1:18Ephesians 1:18

Paul prayed that God would give believers the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him, with understanding enlightened to grasp the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the greatness of His power.GC88 dB.5+2 Enlightened eyes are the eyes of the heart and mind opened by the divine Spirit, for spiritual things are spiritually discerned and the glory beheld is the Redeemer's character.GC88 dB.5+3 The hope of His calling is Christ Himself living within believers, Christ in them the hope of glory, known with joy unspeakable when the understanding is enlightened to see truth clearly.Ms 90, 1903, par. 17–20+4 The riches of the glory of His inheritance are the saints themselves, His redeemed people in purity and perfection as His precious treasure and the reward of His suffering, whose salvation satisfies Him for the travail of His soul.6T 309.4–5+1 This sight is given as the Bible and the life of Christ are studied and meditated upon daily, and as self is denied, prayer is made, and heart and mind are surrendered to be worked by the Holy Spirit.Lt 123, 1902, par. 9–10+4

Paul heard of faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints and gave thanks, praying that the God of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, with the eyes of the understanding enlightened to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe.GC88 dB.5+4 That power was shown in raising Christ from the dead and setting Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name named both in this world and in that which is to come, and He is a present help in every time of need.Lt 105, 1904, par. 16–19+1 The same enlightenment brings an enlightened, holy and blameless condition belonging to those placed in churches and institutions, with individual transformation, humbling before God and repentance not to be repented of, finding Him who is light and life with the heart aglow with love for Jesus Christ, urgently needed in trying times when many churches and even ministers have lost the truth and remain unchanged unless heart and perception are changed.Lt 105, 1904, par. 16–19+1 It gives wisdom and unerring judgment liberally to one who inquires of God and not of man, enabling a minister set as a laborer together with God in his apportioned portion of the vineyard to use brain power, plan his work where needed, study carefully the wants of believers and necessities of unbelievers, consider every part of his field, and discern by grace with humility and faith what to do and what not to do so as to labor wisely and successfully.Lt 8, 1895, par. 34–35

The eyes of the understanding being enlightened is the ministry of the divine Spirit to enlighten the understanding and open the mind to the deep things of God's holy Word.GC88 dB.5+1 This was the blessing sought for the Ephesian church, that they might know the hope of His calling and the exceeding greatness of His power to them who believe.GC88 dB.5+1 The eyes enlightened are the eyes of the heart, and the eyes of the mind opened by spiritual vision.Lt 105, 1904, par. 16–19+1 Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and the glory to be beheld is the Redeemer's character.Lt 24, 1892, par. 30

The verse stands among the assurances given again and again through Ephesians 1 that believers are accepted by God, and among the divine promises that truly converted men and women are to study and claim in all their depth and fullness.Lt 61, 1910, par. 10–11 Claiming it corrects lack of faith in the power of God that leans on the arm of the law and trusts in worldly powers.Lt 61, 1910, par. 10–11 The first chapter of Ephesians sets forth the Lord's order for His work, requiring labor for His vineyard as a whole without disproportion, keeping full zeal, fervor and energy in saving souls ready to perish while not consuming all time and means in one line to the neglect of the rest, lest the work be swayed into wrong lines.Lt 85, 1900, par. 17 It calls for enlightened understanding through careful study of the first chapter of Ephesians, connected with living as God's property and carefully caring for His workmanship and building.Lt 116, 1898, par. 8–11

Enlightened understanding enables believers to know the hope attached to God's calling and the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints.Ms 90, 1903, par. 17–20+3 This is one of the privileges of the Christian for the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus, given in Paul's prayer of thanksgiving for their faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all saints, that the Father of glory would grant the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.Ms 128, 1901, par. 43–44 Enlightened spiritual understanding comes with that wisdom and revelation in knowing God, and it is joined to knowing His great power toward those who believe.7T 154.2

The hope of His calling is Christ Jesus living in believers, Christ in them the hope of glory.Ms 13, 1892, par. 10–12+1 When God enlightens the understanding, believers see truth more clearly and recognize Christ formed within them.RH Jan 5, 1911+1 Knowing this privilege brings joy unspeakable and full of glory, and truth once seen only dimly can then be seen clearly with a sure hope as Christ is formed within the heart.Ms 13, 1892, par. 10–12+1 The hope is known by sincere self-examination of whether one is a Christian looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of faith, with all hopes of eternal life centered in Him, for faithfulness means self is crucified and dies so Christ lives within, and those in whom He lives stand in integrity of soul and represent Him to the world.Ms 35, 1891, par. 47 In trials this clearer spiritual sight deepens appreciation of the Saviour's love and enables witness to the truth.RH Jan 5, 1911

That hope includes Christ presenting believers to God as loyal subjects of His kingdom and defending them against Satan's powers, through whom they become conquerors.Ms 41, 1897, par. 28–30+1 This inheritance belongs to those who believe in Christ, whom He so presents.Ms 70a, 1897, par. 6 This knowledge comes through the Spirit of wisdom and revelation and belongs to personal experience with Jesus Christ, making faith earnest and effective in overcoming Satan's strongholds.Ms 27, 1894, par. 24–28 It belongs also to practical godliness and daily conversion.Lt 96, 1898, par. 30–31 As part of the wisdom and revelation of knowing God, it grounds a humble, wholly consecrated life of service.Lt 266, 1903, par. 22–23

The riches of the glory of His inheritance are the saints themselves, Christ's redeemed people viewed as His precious and particular treasure, like jewels and stones set in a crown.6T 309.4–5+2 In their purity and perfection they are regarded as the reward of His suffering, humiliation and love, and in them He sees the result of His suffering and is satisfied for the travail of His soul.6T 309.4–5+2 They add to His glory, for He is the great Center from whom all glory radiates.RH Oct 22, 1908 Those who labor for Him may rejoice when those they have helped are brought into His presence at His coming, for such souls are their glory and joy and prove that faithful work has not been in vain.RH Jan 5, 1905

That inheritance is the great salvation brought by Christ's righteousness when it is accepted, an inheritance among the saints and angels in the presence of God.8MR 40.3 It was unfolded before the heavenly universe when Christ, the Commander of all heaven and One with God, clothed His divinity with humanity so that humanity might touch humanity.8MR 40.3 He humbled Himself to dwell on earth, to become acquainted with the temptations and trials by which man is beset, and He placed Himself among the poor to understand affliction as a human being.8MR 40.3 The believer's share in this inheritance is assured until redemption, and it is known through enlightened understanding that grasps the hope of God's calling and the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe, given through the Spirit's wisdom and revelation.Lt 126, 1898, par. 3–5

Every human being is of consequence with God, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him in love.7MR 373.3–375.2+1 Such are predestined to adoption as children by Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will, made accepted in the Beloved, given redemption through His blood with forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace.7MR 373.3–375.2 They are shown the mystery of His will to gather together in one all things in Christ, and are given an inheritance to the praise of His glory.7MR 373.3–375.2 They are joined to the same power that raised Christ from the dead and set Him at God's right hand far above all principality and power and might and dominion.7MR 373.3–375.2

Enlightened understanding is not given alone but together with knowledge of the exceeding greatness of God's power toward those who believe, for the prayer to know the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints belongs with the Spirit's wisdom and revelation in knowing God and with discernment of that power.7T 154.2+4 That inheritance is assured until redemption, and the same enlightenment opens the whole order of choosing in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love, predestination to adoption by Jesus Christ, acceptance in the Beloved, redemption by His blood with forgiveness according to riches of grace, revelation of the mystery of His will to gather all things in Christ, and bestowal of an inheritance to the praise of His glory.7MR 373.3–375.2+1 It is Paul's thanksgiving for faith in Jesus and love to the saints, asking the Father of glory for that enlightened heart and perception, and it is a prayer to be prayed earnestly for determination to overcome every defect of character by unceasing watchfulness and striving rather than self-deception about faults, so as to grow in grace instead of being ruined and reproducing defects in others.Ms 142, 1909, par. 25–27+1

That power is the working of His might which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and principality and might and every name named both in this world and in that which is to come.Lt 105, 1904, par. 16–19+2 It was displayed in Christ's resurrection and exaltation above every authority, and to those connected with God's work who seek Him with the whole heart He is thereby a present help in every time of need.Lt 105, 1904, par. 16–19+2 Its greatness is manifested when grace turns men away from their own thoughts and desires, makes them willing to die to self, leads them to believe on Christ and trust in Him, raises them from spiritual death to spiritual life and to immortality, and seals them as His forever through obedience to His commands, with holiness of heart and works and spirit obtained through belief of the truth.Lt 123, 1902, par. 9–10 This enlightenment is given to all who deny self and, taking up the cross, follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and the blessedness of following His guidance cannot be expressed in words, for Christ pledges to work with those who strive to represent Him in thought, word, and deed, encouraging them when cast down and uplifting them without exalting them in their own estimation, giving them the earnest of His Spirit while recognizing their weakness in wearing His yoke.Lt 123, 1902, par. 9–10

By this work the capacities of the mind expand to take in heavenly beauties and blessed promises, and this comes only by believing in Jesus and learning from Him as the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, whose grace acts mightily upon intellect and heart.Lt 29, 1889, par. 23+1 His grace gives clearness to mental vision and compass to the power of thought, creates ideas, fills soul hunger, softens and subdues the heart, fills it with glowing love that neither discouragement nor despondency nor affliction nor trial can quench, and in this way God opens to the mind His preciousness and His fullness.Lt 29, 1889, par. 23+1 This enlightened, holy and blameless condition is what belongs to men placed in His churches and institutions.Lt 105, 1904, par. 16–19 It means enlightened heart and perception bringing individual transformation, humbling before God with repentance that need not be repented of, heeding Christ's counsel to be zealous and repent, and finding Him who is light and life with the heart aglow with the love of Jesus Christ, and it is urgently needed in trying times now present, when many churches and even ministers of the gospel have lost the truth and remain unchanged unless heart and perception are changed.Lt 105, 1904, par. 16–19+1

This enlightened sight comes through God's own light, not through natural reason or intellectual learning alone, for heart and mind must be brought into harmony with God and made receptive to truth.Ms 64, 1895, par. 11–12 With the eyes of faith believers behold Jesus, see no glory in self, and receive the reflected glory of the Redeemer.Ms 64, 1895, par. 11–12 As the atonement and the taking away of sin are recognized, gratitude leads to surrender to God and learning from Christ, and as God's love is known and His promises grasped the heart is emptied of self, the waters of life flow, and the believer is changed into Christ's likeness.Ms 64, 1895, par. 11–12

The blessing is realized as the Bible is studied and the life of Christ and the plan of redemption are meditated upon daily, for these great themes open more and more to the understanding.RH Oct 22, 1908+2 They unfold the infinite, exhaustless love and compassion of the Heavenly Father in giving His Son to die for the world, whose length and breadth and depth and height tongue cannot utter, which may be searched in Scripture and studied for ages yet never be fully comprehended, with eternity itself never fully revealing it.RH Oct 22, 1908+2 When people search Scripture with determined effort to know the truth and obtain its very marrow, the Holy Spirit opens their minds so the Word becomes a new revelation.CT 430.1+1 Then faith is made living and quickened to new life, wondrous things are seen out of His law, and the teachings of Christ are found to have a breadth and depth and meaning never understood before, which is needed because human understanding adds dross by making falsehood appear as truth.CT 430.1+1

The enlightenment is given to all who deny self and, taking up the cross, follow in the footsteps of Jesus, a blessedness of following His guidance that cannot be expressed in words.Lt 123, 1902, par. 9–10 Those who present truth must talk with God in prayer before presenting any subject, hide self in Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit, and stand where they can be worked by the Spirit.RH Mar 24, 1904 Those connected with God's work make God their entire dependence by praying first before the day's work, inviting Christ to come in and take possession and control, crying after God in soul-hunger, wrestling until victory, and putting soul, body, and spirit into His hands to be moved by His will, controlled by His mind, and infused by His Spirit.10MR 233.2–3 Then they speak in the power of that Spirit in solemn, sacred work to souls in the valley of decision who may have life that measures with the life of God, and they receive anointed spiritual sight that lets them see heavenly things clearly and catch glimpses of the Holy One as Moses did.RH Mar 24, 1904+1

It calls for earnest use of the mind and brain power to understand the Spirit's work and to see what Christ and God are.Lt 8, 1895, par. 34–35+1 Each person must go to God for wisdom to understand the Lord's way and things clearly for themselves, since human wisdom alone cannot bear responsibilities, and to the one who inquires of God and not of man God gives wisdom and unerring judgment liberally.Lt 8, 1895, par. 34–35+1 For a minister set in a certain portion of the Lord's vineyard as a laborer together with God, this enables planning his own work where he is needed, studying carefully the wants of believers and the necessities of unbelievers, considering every part of the vineyard apportioned to him, and discerning by grace with humility and faith what he shall do and what he shall not do, so as to become a wise and successful laborer.Lt 8, 1895, par. 34–35 Prayer and self-examination accompany the reading of these truths, as part of a prayer for deeper spiritual experience and discernment of spiritual things through the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ.Ms 114, 1898, par. 30–32+1

Enlightened understanding gives power to grasp the great themes of Christianity with their far-reaching principles, and to tell truth from error and light from darkness.15MR 90.2+1 It is spiritual vision for beholding the glory of the Redeemer's character, by which spiritual things are spiritually discerned.15MR 90.2+1 It gives discernment of good from evil, which sin-darkened reason lacks, so that a person does not trust in human beings but discerns God's perfect rule of righteousness.STB 365.1+2 That same sight discerns the designs of the enemy and warns others of danger, and knows God rightly as Father against the belittling theories of finite men.15MR 90.2+1

Through the Spirit, enlightened eyes look into the heart and examine every motive, testing each move and weighing conduct without gloss.2T 389.3+1 This removes Satan's false coloring and deceptive gloss from the sight and exposes deceptive views of one's own conduct.2T 389.3+1 It brings clear sight of errors and danger instead of self-confidence and willful refusal to yield, and teaches heeding the reproofs of the Spirit rather than trusting personal judgment as the only safety for walking surely.3T 244.2+1 So it leads to inward conversion and a renewed mind, to thorough cleansing of the heart and uprooting of cherished malice, not mere regret over particular wrong acts or willful self-confidence.STB 365.1+2

God satisfies His children's yearning for peace and holiness by opening the eyes of understanding to the truths of His Word.ST Mar 26, 1902 Resting in His love they are strengthened and established, made steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.ST Mar 26, 1902 In trials clearer sight deepens appreciation of the Saviour's love and enables witness to the truth, as Christ formed within is recognized as the hope of glory.RH Jan 5, 1911 Open eyes stay open to see need, awaken the sympathies of the heart, and oblige action, while deliberately closed eyes that will not see leave men hardened and selfish and unfit to serve God in any capacity.Ms 34, 1900, par. 68

Enlightened understanding opens the mind to receive the light and privileges of Bible truth, and this equips workers for Christian service and mission.FE 111.3 It makes believers realize how near the end of earth's history is, leading to earnest work for repentance, seeking God while He may be found, soundness in the faith, and going into the cities to proclaim the last message of warning to those in the darkness of error.Lt 187, 1905, par. 16 Those whose eyes are enlightened perceive God's work more clearly and become increasingly consecrated to His service, serving God and leading others to Him with greater capacity to advance the gospel.Lt 135, 1897, par. 8 It also opens the mind to perceive spiritual truth in nature, seeing the harmony of God's laws with awe and reverence for the Creator and His loving care, with surrender to Jesus and faith in Him bringing strength of purpose and steadiness of character.MYP 410.1

The verse is a prayer to pray earnestly for determination to overcome every defect of character by unceasing watchfulness and striving against every imperfection.RH Jun 11, 1901 It forbids self-deception that defects are not grievous, lest they ruin the soul and be reproduced in associates, and points instead to growth in grace.RH Jun 11, 1901 Enlightened understanding helps believers see themselves in a new light, learn from God, and become His workmen whose hope, confidence, and effectiveness for work come from God and not from themselves.RH Jun 11, 1901+1 It includes recognizing the value of reason and using God-given money and influence to elevate and ennoble others for His glory rather than wasting them on tobacco and liquor, and giving children opportunity to give their lives to God and share the divine nature through Jesus Christ.Ms 18, 1894, par. 21–22 God desires enlightened eyes and quickened hearts to discern the gospel treasure entrusted for this time, to be nerved and strengthened by His power to perfect character after the divine likeness and cleanse the heart by applying Scripture to self, for the light shining from God's throne on the pathway is the standard of the last judgment, and failure dishonors the Saviour and casts reflection on God.RH Jun 22, 1905

Eyes are opened when Christ is revealed to the soul, as when the blind man received natural sight and came to know and receive Jesus as the Son of God and the Sent of God.DA 474.3–5 The Spirit and power of God opens blind eyes of understanding so people see Christ, know Him by experimental knowledge, and take Him at His word in the simplicity of true godliness.Ms 143, 1906, par. 12 Truth once seen only dimly is then seen clearly by the Holy Spirit's enlightening with heavenly truth, bringing sure hope of glory as Christ is formed within the heart.Lt 71, 1903, par. 5–7 This enlightening is Christ abiding in the heart by grace, by which believers discern far more clearly the meaning of true missionary work and do not subject Christ's gifts to the criticism and scorn of obdurate worldlings.Lt 8, 1901, par. 17 It also gives clear discernment of spiritual matters and of what God is calling to, weighing wisely what is needed both nearby and farther away.STB 524.2