Visual Theology – Ephesians ?

This chart shows the structure. What follows explains each part.

Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

God’s Eternal Administration in Christ

God’s eternal administration is revealed in Ephesians 1:3-14. Its singular purpose, established “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), is to head up all things in Christ. This unfolds through history, culminating when God will “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which on earth” (Ephesians 1:10).

The Purpose of the Father’s Good Pleasure

The Father’s good pleasure is to bring many sons to glory, displaying the riches of His grace. The blessings of being chosen, predestined to sonship, redeemed, and forgiven (Ephesians 1:4-7) are steps in this purpose, all “to the praise of the glory of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6). Our inheritance is intrinsically tied to Christ’s headship and God’s glory, as we are predestined “according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

A Unified Plan Through the Ages

This economy is a single, unified plan. Every period—creation, Israel, the church, the millennial kingdom—is a step toward heading up all things in Christ. The church, as Christ’s body, is central. We are not just blessed but are God’s means to display His manifold wisdom (Ephesians 3:10) and are called “the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:23). Colossians 1:16-19 confirms all things were created by, through, and for Christ, with the church as His body.

The Culmination of All Things

The purpose culminates in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1). The New Jerusalem becomes the eternal display of God’s glory with the redeemed. The millennial kingdom is a transitional cleansing, leading to the final unification where “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15).

Grace as the Operative Principle

God’s grace is the operative principle throughout. By grace we are made sons, given an inheritance, redeemed, and seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). We are chosen as vessels of mercy to display “the riches of his glory” (Romans 9:23). In the ages to come, the church will be on display, and all creation will proclaim, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” (Revelation 5:12). God’s administration is Christ-centered, grace-worked, and aimed at His glory in the unification of all things in Christ.