Knowing His Greatness

In the early 90’s, the youth group I helped with went on a mission trip to the United Kingdom. While in London, we got to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and then we watched a motorcade drive by with Queen Elizabeth II sitting in the back of a forest green Jaguar. I can still remember the awe and excitement of being that close to royalty. We also got to see the crown jewels at the Tower of London – symbols of majesty and centuries of rulership, dominion and power.[1] But these are mere shadows of the majesty, dominion, and greatness of God.

We will continue taking a closer look at Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers particularly in knowing God. We’ve examined three ways of growing in our knowledge of God: knowing the hope to which God has called us, knowing “what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (vs 18), and knowing His power (vs 19-20a). This week we will consider the fourth way Paul prays for believers to know God: knowing His greatness.

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.[2]

Ephesians 1:15-23 (emphasis added)

Last week, we looked at knowing God’s power which raised Jesus from the dead. Verse 19 extends that power to also seating Jesus at God’s right hand in the heavenly places (vs 20b). The second part of verse 20 echoes Psalm 110:1: “The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Psalm 110 is a promise of victory, and it reaffirms Psalm 2 where “The Lord reigns over the nations through his anointed (messianic) king.”[3] The imagery of Psalm 110 is that of the ancient kings placing their feet on the necks of their defeated enemies.

Jesus is “enthroned in majesty and power” (Sinclair Ferguson). Jesus seated expresses His lordship, sovereignty, reign, and that He perfectly and completely, accomplished His purpose on earth. As Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished.”

To be seated at someone’s right hand symbolized a place of honor and power. Jesus seated in “the heavenly places” signifies His eminence. Not only is Jesus seated in the heavenly places, but He is “far above” all other powers.

“…until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time – he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:14b-15, emphasis added).

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16, emphasis added).

Paul utilizes four terms to illustrate the totality of Jesus’ preeminence – rule, authority, power, and dominion. These “were traditional Jewish terms to designate angelic beings of great rank and might.”[4] We get some sense of Jesus greatness, but Paul’s readers would have understood Paul’s use of words in a personal way. The Ephesian culture was fearful of spiritual forces. Paul targets their fear with the truth that God is far above and over all the spiritual forces. And, to leave no doubt whatsoever, Paul adds, “and above every name that is named.” Remember the imagery of the footstool? The victorious king with his foot on the enemy’s neck? Jesus is THE victorious King with all majesty and dominion over all other rule, authority, power, and dominion.

It is helpful here to look at two other passages.

“15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent”[5] (Colossians 1:15-18). This is one of if not the strongest testaments to Jesus’ preeminence. All other dominions, rulers, or authorities were created by Him, and He is victorious over them.

“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings’ he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21). We are generally more aware of earthly rulers and often look to them for safety or provision. Given our current political climate, we are tempted to live in fear of what the elections will bring, but Daniel inspired by the Holy Spirit writes that it is God who removes kings and sets up kings. Earthly rulers or spiritual forces have no power that God has not in His sovereignty given them for His good purposes.

Paul further writes that Jesus’ majesty and dominion are not only in this age but also in the one to come. His majesty and dominion are present and future, forever. No ruler, authority, power, dominion, or any name can ever stand against Jesus, or overthrow, negate, impede, frustrate, hinder, or circumvent His purposes. Jesus has all majesty and dominion forever. Our victorious Savior has secured our resurrection and our future glory.

Next week, we will see how Jesus’ power, majesty, and dominion relate to protecting and blessing the church, but for this week, we should remember the greatness, the power, the majesty, the dominion of God who indwells us. Far too often, we make the small things big, and we make little the surpassing greatness of our God. Our lives would be transformed if we set our minds on the greatness, power, majesty, and dominion of God.

Reflection

1.    List examples of God’s greatness, power, majesty, or dominion from Scripture or in creation.

2.    What do you tend to fear or what people and circumstances do you make BIG? How does remembering the greatness, power, majesty, and dominion of God put those fears, people, or circumstances in their proper perspective? Be specific.

3.    How does the greatness, power, majesty, and dominion of God encourage and comfort you?

4.    A right response to the greatness of God is to worship Him. You may have your own, but here are a few worship songs from my playlist.

Newsboys, “The Greatness of Our God”

Sovereign Grace Music, “How Great (Psalm 145)”

Sovereign Grace Music, “Greater Than We Can Imagine”

[1] The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom have been in existence since 1661 when St. Edward’s Crown was made for the coronation of King Charles II.

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 1:15–23.

[3] Mark D. Futato, “The Book of Psalms,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 7: The Book of Psalms, The Book of Proverbs (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009), 350.

[4] John F. MacArthur Jr., Ephesians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 48–49.

[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 1:15–18.