If there is any passage that proves the sovereignty of Jehovah God is is Ephesians chapter 1. Both Calvinists and Arminians debate this chapter as the passage obviously indicates that Jehovah God chooses whom will be saved. However, even Calvinists have Ephesians chapter 1 wrong as it has nothing to do with so called 5 points of Calvinism.
We will go through this passage and show that Ephesians 1 uas nothing to do with Calvinism nor Arminianism but rather shows that Jehovah God is truly the God of His people Israel.
Ephesians 1:1
"Paul, an apostle of Messiah Jehoshua through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Messiah Jehoshua"
Who are the saints according to scripture?
Psalm 148:13-14
13 Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For his name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and the heavens.14 And he hath lifted up the horn of his people, The praise of all his saints; Even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye Jehovah.
Jehovah's glory is above the earth and the heavens. Jehovah is not everywhere as many churches teach but He has a specific location where His presence dwells. That location is above the firmament of the heavens. This proves that the earth is flat and immovable, otherwise it could not be said that Jehovah's glory is above the earth. This destroys the panthiestic teaching that God is everywhere and in everything.
In the above passage who are the people that praise the name of Jehovah and in turn their horn is lifted up? They are Jehovah's saints who are the children of Israel (verse 14).
Back to Ephesians 1, the saints that Paul refers to here are from Ephesus which is a church in Asia. This was one of the churches written to by Jehoshua in the book of Revelation. The answer to who the Ephesians truly are comes to us in 1 Peter chapter 1:
"Peter, an apostle of Jehoshua Messiah, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia"
Peter is writing to the churches of Asia of which the Ephesians are one. Peter refers to these churches as sojourners. This clearly identifies Peter's audience as those Israelites of the dispersion. They are called sojourners because they are Israelites living outside of Canaan. Peter later identifies his audience as lost tribes of the Northern Kingdom (1 Peter 2:9-10).
The conclusion of the matter is that the Ephesians are lost Israelites of the Northern Kingdom who have been found. Let's continue with this chapter as it reveals to us a third option in the Calvinist-Arminian debate.
Ephesians 1:2-3
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jehoshua Messiah. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jehoshua Messiah, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah.
There is a lot of precious truth in these two verses. First, we see that there is a sharp distinction between God the Father and the Lord Jehoshua Messiah. This distinction between the two are made even more clear in verse 3. Paul says that Jehoshua has a God and it is His Father. This exposes the lie that Jehoshua is God. How can Jehoshua be God if he himself has a God.
Also, Paul we have been blessed by Jehovah God with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in the Son of God. What are these spiritual blessings? The phrase heavenly places gives us the answer. The heavenly places refers to the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in New Jersuslem.
Most people over look this passage and it's meaning. Paul says that Jehovah has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Messiah in the holy of holies. The spiritual blessings that Jehoshua has in the holy of holies are the two offices of king and priest. This means that we also have been blessed with those two offices. This why Peter says that we are a Royal (king) priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
John, in the book of Revelation, twice records that we are made kings and priests by the blood of Jehoshua Messiah (Revelation 1:5-6; 5:9-10). Just as in 1 Peter 2:9, the offices of kings and priests are attributed to the Israelites:
Exodus 19:6
"and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel"
Clearly it is the children of Israel who are to be called kings and priests. This further proves that the Ephesians are of the children of as Paul says they have been blessed with the spiritual blessings (kings and priests) in the Messiah who is the Davidic King and Melchizedek high priest.
Ephesians 1:4-5
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jehoshua Messiah unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Verse 4 proves that the doctrine of predestination is biblical. This does not mean the Calvinist understanding of it is true. Clearly, Jehovah God predestines those who are saved and brought into the Kingdom of Jehoshua. When we are chosen by JEHOVAH God? Before the foundation of the world. This statement in verse 4 is the achilles heel for the free will believers. There is no getting around it, anybody who is in Messiah has been predestined by God to be in His Only begotten Son. The free will people will say that God only had foreknowledge of us being saved and deny thay He actually chose us. However, John 12-13 refutes this:
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Those who are made sons of God by Jehoshua were not done so by their own free will but by the will of Jehovah God Almighty. One of the purposes of Jehovah God predestining us so that we would be holy and without blemish before Him. This destroys the idea that once we are converted that we are still sinners.
As I mentioned earlier these Ephesians were Israelites ans verse 4 proves that they have to be since only Israel was spoken of as being created and formed by Jehovah God. Only Israel throughout scripture is said to be JEHOVAH'S elect Son:
Exodus 4:22
"And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, my first-born"
The phrase"firstborn' denotes that JEHOVAH God elected Israel
Jeremiah 31:9
"They shall come with weeping; and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born"
Jehovah was only a Father to Israel and referred to Ephraim as His first born Son. Ephraim is the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This is important to know because that is exactly who the Ephesians are, northern Israelites. Understanding who the Ephesians are sheds light on the predestination language here in Ephesians chapter 1.
Hosea 11:1
"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt"
Since only Israel is ever called Jehovah's son (in terms of a nation) and Jehoshua said that he gave right to those who believe in him to be children of God, then it makes sense that it is Israelites being spoken of in John 1. Only Israel was ever a nation under JEHOVAH God's Fatherhood thereby Sonship could only apply to them. Only of Israel can it be said that were predestined by JEHOVAH God for salvation.
Romans 9:3-4
3 For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren`s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;
This passage absolutely proves that predestined Sonship only applies to Israel. Paul says that unto the Israelites is the adoption (Sonship). All the blessings of God belong to the Israelites, the glory, the covenants, the law and the service (priesthood).
Verse 5 knocks this out of the park, Israel is the elect son of JEHOVAH God therefore it is they who are spoken of as being foreordained (predestined) unto the adoption ( placement) as sons through Jehoshua Messiah. This is all Jehovah's will since it is He who willed this to be since the foundation of the world (verse 4). Verse 5 says that the predestination of Israel as sons Messiah was yo bring Israel back into covenant relationship with Jehovah God.
Remember, the northern Kingdom had been out of covenant relationship with Jehovah for hundreds of years by this point. The Ephesians were part of the lost tribes of Israel hence Paul is speaking these words to them as they are the fulfillment of being regathered as sons unto Jehovah God. Paul states in verse 5 that this was according to the pleasure of God's will. So much for freewill and so much for Calvinism which makes election available for everyone rather than being for Israel as scripture states.
Ephesians 1:6-7
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Jehovah's purpose for choosing Israel before the foundation of the world to be his elect son was so that His grace (divine favor) would get the glory and not man's own free will. JEHOVAH'S grace (divine favor) bestowed on His elect nation redemption through His beloved Son. There is a lot to unpack here. The fact that Paul is identifying the Ephesians as being redeemed by Jehovah proves further that they are Israelites. The word "redemption" indicates to be bought back indicating prior relationship.
Only Israel was in relationship with Jehovah God so only they could be redeemed by Him and thereby reconciled back to Him. Non Israelites could not be redeemed by JEHOVAH since they were never His to begin with. Nor could non Israelites being reconciled back to Jehovah God since they were never in relationship with Him. So clearly, only Israelites could be spoken of as being redeemed or reconciled therefore that's who the Ephesians are.
Jehoshua is the only begotten Son of God, he is the Father's beloved. The redemption of Israel is through the beloved Son of Jehovah God. One thing to remember is that Jehoshua was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24).
Also, all throughout the old testament it is only Israel that the Messiah is prophesied to save. The apostles say that Jehoshua was brought unto Israel to turn them away from their iniquities. In the gospels is says that Jehoshua would save his people from their sins. Who are Jehoshua's people? Deuteronomy 18:15-21 says the future prophetic Messiah would be an Israelite. Hebrews 2 says that Jehoshua was not ashamed to call the seed of Abraham his brethren.
The Sonship of Jehoshua is rooted in the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7) thereby his Sonship is inherently connected to being the King of Israel. All throughout the old testament it was prophesied that the Davidic King would come to unite the house of Judah and the house of Israel (Ezekiel 34 and 37).
The new testament scriptures do not teach anything different concerning who Jehoshua came for and who he was supposed to be king over:
Luke 1:32-33
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and Jehovah God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Jacob is Israel and encompasses all of the tribes, Southern and Northern. There is only one Kingdom Jehoshua was comissioned to reign over and that is Israel.
Psalm 2:7
"I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee"
As stated above Jehoshua's Kingship is connected to his Sonship as him being begotten is metaphorical language to signify that he has been anointed and installed into being the King of Israel.
The Messiah's blood is the atonement for the sins of his people. This is what scripture teaches so this shows that the language of Beloved son and blood atonement applies to Israel therefore the fact that this is being spoken of about the Ephesians then it shows they are Israelites.
Ephesians 1:8-9
8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
The riches of Jehovah's grace abounded towards the Israelites (us) in all wisdom and prudence according to the mystery of Jehovah's will. This shows that the freewill of universal doctrine is false to the core. Everything happens according to Jehovah's will not chance. This will of Jehovah's is the mystery of the gospel.
The mystery of Jehovah's gospel is not an esoteric ideal but rather simply it refers to His plan of salvation since the foundation of the world. The mystery of the gospel is one and the same as the gospel of the Kingdom proclaimed by the prophets.
Just to cement that the plan of salvation for specific people was no random thing Paul says that those being chosen in the beloved was according to the pleasure of Jehovah's which He purposed in Himself. This means that Jehovah did not consult anyone as to who would be brought into the Kingdom of the Son of God but that He purposed in Himself would be atoned for in the beloved Son.
Ephesians 1:10
"unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Messiah, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, [I say,"
Dispensation means administration. The fulness of the times refers to the beginning of Jehoshua's ministry i.e. his baptism. The arrival of Jehoshua was so that Jehovah through him could sum up all things in heaven and earth. What are these things that Paul is talking about? Jehovah raised up Jehovah to fulfill the Davidic covenant, unite the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel, fulfill the day of atonement, restore the Davidic Kingdom and build the new covenant temple.
Also, Jehovah God made Jehoshua ruler over all creation including the angelic authority structures as well as the earthly dominions. These are the all things that JEHOVAH summed up in Jehoshua Messiah.
Ephesians 1:11
"in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will"
We were made a heritage (family) in Jehoshua who is our elder brother the firstborn of many brethren. Jehoshua gave us the right to become children of God through our faith in him. However, this being made a family member of Jehovah God was not by happenstance but it was foreordained (predestined) according to Jehovah's purpose. This absolutely debunks the freewill doctrine. This means that Jehovah purposed us (the church) to be made His children before the foundation of the world. This was JEHOVAH'S doing not ours. We did not purpose anything. Jehovah specifically chose each individual believer to be his son or daughter in the Messiah's Kingdom before the world began.
Just to nail it even further Paul says that JEHOVAH worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. This shows that Jehovah orchestrates everything Kingdom related and He consults no one but Himself. Jehovah enters counsel only with Himself and He is the architect of everything related to the plan of salvation and His Kingdom. He does it by His own will meaning He does what ever He wants whenever He wants and He asks no one's permission. The angelic counsel that meets with Jehovah in heaven executes His plan. The beautiful thing about the gospel is that now JEHOVAH has given many of those responsibilities to His only begotten Son Jehoshua.
Ephesians 1:12
"to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ"
The end result of Jehovah's predestined plan was that we as His children should be unto the praise of His (Jehovah's) glory. We living epistles of Jehovah's glory as we put our faith in His only begotten Son Jehoshua.
Ephesians 1:13
"in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise"
The word of truth is referred to the teachings of the Messiah as Paul says "in whom" having heard the word of truth. Their is no such thing as a gospel message that subtracts the Son of God's teachings. When we believe on the name of the Son of God we are then sealed with the Holy Spirit. This belief is not mere profession of faith but actually means to obey the Son of God (John 3:36).
Ephesians 1:14
"which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of [God`s] own possession, unto the praise of his glory"
The holy Spirit is a down payment of our inheritance in the eternal Kingdom of Messiah. Who is God's possession that He redeemed? Remember, that to be redeemed means to be bought back meaning that at one time you had to belong to the one who bought you back. This could only be spoken of in regards to Israel as only they were known and in covenant with JEHOVAH.
Romans 11:1-2
1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel.
Verse 2 of Romans 11 proves that JEHOVAH's predestination plan has to do with Israel as they are the ones that He foreknew.
Romans 8:29-30
29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: 30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
The passage above proves that it is those who Jehovah foreknew that were foreordained (predestined) and it is Israel only whom JEHOVAH foreknew (Romans 11:2).
Back to Ephesians 1:14, God's own possession is Israel and the old testament confirms this as well:
Deuteronomy 32:9
"For Jehovah`s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance"
It is crystal clear who JEHOVAH'S inheritance is and that is Jacob (Israel). This does not change in the new testament as the gates of New Jersuslem are named after the 12 tribes. That Israel was redeemed was to the praise of Jehovah's glory as it validated that His word is bond and He keeps His covenant promises.
Ephesians 1:15-16
15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which [ye show] toward all the saints,16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention [of you] in my prayers"
JEHOVAH keeping His covenant promises to Israel is cause for Paul to give thanks to the Father of lights. The Ephesians are a testimony of Jehovah fulfilling His promises to the Northern Kingdom of Israel in gathering them from captivity into His covenant.
Ephesians 1;17
"that the God of our Lord Jehoshua Messiah, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him"
This is the second time in this chapter that Paul says that Jehoshua has a God. Jehoshua's God is the Father. Guess what? Jehovah is also our Father and our God as well.
Ephesians 1:18-19
18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might.
We need the holy Spirit so that the scales of unbelief fall from our eyes and we know that the inheritance of the Kingdom is. The inheritance of the Kingdom is to reign as kings and priests and dwell in Jehovah's presence as wel as to be given immortal bodies at the resurrection. The power of God works towards His saints (Israelites) who believe in His Messiah.
Ephesians 120-23
20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Jehovah's exceeding greaness and power was wrought when He raised Jehoshua from the dead. Throughout Paul's writings, we continually see a clear distinction made between Jehovah God and Jehoshua. Jehoshua was dead and God cannot die. God raised Jehoshua from the dead thereby giving Jehoshua eternal life. There are clearly two distinct beings being spoken of here. The result of Jehovah raising Jehoshua from the dead was to fulfill the Davidic covenant as He made Jehoshua sit on His own right hand. This language refers to Psalm 110:1 which is a Davidic covenant prophecy.
The reference to the heavenly places is speaking of the heavenly sanctuary in New Jerusalem. This shows that upon his ascension Jehoshua was brought right into the holy of holies where he was enthroned as King and high priest. Verse 21, Jehoshua was set far above all principalities and powers further showing that he indeed was made King at His ascension into heaven. These powers and principalities are both heavenly and earthly as the Father made the Son ruler of both heaven and earth.
Every angelic and human authority structure has been placed under the headship of the Son of God. This rulership is not only for this age but also in the age to come fulfilling Isaiah 9:6-7. Verse 22, God the Father put all things (angelic and human authority structures) under Jehoshaua's subjection. Jehoshua was placed as head (King) over the church (new covenant Davidic Kingdom). The church is his body which is the fullness of him and it fills all in all. This means that the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah spreads and will cover the whole earth.
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