PURPOSED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD
Tuesday – December 6, 2016
Eastern Gate Ministries International and The Three Minute Word publication greet you in the name of Jesus. Be reminded to pray for the leadership, of the many governments of these United States of America, not just Florida, that we may lead “a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2). God is so good, He is infinitely beyond good. When we were yet lost He sent His Son to die for us.
Ephesians 2:11-13 (KJV)
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Bold added by Dr. Wood)
Oh, thank you Father, thank you Jesus, and thank you Holy Spirit. Yesterday I discussed how the Church as a whole and each of us individually have the mysteries of God unraveled to us first and then we are the teachers of “the principalities and powers in heavenly places”. At a point in the future we will also judge angels.
1 Corinthians 6:1-4 (KJV)
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
My topic is not judging or the rendering of justice but I am sure you can readily see there is an abundance of Truth to digest in the foregoing passage. Now I will move forward in Ephesians.
Ephesians 3:10-12 (KJV)
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
Next we find that it was the eternal purpose (from the foundation of the world) of God that this mystery of many (nations) becoming one was to be revealed with the coming of Jesus, the life of the Lord Christ Jesus, His resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that in the beginning there was one people, two persons, and their sin came upon all of mankind. This one people from Adam and Eve spread out upon some or all of the earth but when sin reached a certain level we come to the account of Noah’s flood. Noah had three sons (Genesis 5:32) Shem, Ham, and Japheth. From them there were seventy (70) persons who spread upon the earth comprising seventy nations. The number seventy in Scripture is generally referring to the nations which includes the Jews. Out of the line of Seth came the Jewish people and ultimately Jesus who made the Church (Jew and Gentile one in Christ Jesus) possible. The Jewish people, the first Covenant people, are a distinct people by whom God choose to bring His Word (Scripture and Jesus) to all of mankind. So, to kind of wrap this rabbit chase up, recall there are three groups of people.
1 Corinthians 10:32 (KJV)
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
The Jews were a part of the nations (Ethnic groups) of the earth before they were separated out by God and became a covenant nation. They (Abram) was technically part of a Gentile nation until he (Abram) and God entered into a Blood covenant for all mankind. Abram was in the lineage of Seth. The remaining sixty-nine Gentile nations did not and do not have a covenant with God. America is also a covenant nation who sought out God to make covenant and is also a distinct group (American exceptionalism) as an amalgamation of all seventy nations. The United States of America is sort of like the Church in that regard. The Jews still have a covenant yet to be fulfilled with God and remain a distinct nation before God albeit in rebellion with a hardened heart. When a Jew is born again they move from being in the category of Jew to that of the Church of God. Gentiles which are part of the remaining sixty-nine nations move into the Church of God with salvation as well. So in the Church of God all seventy nations, every ethnic group is represented as one.
Tomorrow we will pick back up with our study of Ephesians. Please take a moment to read the following Special Message concerning partnership with Eastern Gate Ministries International.
SPECIAL MESSAGE
As the end of the year rapidly approaches we at Eastern Gate Ministries International and The Three Minute Word publications ask that each of you consider contributing to this ministry. This is how friends of the Ministry become partners. A Partner is one who contributes to this ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, even annually) and prays for the successful mission of this ministry for the glory of God. A Friend of the ministry is one who has been using the ministry resources and hopefully praying for the success of this ministry to expand the Kingdom of God for the glory of God. If this ministry has added value to your life I would encourage you to contribute to the ministry but only as led of the Lord. It is impossible to reap without sowing. To those of you who have been faithful partners with this ministry please receive our heartfelt gratitude.
Philippians 4:17-20 (KJV)
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
For those who are friends of this ministry and do not believe you are led of the Spirit of God to be partners we are grateful for your friendship and prayers.
3 John 1:2 (AMP)
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
