“…the manifold wisdom of God
should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…”
This is the tough portion of our passage. Who are these “rulers and authorities”? We’ve actually already seen 2 of those instances:
“That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority…” Ephesians 1:19-21 (NIV)
This is the first place where Paul identifies these rulers and authorities and we find that, just as he does in today’s passage, Paul indicates that they function in the heavenly realm.
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. “ Ephesians 2:1, 2 (NIV)
Although our English translations don’t show it very well, the phrase “ruler of the kingdom” uses slightly different forms of the same Greek words translated “rulers” and “authorities” in the other two passages we’ve looked at.
Paul is going to use these terms one more time when we get to chapter 6 and Paul describes the spiritual battle we’re in that requires us to put on the armor of God. But for now, the thing that we can be sure of is that there is a whole unseen world in the heavenly realms. And even though we can’t observe this world with our human eyes, it is just as real as this building we’re in and the chairs you are sitting on.
We are given some glimpses into this unseen world throughout the Scriptures. Probably we are most familiar with the account of Satan in the Book of Job or possibly the account of God opening Elisha’s eyes so he can see the angel army that stands ready to protect him.
There are basically three views about who Paul is talking about:
• These are only the “good” spirit beings – i.e. angels
• These are only the “bad” spirit beings – i.e. demons
• This includes both groups
I believe Paul is telling us all of the above. The significant concept is the idea that these spirit beings, whoever they are, are observing the church here on earth and that the church is God’s instrument He uses to demonstrate His manifold wisdom to these heavenly beings.
Isn’t that an amazing thought? By being a part of God’s church here on this earth, I not only participate in God’s wisdom being made known here on earth, but also in the heavenly realms. And when that occurs, it is God who gets the glory.
To the evil spirit beings, the church is the confirmation that their dominion over mankind has been broken. Even though Satan and his demons may continue to torment us and try to lead us astray, the church demonstrates the wisdom of God’s plan of redeeming a people for Himself through the blood of Christ and reinforces the fact that their final defeat is assured.
To the angels, the church provides a further revelation of the plans and purposes of God. Since these good spirit beings have never sinned and therefore have not personally experienced the need for redemption, the church is the means by which God chooses to reveal His plans for his people to them.
And the end result of our participation in the church is that God gets all the glory for his manifold wisdom – this plan by which all of His children are brought together as one in the church through Jesus.
So my question to you this morning is this: How do you view the church? Does the church exist as a means to make you a happier, better, more content person? Is it a place where you go to have your needs and desires met?
Or do you exist within this community we call the church in order to be part of something that is far bigger than yourself? Are you part of the body in order to play your part in God’s eternal plan, to be a witness of the sufficiency of Christ’s work and to generate the glory of God?
This is the tough portion of our passage. Who are these “rulers and authorities”? We’ve actually already seen 2 of those instances:
“That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority…” Ephesians 1:19-21 (NIV)
This is the first place where Paul identifies these rulers and authorities and we find that, just as he does in today’s passage, Paul indicates that they function in the heavenly realm.
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. “ Ephesians 2:1, 2 (NIV)
Although our English translations don’t show it very well, the phrase “ruler of the kingdom” uses slightly different forms of the same Greek words translated “rulers” and “authorities” in the other two passages we’ve looked at.
Paul is going to use these terms one more time when we get to chapter 6 and Paul describes the spiritual battle we’re in that requires us to put on the armor of God. But for now, the thing that we can be sure of is that there is a whole unseen world in the heavenly realms. And even though we can’t observe this world with our human eyes, it is just as real as this building we’re in and the chairs you are sitting on.
We are given some glimpses into this unseen world throughout the Scriptures. Probably we are most familiar with the account of Satan in the Book of Job or possibly the account of God opening Elisha’s eyes so he can see the angel army that stands ready to protect him.
There are basically three views about who Paul is talking about:
• These are only the “good” spirit beings – i.e. angels
• These are only the “bad” spirit beings – i.e. demons
• This includes both groups
I believe Paul is telling us all of the above. The significant concept is the idea that these spirit beings, whoever they are, are observing the church here on earth and that the church is God’s instrument He uses to demonstrate His manifold wisdom to these heavenly beings.
Isn’t that an amazing thought? By being a part of God’s church here on this earth, I not only participate in God’s wisdom being made known here on earth, but also in the heavenly realms. And when that occurs, it is God who gets the glory.
To the evil spirit beings, the church is the confirmation that their dominion over mankind has been broken. Even though Satan and his demons may continue to torment us and try to lead us astray, the church demonstrates the wisdom of God’s plan of redeeming a people for Himself through the blood of Christ and reinforces the fact that their final defeat is assured.
To the angels, the church provides a further revelation of the plans and purposes of God. Since these good spirit beings have never sinned and therefore have not personally experienced the need for redemption, the church is the means by which God chooses to reveal His plans for his people to them.
And the end result of our participation in the church is that God gets all the glory for his manifold wisdom – this plan by which all of His children are brought together as one in the church through Jesus.
So my question to you this morning is this: How do you view the church? Does the church exist as a means to make you a happier, better, more content person? Is it a place where you go to have your needs and desires met?
Or do you exist within this community we call the church in order to be part of something that is far bigger than yourself? Are you part of the body in order to play your part in God’s eternal plan, to be a witness of the sufficiency of Christ’s work and to generate the glory of God?
The Balance: we can
have both!
You are loved!
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