<p>Introduction to Ephesians (1)</p><p><span> </span></p><p>The Bible has a continuous flow from Genesis to Revelation.</p><p>Therefore, Christians must recognize this flow and remain within it.</p><p>Principles are necessary for application, and doctrines are necessary for teaching. But without a routine that unites oneself with God's will, calling momentary enlightenment grace, or seeking counsel or prayer to resolve life's troubles one by one, is like constantly patching up a flat tire that needs replacing.</p><p><span> </span></p><p>Why is the Old Testament written in this order: Genesis, followed by Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, and Judges? Why is the New Testament written in this order: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, followed by Acts, Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians, and then Ephesians?</p><p>This indicates that there is a certain flow to the fulfillment of God's promises.</p><p>The epistle to the Ephesians is called "fullness" (Ephesians 1:23).</p><p>A characteristic of Ephesians is that there is no word for curse.</p><p>There are curses up to the previous book of Galatians, but there are no curses in this church letter.</p><p>While there are curses in the epistle to the Corinthians, not a single word of curse is found in the epistle to the Ephesians.</p><p>Only blessings are found in the epistle to the Ephesians.</p><p>That is why it is called "fullness."</p><p>With this fullness of the church's secret, we move on to the Book of Hebrews, and then to the Gospel dimension that completes the law, such as the Epistles of James and John.</p><p><span> </span></p><p>If we understand the history of the Bible, we will understand world history and develop a correct view of history.</p><p>Therefore, Christians must properly understand the Bible.</p><p>Among them, the study of the Bible in terms of redemptive history is very beneficial, but it is flawed in that it is insensitive to what happens after the cross.</p><p>Because Christ's death on the cross and being raised are part of the realm of revelation, human intellect cannot overcome its threshold. This is why Christianity has become a mere play on words.</p><p>The Jews still cannot decipher Isaiah 53, and therefore do not know that Jesus is Christ.</p><p>They are only outward Jews who are entrusted with the law and the temple, but do not know the inner content of God's promise.</p><p>Therefore, we must discover ourselves within the Bible through the spirit of revelation and fulfill the salvation promised to us.</p><p>For me, the book of Ephesians has been a work in progress for decades.</p><p>Of course, even now, every time I see it, I realize something new and give thanks to God.</p><p><span> </span></p><p>Ephesians 1:1-2 says, "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace,  from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Then, starting in verse 15, it continues, "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you  in my prayers, That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him."</p><p>Thus, those who have faith in Christ possess wisdom and revelation.</p><p>Therefore, faith is like eyes that can see the spiritual world (Hebrews 11:1). Faith in God and knowing God and Christ are like two sides of a coin and must progress together.</p><p><span> </span></p><p>Therefore, Ephesians 1:18-19 says, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power." </p><p>Not everyone who is called a saint is truly a saint.</p><p>Even if he believe, you can't say that he believes properly.</p><p>Therefore, we cannot help but wonder how many people, even though they claim to have received grace, are still caught up in this verse: "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened."</p><p>The Apostle Paul, aware of this issue of faith, sent this letter to the believers in Ephesus, expressing his desire for their eyes to be enlightened.</p><p>I, too, have decided to revisit Ephesians, and I share this same yearning.</p><p><span> </span></p><p>Written by Ptr. Yohan Kim.</p><p>Translated by  Nancy Chung</p><p><span> </span></p><p>COME AND SEE WORLD MISSION</p><p><span> </span></p><p>TO GOD BE THE GLORY</p>
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