Video Notes: 

• This is a list of 4 sets of 2 merisms, two things that state the opposite extremes and include everything in between.
  • Death and life – This refers the physical death and life. Nothing in the human experience of life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
  • Angels and rulers – This one is trickier and there is some leeway in what could be meant, however, the general concept is that of spiritual beings both good and evil.
    • Angels are generally spoken of in the Bible as from God and the rulers tend to be against God (Ephesians 6:12).
  • Present and future – Nothing throughout all time, neither things happening previously.
  • Powers – Seems to be another reference to spiritual beings, possibly angels, or to other powers or even earthly powers.
  • Height and depth – All of special existence, known and unknown. Nothing in the heavens. Nothing in the depths of the oceans. Nothing anywhere. Psalm 139:8
    • Ephesians 3:18-19 – This could also be seen to include all knowledge and love.
  • Any other created thing – Just in case you can come up with some other thing that doesn’t fit any of the preceding list, this covers it. Only God is uncreated. So, anything else you can think of, also cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
• Who isn’t listed here? You. (Luke 8:13-14, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Hebrews 6:4-8, etc.) You can walk away, but this isn’t the point of the passage. Also, we should note that walking away from God is not something you can accidently do.
• This passage is a passage of extreme assurance.