What is the proper interpretation of Eph. 3:15? We will look at it in context as we proceed!

First, we must see and understand the Bible’s context overall. The Bible concerns ‘the great conflict of all ages’ between God and “the god of this world,” Satan. Though we know the outcome is assured, the challenge presented by Lucifer’s rebellion in the third heaven is this, ‘who will be the ruling power in “the heaven and on earth.’

”The Apostle Paul wrote: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ Of whom ‘the whole family in heaven and earth’ is named,” (Ephesians 3:14-15)

In Eph.1:10 the terms “in Heaven” and “on Earth” appear, referring back to Gen. 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

We should observe that Scripture makes clear that the earth was originally created perfect and wonderfully inhabitable. “God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited…” Isaiah 45:18 (KJV).  The angelic host rejoiced at the sight of the original creation (cf. Job 38:7).

After the creation of “the heaven and the earth” in the very verse of the Bible, the second verse, Genesis 1:2, says the world was in “darkness” and ‘under water (“the deep”); the earth had become out of form and had become ‘void’ of habitation. God then began to recreate the earth with man having “dominion,” as seen in Genesis 1:26-31.

“And the earth was without form (Heb., tohu, in desolation), and void (empty, uninhabited); and darkness was upon the face of the deep (waters). And the Spirit of God moved (Heb. rehap, brooded, as hen to brings forth life) upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2 (KJV)

The word darkness indicates that the earth was void of God’s presence, for He is “the light to the world.” Naturally, apart from light no life is sustained. This then points to him who fosters “darkness” and death.

Question: What exactly had occurred to cause God to apparently judge the earth with water in this way? All life was destroyed; this was long before Noah when not all life was destroyed, 8 did survive.

The answer to the question see in that Lucifer, one of the highest arch angels of God’s original creation had rebelled against God in the highest heaven, along with one-third of the angelic host (Isaiah 14:12, below). With that rebellion, Lucifer and his now fallen angels were cast to the lower heaven, where Lucifer and they to this day rule over the earth, as Satan, “the god of this world.” (2Cor 4:4).

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground (Heb. eres, earth), which didst weaken the nations! ¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14 KJV)

Jesus refers to the fall of Lucifer in Luke 10:18. “… I (Jesus) beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”

This then presents the crux of the ‘great conflict of all ages’ that I referred to earlier.

Today, Lucifer as Satan, the Devil, along with His fallen angelic minions, reigns over ‘planet earth’ from their seat of authority in the lower heavens, manipulating the affairs of the governments of heaven and the governments and affairs of men on earth.Note that God originally set up national boundaries “according to the number of the angels of God” (Per the LXX (Septuagint), Deut. 32:8). In any case, later there was a time “When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, He Set The Bounds of The People according to the number of the children of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:8 (KJV) Daniel then names these governing fallen angels for their locality, such as these; “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. Daniel 10:20 (KJV)

In the “age to come,” as seen below, Satan and His host will ultimately be cast to the earth in the middle of the Tribulation period as the great conflict draws closer to its ultimate conclusion.

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, ⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. ¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:7-10 (KJV)

According to Paul in Eph. 1:10, God the Father will one day, at the consummation of all ages, gather together “all things” “in Heaven, and on Earth” in accord with the power, authority, and rule of Christ.

“⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times (at the end of all ages) he might gather together in one ‘all things’ in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in (accord with) him.” (Eph. 1:9-10)

What are these “all things” “in heaven, and which are on earth” of verse 10 (above)? You will see this phrase appear multiple times in the Bible text cited in this study. This study reveals the how and why of these “All Things.”

These “All Things” are … ALL of the Offices of Rank and Authority in The Governments “In Heaven and On Earth.”

These offices or ‘seats of rank and authority’ in heaven and in earth are listed here below as “Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers” as they are “in heaven, and on earth,” … being both visible on earth, and invisible in heaven.

“by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, Visible and Invisible, whether they be “All Things’ were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in ‘All Things” He Might have the Preeminence (supremacy).

¹⁹For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; ²⁰And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile “All Things” (in heaven and on earth) unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be ‘Things’ in earth,’ or ‘Things in heaven.” (Col. 1:16-20)

Just as “visible” governments exist to rule “on earth,” there is a corresponding “invisible” God ordained, government in “the heavens” … all this was created that Jesus Christ might “have the preeminence (supremacy)” (v18 above).

(For detail on this subject see my Study Series “The Dynaspheres”: http://www.artlicursi.com/series/dynaspheres )

In Daniel 10:10-14; 20-21; we see Daniel in Babylon, Angels Gabriel and Michael, and “the Prince of Persia.” Note how the geography of earth is governed by Satanic fallen spirits who have authority over certain geography, and the ongoing conflict between God’s Angels and Satan's Princes. Note also how that God originally set up national boundaries "accoring to the number of the angels of God" (Deut 32:8).

“… an hand (of Gabriel) touched me (Daniel), which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he (the Angel) had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. ¹² Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words (prayers) were heard, and I am come for thy words. ¹³ BUT the (fallen angelic) Prince of The Kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty (21) days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes (the archangel), came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people (Israel) in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” (Daniel 10:10-14)

“²⁰Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. ²¹ But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” (Dan. 10:20-21)

Note: The information Gabriel brought to Daniel explains the entire matter of what is now commonly called “the 70^th Week of Daniel,” which is the Tribulation period that occurs just prior to the Lord’s 2^nd coming.

Part 1 – God’s Plan to Recover “the heaven and the earth”

The Apostle Paul wrote: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ Of whom ‘the whole family in heaven and earth’ is named,” (Ephesians 3:14-15)

What is the proper interpretation of Eph. 3:15? We will look at it in context as we proceed!

First, we must see and understand the Bible’s context overall. The Bible concerns ‘the great conflict of all ages’ between God and the god of this world, Satan. The issue is and question is, who is and who will be the ruling power in “the heaven and on earth.”

In Eph.1:10 the terms “in Heaven” and “on Earth” appear, referring back to Gen. 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

We should observe that Scripture makes clear that the earth was originally created perfect and wonderfully inhabitable. “God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited…” Isaiah 45:18 (KJV).  The angelic host rejoiced at the sight of the original creation (cf. Job 38:7).

After the creation of “the heaven and the earth” in the very verse of the Bible, the second verse, Genesis 1:2, says the world was in “darkness” and ‘under water (“the deep”); the earth had become out of form and had become ‘void’ of habitation. God then began to recreate the earth with man having “dominion,” as seen in Genesis 1:26-31.

“And the earth was without form (Heb., tohu, in desolation), and void (empty, uninhabited); and darkness was upon the face of the deep (waters). And the Spirit of God moved (Heb. rehap, brooded, as hen to brings forth life) upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2 (KJV)

The word darkness indicates that the earth was void of God’s presence, for He is “the light to the world.” Naturally, apart from light no life is sustained. This then points to him who fosters “darkness” and death.

Question: What exactly had occurred to cause God to apparently judge the earth with water in this way? All life was destroyed; this was long before Noah when not all life was destroyed, 8 did survive.

The answer to the question see in that Lucifer, one of the highest arch angels of God’s original creation had rebelled against God in the highest heaven, along with one-third of the angelic host (Isaiah 14:12, below). With that rebellion, Lucifer and his now fallen angels were cast to the lower heaven, where Lucifer and they to this day rule over the earth, as Satan, “the god of this world.” (2Cor 4:4).

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground (Heb. eres, earth), which didst weaken the nations! ¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14 KJV)

Jesus refers to the fall of Lucifer in Luke 10:18. “… I (Jesus) beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”

This then presents the crux of the ‘great conflict of all ages’ that I referred to earlier.

Today, Lucifer as Satan, the Devil, along with His fallen angelic minions, reigns over ‘planet earth’ from their seat of authority in the lower heavens, manipulating the affairs of the governments of heaven and the governments and affairs of men on earth.

In the “age to come,” as seen below, Satan and His host will ultimately be cast to the earth in the middle of the Tribulation period as the great conflict draws closer to its ultimate conclusion.

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, ⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. ¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:7-10 (KJV)

According to Paul in Eph. 1:10, God the Father will one day, at the consummation of all ages, gather together “all things” “in Heaven, and on Earth” in accord with the power, authority, and rule of Christ.

“⁹Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: ¹⁰That in the dispensation of the fulness of times (at the end of all ages) he might gather together in one ‘all things’ in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in (accord with) him.” (Eph. 1:9-10)

What are these “all things” “in heaven, and which are on earth” of verse 10 (above)? You will see this phrase appear multiple times in the Bible text cited in this study. This study reveals the how and why of these “All Things.”

These “All Things” are … ALL of the Offices of Rank and Authority in The Governments “In Heaven and On Earth.”

These offices or ‘seats of rank and authority’ in heaven and in earth are listed here below as “Thrones, or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers” as they are “in heaven, and on earth,” … being both visible on earth, and invisible in heaven.

“by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, Visible and Invisible, whether they be “All Things’ were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in ‘All Things” He Might have the Preeminence (supremacy).

¹⁹For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; ²⁰And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile “All Things” (in heaven and on earth) unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be ‘Things’ in earth,’ or ‘Things in heaven.” (Col. 1:16-20)

Just as “visible” governments exist to rule “on earth,” there is a corresponding “invisible” God ordained, government in “the heavens” … all this was created that Jesus Christ might “have the preeminence (supremacy)” (v18 above).

(For detail on this subject see my Study Series “The Dynaspheres”: http://www.artlicursi.com/series/dynaspheres)

In Daniel 10:10-14; 20-21; we see Daniel in Babylon, Angels Gabriel and Michael, and “the Prince of Persia.” Note how the geography of earth is governed by Satanic fallen spirits who have authority over certain geography, and the ongoing conflict between God’s Angels and Satan Princes.

“… an hand (of Gabriel) touched me (Daniel), which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. ¹¹ And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he (the Angel) had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. ¹² Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words (prayers) were heard, and I am come for thy words. ¹³ BUT the (fallen angelic) Prince of The Kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty (21) days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes (the archangel), came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people (Israel) in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” (Daniel 10:10-14)

“²⁰Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. ²¹ But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.” (Dan. 10:20-21)

Note: The information Gabriel brought to Daniel explains the entire matter of what is now commonly called “the 70^th Week of Daniel,” which is the Tribulation period that occurs just prior to the Lord’s 2^nd coming.