Ephesians 2:6

6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

What another awesome Truth: we have been raised up together with Jesus; we now sit as one with the Great I Am, The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and The End! Remember what we learned in Chapter 1 of Ephesians, that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, this is why that we have. 

The Truth is that we have already been raised up with Jesus in the Holy Spirit. Our spirits are one with Jesus right now. They are right where He is, they are one with Him, and they enjoy all of the blessings that He enjoys. Our spirits are one with the omnipotent Spirit of Jesus Christ and as He is, so are we in this world, 1 John 4:17. You ever hear that when we die our spirits go home to be with the Lord? That is a not the Truth of what happens to us. The Truth is that our spirits are there right now. So when we die, our spirits stay right where they are, one and in Christ.

That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. John 17:21-22

Because we are members (parts) of His body. Ephesians 5:30

For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God]. Romans 6:5

These are not Truths for our future. They are Truths for our today! These glorious things are all ours right now. Faith comes from hearing these Truths, Romans 10:17, and the Truth sets us free, John 8:32. 

For He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2

Ephesians 2:3-5

3 Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God's] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.

4 But God--so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,

5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation).

Amen, our Father has given us the same new life that He has given Jesus. We have been given the same eternal life that Jesus has. Our Father has given us the same new glorious life that Jesus has, John 17:22. We have been given all that Jesus has and is, by being made one with Him.

Now here is the real Truth of what this means, it applies even to our flesh. Look at what the Holy Spirit tells us here in verse 5, we have the same new life that quickened Jesus. Jesus’ Spirit wasn’t quickened, it was and is always God, it was His flesh that was quickened, or made alive. Jesus’ body was destroyed and laid in a grave. His body laid there dead for 3 days. Jesus’ brain received no oxygen for 3 days. His blood drained from His body when the Roman soldier pierced His side on the cross. Jesus’ flesh was dead and yet it was given back life, but the power of His new life was not in blood and oxygen, it was the Holy Spirit.

Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe! John 20:27

Eleven days after Jesus was crucified, He told Thomas to place his hand in His open wounds. Could you imagine how that would hurt if Jesus was living by the power of blood and oxygen? His wounds had not sealed up with scabs, or been bandaged, they were open and Thomas could place his fingers in them. This is the new life that we have been given. Faith comes from hearing the Truth and the Truth sets us free.

The power of this Truth means that it absolutely does not matter what a doctor may say about us, because we now live by the power of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus lives by it. Our age does not matter, because we now live by the power of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus only lives by His power. Our Father has given us the same life force that our Head has, we are now Jesus’ body, the two of us are now one. It does not matter if every tissue in our bodies are destroyed, the power of the Holy Spirit is what keeps us alive. Our flesh is not ending its service to the Kingdom in this earth age until Jesus, Who Alone holds the keys of death, Revelation 1:18, ends it. Far too often we ignore the power of salvation for our flesh, but the Truth is that we have the same life force keeping us: spirit, soul, and body that keeps Jesus’ Spirit, Soul, and Body! The Holy Spirit is our power, just as it is Jesus’ power, because we are now one with Jesus. We are now Jesus’ body, flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. This is good teaching and it will author and finish our faith!

Ephesians 2:2

2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].

Here is another great verse that talks of the lie of free will. The Truth is that even if you believe that you are not under the control of Jesus, you are under the control of satan, who is under the control Jesus. 

All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. John 1:3

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it). Romans 11:36

For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. Colossians 1:16

Satan rebelled against our Father, just as our Father knew that he would, but that in no way meant that satan was able to remove himself from the control of our Father. Satan is still controlled by God. To believe that he isn’t, would mean that you believe that satan is stronger than our Father. The Truth is that he isn’t and the Truth is that all things exist by our Father and through our Father, even satan, and the Truth is that all things work together for our good who are in Christ, Romans 8:28. 

Ephesians 2:1

1 AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins

In Christ we have been made alive, we are not being made alive, or going to be given life, in Christ we are alive. When we were born again by the will of our Father, we became one with Jesus and we now are one with His life. This is being alive, we are alive just like Jesus is alive, the two of us have become one flesh, one spirit, and one soul. We have been grafted into the Vine of Jesus and now all of the power and energy that allows Jesus to have eternal life flows through us as well.

That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. John 17:21-23

We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin. Romans 6:6

We are now members of Jesus’ body, flesh of His flesh, and bone of His bones, Ephesians 5:30. Our old self has been nailed to the Cross with Jesus, so that our old unrenewed selves could be destroyed. In Christ we do not possess and old nature along with a new nature. Our old self has been destroyed through the power of Christ, it hasn’t just been wounded, it has been destroyed. Faith is the evidence of things hoped for, this is the Truth that will set us free, to hope to live as Jesus lives. 

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? James 3:11

There can be no fellowship between light and darkness and a fountain is only able to deliver good water or bitter water. In Christ we have been perfected, not by our works, but through our Father’s grace. It is all free, it is all undeserved, and it is all apart from our own works. To be made alive in Christ means to be free from sin just as Jesus is free from sin.

For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11

Ephesians 1:15-20

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints (the people of God),

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.

Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. Hebrews 7:25

We are now one with Jesus and Jesus ever lives to intercede for us so that we might be saved to the uttermost. So we too live to intercede for people, we do this because we are part of Jesus’ body and the body has the same purpose as its Head. This is why we never cease to pray for others, it is what we have been grafted into Jesus to do. It is one of the greatest reasons that we are alive, it is why Jesus is alive, to serve. We forgive sins and they are forgiven. We lay hands on the sick and they recover. We ask and receive. We do all of this because we are one with Jesus and this is what He does.

17 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,

This is a great example of how we should pray for others. We should pray for our brothers and sisters to have wisdom and revelation. Pray for the gift of prophesy for others and yourself. Pray that we have a deep and complete understanding of all things. Go for the gusto in your prayers for others. Desire that the body has it all, nothing lacking, full and complete glory and perfection in Christ on this earth and on this day. Just read what the Holy Spirit has Paul pray for us to have in the following verses. We have the same Spirit within us causing us to desire the same things. We are going to study later in Ephesians that our Fathers’ will is that He does more than we can pray for, ask for, dream of, and even believe for and He does it all by His power that is within us, Ephesians 3:20. So pray away and through the power of the Holy Spirit ask away and ask for all that the Spirit brings to your mind. 

18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),

Pray that people see that they are called and that they are called to greatness and pray that they receive the revelation of the peace that goes with it.

19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,

Desire to see all that our Father is. Fully expect to see things that pass all human understanding. Hope to see the dead raised, the lame walk, the blind see, and the most despicable person to be set free. Eagerly desire Spiritual gifts. 

20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],

Ephesians 1:13-14

¹³ In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit.

¹⁴ That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it—to the praise of His glory.

We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of God, so what or who can penetrate our Father’s Spirit to get to us? Can the devil? Can a demon? Can a man? If anything or anyone could penetrate the Holy Spirit to get to us, what would that make our Father? What good would be our Father’s guarantee of our inheritance if we could be lost? The glorious Truth is that we cannot be lost.

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29

And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day. John 6:39

Ephesians 1:11-12

11 In Him we also were made [God’s] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will,

This one verse will take away all fear out of your life. It will because the Truth is that our Father will work everything out in accordance to His Will. Now our Father tells us that He would that all men be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4. Our Father wants to us to be prosperous and well, 3 John 1:2. Our Father wants us to have an abundant life, John 10:10.  

You ever hear those sermons that say that no man is promised tomorrow, so you better say yes to Jesus today, so you won’t go to Hell?  This scripture blows that sermon right out of the water. If our Father has called a person to be the Bride of Christ, that person cannot help but to be a Bride. Our Father will not let them die until they say yes to Jesus. Only Jesus holds the keys to death, Revelation 1:18. No one will ever die until our Groom says that they can die. Think about that glorious Truth, only Jesus holds the keys of death. Faith comes for us from hearing the Truth. The Holy Spirit will take us a place of such great peace with this, because Jesus came to save the world. So if He did that and He alone holds the keys of death, don’t you believe that He will accomplish what He came to do? Death is not a hinderance to our Lord saving people from Hell. It is just another step in our eternal life’s. Some may have to get to eternity through Hades, but I do believe, and I hope that the scriptures that we continually study show you this too, that all will get there, 1 Corinthians 3:15.   

12 So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory!

If a person is going to be one with Jesus and be His Bride, then they have been destined to be so by God. Our Father has called us to be married to Jesus before we were even born, Galatians 1:15. The Truth is that we are in an arranged marriage. It is our Father’s purpose and it is His design. That should bring you so much peace, because our Father is love, 1 John 4:16. What we have done doesn’t matter, just look at Paul’s life and you will see that, 1 Timothy 1:15. There is no boasting for us, Romans 3:27, but even greater then that, there is no condemnation, Romans 8:1. This Truth bring us peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4:7.

Ephesians is such a wonderful Book.  

Ephesians 1:9-10

9 Making known to us the mystery (secret) of His will (of His plan, of His purpose). [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him,

Don’t you just love that, our Father’s good pleasure, or in other words, our Father’s Free Will. Our Father’s will is what is working in this world. Far too many talk of human free will as the power and that is not the power that drives this world. All things exist by our Father, for our Father, and through our Father, Colossians 1:16.   

Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. Romans 8:6-8

Our Father describes here in Romans 8 what human free will accomplishes: destruction. The Truth is that even our righteousness is as filthy rags. There is nothing that we can do on our own that accomplishes anything but destruction. But amen, human will isn’s running things, our Father’s Will is.  

O Lord [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people], I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps. Jeremiah 10:23

10 [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth.

So what is our Father’s will? It is at the climax of the ages, or at Judgment Day, to unify all things in Christ. Our Father’s will isn’t just to unify some things, or only those things that have said yes to Him, but all things. At the climax of the ages our Father will gather everyone, from everywhere, both good and bad, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

And those servants went out on the crossroads and got together as many as they found, both bad and good, so [the room in which] the wedding feast [was held] was filled with guests. Matthew 22:10 

Eternity will be filled with our guest’s. We are the Bride of Christ. We are not guests at our own wedding. Jesus’ Wedding will be filled with guests and all things will be made new, Revelation 21:5. Eternity will be filled with millions of people who do not deserve to be there. But it is our Father’s Will that all men be saved and through Christ our Father will get what He wants!

Ephesians 1:7-8

⁷ In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,

⁸ Which He lavished upon us in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence),

The Blood of Jesus is what delivers us from all sin. It is Jesus’ mercy and His generous favor that covers up our shortcomings. So if that is true, let me ask you this: why wouldn’t everyone receive it? His Blood and His grace covers every sin and shortcoming, so wouldn’t that include not asking for it? We can see all throughout Jesus’ life people not asking for His grace and yet they still received it. Jesus healed ten lepers and only one stopped and thanked Him, Luke 17. The people who killed Jesus never asked for forgiveness and yet they received it, Luke 22:34. The woman caught in adultery never asked to be forgiven and yet she was, John 8. Jesus tells us to forgive, so when does that opportunity stop?

Many people will say that when a person dies all opportunity is lost to be forgiven, but if that were the case, why did Jesus go and preach to the souls in Hades after He was crucified, 1 Peter 3:20? Also if Jesus stopped forgiving people at some point, then He wouldn’t be the same yesterday, today, and forever, Hebrews 13:8.

We have been given the Holy Spirit and we have been lavished with all wisdom and we have been graced with all spiritual blessings. The Truth sets us free and the Truth is that our Saviors sacrifice far outweighed Adams sin, Romans 5:15. One man brought sin to all men and one Man, Jesus, brought redemption to all men. If it were up to us to ask for it on our own, then we would all be doomed.

No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day. John 6:44

The dead who are not in Christ are raised up on the last day. Those of us who are in Him will be raised up 1,000 years before then.

The remainder of the dead were not restored to life again until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Revelation 20:5

Pretty powerful grace isn’t it?

Ephesians 1:4-6

⁴ Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.

⁵ For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]—

⁶ [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

An awful lot of people shy away from predestination and for the life of me I don’t know why? The same people will tell you that our Father knows the beginning and the end. They will also tell you that He is the Potter and that He is the Head. So why is there all of this shyness with predestination? Our Father controls everything, Colossians 1:16. He knows everything and He has a purpose and a plan for everything, so of course He had to predestine everything. But to help people along with this glorious and absolutely freeing Truth, here are some other scriptures.

 For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10

Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose, Isaiah 46:10

For in this city there actually met and plotted together against Your holy Child and Servant Jesus, Whom You consecrated by anointing, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and peoples of Israel, To carry out all that Your hand and Your will and purpose had predestined (predetermined) should occur. Acts 4:27-28

But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased. To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone]. Galatians 1:15-16

Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23

For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]. Romans 8:29-30

Ephesians 1:3

³ May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm!

Look at what we are shown here: we are blessed with every, not just some, but every spiritual blessing through the Holy Spirit.

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. John 14:26

Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things and cause us to remember everything that He has said. So there is absolutely nothing that we can’t be shown by our Father, not one thing. We now have the Mind of Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:16. Jesus also told us that the Holy Spirit is our strength. So it doesn’t matter how weak our flesh or spirits are, how sick we are, how oppressed we are, or how uneducated we are, the Holy Spirit makes us as strong as everyone who is in the Heavenly realm. Now think about that, everyone, and Jesus is in Heaven.

In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17

I hear all of the time what our responsibilities are. That is not the way to look at things. The Truth that sets us free is that is Jesus Who has been given all of the responsibility to work through us. Without Jesus we can do nothing, John 15:5. Jesus isn’t our co-pilot. He is our Head, the Great I Am, our Vine, our Potter, our Master, our Shepherd, our Lord. He is never waiting on us to first do something so then He can react to our actions. Jesus causes us to act and then He acts on what He has done through us. If it were any other way we could not have peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4:7. If it were any other way we could brag and boast of what we had accomplished, 1 Corinthians 1:29. We could also condemn and there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ, Romans 8:1    

Ephesians 1:2

² May grace (God’s unmerited favor) and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice where we are shown that Grace comes from, it is not from us, it is from our Father. Grace is underserved favor with God. We can do nothing to earn favor with God or obtain His favor. Grace is just given and it is given to us from God. Which leads me to what a lot of people believe and that is that Grace must be accepted to be had. But if that were true, then wouldn’t that mean that grace is earned by our acceptance? Yet we are plainly told that grace is unearned.

So that, [just] as sin has reigned in death, [so] grace (His unearned and undeserved favor) might reign also through righteousness (right standing with God) which issues in eternal life through Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) our Lord. Romans 5:21

Our Father is not a respecter of persons, Acts 10:34. So this must mean that Grace is freely given to everyone, even if they don’t accept it! Think about the Jews who crucified Jesus to see this glorious Truth. These guys had no excuse whatsoever. They knew the Scriptures. They had seen the dead raised, the lame walk, and the blind gain their sight. Even though they lied, tortured, and killed Jesus, they still received forgiveness and Grace, Luke 23:34. They did not ask for it and they did not believe that they had received it. Yet they still did, that is how awesome our Father is and that is how powerful Jesus’ sacrifice was. If it were up to us to accept Grace we would blow it.

Ephesians 1:1

¹ Paul, an apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), by the divine will (the purpose and the choice of God) to the saints (the consecrated, set-apart ones) at Ephesus who are also faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus:

This is a great place to study the Truth that it is our Father’s Will that is in control of our life’s. Paul was an Apostle because our Father wanted him to be an Apostle, not because Paul wanted to be one.

But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased Galatians 1:15

The powerful thing about this Truth is that our Father knows all that we are. He knows every last one of our faults and he still chooses us. Paul was a murderer. He was zealous about persecuting Christians and yet that did not stop our Father’s Will. On the road to Damascus Paul wasn’t seeking out Jesus. He wasn’t longing for the Truth on his journey and yet that is exactly where our Father let him know that he was chosen.

Think about all of the Disciples and how we are shown that they were called? Jesus went to them and chose them, they did not first choose Jesus. Our Father is active, not reactive! Jesus is the Shepherd. He is our Vine, our Head, our Lord, and our Potter. We are the branches, the body, the servants, and the clay.

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10

Our age doesn’t hinder our Father. Our understanding or ability to believe doesn’t hinder Him. Our faults don’t either. Our Father is the Great I Am and His will is done on this earth, exactly as it is in Heaven.

Man Has No Excuse

For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification], Romans 1:20

I had an elder the other day quote this verse to me and tell me that men have no excuses. He told me whether they have heard of Jesus or not, our Father’s handy work is so plain to see, that no man will be able to have an excuse on Judgment Day. He quoted this verse as he spoke of his belief that many will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, because they will have no excuse. 

Here is what our Father showed me as this man spoke. My two children, Kennedy and Lauren, have done many things that were flat out wrong. They had absolutely no excuse for why they did them either. There was no denying that they had no excuse, yet that did not mean that my responsibility as their father, their provider, their teacher, and their protecter ended. It only meant that they had no excuse for messing up. 

The same glorious Truth will hold true on Judgment Day. Many will stand before Jesus, the One Who has been given all of the responsibility of Judging, John 5:22, and they will have done many wrong things. They will have no excuse for why they did what they have done, yet their actions will not nullify Grace, it will only magnify it!

But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, Romans 5:20

There was no excuse for the woman who was caught committing adultery, John 8:3, yet there was forgiveness. There was no excuse for Peter denying Jesus, Matthew 26:34, yet there was forgiveness. The sick man on the mat had no excuse, Mark 2:5, and he did not even ask for forgiveness, yet that did not stop Jesus from giving him. The Pharisees and Scribes knew the scriptures. They had personally seen Jesus’ miracles. They had no excuse for torturing and killing Jesus and yet they still were forgiven, Luke 23:34. The Truth is that none of us has an excuse for the things we do wrong, yet that in no way stops Jesus from freely giving us Grace.

For God has consigned (penned up) all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all [alike]. Romans 11:32

Revelation 22:16-21

16 I, Jesus, have sent My messenger (angel) to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches (assemblies). I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star.   

17 The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost.

The rich man in Hades thirsted and amen through what Jesus has accomplished for us he will be able to come as well. The chasm is not so large that the love of Jesus’ Blood  cannot bridge it. He actually already bridged it once and He will do it again. Jesus spent 3 days in Hades where the chasm was great and He preached to the souls who were so bad that our Father had to flood the earth, 1 Peter 3:20. All who thirst will come. Even those who were notable sinners. But when they come, they will no longer be notable sinners, they will be cherished guests. 

Through Christ every man’s souls will be refreshed and supported. Jesus is our Head, He is our Shepherd, and He is the Vine. He is our everything, for without Him we can do nothing, John 15:5.

18 I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book. 

19 And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these [predictions relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book. 

These scriptures have been used by people to talk about us loosing their salvation. But the Truth is no one who has been grafted into the Vine can ever take away or add to this prophecy. If they could it would be like saying the vine let the branch produce another fruit then it wanted. Or the potter allowed the clay to be a bowl instead of his intended cup. If they would, than our Father would have made a mistake by grafting them into the Vine in the first place. Our Father knows the beginning and the end, but yet we are to believe that He grafted someone in whose heart wasn’t right? That would mean our Father was fooled by the person that He Chose, and God is never fooled. This is only a statement saying don’t mess with what Jesus had written.

20 He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, Lord Jesus! 

21 The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with all the saints (God's holy people, those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)! 

We are blessed in the power of our Lord’s might. I hope this study of Revelation blesses all who are led to it and that we all come together in the unity of Jesus' faith. 

Revelation 22:13-15

13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all).

Jesus is the End of it All. Which means that Jesus, our Groom, is the completion of love. He is the completion of sacrifice, of faith, of hope, and of interceding on the behalf of others. Jesus ever lives to intercede for all that He has been given, so that they might be saved to the uttermost, Hebrews 7:25. This is not just Jesus being arrogant here, this is Jesus telling us that He will cause all things to come to pass to carry out our Father’s will of Grace. This is our peace that regardless of what we think, Jesus is in complete and total control. 

14 Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city.

We were just shown that the Tree of Life is for the healing and restoration of the nations. The Bride does not need restored. So blessed are those who are not the Bride of Christ, who are allowed to eat of the Tree of Life and live with our Father forever. This is a blessing for the guests of the Bride, Matthew 22. These people who are raised up at the end of the Millennial Reign of Christ will cleanse their garments with the Blood of Christ and be allowed to stay. 

15 [But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating). 

There will be no more sin after Judgment Day, so there will be no more sinners. Our Father will make everything new and all of the pain, sorrow, and misery that came with sin will be gone. This does not mean that people who did these things are in Hell suffering as we are partying. It means that the world, the nations, the sinners, those raised up from Hades have been restored and healed. Jesus’ sacrifice is that strong and it is that powerful. Think of the worst person that you know of and yes, even that persons sin’s are covered by Jesus’ Blood. 

Revelation 22:8-12

8 And I, John, am he who heard and witnessed these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell prostrate before the feet of the messenger (angel) who showed them to me, to worship him. 

9 But he said to me, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] a fellow servant along with yourself and with your brethren the prophets and with those who are mindful of and practice [the truths contained in] the messages of this book. Worship God! 

Once again, no bowing to anyone but our Father and our Lord. We are repeatedly shown that we are not to bow to any person!

10 And he [further] told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near. 

Again we are shown to not shy away from the Book of Revelation. Jesus will lead us to go and share it, to read it aloud, and to study it. There is a wonderful blessing in doing so and Jesus will make sure that we do openly share His revelation!

11 He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still.

We are told that our Father is in total control. If we are called and chosen, He will cause us to be righteous and holy. If we are not chosen, we can never be holy, regardless of what we do. Our Father holds all of the power. We are only born again by His will, John 1:13. 

12 Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit. 

Thank God the saved are now dead in Christ and our works are now Jesus’ works through us, and Jesus merits a great reward! Jesus is the Author and the Finisher of our faith and we can do nothing without Him. Jesus does the works through us and we receive the rewards. 

Now there are many people who will use this verse to tell us that we must fear and work our little tails off or we are doomed. The first thing to remember is that our righteousness is as filthy rags, Isaiah 64:6. Jesus said that there was nothing good in Him and only that the Father was good, Mark 10:18. And our Father tells us that He made all of us to be disobedient, so that He may have mercy on all of us alike.

For God has consigned (penned up) all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all [alike]. Romans 11:32

Our own actions and our own merits all merit grace and mercy and that is exactly what we will all receive! 

Revelation 22:4-7

4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

Every living human being, which will be every human being, will be one with our Father at this time! Our Father is omnipotent. The Truth is that He has always been with all men, after Judgment Day all men will finally just be able to understand this Truth. 

For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. Colossians 1:16

5 And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, and they shall reign [as kings] forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities). 

The last will be first. The oppressed will be taken care of like kings. The first will be last, but the last in eternity is better then the first in this world. Love will abound, especially through those who have been forgiven of much. All things will become new. The old will pass away. Everyone will come to the knowledge of the Truth and know for themselves the Height, Depth, Width, and Breadth of our Father’s love. 

6 And he [of the seven angels further] said to me, These statements are reliable (worthy of confidence) and genuine (true). And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His messenger (angel) to make known and exhibit to His servants what must soon come to pass. 

7 And behold, I am coming speedily. Blessed (happy and to be envied) is he who observes and lays to heart and keeps the truths of the prophecy (the predictions, consolations, and warnings) contained in this [little] book. 

There is such a blessing associated with reading and sharing the Book of Revelation. So many shy away from this Book, don’t. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to read it out loud and share it all of the time. 

Revelation 22:1-3

1THEN HE showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb 

We shall be as Jesus is, so these waters are not for us, they are for the people who live outside of the city. 

2 Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations. 

We are shown here that it is our Father’s provisions that now keep the nations healthy and whole, it is no longer commerce and governments, or another words Babylon. Isn’t it cool to see that there still will be nations when the New Jerusalem and Earth are brought into being. The question is why would the nations need restoration? Why would they need to be restored if the only people who were left here were ourselves and those who were alive and did not side with satan when he was released from the abyss? The reason that the nations need to be restored is because millions upon millions of people will have been raised up from Hades and they need to be brought into the Light. The Bride doesn’t need restored and those who lived and flourished during the Millennial Reign of Christ don’t need restored, but those who have just been raised up from Hades will need to be and amen they will be. 

3 There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible). But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service].

After the Millennial of Jesus, there will be no more sin, there will be no more separation from our Father, and all people will be able to see our Father’s face. He will no longer be shrouded in a cloud of covering. Everything will be pure after Judgment Day. Verse 3 is just another great scripture that shows us that the sin of the lost will no longer exist. The shortcomings of man were nothing but foul, offensive, impure, hateful, and horrible. Nothing that has been a curse for man will be around any longer after Judgment Day. All men will finally be able to understand and see that our Father dwells with them. Wicked men will no longer exist, because all wickedness will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. The chaff of men, or their wickedness, will have been removed and burned, not the men, but the sin of the men. This is why we are shown that people will be restored.