Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which he hath purposed in Himself.
That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:
That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trust, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.
(Ephesians 1:9-14)
In verse nine God’s grace has been lavished upon His believers in accordance with the mystery of His will. Paul writes it means the revelation of a component of God’s plan so that it now can be understood by all. Specifically, the mystery involved in the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring everything together in Christ.
In verse ten It shows how Christ now rules and reigns from the Fathers right hand; Christ will establish His Kingdom and bring in the new Heavens and the new earth, fulfilling and finalizing God’s redemptive purpose. This is what is involved in bringing together “in Him” things “in Heaven” and things “on earth”.
In verse eleven we clearly see the recipients of the inheritance are the believer’s of Christ, the believer’s inheritance is two-fold. First, it means becoming a child of God; this gives us the right to expect an inheritance. Second, we gain eternity with the Lord, dwelling in His righteousness for all time.
In verse twelve, thirteen and fourteen, the Holy Spirit was promised by the prophets and by Jesus Christ (Joel 2:28-29; John 14:15-26; 16:5-16). The Spirit is described as both a seal showing ownership and as a pledge pointing to future redemption. God will bring about final redemption (life in His immediate presence) for all who have received the Spirit.
All Glory to God
His humble servant Lee M Buchanan