Change the World

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Ephesians 3 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:8-12, NASB)


THE BIG IDEA:
I LOVE this passage.  It is probably one of my all-time “favorites.”  It is one of those passages that is packed full of revelation and was earth-shakingly revolutionary when Paul said it!  I once did a word study of this passage, so I am going over it now in that manner.  I probably could write 15 pages on this, but doubt if I could keep your attention that long. 

Here is the short skinny: Believe it or not, God has given us, THE CHURCH, ruling AUTHORITY over ALL of the POWER the enemy “thinks” he has.  The mantle of authority on earth passed from SATAN’S hand, which he snatched from Adam, way back in Genesis (remember the first bite of forbidden fruit?), TO Jesus, who retrieved it back from Satan at the cross… and handed it to US!  

What makes this statement more amazing is Paul was speaking directly to Gentiles… in the most demonic place of the known world at that time. The Ephesians worshiped the Greek goddess Artemis and the great Anatolian goddess Kybele. They were identified together as Artemis of Ephesus. The many-breasted "Lady of Ephesus," was worshiped in the temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the largest building of the ancient world.  Temple worship was known for their sexual orgies and every man was commanded to enter into sex with a cult priestess to appease the gods and to cause his household to be blessed and fertile.  Paul was standing in the center of the occult.  WOW!!!  Guts!  I am blown away at his courage.  

Ok, I said all of that to say this… now we get to the meat of the verse… so let’s break down this verse in phrases with actual definitions.  (This is not a comprehensive word study, but I think it is pertinent in this verse to see the real power of it).

Verse 10

… so that the MANIFOLD WISDOM of God…  

Definition of manifold

1) much variegated, marked with a great variety of colors

a) of cloth or a painting

2) much varied, manifold

Definition of Wisdom (sophia, in Greek)

1) wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters

a) the wisdom which belongs to men

1) spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs

2) the science and learning

3) the act of interpreting dreams and always giving the sagest advice

4) the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision

5) skill in the management of affairs

6) devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ, skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth

7) the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living

b) supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God

1) to Christ

2) the wisdom of God as evinced in forming and executing counsels in the formation and government of the world and the scriptures

…might now be made known THROUGH the CHURCH…

This word is ekklesia and means the church body. This means YOU!

…to the rulers and the authorities…

The Greek words for rulers and authorities are arche and exousia.  This combo of words means the first place, principality, rule, magistracy of angels and demons.

…in heavenly places.

Definition of epouranios

1) existing in heaven

a) things that take place in heaven

b) the heavenly regions

1) heaven itself, the abode of God and angels

2) the lower heavens, of the stars

3) the heavens, of the clouds

c) the heavenly temple or sanctuary

2) of heavenly origin or nature

In essence, Paul is saying that we have authority and knowledge over demonic powers that mess with us and that hinder the work of God. We also have access to angel ministries to help us.  Activation of help from angels and standing against demonic powers are created through communication of the words of Wisdom from God.  This Wisdom has Power over any authority.  We just need to hear, speak and then act in faith on it by the direction of Jesus.  

That is why we need to meditate and spend time receiving these impressions and words of wisdom from God, so we will be in the position of legislating and speaking it to these forces, not just doing our duty of “having a quiet time.” 

Such power we have and it is hard to believe that Jesus gave it to us as “part” of the Salvation package.  It also speaks to the unity in the body which causes, as we come together, this MANIFOLD wisdom.  We cannot have all wisdom apart from each other.  We need each other to see the big picture.  We will stand together or not at all.  

It brings verses like this one into focus: 

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)

POINT OF ACTION:

Spend time receiving Wisdom from on High.  I mean it.  Your Father wants to give it to you beyond measure.  I don’t believe we should always be on defense when things go awry, but we should be offensive with words of wisdom.  A  people who know what to do when no one else has an answer… someone who can change the world… someone who has words of wisdom that no authority can stand against.  Then as we gather together, each with his small bits of wisdom, we become a manifold force in the earth to be reckoned with.  

PRAYER:

Lord, raise up Daniels who could literally see into the heavenlies and Elijahs who prayed heaven down onto the earth and stood against Baal and his best.  Raise these up in this generation and the next.  Ones whose words will not fall to the ground, but soar into a higher destiny.  Ones who will have the plan, vision and words of God.   Ones who will change the world.  Give us the words to stand as Paul did in the midst of darkness and be able to bring forth the Light of the World.  Lord, help us fulfill all You have decreed in the heavenly places for our families, our church, our nation and the world. 

WHO AM I?

I’m June Criner and I am a Grandma.  I waited a long time to be a “Grammy.”  I prayed for years for a grandchild and I know some of you prayed with me, so God answered me with a perfect Granddaughter.  Emily Grace Criner will be 2 years and three months old this month.  I know, I keep constant count, and every day with her is precious.  I want to do all I can to let her know that “Grammy” loves her unconditionally and the sky is the limit to her destiny.  I have seen the fruits of unloved kids as they grow into adulthood… and ministered to some of them.  Not happening to her… not on my watch!  She is our SECOND “chatty Cathy” in the family; the first is her Grandpa… Barry!  Her PaBear as she calls him!  Lord, help us!