Ephesians 1:3

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

May 18, 2020 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

In our previous message from Ephesians 1:2, I shared some thoughts about peace and about God our Father. Now we want to look at Ephesians 1:3.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Our Father has already blessed us (past tense) with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. "All" means all. There are no blessings except in Christ. Further, Verse 3 says nothing about natural-level blessings. Our thanks are certainly due to God for all temporal and natural blessings; they are more than we deserve. However, we are not necessarily promised natural blessings. To confirm that, please read Hebrews 11:36-39. But our thanks ought to go to God in infinitely greater measure for spiritual blessings. A new heart is better than a new coat. To feed on Christ is better than to have the best earthly food. To be an heir of God is better than being the heir of the world's greatest and richest man. To have God for our portion is infinity more blessed than to own many houses and acres of land. These are the rarest, the richest, the most enduring of all blessings; they are priceless in value.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  

James 1:17

The first occurrence of "gift" in that verse implies the act of giving. The second word translated as "gift" means the gift itself. The perfect Gift is Jesus. The Bible speaks of 15 precious gifts ... eight in the Old Testament and seven in the New Testament but the giver of all precious gifts is God. Before we look at those 15 precious gifts, let us consider Deuteronomy 33:13-16, which contains the phrase "precious things" four times and "precious fruits" once. When Jacob prophesied over Joseph, he said,

"And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,
And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, 

And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren."

The name, "Joseph," means "God adds or increases." Joseph was one of the most outstanding men of the Bible. He was an imperfect type of Christ in that he manifested many spiritual qualities and characteristics of our Lord Jesus. If every Christian manifests all of the qualities that Joseph had, Jesus might return tomorrow.

Now let us look at the Old Testament Precious Gifts

Eight such gifts listed in the Old Testament is called precious: (1) precious fruits; (2) the word of the Lord; (3) redemption; (4) the death of His saints; (5) the lips of knowledge; (6) precious seed; (7) precious ointment; and (8) the thoughts of God.

(1) Precious fruits

We have previously read from Deuteronomy 33:14 about the precious fruits that were to come forth upon Joseph and upon every future Joseph who manifests the fruit of the Spirit in the same manner as did Joseph.

(2) The Word of the Lord

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Samuel 3:1

The word "precious" in that verse can be translated as "rare" or "heavy in price." Anything that is rare is valuable in price. During the entire period of the book of Judges (about 330 years), we are told of only one prophetess, Deborah, in Judges 4:4, and one unnamed prophet in Judges 6:8.

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.  

Amos 8:11

Another time of famine of hearing the words of the Lord is current events! The word of the Lord is still precious in our day. We are living in a time when "there is no King in spiritual Israel; every man is doing what is right in his own eyes." Although there is a famine of hearing the words of the Lord, there is not a lack of the Lord speaking!

(3) Redemption 

6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever.)

9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. Psalm 49:6-9

The essence of the last part of Verse 8 is that only God can redeem the soul of man. We cannot do that through our riches or our knowledge or by any work of man. "It ceaseth for ever" means "we should cease forever trying to redeem the soul of a man, because only God can do that." Most errors arise from man trying to do what only God can do. Of course we should always present Christ to others through our example and through our words as the Spirit leads.

"Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 1:19 and 1 Corinthians 15:28) is the explanation of redemption. There is redemption only through the cross of the Lord Jesus. The complement of that is that same cross being wrought in the believer so that the believer becomes united with Him in the likeness of His death and burial as a spiritual experience. Why? so that Christ may be all and in all. Why are we broken? to make room for the Lord Jesus. The increase of the Lord Jesus in us and to us is by way of the cross ... not the cross of Calvary but the inwrought cross through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that are perishing foolishness; but unto us which are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:16). 

Our chief enemy is not any pandemic or terrorism or any other religion or the devil. Our chief enemy is ourself, our flesh. The purpose of the cross and the work of redemption through that cross is so that Christ may be all, and in all; that in all things He may have the preeminence.

"He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Each one of us is unique. Man tries to copy everything. We copy houses, cars, clothes, art, furniture, books, bibles, and clone animals. God never makes a copy of anything or anyone. The Lord knows how best to deal with each one of us, and He does not use standardized methods. He deals with you in one way and with me in another way. He knows how to lead us into experiences which are perfectly calculated to bring us to where the Lord is all and in all.

(4) The death of His saints

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence; and precious shall their blood be in His sight. Psalm 72:14

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15

We believe that the above verses are true in both the natural and spiritual realm. Every believer, like Paul, must die daily to self (1 Corinthians 15:31). It is not a one-time event. Paul also said, 

21 For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Philippians 1:21-24

(5) The lips of knowledge

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Proverbs 20:15

In Proverbs 3:13-24 (and other scriptures), wisdom and understanding are spoken of as being more precious than rubies. There, Wisdom is personified and speaks of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens.

20 By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Proverbs 3:19-20

Knowledge is one thing. The lips of knowledge represent wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 12:8, the word of wisdom is differentiated from the word of knowledge. We may indeed receive a true word of knowledge, but is it also wisdom to speak that word forth? Or perhaps the Lord gives us a word of knowledge so we know how to pray more effectively for someone?

(6) Seed

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6

Who are "they" in Verse 5? all those over all of time who identify with the weeping of Jesus over spiritual Jerusalem. We are called to identify with Jesus in every respect ... His suffering, His death, His resurrection, His weeping, His intercession, and His heart. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). The precious seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).

He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man (Matthew 13:37). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38) And He, the Lord Jesus Christ, shall doubtless come again (the second coming of the Lord) with rejoicing, bringing His sheaves with Him. What are His sheaves? those overcomers who have gone before and are bound together in love and unity with Him.

(7) Ointment 

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; Psalm 133:1-2

In Verse 1, "Behold" is the word of the Holy Spirit. "Unity" means being in one accord to glorify God (Romans 15:6). The reference is to the "one man" of 2 Samuel 19:14 (David), and the "one heart" of 2 Chronicles 30:12 (Hezekiah). Note the exclamation mark at the end of Verse 1! "Brethren dwelling together in unity" is something to be excited about! The precious ointment is the anointing oil, which represents the Holy Spirit, Who has been on the Head (the Lord Jesus) first. The Precious Ointment is in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

(8) The thoughts of God

How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them. Psalm 139:17 

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Now let us look at the New Testament Precious Gifts

The New Testament describes seven precious gifts: (1) a very precious ointment; (2) precious stones; (3) precious fruit; (4) precious faith; (5) precious promises; (6) the precious blood of Christ; and (7) the Lord Himself, Who is precious. Note that every one of these seven precious gifts is centered in Christ.

(1) Precious ointment

The Gospels record three anointings of Jesus. We have previously shared a complete message about those three anointings. The first, in Capernaum in the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50), occurred when an unnamed woman, called a sinner, anointed His feet.

In the second anointing (John 12:1-8), Mary, almost two years later, likewise anointed His feet.

Why were there two separate anointings of the feet of Jesus? the first toward the beginning of His earthly ministry and the second toward the end of His ministry on earth? the first by a "sinner" and the second by Mary, a believer? Perhaps because,

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11 

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

The third anointing was in the house of Simon the leper, when an unnamed woman poured very precious ointment on the head of Jesus. This event occurred during the last week before Calvary and is recorded in both Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

There came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. Matthew 26:7

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on His head. Mark 14:3

The woman took the most precious thing that she had and poured it out on the head of Jesus. Should we do the same? What do we possess that is the most precious thing to us? A precious gift is only a gift when there is sacrifice behind it, and when we give far more than what we can afford. Later, Jesus said,

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Matthew 26:13

When was the last time you heard any minister preach on this event in Matthew 26? Let us rephrase the question. Have you ever heard any minister preach on this event? But Jesus said that what she had done shall be told for a memorial of her wherever the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached!

(2) Precious stones

The Head stone, or the Corner stone, is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. Ephesians 2:20

All those who are in Christ likewise become precious stones.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ... 1 Corinthians 3:12

In general, stones represent believers. As Christ, the Head, is called the chief corner stone or the head-stone of the corner (Psalm 118:22), so also His members, true believers, who are built upon, and derive spiritual life from the foundation, which is Christ, are called stones (1 Peter 2:5). The law was written and engraved on two tables of stone, but believers have His law written in their hearts. Stones are dug out of a pit, but believers are selected and chosen from the rest of mankind.

Isaiah 51:1, "Hearken to Me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged."

Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

(3) Precious fruit

Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. James 5:7

The fruit of the Spirit are those gracious characteristics which the Holy Spirit of God produces in those in whom He dwells and works, with those acts which flow from them as naturally as a tree produces its fruit. Only God can produce His fruit within us, but we must cooperate with His Holy Spirit. 

22 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

As we have shared before, the early rain consists of all of the overcomers who have gone before. The latter rain speaks of the overcomers in the earth in these end times.

(4) Precious faith

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1

Faith is precious because it is His faith, not ours. His faith saves us and His faith sustains us and enables us to walk the victorious life in His kingdom.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

(5) Precious promises

Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4

The word "lust" denotes a strong desire of any kind. The word is used of a good desire only three times in the Bible, in Luke 22:15, Philippians 1:23, and 1 Thessalonians 2:17. In each of those three cases, the KJV translates the word as "desire" rather than "lust." The exceeding great and precious promises are an assurance that God has given in His word of bestowing blessings upon His people. There are no precious promises outside of Christ. Christ is the Promise of God.

For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy Seed, Which is Christ. Galatians 3:16 

 

6 But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. Hebrews 8:6-7

The first covenant was between God and man; the second, and better covenant, with better promises, was (is) between God the Father and God the Son. That better covenant is first mentioned in Genesis 15:7-17.

(6) The precious blood of Christ

Except for the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary, noneof us have any hope.

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9

In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; Hebrews 10:19-20

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

(7) Jesus Christ Himself is Precious 

4 To Whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone Which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. 1 Peter 2:4-7

It is imperative to see and understand two basic Christian tenets: (1) We were created for His pleasure; and (2) It pleased God the Father that all things should be centered in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. 1 Corinthians 10:26

For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9

Behold My Servant, Whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased: I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, Which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son;

14 In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sin:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature:

16 For 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:

17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist [or hold together].

18 And He is the Head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the First born from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.

19 For it please the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell. Colossians 1:12-19

The intention in the heart of God in bringing this universe into existence was that, ultimately, the whole creation should display His glory. But for the Lord Jesus Christ, the whole universe would disintegrate and fall apart. The Father's purpose is to have a universe peopled with those conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, a people who are a universal manifestation of Christ glorified with the glory of the Father. That day is soon coming! What a privilege and an honor! Amen!