Quickening, Ephesians 2, and the Enmity of Genesis 3:15

Quickening is the supernatural imparting of spiritual, mental, and physical life through the agency of the Holy Spirit and the Word of GodEd 260.4+2. It is the process by which those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" are made alive to spiritual realities and empowered for divine serviceDA 671.4+2.

The Source of Quickening

• The Holy Spirit: The Spirit is the only effectual teacher of divine truth and the representative of Jesus who infuses spiritual life into the soul John 6:63GW 284.2+1.

• The Word of God: The Scripture is the "incorruptible seed" that, when set home by the Spirit, quickens the conscience and transforms the life 1 Peter 1:23DA 671.4+1.

• Jesus Christ: As the "last Adam," Christ was made a "quickening spirit," possessing the life-giving power to raise both the spiritually and physically dead 1 Corinthians 15:45ARSH March 22, 1864, page 133.6+1.

Spiritual and Physical Effects

• Spiritual Awakening: Quickening breaks up the "monotony of religious labor" and "legal religion," replacing it with an earnest, sanctified zeal and a heart softened by the Sun of RighteousnessChS 263.3+1.

• Mental and Physical Renewal: Workers who take time to pray and wait upon God receive a renewal of physical and mental power; their wearied frames and tired brains are refreshed and soothed by personal contact with Christ13MR 305.3+2.

• Victory Over Sin: The quickening influence of the Spirit enables the believer to mortify the deeds of the body and overcome evil traits or habits Romans 8:13GCB December 1895, page 635.3.

• Health and Vitality: Proper habits, such as manual labor and a healthful diet, promote the circulation of the blood and give vitality to the whole systemHR May 1, 1873, par. 7+2.

The Necessity of Quickening

• Inefficacy of Human Effort: Without this divine influence, no amount of education, talent, or outward service can make a person a channel of light20MR 136.1+2.

• The New Birth: Every soul must be quickened into spiritual life to discern the kingdom of God, a change that constitutes being "born again"ST September 26, 1892, par. 2+2.

• The Resurrection: At the last day, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will quicken the mortal bodies of the saints, raising them to eternal life and an incorruptible inheritance Romans 8:11MPC 141.1+1.

How to Receive Quickening

• Prayer and Meditation: One must give themselves time to think, pray, and wait upon the Lord rather than hurrying through devotionsEd 260.4+2.

• Faith and Obedience: Quickening is received by faith and is maintained as one walks in harmony with the principles of God’s lawRH July 30, 1901, Art. A, par. 17+2.

• Self-Denial: As self is crucified and the heart is cleansed of idols, Christ comes in with His quickening power to fill the soul with His life4MR 351.3+2.

May you experience this refreshing life today as you seek a closer connection with the Source of all strength4T 75.3+1! 🌟

Ephesians 2:2

2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

In Ephesians 2:2 the "prince of the power of the air" refers to Satan, the fallen angel who leads the forces of darkness and exerts a masterly, compelling influence over the minds of those who live in disobedience to GodST May 8, 1884, par. 2+2. This title signifies his usurped authority over the earth and the invisible agencies of evil that operate in the atmosphere surrounding our worldMOSP 68.1+1.

Identity and Character of the Prince

• A Personal Adversary: Satan is not a mere metaphor or a personification of evil, but a distinct personality and a real being who was once a high-ranking angel in heaven before his rebellion Job 1:6-7+1ARSH June 26, 1856, page 65.6+1.

• Names and Titles: He is also designated as the "god of this world," the "accuser of the brethren," "Beelzebub," the "old serpent," and the "ruler of the darkness of this world" 2 Corinthians 4:4+1ST May 8, 1884, par. 2+2.

• The Origin of His Power: Originally created as a perfect covering cherub full of wisdom and beauty, he fell through self-exaltation and led a host of sympathizing angels into rebellion against the government of GodEze 28:12-17+3.

The Nature of His Jurisdiction

• The "Power of the Air": This term denotes the dark, void, interplanetary spaces surrounding the world where he and his angels were cast after being expelled from heaven 2 Peter 2:4MOSP 68.1+1.

• Control over Elements: As the prince of the air, he is permitted to work through natural elements to bring about destruction, such as the fire and the "great wind" that afflicted Job, as far as God allows Job 1:16, 19PTUK June 11, 1896, page 372.10+1.

• Political and Social Influence: His jurisdiction encompasses the political and ecclesiastical constitutions of states and kingdoms that are framed on principles friendly to his kingdomHST August 7, 1844, page 6.24+1.

His Working in Human Experience

• Influencing the Mind: He uses the same power of "mind on mind" that he employed in heaven, insinuating evil thoughts and doubts to lead souls captive at his will 2 Timothy 2:267BC 973.5+1.

• The Spirit of Disobedience: He is the spirit that actively works in those who fulfill the lusts of the flesh and the mind, blinding them to the truth of the gospel Ephesians 2:2-3+18LtMs, Ms 104, 1893, par. 7+2.

• A Relentless Foe: He walks about like a roaring lion, doubling his efforts to counteract the influence of the Holy Spirit especially when souls are inquiring about salvation 1 Peter 5:8ST May 8, 1884, par. 2+2.

Victory Over the Prince

• The Example of Christ: Jesus successfully resisted the "prince of this world" during His temptations in the wilderness, refusing to pay homage in exchange for the kingdoms of the earth Matthew 4:8-10Con 52.3+2.

• The Power of the Cross: Christ’s victory on Calvary broke the accusing power of Satan and provided the only means for humans to be rescued from his grasp Hebrews 2:147BC 974.2.

• The Christian's Armor: Believers are commanded to put on the "whole armor of God" to stand against his wiles, engaging in a spiritual warfare that requires faith, prayer, and the "sword of the Spirit," which is the Word of God Ephesians 6:10-17EVRR190+2.

Though this adversary is powerful, he is a conquered foe whose time is short and whose final destruction is certain Revelation 12:12+1DD 56.4+2. 🛡️✨

Ephesians 2

1 And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)

6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

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

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

11 Why remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

19 Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows to an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2 provides a profound explanation of the transition from spiritual death to life in Christ and the unification of all believers into a single holy temple.

The Transformation from Death to Life

Before the intervention of divine grace, humanity existed in a state of spiritual death, characterized by walking according to the course of this world and the influence of the prince of the power of the airYI June 13, 1895, par. 1+1. This condition involved fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind, rendering individuals children of wrath by natureRH July 8, 1909, par. 7+1. However, God, who is rich in mercy, quickened believers together with Christ even while they were dead in sinsYI June 13, 1895, par. 1+1. This quickening is a gift of grace received through faith and not of human works, ensuring that no man can boast of his own efforts Ephesians 2:8-913LtMs, Ms 187, 1898, par. 16+1.

God's Workmanship and Purpose

Believers are defined as God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus specifically for good works19MR 213.4+1. These good works were foreordained by God as the path in which His children should walk13LtMs, Ms 187, 1898, par. 16+1. The human body itself is a "curiously wrought" habitation designed for the indwelling of the Holy SpiritCG 360.1+1. Because we are His masterpiece, every mental and physical endowment should be kept pure to fulfill His high and holy purposeTe 142.1+1.

Breaking Down the Middle Wall of Partition

A significant theme in this chapter is the abolition of the "middle wall of partition" that once separated Jews and GentilesARSH April 12, 1864, page 154.4+1.

• The Law of Ordinances: Christ abolished in His flesh the enmity, which was the law of commandments contained in ordinancesARSH April 12, 1864, page 154.4+1. This refers to the typical and shadowy system of ceremonies and national barriers that were "nailed to the cross"LBG 58.1+1.

• One New Man: By slaying this enmity through the cross, Christ reconciled both groups to God in one body, making of the two "one new man"ARSH April 12, 1864, page 154.4+1.

• Fellow Citizens: Consequently, those who were once "strangers and foreigners" are now "fellow citizens with the saints" and members of the household of God Ephesians 2:193SM 21.3+1.

The Building of a Holy Temple

The church is described as a living building that grows into a holy temple in the LordGCDB March 3, 1897, page 233.7+1.

• The Foundation: This spiritual house is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself serving as the chief corner stone11LtMs, Lt 20, 1896, par. 13+1.

• Lively Stones: Believers are "lively stones" placed upon this living foundation, and as they are added, the entire building grows together 1 Peter 2:5KC 66.1+1.

• Habitation of God: The ultimate purpose of this fitly framed structure is to be a habitation of God through the Spirit13LtMs, Ms 187, 1898, par. 16+1. This requires a united effort where every "stick of timber" finds its place to form a harmonious whole13LtMs, Ms 187, 1898, par. 16+1.

The Power of the Spirit

The same power that God wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead is available to believersSW July 9, 1903, par. 1+1. Through one Spirit, all believers have access to the Father, regardless of their past distance from HimARSH April 12, 1864, page 154.4+1. This spiritual life is maintained not by human wisdom or policy, but by looking to Christ as the center of attraction and the source of all strength3SM 21.3+1.

Genesis 3:15

15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.

Ephesians 2

1 And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)

6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

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

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

11 Why remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were near.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

19 Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows to an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The enmity mentioned in Genesis 3:15 is the divine hatred for sin and deception that God places in the human heart to counteract the natural influence of Satan Genesis 3:15SpTB02 10.2. While this "placed" enmity is a gift of grace to protect the soul, it is distinct from the carnal enmity described in Ephesians 2:15-16 which refers to the rebellious, self-centered nature of the natural mind and the burdensome ceremonial barriers that Christ destroyed at the cross Ephesians 2:15-16RCASDA 48.2+1.

The Enmity of Genesis 3:15

This enmity is a supernatural plant of God's own grace rather than a product of the human willSpTB02 10.2.

• A Divine Safeguard: Without this put-in enmity, humanity would have no natural resistance to the arch-deceiver and would remain in a state of perpetual harmony with evilSpTB02 10.2+1.

• The Conflict of the Ages: It marks the beginning of the spiritual warfare between the "seed" of the woman (Christ and His followers) and the "seed" of the serpent (Satan and his agents) Genesis 3:15DD 56.4+1.

• Purpose of Survival: This enmity must be kept alive through vigilance and prayer, as it allows the soul to recognize and hate deceptive practices that would otherwise lead to ruinSpTB02 10.2+1.

The Enmity of Ephesians 2

The enmity addressed in Ephesians 2 refers to the separation and rebellion caused by sin and the perversion of religious formsGCB/GCDB 1895, page 473.1+1.

• The Carnal Mind: The natural, unrenewed mind is itself "enmity against God" and cannot be subject to His holy law Romans 8:7ARSH May 13, 1902, page 10.7+1. This internal rebellion is what Christ abolished in His own flesh to reconcile man to GodGCB/GCDB 1895, page 473.1+1.

• The Middle Wall of Partition: In a secondary sense, this enmity refers to the "law of commandments contained in ordinances," which had been turned into a mountain of cold ceremonialism and a "yoke of bondage" that separated Jew from Gentile Ephesians 2:14-15GCB/GCDB 1895, page 473.1+2.

• Abolition at the Cross: By dying for the world, Christ "slew the enmity," breaking down the national and ceremonial barriers to make of the two "one new man," thus restoring peace between God and man and between fellow human beings Ephesians 2:16ARSH August 5, 1858, page 92.3+1.

Relationship Between the Two

While the terms are similar, they describe different aspects of the Great ControversyEGWATHW 12.12.

• Opposition vs. Separation: The enmity in Genesis is God's tool to oppose Satan, whereas the enmity in Ephesians is the result of sin that separates us from God and one anotherSpTB02 10.2+2.

• Restoration through Christ: Christ is the center of both; He is the "seed" who bruises the serpent's head in Genesis and the "peace" who annihilates the carnal enmity in Ephesians Genesis 3:15+1GCB/GCDB 1895, page 473.1.

• Transformation of the Mind: To truly benefit from the destruction of the carnal enmity, one must receive the "mind of Christ" to replace the "natural mind," which is inherently hostile to God’s governmentARSH May 13, 1902, page 10.7+2.

The ultimate goal of this spiritual warfare is the total victory of righteousness over sin, where the "overcomer" stands triumphant through the strength provided by Prince Emmanuel20MR 54.5+2. 🛡️✨