The foundation is made up of the apostles and prophets: “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,” (Ephesians 2:20 NKJV).
The prophets mentioned in this verse are the Old Testament prophets who pointed to the Messiah, the Christ, the King of all creation, who was standing in the midst of those men declaring the Kingdom of God and the defeat of the kingdom of darkness. In Matthew 16:19 Jesus declares that these men will receive the “keys of the kingdom” which will open the door to a whole new beginning for the human race. They will have authority that comes from heaven to “bind and loose” both in the heavenly and earthly realms. Those keys are:
- MESSIAH’S PRESENT REIGN: Jesus is already seated on His eternal throne. He is above all principalities and powers (Ephesians 1:19-23; Colossians 2:15). The nations are already His (Psalm 8).
- THE HOUSE HE IS BUILDING: this house is the work of the Spirit through living stones built together for the dwelling place of God. It is the house that God promised David in 2 Samuel 7.
- A WHOLE NEW GOVERNMENT: Jesus’ enthronement brought a new government from Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26). Jesus judged the government of apostate Israel and removed it. He established His Kingdom government on the earth. That government consists of a five-fold gifting of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or elders, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). This government was established to govern Israel (Galatians 6:16). It also consists of a kingdom of priests made up of believers. Jesus Himself being the High Priest (1 Peter 2:5-9).
- THE MANDATE that both Adam and Israel of the Old Testament failed to fulfill: which was to deal with evil and to build a godly community upon righteousness and justice that the nations would desire to come and receive their King.
Many of God’s people stumble when affliction and persecution come into their lives because they have not read, or they have not believed the words of Jesus Christ. Jesus wants to keep us from stumbling. We must accept His Word and be filled with His Holy Spirit in order to not stumble but to stand firm. Paul expressed it this way: “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” (Ephesians 6:13–14 NASB).
We live in an evil day, but the enemy’s time is short. His complete defeat is near. Jesus judged him in His victory on the cross. Jesus overcame Satan in the power of His resurrection, “the genesis” of which began in hell itself! Jesus commissioned the church with the assignment of cleaning up the mess with the help of the Holy Spirit. As His servants, we are to declare to the world the freedom that Christ has made possible from the kingdom of darkness. The Holy Spirit makes available to every believer the overcoming power necessary to live above the system of the world: “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’” (Acts 2:40 NKJV).
We are to believe the words of Jesus as given to His first disciples. We are to be prepared to be persecuted for His name’s sake. We are to be filled with His Holy Spirit and stand firm, resisting in the evil day. We must earnestly pray: “Lord, grant me grace to stand and not stumble. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit every day. Use me to demonstrate Your overcoming life in the power of Your Holy Spirit and lead others to the victory You have purchased.”