heavens too, will be solved. Eph. 1: 11 goes on to teach us that we have a sure part in

the Kingdom of God when it is thus realized. Just as the word `adoption', as used in

Paul's day, brings before the mind an inheritance, so here we are told "in Whom (Christ)

also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated (or marked off beforehand)

according to the plan (purpose) of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His

own will". Nothing happens by chance, all has been designed by God the Father and is

being carried out with absolute certainty.

From our limited standpoint, everything seems to work so slowly, or even to come to a

standstill, but we have to remember that God is not dealing with puppets, but moral

creatures, who by their opposition, sin and failure, may lengthen out that plan. But the

goal cannot fail of realization; God cannot be defeated! and the age of faith can look

beyond the present darkness and overwhelming problems that thicken all around us, to

the very time of triumph that this context is revealing, in which, by redeeming love and

grace, we shall share. We shall then be "to the praise of His glory" as verse 12 declares,

thus His glory will be magnified.

The rest of this verse states that we "first trusted in Christ". The margin points out

that the word `trust' is really `hope'. What is the meaning of `first'? Is it first in time, or

first in place and dignity? It all depends how far the Apostle is looking back into the

past. If the Acts period, then it possibly refers to those who first responded to the gospel.

If only a short time previously when he was commissioned to make the new revelation

known, it could refer to the hope of this new calling, which is the first to be realized in

time and the first in dignity, for this hope encompasses heavenly places `far above all',

and this church is part of Him Who is the First-born of all creation and the First-born

from the dead (Col. 1: 15, 18), now enthroned at the Father's right hand.

Each calling of the redeemed has its own particular hope, centred in Christ, according

to its place in the Divine plan, whether it be linked with the new heavens or the new

earth, yet to come into being. The consummation of the Body's hope is to be taken to the

glory of heaven's holiest of all, where the Father has willed it to be. This eclipses

anything that had been revealed up this point, and no wonder Paul goes on to pray that

these Ephesian believers would go on to apprehend what such a transcendent hope

involves (verse 18). This is a challenge to us all, whose eyes have been opened in

measure. As the days come and go, is this hope becoming clearer, greater and more vital

to us?