Last week I painted with some pretty broad strokes while addressing “the four winds of the earth.” This week I want to do it again with a perspective that is both historic and prophetic, and will lay the groundwork for addressing some things in more depth later.

As Paul continues to close this great Epistle, we are given an even deeper glimpse into his great character, as we read in Ephesians 6:21-22:

Our text for this week is Ephesians 5:3

We know from biblical prophecy that at the end of this age a time of trouble will come upon the world like it has never known. At the same time, we will see that for God’s people this will be the time when His glory appears upon them (see Isaiah 60:1-5). The result stated in verses 3–5 of this text is that the nations of the world will turn to God’s people because of their light. The light wins! From these Scriptures, we can conclude that the times may be full of troubles, but God’s people will be triumphant at the end.

All Scriptures NAS unless otherwise noted.

   
   
    We continue to address one of the most important questions of the present time: Should Christians devote their energy and resources to shoring up the crumbling foundations of governments and institutions or devote these to preparing the way for the coming kingdom?

A popular saying has been “Get a life!” This is typically used as a rebuke to those who are so trapped in the mundane that the insignificant is significant to them. We want this series to help all believers live lives of significance and leave a trail of significant accomplishments. To use biblical terms, it is fulfilling the Lord’s command to bear fruit, and fruit that remains (see John 15:16).

Since the ascension of the Lord Jesus, He has been working through His body, the church, by the Holy Spirit. This is the new creation that greatly transcends the original creation. In the beginning, God walked with man, but now He comes to dwell in man. This is the greatest of all benefits of the New Covenant, and as Paul wrote in II Corinthians 3, it is better than what Moses had even though he had to put a veil over his face because of the glory. As Paul later wrote in Colossians 1:25-27:
 

          For the last two weeks we’ve touched on restoration. This is the main thing God is doing in this age. It incorporates redemption, reconciliation, and in some cases, restitution. We cannot be in unity with God without being united with His purpose in this.