Week 5 Heavenward Series/ How Do I get to Heaven
November 10, 2024

Opening Monologue

Welcome to the Final Week of our Heavenward Series. If you have missed any of them; You will find links below to our AVC Connections. Welcome to our New APP downloaders… I pray you’re encouraged by God’s Word, commentary and questions below.

We have talked about the splendor and glory of heaven…and honestly, it’s hard to describe what John has seen in the heavens. Just think about the immense space of the New Jerusalem (Week 4) 1,400 miles in width, length and height- Amazing! Rivers, precious stones and streets of gold… a city of gold and jasper! How glorious is heaven… better check out the last two sermons.

With everything said thus far I think it’s appropriate to discuss this week: “How do we get into Heaven?” Do we assume everyone is getting there? Does our good works and charity donations punch our “golden ticket” into eternity?

How did evil get into this world and how do we escape it? Scripture says: “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient snake called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Rev. 12:9-10)

Now evil exists… we can see it all around…it plagues our souls and minds… and it haunts our world. What can we do to overcome it and save our souls? “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Come join us as we dig deeper into this topic; we will discover how anyone can get into heaven through Jesus Christ.

Blessings in Christ!

Rev. Brad Standfest


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Key Sermon Text

Ephesians 6:12
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.%206%3A13%20&version=NIV

Revelation 12:7-11a
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2012%3A7-11&version=NIV

Galatians 5:19-21
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205%3A19-21&version=NIV


Satan is the head of the demons and led their rebellion against God; he now leads them in propagating evil in the world.

According to Scripture, Satan was a particularly powerful and high-ranking angel who led one third of the angelic host to rebel against God (Eph 2:2; Rev 12:1–12). Satan is a Hebrew word that means “adversary” (שָׂטָן). Scripture also refers to Satan as “the devil” (Matt 4:1, 5; Lk 4:2, 3; Eph 6:11), “the serpent” (Gen 3:1; 2 Cor 11:3; Rev 20:2), “the great dragon” (Rev 12:9; cf Rev 20:2), “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), “the god of this age” (2 Cor 4:4), “the evil one” (Matt 13:19, 38; Jn 17:15; Eph 6:16), “the prince of demons” (Matt 9:34; 12:24; Mk 3:22; Lk 11:15), “the accuser” (Rev 12:10), and “the tempter” (Matt 4:3; 1 Thess 3:5). Like the other angels and demons, Satan is an invisible being who is highly intelligent and very powerful.

Satan was responsible for tempting Eve in the garden and leading humanity’s first parents into sin. Though Genesis never explicitly identifies the serpent as Satan, later Scripture identifies the “ancient serpent” as “Satan” (Rev 12:9; 20:2). Since his initial rebellion, Satan has continued to work against God’s righteous and saving purposes in the world. He actively opposes the propagation of the gospel by blinding unbelievers to its truth (2 Cor 4:4), persecuting the church (2 Cor 12:7; 1 Thess 2:17–18; Rev 2:10), and promoting false doctrine (Jn 8:44; cf 1 Tim 4:1). Satan actively seeks to incite Christians to fall into sin and is constantly attempting to ensnare them in unrighteousness (2 Cor 11:3). Satan is also an accuser, calling the faith of Christians into question before God and accusing them of sin (Job 1:9–11; Rev 12:10).

As a created being, Satan, though powerful, is not equal with God. Instead, like the other demons, he is wholly subject to God’s sovereign will (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–10).
Upon his return, Christ will completely defeat Satan and the demons and cast them into the lake of fire (Matt 8:29; 25:41; Rev 20:10).

KEY VERSES
Ge 3:1–15; Job 1:6–12; Job 2:1–10; Re 12:1–12; Mt 4:1–11; 1 Pe 5:8–9; 1 Jn 3:8; Jn 8:44; Job 1:6–12; 1 Co 7:5; Ac 5:3; Re 20:1–6
Sam Emadi, “Satan,” in Lexham Survey of Theology, ed. Mark Ward et al.


Wrestling against Spiritual Forces of Evil & How we Overcome (Ephesians 6:10-18)

In the Christian life, we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan, who is a vicious fighter, see 1 Peter 5:8). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of his armor. Paul was not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church. The whole body needs to be armed. As you battle against “the powers of this dark world,” fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit. What can your church do to be a Christian armory?

6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. The word “finally” signals the beginning of Paul’s conclusion to his letter, where he will give words of vital importance for his readers. In this letter, Paul explained the need for unity in the body of believers; here he further explained the need for that unity—there will be inevitable clashes with evil, and the church must be ready to stand and fight.

“Be strong in the Lord” refers to strength derived from God, not strength we humans have to somehow obtain. The words “be strong” describe continual empowering of the Christian community. God’s strength and his mighty power are part of the kingdom blessings available to God’s people. At the beginning of this letter, Paul prayed for believers to know God’s “incomparably great power for us who believe. 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” (1:19–20 NIV). The power that raised Christ from the dead empowers God’s people as they prepare for the spiritual battle they must face on this earth. They will need it, for, as the text continues, the struggle occurs in the spiritual realm and must be won with spiritual weapons. While the victory is certain, the battle still must be waged. Paul’s words are all in the plural, addressed to the church, who, like a warrior, needs to put on the complete armor of God. Of course, this combined effort calls for each member’s fullest participation.

6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. God empowers his people, but he does not send them into battle unarmed. God’s people must put on the whole armor of God (see also Romans 13:12). The panoplia, or full armor, means complete equipment, head-to-toe protection, both defensively and offensively. This gear was for hand-to-hand combat, not for appearances. This “armor of God” was mentioned in the Old Testament. Isaiah 59:17 describes God as wearing the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation. Paul wrote this letter while chained to a Roman soldier. Certainly the soldier’s armor must have brought this metaphor to mind. Paul described a divine and complete “outfit” that God gives believers in order to provide all we need to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The devil rules the world of darkness, the kingdom opposed to God. “Stand against” was a military term meaning to resist the enemy, hold the position, and offer no surrender. (For more on “stand,” see 6:13–14; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Colossians 4:12; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9.) Also called Satan, the devil will not fight fair; his “wiles” will often include subtle tricks and schemes. Our “ability to stand” in battle depends on our use of “the whole armor of God.”

6:12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. The Christians face a struggle against evil—describing hand-to-hand combat. But we are not in an earthly military campaign—our battle is not against enemies of blood and flesh. Instead, we battle the demons over whom Satan has control. Demons work to tempt people to sin. They were not created by Satan because God is the Creator of all. Rather, the demons are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion and thus became perverted and evil. The descriptive words “rulers,” “authorities,” “cosmic powers,” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” reveal the characteristics of these enemies as well as their sphere of operations. “Rulers and authorities” are cosmic powers, or demons, mentioned in 1:21. These spiritual beings have limited power. “Cosmic powers of this present darkness” refers to those spiritual powers who aspire to world control. The “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” refers to the demons’ dwelling, planets and stars, from which the demons control the lives of people. Paul used the names of groups of evil powers not so much to establish classes or distinguish demonic powers as to show the full extent of Satan’s warfare.

Here is a host of spiritual forces arrayed against us, requiring us to use God’s full armor. These are real and powerful beings, not mere fantasies. Believers must not underestimate them. The Ephesians had practiced magic and witchcraft (Acts 19:19), so they were well aware of the power of the darkness. As the Bible explains the kingdom of light, the kingdom of darkness is exposed. These powers are “cosmic” and “spiritual”; thus, we fight the battle in that realm. (For discussion on “in the heavenly places,” see 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10.)

We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, the satanic beings become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin. Although believers are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns because Satan constantly battles against all who are on God’s side. Although Satan and his demons rule the world, they do not rule the universe; the stolen kingdom will be regained by Christ, the rightful ruler, when he appears. In the meantime, believers need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this power by giving us his Holy Spirit within us and his armor surrounding us. (See also 1 Timothy 1:18; 6:12.)

KNOW THE ENEMY
We fight a spiritual battle, but we might well ask, who is the enemy? It’s not the nonbeliever, although occasionally you will meet a person so full of evil and rebellion against God that he or she actually declares himself or herself the enemy of Christianity. The secular media or world systems work relentlessly to undermine God’s truth, but they are not the enemy either, although they are often tools in his hands. Our enemy is Satan and the spiritual “forces of evil.” Satan, the deceiver (Genesis 3), the accuser (Zechariah 3), the destroyer (1 Peter 5), is the adversary of our souls and of the souls of our friends and loved ones. As Paul sounded this battle call, he wanted us to know whom we’re fighting. Our enemy is powerful, but he is also a defeated foe. As you prepare to engage him in spiritual warfare, don’t be intimidated by his influence. Use the full armor of God and stand together with other believers.

6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Therefore, the believers’ response to the reality of this warfare should be to take up the whole armor of God. The armor is ready for us; we merely need to take it. This changes the clothing metaphor slightly from 4:24, where Paul had instructed the believers to “put on” the new self. “Take up” is a technical military term describing preparation for battle. The armor is available, but the believer-soldier must “take it up” in order to be ready. We would be neglectful to do otherwise, for the battle is real, and we are Satan’s targets. Only with the armor will believers be able to withstand, a word describing standing against great opposition; indeed, it would be impossible to stand on our strength alone. Christian soldiers must be able to hold their ground and not flee or surrender under Satan’s attacks. The evil day refers to the hours of trial that have within themselves the seeds of the last and greatest trial. Christians must be prepared for every day’s conflicts with the forces of evil.

The words “having done all, to stand” probably summarize the believers’ victory after the battle. In ancient times, those still standing after the battle were the victors. The whole context implies that we have the victory. We must participate in Christ’s victory over Satan. We know the outcome of the war, but individual battles can be lost if any believers have not done all in order to stand (see also James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9).

6:14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist. In order to stand therefore in the heat of battle, believers need every piece of God’s armor. The order of the pieces listed in the following verses is the order in which a soldier would put them on. First, Paul wrote, fasten the belt of truth around your waist. This belt, also called a girdle, was about six inches wide. Probably made of leather, it held together the clothing underneath as well as holding the other pieces of armor in place, such as the breastplate and the sheath for the sword. It may have contained a “breechclout,” an apron that protected the lower abdomen. It may have also braced the back in order to give strength. When the belt was fastened, the soldier was “on duty,” ready to fight. A slackened belt meant “off duty.” Christians, however, must face each day with a fastened belt, ready to fight the battle when needed.

As the belt formed the foundation of the soldier’s armor, the truth is the foundation of the Christian life. This “truth” refers to the believer’s character as a person who can be relied on for the truth. It certainly also refers to the truth of God’s Word and his message in the gospel. If we could not be absolutely sure of our faith, if we were not sure that Jesus is “the truth” (John 14:6), then there would be little use for the armor or in attempting to fight any battle. God’s truth, as revealed to us through Jesus Christ, forms the foundation of victorious Christian living.

When the enemy, the father of lies (John 8:44), attacks with his lies, half-truths, and distortions, we believers can stand on the truth we believe. Jesus prayed for his followers: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17 NKJV).

And put on the breastplate of righteousness. Next, the soldier must put on the breastplate of righteousness. A breastplate was a large leather, bronze, or chain-mail piece that protected the body from the neck to the thighs. In Isaiah 59:17, God “put on righteousness as his breastplate.” Protecting the vital organs, the breastplate was a vital piece in the soldier’s armor. No soldier would go into battle without his breastplate. Often this had a back piece too, protecting the body from hits from behind.

“Righteousness” provides a significant defense; it gives the evidence that we have been made right with God and that this righteousness has been given us by the Holy Spirit. Believers have been made righteous through the blood of Christ. The believers then want to live in uprightness and integrity, desiring to please the One who saved them. Yet that won’t be easy. Satan is ready for battle at every turn, willing to hit us unfairly from behind if given the chance. Righteousness is the opposite of Satan’s complete wickedness. Satan seeks to thwart righteous living.


When the enemy, the accuser (Revelation 12:10), tries to convince us that we are not really saved, that we just keep on disappointing God, and that we’re “poor excuses” for Christians, we can stand up to him because of the righteousness we have been promised through our faith in Jesus Christ. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22 NIV).

6:15 And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. A soldier wore special sandals or military shoes that protected his feet without slowing him down. Roman soldiers had special shoes made of soft leather with studded soles. This allowed them to march farther and faster as well as giving them facility of motion in battle—they could dig in and hold their ground when in hand-to-hand combat.

Believers also need special “shoes”—the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The Word of God is the gospel, or Good News, that brings peace. In other words, believers are ready for battle because “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard [their] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NKJV). They can stand firm, with peace, even in hand-to-hand combat, because they know that they are doing right and that they are on the winning side. Christians are in the battle both with the inner peace Christ has already given and the desire to produce that peace in the hearts of others. This can only happen as they share this “gospel of peace” with those who have not yet heard and accepted it.

When the enemy, the deceiver (Revelation 12:9), offers false ways to peace or tries to get us to focus on our concerns and fears, we Christian soldiers can stand up to him. Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27 NKJV).

6:16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. With all the pieces of armor mentioned above, the soldier needed to also carry extra protection in the form of a shield. The image was taken from the Roman shield, a large oblong or oval piece, approximately four feet high by two feet wide, made of wood and leather, often with an iron frame. Sometimes the leather would be soaked in water to help extinguish flaming arrows. The ancient “flaming arrow” or “fire dart” was made of cane with a flammable head that was lighted and then shot so as to set fire to wooden shields, cloth tents, etc. For Christians, this shield is faith—complete reliance on God. Faith means total dependence on God and willingness to do his will. It is not something we put on for a show for others. It means believing in his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet. God gives faith to protect the believer (Ephesians 2:8). (See James 1:31 and Peter 1:7 for more on faith as the key to victory.)
When the enemy, the ruler of this world (John 12:31), sends his flaming arrows of temptation, doubt, wrath, lust, despair, vengeance, problems, and trials into our lives, we can hold up our shields and quench them. We are assured that “whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith” (1 John 5:4 NRSV). We must take hold of God’s full resources. Faith gives us the strength to stand against Satan with firm courage, even when he uses his most fearsome weapons.

6:17 And take the helmet of salvation. The helmet protected the soldier’s head. Helmets were made of leather and brass, or sometimes bronze and iron—no sword could pierce a good helmet. Isaiah 59:17 describes God wearing a helmet of salvation. The dressed soldier would take his helmet and sword from an armor bearer. In the same way, believers are to take this helmet of salvation, for it is handed to them by God himself. First Thessalonians 5:8 calls believers to put on “the hope of salvation as a helmet.” This “hope” is a certainty—believers have complete assurance that God will do all that he has promised. Their salvation, already accomplished, will be consummated when Christ comes to claim his own. Christians, with the assurance of salvation protecting their minds, can stand against Satan’s attacks. As a blow to the head often means death, so a person without hope of salvation will be easily defeated by the enemy.

When the enemy, the devil (1 Peter 5:8), seeks to devour and destroy God’s people with empty or evil thoughts, trying to get us to doubt our salvation, we can trust in the protection of the helmet. Our salvation will be accomplished, for God has promised it. “Hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5:5 NIV) because “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11 NIV).

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Finally, the soldier takes the sword of the Spirit—the only offensive weapon mentioned. This refers to the short sword used in close combat. The sharp, short sword was one of Rome’s great military innovations. The Roman army was called the “short swords” because of its use of the short swords in winning battles. The sword’s double edges made it ideal for “cut and thrust” strategy. The relative pronoun translated which could refer to “the Spirit” or to the whole phrase, “sword of the Spirit.” The Word of God is the Spirit’s sword (see Isaiah 11:4–5; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 4:12). The Spirit makes the Word of God effective as we speak it and receive it. The Spirit gives the Word its penetrating power and sharp edge. Jesus’ use of God’s Word in his temptation prompts our use of it against Satan (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). With the Holy Spirit within, believers have the constant reminder of God’s Word to use against Satan’s temptations.


GOD’S ARMOR FOR US
We are engaged in a spiritual battle—all believers find themselves subject to Satan’s attacks because they are no longer on Satan’s side. Thus, Paul tells us to use every piece of God’s armor to resist Satan’s attacks and to stand true to God in the midst of those attacks.


Piece of Armor:Belt
Use: Truth
Application: Satan fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth; but only believers have God’s truth, which can defeat Satan’s lies.

Piece of Armor: Breastplate
Use: Righteousness
Application: Satan often attacks our heart—the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust. God’s righteousness is the breastplate that protects our heart and ensures his approval. He approves of us because he loves us and sent his Son lo die for us.

Piece of Armor: Shoes
Use: Readiness to spread the Good News
Application: Satan wants us to think that telling others the Good News is a worthless and hopeless task—the size of the task is too big and the negative responses are too much to handle. But the footgear God gives us enables us to proclaim the true peace that is available in God—news everyone needs to hear.

Piece of Armor: Shield
Use: Faith
Application: What we see are Satan’s attacks in the form of insults, setbacks, and temptations. But the shield of faith protects us from Satan’s flaming arrows. With God’s perspective, we can see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimate victory is ours.

Piece of Armor: Helmet
Use: Salvation
Application: Satan wants to make us doubt God, Jesus, and our salvation. The helmet protects our mind from doubting God’s saving work for us.

Piece of Armor:**Sword
**Use:
The Spirit, the Word of God
Application: The sword is the only weapon of offense in this list of armor. There are times when we need to take the offensive against Satan. When we are tempted, we need to live in the Spirit of God’s Word.


When the enemy, the tempter (Matthew 4:3–4; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), tries to tempt us to do evil, we have the power to send him away with the word of God. The Spirit will bring the words to mind, for Jesus promised, “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV).

6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. This verse, although not naming another “weapon” in the believers’ armor, does continue the thought of 6:17. As we take the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, we must also pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Praying in the Spirit means that the Spirit helps us when we pray (Romans 8:26); the Spirit prays on our behalf (Romans 8:27); the Spirit makes God accessible (Ephesians 2:18); the Spirit gives us confidence when we pray (Romans 8:15–16; Galatians 4:6). He inspires and guides us when we pray. He helps us communicate with God and also brings God’s response to us.
Paul was not calling prayer a weapon; instead, he was giving the how-to’s for taking up the armor described in the previous verses. We must not underestimate Satan’s forces. He will strike in different ways at different people; thus, we need to pray “all kinds” of prayers, allowing for all kinds of requests. Satan will attack at various times, but he will always be attacking someone. Believers need to be praying always. Satan will attack when we least expect it, so we need to be alert to prayer needs when they arise. Satan will rarely let up if he thinks he can win the battle, so believers must keep on praying, no matter how long it takes. No believer is exempt from being Satan’s target—Satan demands battle against his enemies (believers). Thus all saints need our prayer support—no matter who they are, what position they hold, or how strong they may seem to be. No believer can stand alone in this battle. For whom do you pray? How often do you pray?
How can anyone pray on all occasions? Make quick, brief prayers your habitual response to every situation you meet throughout the day. Order your life around God’s desires and teachings so that your very life becomes a prayer. You don’t have to isolate yourself from other people and from daily work in order to pray constantly.


Commentary:

War in Heaven Revelation 12:7-11

12:7–9 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and the angels under his command fought the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle and was forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.
This is the first expansion on the pictures described in 12:1–6. What John saw next fills in for the readers more detail of what was described in 12:4 regarding Satan’s expulsion from heaven: “His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth” (NIV).
Satan’s expulsion from heaven began as a war in heaven between Michael and the angels of God and the dragon (Satan) and his angels. These events most likely describe the time of the second binding of Satan associated with the death and resurrection of Christ (see 12:4). Some believe it relates to the eviction of Satan before the creation of humans in Genesis, but that view is based more on conjecture. Others see it as something that will occur just before the return of Christ. If the passage refers to the Resurrection, Christ’s victory over death caused Satan to try to reestablish himself in heaven. According to Scripture, Satan had some sort of access (Job 1:6–7; Zechariah 3:1). In either case, this event fulfills a portion of Daniel’s vision (Daniel 12:1–2).

Michael is a high-ranking angel (called an archangel). Throughout Jewish literature, Michael is named as the one who comes to the aid of God’s people. He was seen as one of their protectors (see also Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9). Notice that the battle here was not between God and Satan or between Christ and Satan but between Michael and Satan. Warfare raged, and the dragon lost the battle. As a result, Satan and his minions were forced out of heaven. Having lost their place, they are already vanquished foes. Satan was thrown down to the earth, and he went about his work of deceiving the whole world—his final revolt before his destruction (20:10).

Here, the great dragon is identified as the ancient serpent called the Devil, or Satan. The devil is not a symbol or legend; he is very real. The devil, God’s enemy, constantly tries to hinder God’s work, but he is limited by God’s power and can do only what he is permitted to do (Job 1:6–2:6). The name Satan means “accuser” (12:10). He actively looks for people to accuse and attack (1 Peter 5:8–9). Satan likes to pursue believers who are vulnerable in their faith, who are spiritually weak, or who are isolated from other believers. He “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Members of the first-century church understood Satan’s intentions. They warned one another to resist evil (James 4:7) and even expected “to enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations” caused by their enemy (Acts 14:22 NLT; see also John 16:33). Although Satan’s final destruction is certain, believers are presently waiting for Christ to crush Satan and to end all evil (Romans 16:20).

Some consider this verse to describe warfare in the ancient past, but others think that Satan’s fall to earth took place at Jesus’ resurrection or ascension and that the 1,260 days (12:6) are a symbolic way of referring to the time between Christ’s first and second comings. Still others say that Satan’s defeat will occur in the middle of a literal seven-year Tribulation period, following the rapture of the church and preceding the second coming of Christ and the beginning of Christ’s one-thousand-year reign. Regardless of the interpretation, God’s clear teaching is that Christ is victorious—Satan has already been defeated because of Christ’s death on the cross (12:10–12). Even though God permits the devil to do his work in this world, God is still in control. And Jesus has complete power over Satan; he defeated Satan when he died and rose again. One day Satan will be bound forever, never again to do his evil work (20:10).

Satan fell to the earth with “all his angels”—referring to demons. This world is their prison, where, as the enemies of God, they work against God’s people. Satan is not omnipresent—he cannot be everywhere at once, so his demons work for him. Demons are fallen angels, sinful spiritual beings who have Satan as their leader (Matthew 25:41; Luke 11:15). Revelation highlights three evil powers who will oppose God’s people during the end times: Satan, pictured as a dragon (Revelation 12:9); the Beast, better known as the Antichrist (13:1–10); and the false prophet (13:11; 16:13). Demons serve as agents of this evil trinity. They seduce people, will establish the notorious kingdom of Babylon, and will lead a worldwide offensive against God’s people (16:1–14).


REAL ENEMIES

These are demons over whom Satan has control. They are not fantasies—they are very real. Believers face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When a person trusts in Christ, these beings become that person’s enemies, trying every trick to turn him or her away from Christ and back to sin. Although assured of victory, believers must engage in the struggle until Christ returns because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. Believers need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving his Holy Spirit and his armor. If you feel discouraged, remember Jesus’ words to Peter: “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18 NIV).


12:10–11 Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has happened at last—the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ! For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth—the one who accused our brothers and sisters before our God day and night. And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die.” Verses 10–12 comprise a hymn of praise to God for the defeat of Satan when he was thrown out of heaven. Despite Satan’s power on this earth, he is and always will be a vanquished foe. This hymn has three stanzas, shouted by a loud voice that was heard across the heavens—possibly an angel. Some have suggested that this could not be an angel because the words “our brothers and sisters” usually refer to humans. In 19:10, however, an angel says, “I am a servant of God, just like you and other believers who testify of their faith in Jesus” (NLT), thus, in a sense, equating the angels and humans in their being servants of God.
First, the voice proclaims the victory of God’s kingdom and Christ’s authority: “It has happened at last—the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ!” Salvation means deliverance—not just spiritual salvation from sin, but freedom from the clutches of Satan. This had occurred because of God’s power (strength exerted for believers) and kingdom (his rule in believers’ lives), and because of the authority of his Son. Both the Father and the Son have given this deliverance.

Second, the message describes the victory and its appropriation by believers through their faith in Christ: “For the Accuser has been thrown down to earth.” This has already been described in 12:4, 8–9 (see commentary above).
Third, there is a promise that Satan is ultimately and forever defeated because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. The critical blow to Satan had come when the Lamb, Jesus Christ, had shed his blood for sinful humanity. The victory had been won by sacrifice—Christ’s death to pay the penalty for sin. Those who accept this sacrifice become victors along with the Lamb. They confirm their loyalty to the Lamb through their testimony—some even to the point of death. The martyrs who were not afraid to die revealed their ultimate victory in that final act of faith. When a believer dies, Satan may think he has gained a victory. In reality, however, he has lost. In fact, he loses every time a believer dies. The victory of the saints is the heart of Revelation. In each of the letters to the seven churches (chapters 2–3), Christ had promised that those who are victorious will receive great reward.

Acts of the Sinful Nature in Us Galatians 5:19-21

5:19–21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious. Paul contrasted the works of our sinful human desires and the works of the Spirit-filled life in 5:19–21 and 5:22–23. Paul’s use of the word obvious (phanera—self-evident, manifest) probably did not mean readily visible, for some of the sins listed are private (although may well manifest themselves at some point—as with hatred or jealousy). Instead, the word means that these sins obviously come directly from sinful human desires. In other words, once the behavior has been identified, we know its source.

DENIAL

We use the term denial to describe the all-too-frequent habit people have of overlooking problems in their lives, refusing to accept responsibility, and neglecting to take required action. Denial fits well with Paul’s warning that acts of the flesh are clearly identifiable. Denial does not mean the inability to see something wrong; rather, it means the unwillingness to see what is wrong. Denial must be overcome before we can repent. The psalmist’s prayer can help us be honest in our relationship with God: “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression” (Psalm 19:12–13 NIV).


Paul’s list of sins falls into four categories. These particular sins were especially prevalent in the pagan world, and the Galatians would have readily understood them. With few exceptions, we recognize these sins as present in our own time as well. (The following word list is quoted from NIV.)

In the first category three sexual sins are mentioned:

Sexual immorality (porneia—fornication)—Any form of illicit sexual relationship. The term serves to spotlight forbidden sexual behavior between people or indirect participation as an audience. We derive our term pornography from this Greek word.

Impurity (akatharsia)—Moral uncleanness. Perhaps no sexual act has taken place, but the person exhibits a crudeness or insensitivity in sexual matters that offends others and leads them to false conclusions about the other person’s character. An example today would be the excessive use of sexual humor (or what is supposed to be humor), where people make statements with a sexual double meaning.

Debauchery (aselgeia—licentiousness)—Open and excessive indulgence in sexual sins. The person has no sense of shame or restraint. Debauchery is the outworking of sexual immorality and impurity.
The next two sins are religious sins particular to pagan culture:

Idolatry (eidololatria)—Worship of pagan idols. A person creates substitutes for God and then treats them as if they were God. This person is giving in to sinful human desires.

Witchcraft (pharmakeia)—Involvement with the powers of evil, at times using potions and poisons. With idolatry, a person acts in a submissive role in relation to evil; with witchcraft, the person is an active agent who manipulates the powers of evil.
The next eight sins pertain to conduct toward people (inter-personal relations) that has been motivated by sinful desires:

Hatred (echthrai)—A condition of fixed enmity between groups. This may be real, unresolved conflict whose cause has been forgotten but which has yielded a harvest of bitterness toward one another.

Discord (eris)—Competition, rivalry, bitter conflict—the seeds and the natural fruit of hatred.

Jealousy (zelos)—A feeling of resentment that someone else has what another feels he or she deserves. The negative aspect of jealousy depends on its context. This word has also become the English word zeal. Earlier, Paul used the verb forms three times, referring to two forms of zeal—one negative, one positive (4:17–18). Zeal, then, intensifies any of the other characteristics in this list.

Fits of rage (thumoi)—Outbursts of anger for selfish reasons. The plural form conveys the meaning of continual and uncontrolled behavior.

Selfish ambition (eritheiai)—The approach to life and work that tries to get ahead at other people’s expense. Not only might this refer to what we call “workaholism,” it also implies a mercenary, aggressive attitude toward others in the pursuit of one’s goals.

Dissensions (dichostasiai)—Strong disagreements or quarrels. The attitude that can quickly develop between people when a disagreeable attitude prevails. Whatever the topic or issue, as soon as one side states its opinion, the other party immediately champions the opposing view, as a matter of “principle.”

Factions (haireseis)—Divisions created among people because of dissensions. This describes the tendency to look for allies in conflict, to form power blocks. The almost spontaneous generation of cliques demonstrates this characteristic of sinful human desires.


VICES AND VIRTUES
The Bible mentions many specific actions and attitudes that are either right or wrong. Look at the list included here. Are there a number of characteristics from the wrong column that are influencing you?

VICES —- VIRTUES

Neglecting God and others— The by-products of living for God

Sexual Immorality (Galatians 5:19)—Love (Galatians 5:22)

Impurity (Galatians 5:19)—-Joy (Galatians 5:22)

Lust (Colossians 3:5)—- Peace (Galatians 5:22)

Hatred (Galatians 5:20)—- Patience (Galatians 5:22)

Discord (Galatians 5:20)— Kindness (Galatians 5:22)

Jealousy (Galatians 5:20)— Goodness (Galatians 5:22)

Anger (Galatians 5:20)— Faithfulness (Galatians 5:22)

Selfish Ambition (Galatians 5:20)— Gentleness (Galatians 5:23)

Dissension (Galatians 5:20)—- Self-control (Galatians 5:23)

Arrogance (2 Corinthians 12:20)

Envy (Galatians 5:21)

Murder (Revelation 22:12–16)

Idolatry (Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 5:5)

Witchcraft (Galatians 5:20)

Drunkenness (Galatians 5:21)

Wild Living (Luke 15:13; Galatians 5:21)

Cheating (1 Corinthians 6:8)

Adultery (1 Corinthians 6:9–10)

Homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9–10)

Greed (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Ephesians 5:5)

Stealing (1 Corinthians 6:9–10)

Lying (Revelation 22:12–16)


Envy (phthonoi)—A desire to possess something awarded to or achieved by another. Or even the twisted logic that cries “Unfair!” about another’s circumstances and expresses the wish, If I can’t have that, they shouldn’t get it either! It’s sad to note, but many of these social sins are often seen in our churches today.
Finally Paul lists two sins, common to pagan cultures, that are often connected with the rituals of idol worship:

Drunkenness (methai)—Excessive use of wine and strong drink. Later Paul used this tendency to highlight the contrast between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18 NIV).

Orgies (komoi)—Drunken, carousing “parties,” often filled with sexual promiscuity, were associated with festivals of some pagan gods. The feasts in honor of Bacchus were particularly infamous for their immorality.

And the like—Paul added an “etc.” to show that the list was by no means complete.

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul repeated his warning. The phrase as I did before enlightens us, for it reveals that while Paul was spreading the gospel to Gentile congregations across the Roman Empire, he was applying the gospel to morality. He gave his listeners certain guidelines to follow as “standard Christian behavior.” The freedom he preached was not a moral wilderness of “easy believism” but a guided tour of life under the influence of God’s Spirit.
Those who live like this will not inherit refers to the lifestyle of people who habitually exhibit these characteristics. This does not mean that believers who lapse into any of these sins will lose their salvation. People who habitually exhibit these characteristics reveal themselves to be enslaved to sinful human desires. They are not children of God; thus, they cannot have any part in the inheritance. The priceless gift had been offered, but they had refused to receive it. The gift had not been withheld from them; they simply had withheld themselves from the gift (see also 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Ephesians 5:5). People who have accepted Christ and have the Holy Spirit within them will manifest that new life by making a clean break with such sins as listed above.

The kingdom of God has two aspects: (1) its presence in human hearts at conversion, and (2) its future coming at the end of the age. Paul was most likely thinking of the future kingdom promised to all believers. However, as long as a person insists on the habits of the flesh, he or she will not experience even those aspects of the kingdom of God that are possible in this life.

#Ephesians 2- Do You know Jesus, Our Souls come Alive in Him

THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD ARE MADE ALIVE / 2:1–10

The style of using lengthy sentences continues from chapter 1 into this chapter, in which verses 1–7 are one sentence in the Greek. To help understand the first seven verses, note that the subject of that Greek sentence is “God” (2:4) and that there are three main verbs: (1) “made … alive with” (2:5), (2) “raised … up with” (2:6), and (3) “seated … with” (2:6). The object of each of these verbs is “us,” referring to believers. God has made us alive, raised us up, and seated us with Christ.

2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. This verse is a continuation of 1:19–23, which speaks of the resurrection power imparted to Christ’s body. The phrase “as for you” identifies those who were dead in … trangressions and sins before they met Christ. This refers not only to eventual physical death or to the sinners’ ultimate eternal state; it also refers to a very real “death” in this life. People who are spiritually dead have no communication with God. These people are physically alive, but their sins have rendered them spiritually unresponsive, alienated from God, and thus incapable of experiencing the full life that God could give them. (See also Ezekiel 37:1–14; Romans 6:23; 7:10, 24; Colossians 2:13.)
Unbelievers are dead “in” their transgressions and sins. The sins and transgressions do not cause the death; instead, sinners and their sins are together in the same sphere of death. The significance of the two words “transgressions” and “sins” may be no more than repetition for emphasis (a common Hebrew writing technique—see also 1:7). The root meaning of “transgressions” suggests a fall or lapse, while the root meaning of “sins” implies an innate state of corruption. Both words reveal people’s inability to please God and live as they should. The plural of both words further emphasizes the natural tendency of humans to continue in sin. Unbelievers’ constant sin and rebellion against God portray their spiritual death.

YOU WERE DEAD

If someone handed you a couple of pills and said, “Swallow these,” would you do it? Not likely. However, if you were in a medical office and the person speaking was a doctor who had just told you that you would die unless you took the pills, you would be more likely to do so. Sometimes you have to know how bad the bad news is before you can appreciate the good news. Paul tells us how bad the bad news is: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” Dead. Not sick, not dying, not having an off day—dead. What can dead people do to help themselves? Not much … in fact, absolutely nothing. That is why God, in his mercy, had to reach out to us in his unfathomable love: a love that would sacrifice his only Son for us. God has given you your diagnosis. Have you understood it? He has also given you the remedy. Have you taken it?

2:2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. “Transgressions” and “sins” (2:1) reveal spiritual death, but they are acted out by people who are physically alive. Before the Ephesian believers came to Christ, they used to live in their transgressions and sins. The word “live” could also be translated “walk,” describing the conduct or direction of one’s life. Instead of moving toward God, those who have not accepted Christ can only move in one direction—away from God, walking in their sins. They could not and did not follow God. Paul described three marks of unbelievers:
They lived like the rest of the world. This refers to the world’s accepted, but immoral, lifestyles and godless motives. Jesus warned his followers: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18–19 NIV). People who live like the rest of the world cannot also follow Jesus (Romans 12:2; Galatians 1:4).

They followed the mighty prince of the power of the air. This prince is Satan. The passage focuses on Satan’s
reality as an evil power with a certain amount of control in the world. The Bible pictures Satan as ruling an evil spiritual kingdom—the demons and those who are against Christ. “Satan” means “the accuser.” Paul calls Satan the “devil” in 4:27 and 6:11. In 6:16, he calls him the “evil one.” How is Satan “the mighty prince of the power of the air,” as Paul called him here? The Greek word archon means “ruler” and refers to Satan’s control. In the Old Testament, angels and spirit powers operated in heaven (Job 1:6). The “air” (tou aeros) refers to the space around the earth, and thus, this is Satan’s sphere of influence. Though Satan’s influence is great among unbelievers, his power is limited because he is a defeated enemy. He cannot separate believers from the love of God.

Satan is also called the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. That Satan and his demons work in unbelievers makes his evil kingdom very real. Paul wanted the Ephesians to recognize Satan’s work as a present threat. The evil powers at work rival the work of the Holy Spirit (1:21). People who have not surrendered to God or decided to obey are energized by the power of evil. The force of the evil spirit is seen in those who actively disobey God both in faith and action (2 Thessalonians 1:8). These people live in constant rebellion and opposition to God.
They were enslaved to “gratifying the cravings of [the] sinful nature” (2:3). This is the third mark of unbelievers, described in the following verse.

2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. All of us (Jews and Gentiles alike) were at one time separated from God because of our disobedience. Romans 3:23 states, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NKJV; see also Romans 2:1–9; 3:9).

Throughout the ages, human beings have lived in sin and disobedience, and Paul’s audience (now believers) lived among them, that is, among those people. Though believers, the Ephesians still lived among the sinful unbelievers, but they no longer participated in the sinful lifestyles. Unbelievers cannot follow God because they do not know him; instead, they live enslaved to the cravings of [the] sinful nature, … following its desires. The philosophy “if it feels good do it” is not unique to the twentieth century. “Gratifying” means that they did whatever felt natural to them. The “sinful nature” refers to people’s natural state without God. That nature is self-centered, enslaved to its own desires.

The fact that all people, without exception, commit sin proves that everyone has a sinful nature. We are lost in sin and cannot save ourselves. Does this mean that only Christians do good? Of course not. Many people do good to others; on a relative scale, many are moral, kind, and law-abiding. Comparing these people to criminals, we would say that they are very good indeed. But on God’s absolute scale, no one is good enough to earn salvation (“you were dead in your transgressions and sins,” 2:1). While it is true that unbelievers do good works, they are still separated from God. Sin corrupts everything—our actions, thoughts, desires, will, intellect, and reasoning. Only through being united with Christ’s perfect life can we become good in God’s sight.

“Sinful nature” is the Greek word sarx. It also has been translated as “flesh.” When we become believers, our sinful nature still exists. But when we submit our lives to the Holy Spirit, he transforms us and our sinful natures. This is a supernatural process. We must never underestimate the power of our sinful nature, and we must never attempt to subdue it in our own strength. God provides for victory over sin—he sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and give us power. But our ability to restrain the desires of the sinful nature depends on how much we’re willing to depend on God and his mercy (2:4–5).


Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. The phrase “objects of wrath” is a Jewish idiom for those who deserve God’s punishment. The fact that this is by nature reveals that this is humanity’s natural state apart from God’s redeeming grace. But the word “wrath” contains a seed of hope. Those who were once “objects of wrath” can accept Christ and experience redemption and salvation. That occurs “by grace” (see 2:5). However, those who persist in their rebellion against God, whether Jews or Gentiles, will experience the wrath of God (John 3:36; Romans 1:18–2:29).

2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. The subject of Paul’s lengthy sentence throughout verses 1–7 is God. The first three verses of this chapter present a hopeless humanity—trapped in sin, under Satan’s power, unable to save itself. Then follow the small but glorious words “but God.” Behind those two words lies a cosmic plan so huge in scope and so vast in love that the human mind cannot fully comprehend it—all we can do is humbly receive it. Instead of leaving sinful humanity to live worthless and hopeless lives ending only in death, God acted. How God acted is explained in the verses that follow. Why he acted is explained in this verse and in 2:7.
God acted on behalf of humanity because he is rich in mercy. As God is rich in grace (1:7), so he is rich in mercy (see the chart on page 18, “God’s Riches Given to Us.” The word “rich” indicates the bountiful nature of God’s mercy—beyond our comprehension, an inexhaustible storehouse. What is “mercy”? The word has its roots in the Hebrew word hesed. Mercy was seen as a basic attribute of God, sometimes called “lovingkindness” or “compassion.” This word describes the outworking of God’s love toward people and is shown in his lovingkindness toward them even though they do not deserve it (Psalm 51:1; Jeremiah 9:24; Hosea 2:19; Jonah 4:2).

2:5 Made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. This verse finishes the thought begun in 2:1, we were dead; now we are made alive. Verses 5 and 6 describe three acts accomplished by God. Each believer has been (1) made alive with Christ, (2) raised up with Christ, and (3) seated with Christ. Each of these three phrases begins with the same prefix in the Greek, sun, on the verb. The prefix means “together with,” indicating that each believer will share these experiences with all other believers and with Christ himself.

Verse 4 explains why God acted on our behalf. But how did God act? In contrast to the spiritual and eternal death that was the fate of sinful humanity (2:1–3), God made us alive. “Made alive” means that we are “saved” (this phrase is repeated in 2:8 and elaborated on there). When Christ rose from the dead, so did all the members of his body by virtue of God’s uniting them with Christ.

Unbelievers were dead in sins, but they appropriated the new life with Christ when they received salvation. “Made alive” is often used as a synonym for “raised from the dead” (see John 5:21; 6:63; Romans 4:17; 1 Corinthians 15:12–23). The only way spiritually dead people can have a relationship with God is to be made alive. And God is the only person who can accomplish that, which he did through his Son, Jesus Christ. Christ defeated sin and death through his death and resurrection, thus offering spiritual life to those dead in sins. Paul explained this in other letters, for it is a key doctrine of the Christian faith:

• Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:8–11 NIV)
• But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. (Romans 8:10–11 NRSV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 NKJV)
• [You] having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. (Colossians 2:12–13 NIV)

Paul repeated the phrase “dead in transgressions” from 2:1 to contrast death with the gift of life. As “death” in 2:1 was living death as well as spiritual and eternal death, so “life” from God begins true life now both physically and spiritually and extends to eternity. This life is with Christ because he redeemed us, gave us this life, and was the first to be resurrected (Romans 8:11, 17). God did not require us to be good enough before he reached down to save us; he made us alive when we were dead. Thus, the only basis for salvation is God’s grace.

Paul emphasized that we do not need to live any longer under sin’s power. The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, or not guilty, before God (Romans 3:21–22). God does not take us out of the world or make us robots—we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ (see also Galatians 2:20).
By grace you have been saved. The verb form “have been saved” refers to a past event (accomplished by Christ) with present and ongoing results. Believers have already passed from death to life. Salvation is not something to be waited for but something that has already been delivered.

By grace you have been saved. The verb form “have been saved” refers to a past event (accomplished by Christ) with present and ongoing results. Believers have already passed from death to life. Salvation is not something to be waited for but something that has already been delivered.

2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. In addition to being “made alive” (2:5), believers are also raised … up with Christ. Christ was raised from death and left the tomb—an act accomplished by God’s power alone, as Paul explained in 1:20. Believers have also been “raised.” In addition to assurance of physical resurrection and glorification at the end of the age, believers participate in a new “resurrection” life from the moment they believe (see Colossians 2:12).
We conduct this new life in obedience to God, and thus it is totally different from the life the world offers.

As Christ was raised from physical death, believers too are raised from spiritual death to an entirely new kind of life. Believers will experience physical death, but we are assured of resurrection from that death and eternal life with God.

Finally, believers are seated … with him in the heavenly realms. Christ has taken his seat at the right hand of the Father, indicating his finished work and his victory over sin. Christ has been exalted by God’s great power (1:20). Christians have tended to see this seating with Christ as a future event, based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 as well as other verses that point to our future reign with Christ (such as 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4; 22:5). Yet Ephesians teaches that we are seated with Christ now. We share with Christ in his victory now. This view of our present status should help us face our work and trials with greater hope! Believers, as heirs of the kingdom along with Christ, are spiritually exalted from the moment of salvation. We have a new citizenship—in heaven, no longer just on earth: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NKJV). The power that raised and exalted Christ also raised and exalted his people. That same power works daily in believers, helping us live and work for God during our time in the world.

Being made alive, being raised, and being seated in heaven occurs in Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus was the forerunner—without his sacrifice for our sins, his resurrection, and his exaltation, humanity would still be without hope. Because of Christ’s resurrection, we know that our bodies will also be raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12–23). Our eternal life with Christ is certain because we are united in his powerful victory. We have been given the power to live as Christians now (1:19), not in conformity to the world and its standards, but in obedience to God (Romans 12:2). This metaphor pictures God sharing his glory and victory with his people, giving them the privilege and authority of shared kingship. Believers can claim their royal status now, for they are children of the King!

2:7 That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Here is the final and definitive reason for God’s action on behalf of humanity, his reason for making us alive, raising us, and seating us along with his Son in the heavenly realms. God wants quite simply to show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us. The Greek word for “show” (or “show forth”) comes from legal terminology. God closes the case by presenting the astounding evidence of his church, his people. The church could only exist by God’s love; the fact of its existence, the fact that people have been offered salvation, reveals the abundance of God’s grace and kindness (see also 1:7; 2:4). Again, this was accomplished only in Christ Jesus. Without Christ’s sacrifice, there would be no hope for a relationship with God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). The result? Eternal praise from those whom he has saved (see 1:6, 12, 14).
To whom does God “show” this? Obviously the believers are experiencing God’s grace and kindness. But the believers, the church, show God’s grace and kindness to an unbelieving world. The phrase “in the ages to come” refers to future ages on earth. Throughout history, God will continually demonstrate his work. As time goes by, his grace will be fully shown.

2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. Elaborating on the statement in 2:5, this verse repeats that it is by grace that anyone is saved. Salvation includes being made alive, raised, and seated with Christ as described in 2:5–6, and that occurs only because of God’s kindness toward undeserving people. “Grace” refers to the multifaceted gift that God makes available to us despite our unworthiness. Not only does God mercifully withhold the judgment and punishment that we so clearly deserve, he grants instead the almost unbelievable gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. God’s grace requires faith because the moral and legal case against us leads to an inevitable verdict—guilty. “Grace” means the forgiveness of our sins. It cannot be earned by works or by any goodness in us. It is free and undeserved favor on us by Christ’s faithful act of redemption.

Our salvation comes from God’s grace alone. “Through faith” could refer to: (1) God’s faithfulness to his promises, (2) Christ’s faithfulness in his obedience to God by dying on the cross, or (3) people’s faith in accepting salvation. In light of Paul’s references to the Ephesians’ faith in 1:1 and 15, he most likely meant “faith” to refer to people’s faith (#3 above). The way people obtain salvation is through faith—simple acceptance of God’s gift of salvation (see also Romans 3:22, 25; Galatians 2:16).


And that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Lest anyone should think that “faith” is a necessary work that people must perform in order to receive salvation, Paul added this phrase. It is unclear whether that refers back to “saved,” “faith,” or to the previous section. It is most likely that Paul is referring back to his entire explanation of salvation in 2:4–8, thus including “saved” and “faith” in his one word “that.” Thus, “faith” is also a gift. In any case, Paul is firm that absolutely nothing is of our own doing (not of yourselves)—not salvation, not grace, not even the faith exercised to receive salvation—everything is the gift of God. Salvation does not come from our self-reliance or individualism but from God’s initiative. It is a gift to be thankfully accepted (see Romans 3:24–28; 1 Corinthians 1:29–31; Galatians 2:16).

2:9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast. Salvation is “not of yourselves” (2:8), and it is not of works. In other words, people can do nothing to earn salvation, and a person’s faith itself also is not to be considered a “work” or grounds that anyone should boast.

People find it difficult to accept something so free, so willingly given, so available to anyone. We want to feel as though we did something, that we somehow earned our salvation by our merit. That was how the Judaizers (false teachers who said Christians had to obey all the Jewish laws) regarded their laws and why they tried to impose them on the Gentiles—there had to be a certain amount of law keeping and goodness on people’s part in order for them to receive salvation. But Paul’s words are unmistakable—if salvation is by God’s grace and is accepted through faith, then it is “not of works.” If salvation could be earned by good works, then people would, by nature, “boast” about their good works, compare the goodness of their works to others’ good works, and do good only to boast about it. Then, what would be “good enough” for salvation? But no one could ever be good enough to please a holy God. He casts aside all human effort and pride by offering salvation for free to all people by simple acceptance. People are given salvation on the grounds of God’s grace alone.


NOT OF WORKS BUT OF GRACE

Acts 15:11
“On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, )ust as they will” (NRSV).“On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, )ust as they will” (NRSV).

Acts 18:27
“On arriving, [Apollos] was a great help to those who by grace had believed” (NIV).

Romans 3:24
“Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (NKJV).

Romans 4:16
“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring … to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all” (NIV).

Romans 11:6
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (NRSV).

Galatians 3:18
“For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise” (NIV).

Ephesians 2:5
“By grace you have been saved” (NKJV).

Ephesians 2:8
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (NRSV).

2 Timothy 1:9
“Who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (NIV).

Titus 3:4–7
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us … so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (NIV).


2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. But wait, there’s more. We are God’s workmanship (work of art, masterpiece, new creation). Salvation is something only God can do—it is his powerful, creative work in us. People are re-created into new people, and those new people form a new creation—the church.
The verb “created” is used only of God—for only God can truly create. As he created the universe from nothing, so he creates new, alive, spiritual beings from the old, dead, sinful creatures we were—“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NRSV). Then God forms believers into a unified body, his church (see 2:15; 4:24; Colossians 3:10). In Christ Jesus emphasizes the source of this creation, as in 2:6–7—Christ has provided salvation.

GOD’S MASTERPIECES
Why would God do it? Why would he sacrifice his only Son for sinners like us? Ephesians 2:10 gives one reason: so that we could be living, breathing pictures of his grace and mercy. Not only does he change us radically into new creatures, he also wants to use us as display cases for his artistry. According to this verse, believers are his workmanship, his masterpieces. That would be an arrogant claim to make about ourselves if God hadn’t already said it. This statement also carries some significant implications about how we ought to see ourselves and how we ought to treat one another. God’s masterpieces should not lower or degrade themselves with sinful attitudes, words, or behaviors. Nor should we devalue his other works of art: our brothers and sisters in Christ. Treat fellow Christians as God’s masterpieces.

That we are God’s “workmanship” may be intended as a contrast leading into good works. God’s “work” of salvation and new creation overturns our “sinful works” and makes doing “good works” possible. People become Christians through God’s undeserved favor (his grace), not as the result of any efforts, abilities, intelligent choices, personal characteristics, or acts of service. Out of gratitude for this free gift, however, believers will seek “to do good works”—to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are saved not merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church (4:12). This solves the so-called conflict between faith and works. Works do not produce salvation but are the evidence of salvation (see James 1:22; 2:14–26).

Resources: Rev. Brad Standfest, Logos Bible Program Walter A. Elwell and Philip Wesley Comfort, Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary, Bruce B. Barton, Revelation, ed. Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary, David Guzik, Ephesians, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible


Sermon Notes:

While I like the Song titled, “I Can Only Imagine” It’s just not absolutely Biblically Sound…
We are NOT going to continually worship God in a Sing along that will last for Eternity…

I talked in Great Detail over the last several weeks about what Heaven was going to be like

Today I want to Discuss: “How Do I Get to Heaven?”

How do you get into Heaven… Let me first tell you how you get Kicked out of Heaven…
It’s kind of like living at home with Mom & dad & they tell you… You’re not going to do This or That and Live here…

I grew up in a Christian Home… But I was a very Rebellious Teenager & Student in School…
My Rebellion caught up to me and I got kicked out of my Christian High School with only 8 weeks to Graduation…
I literally pushed God out of my life and doubted my very own Faith…

No matter what you believe… You can’t deny there is all sort of Hellish Evil that creeps around this world…

More than likely you have felt the Pain that Permeates our Society…

Scripture says: “We wrestle not against flesh & blood but against Spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph. 6:12

Spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly Realms… That sounds scary… You better believe it’s scary…It has the ability to kill your soul

Where did this Hellish Evil we’re seeing everyday come from… Let me tell you what happened in Heaven- In Heaven

Read Revelation 12:7-9
So Evil invaded Humanity and you know what Satan does- He lies… He’s the Father of Lies…And he is really good at it…

It Starts by just a Few Thoughts:
*Hey… You have had a bunch of bad things happen to you… Why don’t you try this…
*Hey… That lady likes you way more than your wife…
*Hey…Your Dad told you you’re not going to amount to much… so just forget it…
*Hey… You’re an Adult… No one is going to find out… You only Live Once

Guess what… There is a world out there Acting out their Thoughts and Rebellion against God

Perhaps you have noticed… Murder, Addictions, Divorce, Anger & Fits of Rage, Unbelief, Suicide, Rape & Human Trafficking, Stealing & Theft, Adultery & Lust, Bad Tempers & Attitudes, Cheating& Lying, Abusers, Carousing & Cursing

Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Good News is… Rebellion & Rebellious People are Not Allowed in Heaven…

Honestly… If you had a House Party would Rebellious People be on your Invitation List?

Look… Just because you’re a Nice Person or Volunteered at a Soup Kitchen… Or gave some money to a Charity, it doesn’t get you a Free Ticket into Paradise… Sorry

The Truth is… We must have our Sins… Our Rebellion Paid for- Forgiven…

So, here is How you & I can be promised a place in Eternity: Read Revelation 12:10-11a

We ask Jesus to kill the Devil inside of us by receiving forgiveness through the Power of his Blood

Close with Thief on Cross Story]


Devotional Questions

Read Revelation 12:7-9 as it describes a great cosmic battle:

1. Spiritual Warfare Awareness: How does knowing that a spiritual battle took place in heaven impact your understanding of the spiritual battles you may face in your own life? In what ways can you rely on God’s strength, much like Michael and his angels, to overcome challenges and temptations?

2. Victory in Christ: Revelation assures us of Satan’s defeat. How does this truth encourage you when you feel overwhelmed by sin and the pressures of the world? How can you hold on to the hope and victory that is found in Jesus, even when times are challenging?

Read Revelation 12:10-11

Triumph Through Testimony: This passage highlights victory through the “blood of the Lamb” and “the word of their testimony.” What specific testimonies of God’s faithfulness in your life can you share to strengthen your faith and encourage others? How does reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice help you to remain steadfast in your faith, even in difficult circumstances?

Read Galatians 5:19-21

Reflection and Transformation: As you reflect on the acts of the flesh listed in these verses, which areas might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to surrender to Him for transformation? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a life led by the Spirit instead, promoting love, joy, peace, and other fruits that honor God?

In the account of the crucifixion, one of the criminals crucified alongside Jesus sought forgiveness and expressed faith in Him. The Bible recounts this event in the Gospel of Luke:

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” Luke 23:42-43

Is salvation hard for us to attain? If we ask Jesus Christ to forgive us we are promised what?