“H. A. C.”-l. Does “the hope of his calling” embrace all the blessedness into which we are brought in Christianity, at this present time? Or does the word “hope” refer to the glory for which we wait, or both? (Eph. 1:1818The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18).)
2. What is the meaning of the “riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints?” Does this refer to God’s portion and joy in His redeemed?
A.-1. The verses from which you quote embrace the two parts previously unfolded in the chapter. 1St, The “calling” of God, vv. 3-6; and 2nd, the “inheritance,” in vv. 8-11. Here (v. 18) the apostle desires that the eyes of their heart (which is, the correct reading) may be enlightened to know three things. 1St, What is the hope of their calling. 2nd, What is the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints. 3rd, What is the power which puts us into what the calling and inheritance confer, and which He had ‘wrought in Christ, looked on as man actually, and which He had wrought in the believer spiritually.
The “hope of his calling” embraces both; what we have at present in Christ, as well as all we shall enter upon in glory, by and by. In this chapter no time comes into the thoughts, but it gives rather the thoughts and intentions of God which He has made good for us in Christ. It embraces, therefore, present possession of all by faith, as well as actual enjoyment of all in fruition by and by.
2. The “riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” is a peculiar expression. First, let us remark that the saints are never said to be God’s inheritance or portion; nor is it here His joy in His redeemed. In the Old Testament, Israel as a nation, is said to be His inheritance. “Jehovah’s portion is his people; Jacob (is) the lot of his inheritance” (Deut. 32:99For the Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. (Deuteronomy 32:9)). This is never said of the Church of God, or of His saints in Christianity.
But the created universe, “all things,... both which are in heaven, and which are on earth” (v. 10), are to be brought into ordered subjection under Christ, in the dispensation of the fullness of time. That is at the time, or age, when the perfection of God’s ways in government are seen in result, in the Millennium, under His Son. In, and with Him, we have obtained an inheritance as joint heirs individually—as His body, or Bride, looking upon the Church as a whole. We only have it now by faith.
“ We see Jesus... crowned with glory and honor,” on high (Heb. 2); yet “we see not yet all things put under him.” He sits on high, in the title of all, in four ways. 1. As creator of them (Col. 1:1616For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)). 2. As heir of all (Heb. 1:22Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2)). 3. As man of God’s counsel (Psa. 8). 4. As Redeemer of all (Heb. 2). There He awaits His glory. We await it here below-a reconciled people in an unreconciled creation. (Col. 1:20-2220And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: (Colossians 1:20‑22)).
The day will come for “the redemption of the purchased possession”—when that which has been purchased by blood will be redeemed from the hands of the enemy by power. God will take possession of “His inheritance” in and by Christ and the Church.
It is, therefore, God’s inheritance of all created things, taken into His own hands by Christ and the saints under Him. He desires that we may know the “riches of its glory.”
If you take an analogous thought in the Old Testament. As the land of Israel was Jehovah’s (Lev. 25:2323The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me. (Leviticus 25:23)); and He took it into His hands and possessed it in His people Israel; so “all things” belong to Him, and He takes them into His own hands, and possesses them in and by His saints under Christ, and thus they become “His inheritance.”