the ancient Israelites} for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

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