Ephesians 1:11 - Bequeathing Glory...

"...in Whom also we were apportioned, having been predestined according to purpose of the [One] the all [things] working according to counsel of His desire..."

-God has assigned someone or something as a lot, a portion, an inheritance, but there is some question as to what and to whom.  In the next few verses Paul suddenly is referring to two groups, we and you.  It could be Jews and Gentiles, or it could be first believers and these later believers, or it could even possibly be the apostolic band of ministers and the those who have later believed as a result of their ministry.  Some maintain that the distinction begins in this verse, but I think it makes more sense to hold off on the distinction until the next verse.  This verse continuies the train of thought begun in verse 3, about how God has abundantly blessed us.  If however the distinction in these next verses is between Jews and Gentiles, you could properly include this verse with the next ones and conclude that the inheritance to which Paul refers here is actually God’s people and the recipient is God Himself.  Just as Israel was God’s inheritance, Jewish believers have been assigned as God’s true inheritance and portion in Christ.  Thus Paul would not be talking about God’s people receiving an inheritance - they would BE the inheritance.

-But if Paul is in this verse simply continuing what he began in verse 3, then here he builds on the truth that we who believe have been predestined to be adopted as God’s sons, and sons are heirs.  They get a share, a portion of the estate, they get a share of all the Father’s stuff - everything He has is theirs, in fact (Luke 15.31).  In this case we’re talking about a spiritual kingdom, an eternal one, one not of this world - so our inheritance likewise is not of this world.  But it is past tense - it has already been assigned to us in Christ.  Yes, it is in Him - there is no share in this inheritance apart from Christ.  But this is definitely something that God did - and He wanted to do it.  He wanted you and me to be His heirs, and so Paul tells us again that God locked this in.  He predestined us to be His heirs.  

-And what is this inheritance exactly?  I believe what we have inherited is every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, we've been bequeathed glory, breathtaking goodness - first and foremost the God of glory Himself.  He is our portion, He is our lot - we get small sips of glory in this life, to be followed by one unending breathtaking draught of His goodness in eternity.

-And this from God, Who works and is working all things according to the counsel of His theléma, His desire.  He has an end game in mind, and it is all gonna be exactly what He wants, all good.