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according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God has already accomplished His eternal plan.<\/p>\n \u201cEternal<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word ai\u014dn<\/em><\/span>, which we have seen several times recently. It refers to \u201can indefinitely long period of time.\u201d The most literal translation of this word into English is \u201cage.\u201d The form used in this verse literally translates to \u201cof the ages.\u201d So, Paul is talking about God\u2019s \u201cpurpose of the ages\u201d or His \u201ceternal purpose\u201d as we have in this translation.<\/p>\n The word \u201cpurpose<\/span>\u201d is from prothesis<\/em><\/span>, which is based on the verb protith\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>. This is made up of pro<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cbefore, in time or position\u201d and tith\u0113mi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto place.\u201d Thus, prosthesis<\/em><\/span> refers to a \u201csetting forth\u201d or \u201cdetermining ahead of time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAccomplished<\/span>\u201d is translated from poie\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto make\u201d or \u201cto do.\u201d It is expressed in the aorist tense and indicative mood indicating action that was completed at a point in time in the past.<\/p>\n Paul began a statement in verse one that was then interrupted in verse two, and he won\u2019t resume his original thought until verse fourteen. What appears in verses two through thirteen is a sort of parenthesis that talks about the mystery of the church age in which Gentiles and Jews are united in the body of Christ, co-heirs of God\u2019s estate, and joint partakers of the promise of salvation through the Messiah, Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n One fascinating thing about this parenthesis is that it closely parallels the parenthesis that we refer to as the church age. Before Christ\u2019s first coming, God was dealing almost exclusively with the Jews. In fact, from Genesis chapter twelve through the remainder of the Old Testament, the focus is on the descendants of Abraham. However, when the Messiah (Jesus) came and was rejected by the Jews, God turned to the Gentiles. This church age will continue until the time of the rapture when the church will be removed from this earth. Then, God\u2019s focus will once again be on the Jews as He ushers his faithful ones through \u201c\u2026 great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.\u201d (Matthew 24:21<\/span><\/strong>)\u201d<\/p>\n During the parenthesis, the church age, God is revealing His mystery to us (His church) and to the spirit beings in heaven through us (His church). In today\u2019s verse we learn that this is not just by accident. This is all part of God\u2019s plan of the ages. Before He created anything, God (that is, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), put together a plan. This plan included the choosing of every member of the church, according to the fourth verse of the letter to the Ephesians. That plan included the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as payment for our sins so that we can live in His presence eternally. And, according to today\u2019s verse, He accomplished His plan in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n Let me urge you to take a few minutes to mentally \u201cstep away\u201d from the world system and all of its distractions. Do you realize that you are part of God\u2019s eternal plan and you have been since before He created this physical world? Not only was your salvation part of His plan, but He has completely accomplished His plan in Jesus Christ. Now \u2013 what are you going to do with this knowledge?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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