When Saint Paul sent this letter to Ephesus, over 60 years had passed...since the birth of Christ Jesus. Paul writes this from Rome...for he has found himself in prison once again....
The city of Ephesus was in the Roman region of what is known as Asia. For a time, the leaders of Ephesus were of Greek origin, and they worshipped the goddess Diana (or Artemis), who was a goddess greatly admired for her sensual and sexual type of worship.
There was a great trade business that evolved around the goddess Diana, for miniature models of the temple of Diana were a "hot commodity", and many who came to visit in Ephesus were sure not to leave without the purchase of the "model of the temple Diana" with them....that is, until Saint Paul arrived....Paul's declaration of the Lord Jesus and His work He had done at the Cross for each one of us, had a deep impact on the sales of the "Diana temples". Paul's preaching set off much confusion and trouble...trouble for anyone willing to commit their lives to the Lord Jesus...for in doing so a person was now proclaiming the goddess Diana as a false god.
The goddess Diana went by the name Artemis as well...and her "goddess status" had been around for many centuries...being traced back to the land of Canaan when the Israelites made their way into the Promised Land.
This letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians had 3 differences of notice that were not in his other letters:
1. This letter does not give any "special or unique greeting", just the fact that Saint Paul by this time had indeed become an apostle.
2. The Ephesian letter is not directed to any one person.
3. The Ephesian letter does not focus on any particular or special problem...going on in Ephesus.
Ephesians is a letter written to encourage the personal faith of the believers in Ephesus...
A Gleaning from Ephesus 6: 12-18
"You need to get a hold of this: the daily struggles we face now...is not about fighting or war like we are accustomed to...that being battles of flesh and blood...people vs. people.
The war we are in is much more than what any physical death can bring upon us. We are in an "eternal death match"...this type of death goes way beyond the grave...it is an eternal death...that lasts forever.
You see, we are against a kingdom known as Darkness, who are led by master spirits who lay claim to being rulers of the present world...the world we live in. These "rulers" of the Kingdom of Darkness" are led by the Rebellious One, the Evil One, that being Satan, formerly known as Lucifer. Satan is totally against the Lord God Himself and anyyone who joins His ranks in the fight against the Kingdom of Darkness.
This battle is for real...and it's for keeps as well...this is the "Ultimate Death Match".
Yet our Commander-n-Chief has given us clear instructions as to what we as Christians, proud to be of service in the Lord's Army, are to do.
Here then are His instructions:
1. We are to be at full alert...having all combat attire on and ready.
2. For our belts, we are to exalt His Truth, and fasten it securely around our waist.
3. Our shoes should be the type that gives firm footing...so when we are in combat, we cannot be knocked to the side so easily. Equally important about combat boots, we are to have the ability to walk through the roughest of terrain, and offer His Peace to anyone who has been in hiding or have taken some hard blows.
4. We are to work together as one unit, giving and receiving aid with our brothers and sisters in the same combat. Keep our shields up and so they are able to cover us, and when the flaming arrows of the Evil One come in our direction, we can quench any arrow he might fire at us.
5. Keep your helmet on at all times...you need this...this helmet keeps you alive...it is your very salvation!
6. Keep you sword sharp and ready at all times as well. This sword you are supplied with cuts down anyone and anything the kingdom of Darkness may attack you with...for the sword you brandish is the Very Words of our Commander-n-Chief, and nothing can oppose it...including the kingdom led by the Evil One.
7. Stay in communication with "headquarters" at all times, and let our Commander know of the needs of the brothers and sisters around you. Stay true to what you learned in basic training, be persistent, be consistent, and remember...don't let your feelings get in the way.Follow the orders of our Commander-n-Chief, whether we feel like it...or not!
8. And let your communication with our Commander come from your heart...and share your information with Him in the languages...the Evil One cannot comprehend! Use every variety of prayer you have been skilled in: prayers of Thanksgiving, prayers of Supplication, prayers for Direction, etc.....use the plentiful ammunition you have been given...don't worry about running out...our King has plenty more available...trust me...you will never run out!
Above all...keep your heads up!...when the Commander arrives...with His main army...the War is over! In the meantime...let this be our battle cry: "He is Coming!"
There was a great trade business that evolved around the goddess Diana, for miniature models of the temple of Diana were a "hot commodity", and many who came to visit in Ephesus were sure not to leave without the purchase of the "model of the temple Diana" with them....that is, until Saint Paul arrived....Paul's declaration of the Lord Jesus and His work He had done at the Cross for each one of us, had a deep impact on the sales of the "Diana temples". Paul's preaching set off much confusion and trouble...trouble for anyone willing to commit their lives to the Lord Jesus...for in doing so a person was now proclaiming the goddess Diana as a false god.
The goddess Diana went by the name Artemis as well...and her "goddess status" had been around for many centuries...being traced back to the land of Canaan when the Israelites made their way into the Promised Land.
This letter Paul wrote to the Ephesians had 3 differences of notice that were not in his other letters:
1. This letter does not give any "special or unique greeting", just the fact that Saint Paul by this time had indeed become an apostle.
2. The Ephesian letter is not directed to any one person.
3. The Ephesian letter does not focus on any particular or special problem...going on in Ephesus.
Ephesians is a letter written to encourage the personal faith of the believers in Ephesus...
A Gleaning from Ephesus 6: 12-18
"You need to get a hold of this: the daily struggles we face now...is not about fighting or war like we are accustomed to...that being battles of flesh and blood...people vs. people.
The war we are in is much more than what any physical death can bring upon us. We are in an "eternal death match"...this type of death goes way beyond the grave...it is an eternal death...that lasts forever.
You see, we are against a kingdom known as Darkness, who are led by master spirits who lay claim to being rulers of the present world...the world we live in. These "rulers" of the Kingdom of Darkness" are led by the Rebellious One, the Evil One, that being Satan, formerly known as Lucifer. Satan is totally against the Lord God Himself and anyyone who joins His ranks in the fight against the Kingdom of Darkness.
This battle is for real...and it's for keeps as well...this is the "Ultimate Death Match".
Yet our Commander-n-Chief has given us clear instructions as to what we as Christians, proud to be of service in the Lord's Army, are to do.
Here then are His instructions:
1. We are to be at full alert...having all combat attire on and ready.
2. For our belts, we are to exalt His Truth, and fasten it securely around our waist.
3. Our shoes should be the type that gives firm footing...so when we are in combat, we cannot be knocked to the side so easily. Equally important about combat boots, we are to have the ability to walk through the roughest of terrain, and offer His Peace to anyone who has been in hiding or have taken some hard blows.
5. Keep your helmet on at all times...you need this...this helmet keeps you alive...it is your very salvation!
7. Stay in communication with "headquarters" at all times, and let our Commander know of the needs of the brothers and sisters around you. Stay true to what you learned in basic training, be persistent, be consistent, and remember...don't let your feelings get in the way.Follow the orders of our Commander-n-Chief, whether we feel like it...or not!
8. And let your communication with our Commander come from your heart...and share your information with Him in the languages...the Evil One cannot comprehend! Use every variety of prayer you have been skilled in: prayers of Thanksgiving, prayers of Supplication, prayers for Direction, etc.....use the plentiful ammunition you have been given...don't worry about running out...our King has plenty more available...trust me...you will never run out!
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