What is so good about the good news?

[Brakelite]

The whole purpose of creating man is to call out a people to Himself from out of the world and redeem them.

In this I will agree. You can read about them here...
KJV Revelation 12:17
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

[Johann]

Israel, as a nation, broke off the engagement when they murdered their intended.

That's it?
No Scriptures?

Rom 11:11 I say, then, Did not they stumble that they fall? Let it not be! But by their slipping away came salvation to the nations, to provoke them to jealousy.
Rom 11:12 But if their slipping away is the riches of the world, and their default the riches of the nations, how much more their fullness?
Rom 11:13 For I speak to you, the nations, since I am an apostle of the nations, (I glorify my ministry),
Rom 11:14 if somehow I may provoke to jealousy my flesh, and may save some of them.
Rom 11:15 For if their casting away is the reconciliation of the world, what is the reception, except life from the dead?
Rom 11:16 Now if the firstfruit is holy, so also the lump. And if the root is holy, so also the branches.
Rom 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree were grafted in among them, and became a sharer of the root and the fatness of the olive tree,
Rom 11:18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, it is not you that bears the root, but the root bears you.
Rom 11:19 You will say then, The branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.
Rom 11:20 Well! For unbelief they were broken off. And you stand by faith. Do not be highminded, but fear.
Rom 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, fear that it may be He will not spare you either.
Rom 11:22 Behold, then, the kindness and severity of God: On those having fallen, severity. But on you, kindness, if you continue in the kindness. Otherwise, you will also be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And those also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if you were cut out of the natural wild olive tree, and against nature were grafted into a good olive tree, how much more these being according to nature will be grafted into their own olive tree?

Rom 11:25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be wise within yourselves, that hardness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations comes in;
Rom 11:26 and so all Israel will be saved, even as it has been written, "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
Rom 11:27 And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." Isa. 59:20, 21
Rom 11:28 Indeed, as regards the gospel, ones hostile toward you, but as regards the election, beloved for the sake of the fathers.
Rom 11:29 For the free gifts and the calling of God are unregrettable.
Rom 11:30 For as you then also disobeyed God, but now have obtained mercy by the disobedience of these,
Rom 11:31 so also these now have disobeyed, so that they also may obtain mercy by your mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God shut up all into disobedience, that He may show mercy to all.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches and of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
Rom 11:34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who became His counselor?" Isa. 40:13
Rom 11:35 "Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him?" Job 41:11
Rom 11:36 Because of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

You think you have replaced Israel-YHVH's covenant people?

 

[Johann]

Titus 1:12-16
(12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (13) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (14) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (15) Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
King James Version Change your email Bible version

The Apostle Paul mentions the Cretans, but then quickly shifts his focus to “Jewish fables.” Of what is he accusing these people? Of a practice that follows the Israelites throughout their history: believing that God indeed exists but showing by their conduct that they do not truly believe Him. He charges them with exposing in their behavior that they do not believe that they are truly, personally answerable to the sovereign God. In other words, they do not fear Him. The reality of what God truly is and requires has not affected them enough to make a difference in how they live their lives in actual day-to-day practice.

Since we live within this environment, it brings up a question for us to resolve: How can we live by faith if we do not have sufficient knowledge of the greatness, the closeness, and the awesome grace of God shown in the mercy He has already given? It is this mercy that allows us to begin even the barest of a relationship with Him, build on it, and come to know Him and fear Him.

A recent Barna poll revealed that over 80% of Americans believe God exists, but that belief has little influence on their conduct. Just about anything goes in this nation anymore. The great immorality of the American people reveals that they are not very concerned about being answerable to Him. Considering what has happened in Israel's history, should we not be concerned about what this might lead to in the near future?

— John W. Ritenbaugh

 

[jeremiah1five]

In this I will agree. You can read about them here...
KJV Revelation 12:17
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

If you can agree with "The whole purpose of creating man is to call out a people to Himself from out of the world and redeem them," then you can at least entertain the thought which mandates further the idea that if man was to be "re"-deemed, he most certainly would have to be "deemed" in the first place and that requires origin.
The answer I came up with is that man was first "deemed" in in eternity, in God Himself, in the Mind of God who is Eternity. God doesn't exist in eternity, God is Eternity (Eternal.)
And before proceeding to understand man's being 'deemed' three things must be established:

1. There is only ONE God.
2. There is NONE like Him.
3. He gives His glory to NO ONE.

Now, can you agree with these four 'things'?

 

[civic]

Redemption takes place in time by faith. No faith, no salvation, no redemption, no eternal life, no new birth, no justification, no glorification etc.....

hope this helps !!!

 

[Brakelite]

Rom 11:23 And those also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.

No argument with that. My issue is so many people's contention that the nation of Israel will be grafted back in without repentance and faith. Will the nation once again come to repentance and faith? I don't know. Will God accept their repentance if they do? Of course He will...as evidenced by His acceptance of individual Hebrew people into His church from the time of the apostles to this day. But I am not going to assume, and base doctrine on some presumption concerning God's promises concerning Israel are unconditional. They aren't, and never were.

 

[Complete]

No argument with that. My issue is so many people's contention that the nation of Israel will be grafted back in without repentance and faith. Will the nation once again come to repentance and faith? I don't know. Will God accept their repentance if they do? Of course He will...as evidenced by His acceptance of individual Hebrew people into His church from the time of the apostles to this day. But I am not going to assume, and base doctrine on some presumption concerning God's promises concerning Israel are unconditional. They aren't, and never were.

Hello @Brakelite,

Israel will come to repentance, and faith? The Old Testament Prophets, such as Jeremiah in ch.31:31- 40, declare that God will indeed forgive and receive them, restoring them unto Himself. He will forgive them for all their sins.

At this present time individual believers, regardless of their nationality, coming to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have their sins forgiven, and receive the hope of eternal life, in Him. Praise God!

The promises of God made to Israel will be fulfilled, and they will be a blessing in the earth. All will be as God has told us in His word, for He is faithful.

Praise His Name !

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Complete]

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,
that I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers
in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;
which my covenant they brake,
although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the LORD,
I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;
and will be their God, and they shall be My People.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD:
for they shall all know Me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day,
and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night,
which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar;
The LORD of hosts is His Name:
If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the LORD,
then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me for ever.'
Thus saith the LORD;
If heaven above can be measured,
and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,
that the city shall be built to the LORD
from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.
And the measuring line shall yet go forth over against it upon the hill Gareb,
and shall compass about to Goath.
And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes,
and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east,
shall be holy unto the LORD;
it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.'
(Jer 31:31-40)

 

[Brakelite]

If you can agree with "The whole purpose of creating man is to call out a people to Himself from out of the world and redeem them," then you can at least entertain the thought which mandates further the idea that if man was to be "re"-deemed, he most certainly would have to be "deemed" in the first place and that requires origin.
The answer I came up with is that man was first "deemed" in in eternity, in God Himself, in the Mind of God who is Eternity. God doesn't exist in eternity, God is Eternity (Eternal.)
And before proceeding to understand man's being 'deemed' three things must be established:

1. There is only ONE God.
2. There is NONE like Him.
3. He gives His glory to NO ONE.

Now, can you agree with these four 'things'?

The concept of redeeming doesn't need to be phsychoanalyzed. I don't like to be led around either in order to fit into your mindset. Redemption simply means to pay a price for something to effect it's return to you. Something that rightfully belongs to you but was taken away.
The price for man's redemption was paid at Calvary. The death of Christ was effected for the sake of every man and woman who ever lived... The whole world. But not every man and woman would accept this priceless gift. Some, for a variety of reasons, would choose to reject it.
Now, on that basis, you may make your point.

 

[Brakelite]

Hello @Brakelite,

Israel will come to repentance, and faith? The Old Testament Prophets, such as Jeremiah in ch.31:31- 40, declare that God will indeed forgive and receive them, restoring them unto Himself. He will forgive them for all their sins.

At this present time individual believers, regardless of their nationality, coming to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have their sins forgiven, and receive the hope of eternal life, in Him. Praise God!

The promises of God made to Israel will be fulfilled, and they will be a blessing in the earth. All will be as God has told us in His word, for He is faithful.

Praise His Name !

In Christ Jesus
Chris

The question which has been discussed many times on many different forums, and which certain segments of Christianity seem to be reluctant to answer according to the scriptures, is who is Israel?

 

[Complete]

Subject Heading:- 'What is so good about the good news?'

The question which has been discussed many times on many different forums, and which certain segments of Christianity seem to be reluctant to answer according to the scriptures, is who is Israel?

'Now I say that Jesus Christ
.. was a minister of the circumcision
.... for the truth of God,
...... to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
........ And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy;
as it is written,

For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, ​

and sing unto Thy Name.​

And again He saith,

Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His People.​

And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; ​

and laud Him, all ye People.​

And again, Esaias saith,

There shall be a root of Jesse, ​

and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; ​

in Him shall the Gentiles trust.​

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that ye may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Ghost.'
(Rom 15:8-13)

Hello @Brakelite,

Israel, are the descendants of the twelve tribes: Whose Fathers were, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel); with whom God's promises and covenants were made and their descendants. The Lord Jesus Christ came to confirm the promises made unto the Fathers. They are beloved for the Father's sake (Rom. 11:28).

That the purposes of God may be accomplished, during the Gospel and Acts period, a believing remnant were called out and saved by faith in the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ, their Messiah and King. In a further day of God's choosing, all Israel will come to repentance, and as the redeemed of the Lord, will fulfil the purpose that God has for them, and receive the blessings assured them.

May God's Name Be Praised!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Complete]

'For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,
.. lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;
.... that blindness in part is happened to Israel,
...... until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
........ And so all Israel shall be saved:
as it is written,
"There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer,
and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins."
As concerning the gospel,
.. they are enemies for your sakes:
.... but as touching the election,
...... they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.'
(Rom 11:25-29)

Praise God!

 

[civic]

The question which has been discussed many times on many different forums, and which certain segments of Christianity seem to be reluctant to answer according to the scriptures, is who is Israel?

Paul lets us know in Romans 9-11. The church is not Israel. It’s the land promised to the Jews where Christ will rule and reign from for a 1000 years during the millennium.

hope this helps !!!

 

[Rockson]

Hello @Brakelite,

Israel will come to repentance, and faith? The Old Testament Prophets, such as Jeremiah in ch.31:31- 40, declare that God will indeed forgive and receive them, restoring them unto Himself. He will forgive them for all their sins.

I've been trying to understand this theme. We all agree God will forgive their sins. But we all know on what basis this would have to be. Through faith in Christ.

At this present time individual believers, regardless of their nationality, coming to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, have their sins forgiven, and receive the hope of eternal life, in Him. Praise God!

And this includes all physical descendent Jews if they receive now.

The promises of God made to Israel will be fulfilled, and they will be a blessing in the earth. All will be as God has told us in His word, for He is faithful.

None of us would argue that God isn't faithful. Of course he is faithful to what he actually said not necessary to what could be our false interpretations or assumptions made with scripture. First WE ALL want Jews to be saved right now with the same passion we have towards any body else. For physical descendent Jews who ARE saved THEY ARE a blessing in the Earth right now. They are the light of the world just as much as Gentiles.

So they are a blessing. What I think you're saying is there will come a time where there will be great revivals in the nation of Israel and that God is holding back on doing so now. So how is it that ANY Jews can be saved now then if God has held back grace towards them as an ethnic group?

Of course he hasn't. Jesus is drawing all men unto him where ever the gospel is preached even to the Jews. Now the idea that all the physical descendent Jews of Israel will be saved......that would almost sound like an irresistible grace like Calvinists refer to as being applied. I don't believe in an "irresistible grace" concept.....so where does that leave us......to the place where they'll have to become saved the same way and manner that all men have these last two thousand years......by choosing to believe with their hearts .

We also have to deal with it was always God's will for them to receive the gospel back two thousand years ago. Jesus said it was when he wept over Jerusalem saying it was his will to gather them unto himself but they were not willing. God didn't go against their will. But he will at some future time?

if he's giving extra effort wouldn't that mean he's showing favoritism to others merely because of a physical descendent thing? And thing about that Jesus always spoke against such an idea. He taught being a physical descendent will get you no where that is when it comes to salvation issues. Matt 8:11 So why should it in the future? Things I'm wondering about.

 

[Rockson]

Paul lets us know in Romans 9-11. The church is not Israel.

But then Civic we have this passage in Ephesian 2:
11,19

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— (in other words they were saying Gentiles are not Israel) 12that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (so if we're aliens from Israel or separated from them we actually have no hope and we'll be without God in this world. But that is not the case for the following reason)

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Eph 2:13

So what aren't we disconnected from now? We're not disconnected from being a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel. Our hope is ONLY found in being in this TRUE ISRAEL.

14For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (that is the separation from being in the true Israel) Verse 19 goes on to say,

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,(that's us Gentiles) but fellow citizens with the saints (that's talking about Old Testament saints of which they were Israel) and members of the household of God,"

So if we're no longer foreigners from the commonwealth OF ISRAEL for that's what verse 12 was talking about. Then doesn't that make us citizens? Again if we're not foreigners then we're citizens. So we are Israel I'd say, that is we're a part of the TRUE remnant Israel. True Israel is Jew and Gentiles alike and so therefore Paul states, you which are in Christ ARE Abraham's seed. Galatians 3:29 Once again that would have to mean....we are Israel would it not?

 

[jeremiah1five]

The concept of redeeming doesn't need to be phsychoanalyzed. I don't like to be led around either in order to fit into your mindset. Redemption simply means to pay a price for something to effect it's return to you. Something that rightfully belongs to you but was taken away.
The price for man's redemption was paid at Calvary. The death of Christ was effected for the sake of every man and woman who ever lived... The whole world. But not every man and woman would accept this priceless gift. Some, for a variety of reasons, would choose to reject it.
Now, on that basis, you may make your point.

But you miss the point.
God deemed His elect in Him before he Created Heaven, earth and man.
THEN He sent a Redeemer effect payment to return His else to Him.

No one "accepts" the gift. God deemed His elect in eternity, in Himself, created heaven, earth, and man and time, blew His elect into the nostrils of the first man which in effect rendered the elect "lost," (outside of Him) sent a Redeemer, now He at the appointed time calls them all by name and since there is nowhere else to go, went to be with the Lord, There is no "accepting" in Biblical Christianity. Salvation - and all its parts - is OF THE LORD. Man is passive in his or her salvation. Like Lazarus in the grave was dead four days and could do nothing to re-enter physical life. Same with man who is dead to God in trespasses and sins until God calls that person and they are saved.
There is no "accepting" because there is no rejecting.
Do you understand this?

 

[Brakelite]

But you miss the point.
God deemed His elect in Him before he Created Heaven, earth and man.
THEN He sent a Redeemer effect payment to return His else to Him.

No one "accepts" the gift. God deemed His elect in eternity, in Himself, created heaven, earth, and man and time, blew His elect into the nostrils of the first man which in effect rendered the elect "lost," (outside of Him) sent a Redeemer, now He at the appointed time calls them all by name and since there is nowhere else to go, went to be with the Lord, There is no "accepting" in Biblical Christianity. Salvation - and all its parts - is OF THE LORD. Man is passive in his or her salvation. Like Lazarus in the grave was dead four days and could do nothing to re-enter physical life. Same with man who is dead to God in trespasses and sins until God calls that person and they are saved.
There is no "accepting" because there is no rejecting.
Do you understand this?

I understand what you are saying, I just don't agree with it. This part...blew His elect into the nostrils of the first man which in effect rendered the elect "lost," (outside of Him)... Seriously?
The Bible tells us, and most agree, that we are lost because we are sinners. Not because we are born. We do not sin because we are sinners. We are sinners because we sin. And yes, all are redeemed, but not all will be ultimately saved. Reason? Because they don't believe it's for them, or they are happy without it, or they reject it outright because they prefer the darkness.

 

[jeremiah1five]

I understand what you are saying, I just don't agree with it. This part...blew His elect into the nostrils of the first man which in effect rendered the elect "lost," (outside of Him)... Seriously?

It rendered them sinners as well.
God created man sinful ("hamartia" = "missing the mark.")
What is the "mark" they missed? The glory of God, or the glory that is God.
God's elect can only come from man. There's nowhere else to originate.

God's foreknowledge must come from God's contemplation of a people in His Mind within Himself. It all started in Him.

2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, 1 Pe 1:2.

The Bible tells us, and most agree, that we are lost because we are sinners.

No, the bible tells us that we sin because we are sinners - and born that way with a sin nature from which sin derives.

13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: 1 Sa 24:13.

Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked.
Sin proceedeth [comes] from sinners.
To believe we are sinners because we sin places the cart before the horse. It also wreaks havoc on the Doctrine of Imputation. For to say we are sinners because we sin makes the act of sin - even the contemplation of sin - the basis of our sinfulness. The Doctrine of Imputation teaches us otherwise when it says God the Son was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor. 5:21.

This above is a nature-swap. Christ takes our sin nature to Himself, and we take His righteous nature to ourselves.

If, as you say, it is our acts of sin that make us sinners, then the imputation is changed to "For he hath made him [to be] (the acts of) sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteous "acts" of God in him. This leaves the sin nature in place, and we then enter glory with a sin nature. Do you see how preposterous that is?

We do not sin because we are sinners. We are sinners because we sin. And yes, all are redeemed, but not all will be ultimately saved.

Redemption IS salvation. Salvation IS redemption.
One cannot be re-deemed and not be saved for redemption is the very nature of salvation.
You need to think this through some more.

Reason? Because they don't believe it's for them, or they are happy without it, or they reject it outright because they prefer the darkness.

ALL men prefer darkness. It is their condemnation.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Jn 3:18–19.

But the very nature of God's covenants with Israel is salvation. And God has made promises that cannot be taken away. And those promises ensure the salvation of all Israel. Such covenant also includes Christ dying for Israel His Church.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it:
Eph 5:25.

This is not the Gentile Church.

 

[Complete]

Subject Heading:- 'What is so good about the good news?

But then Civic we have this passage in Ephesian 2:
11,19

Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— (in other words they were saying Gentiles are not Israel) 12that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (so if we're aliens from Israel or separated from them we actually have no hope and we'll be without God in this world. But that is not the case for the following reason)

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Eph 2:13

So what aren't we disconnected from now? We're not disconnected from being a citizen of the commonwealth of Israel.Our hope is ONLY found in being in this TRUE ISRAEL.
14For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (that is the separation from being in the true Israel) Verse 19 goes on to say,

"Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners,(that's us Gentiles) but fellow citizens with the saints (that's talking about Old Testament saints of which they were Israel) and members of the household of God,"

So if we're no longer foreigners from the commonwealth OF ISRAEL for that's what verse 12 was talking about. Then doesn't that make us citizens? Again if we're not foreigners then we're citizens. So we are Israel I'd say, that is we're a part of the TRUE remnant Israel. True Israel is Jew and Gentiles alike and so therefore Paul states, you which are in Christ ARE Abraham's seed. Galatians 3:29 Once again that would have to mean....we are Israel would it not?

'Wherefore remember,
.. that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh,
.... who are called Uncircumcision
...... by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
That at that time ye were without Christ,
.. being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,
.... and strangers from the covenants of promise,
...... having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus
.. ye who sometimes were far off
.... are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For He is our peace,
.. Who hath made both one,
.... and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
...... Having abolished in His flesh the enmity,
........ even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;
for to make in Himself of twain one new man,
.......... so making peace;
And that He might reconcile both unto God
.. in one body
.... by the cross,
...... having slain the enmity thereby:'
(Eph 2:11-16)

Hello @Rockson.

Here Paul is talking to believing Gentiles, who had been, 'far off' from God and without Christ: but through faith in Christ Jesus, they were now positionally ,'in Him'; along with individual believing Jews, on an equal footing, through the blood of Christ. He having taken away all cause of enmity; So that as one Body, they may be reconciled to God.

Ephesians was written after Acts 28, and the rejection of Christ as their Messiah and King by the Jewish elders of the dispersion, as 'in the land'. Blindness had therefore fallen upon that nation, being marked by the quotation by Paul in Acts 28:26-27, of Isaiah 6:9-10. ( quoted previously by the Lord twice at times of rejection & crises): and salvation which had been, 'of the Jew', was now sent to the Gentiles for they would hear it (Acts 28:28).

'And hath put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.'
(Eph 1:22-23)

This is the Church which is the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head: in which both Jew and Gentile believers are united and equal, in Christ Jesus their risen Lord. A spiritual company, with heavenly blessings, to be enjoyed in Christ where He is, far above all heavens. This is a new creation, and Christ is among them, their hope of glory. (Col.1:27) .

They are complete in Christ: and have, in God's estimation, died with Christ, been buried, quickened into life and raised with Him, and are now seated with Him, at God's right hand, far above all principality, power, might and dominion: and when Christ appears in glory, they too will appear with Him there (Col.3:4).

Praise God!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

PS:- See Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy & Titus, and Romans 5:12-8:39. ( Esp. pray:- Ephesians 1:17-23).
* This is the gospel of the glory of Christ.