RAISED INTO HEAVENLY REALMS Doctrinal Presentation The statements made about this realm are all central, and conducive to much thought. They are not presented as a sort of creedal statement, but are all pertinent to our daily lives in Christ Jesus. Number 1, Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in THE HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ" (1:3). Number 2, Ephesians 1:20 " . . . which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in THE HEAVENLY PLACES, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come" (1:20). Number 3, Ephesians 2:6 " . . . and raised us up together, and made us sit together in THE HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ Jesus" (2:6). Number 4, Ephesians 3:10 " . . . and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in THE HEAVENLY PLACES, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (3:10). Number 5, Ephesians 6:12 " . . . For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in THE HEAVENLY PLACES" (6:12). -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 11 of 16
The NIV translates the expression "heavenly realms." An alternative translation is "heavenlies," used in Darby's translation. The precise Greek word employed is used five times in the Bible. They are all in the book of Ephesians: 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12. The KJV translates the word "heavenly places" four times, and "high places" once (6:12).
There is an area of blessing for the inner man--a realm of spiritual benefit and advantage. These benefits are only accessible in the lofty domain called "the heavenly places." They are realized in Jesus Christ, and come from the hand of the Living God Himself. There are no spiritual blessings that are not in this realm. They are ALL there. If men choose to live in the flesh, or apart from fellowship with the Son, into which we have been called (1 Cor 1:9), there are NO spiritual blessings to be had--no lasting, or eternal, benefits. Further, these blessings are intended for the saints, belonging to all who are in the Son.
This is the realm into which Jesus ascended. It is where He is presently enthroned, mediating the New Covenant, interceding for the saints, and administering the affairs of the Kingdom over which He presides. The place occupied by Jesus is described as "at His (the Father's) right hand." By being "far above all" all forms of delegated authority, we are to understand He is not subject to, and cannot be changed by, competing influences. Because of this, His will is invincible, unchangeable, and will at last defeat all foes.
Not only has the Lord Jesus been elevated to these lofty realms, all who are in Him have also been placed there. Their presence is currently in the first fruits sense, with the fulness yet to come, when God unveils the Son in all of His glory (1 Tim 6:15). This place is experienced by faith, yet is replete with advantages and profound experiences for the saints.
There are other personalities in this realm. They are presently being taught how abundant, diverse, and effective the marvelous "wisdom of God" is. This is being made known "through the church," which is the appointed repository for all the "fulness" of Christ (1:23).
While some believe these principalities and powers are adversarial, and the same as those mentioned in Ephesians 6:12, I do not believe this to be the case. Satan and his cohorts have been bound with everlasting chains of darkness (2 Pet 2:4). They are incapable of change, and thus cannot learn from or about God. There are no special Divine projects designed to teach truth to the devil, or show him some marvelous quality of God.
It is the holy principalities and powers that are being shown wonderful aspects of God's wisdom--facets that they have never seen before. That wisdom is being directed toward 'the church," and the heavenly domain is filled with interested spectators who delight to behold the wisdom of their God. Believers do well to consider how this gallery of lofty learners are impressed with their lives and insights.
At the lower extremity of these unseen realms, a fierce conflict exists. There are adversarial powers engaged in an aggressive effort to subvert the purpose of God in the saints. We are to understand that they are engaged in an effort to keep us from obtaining "all spiritual blessings" now, and the eternal inheritance "then."
These opponents make every effort to keep us from entering into the most holy place--the heavenly places, in which "all spiritual blessings" are found. They do not occupy the heart of this realm, but
on the lower edge, so to speak. The "whole armor of God," so vital to standing firm in the faith, only has utility in the heavenly places. It has no value, and cannot be worn, if one lives according to the flesh.
The higher we rise in the Spirit, the more aggressively they oppose us. Those who live in the domain of flesh with their heads nailed to the earth, do not grapple with these powers. Because they walk in the flesh, they cannot please God, and are His enemies, their religious profession notwithstanding (Rom 8:6-8).
It should be evident to you that THE HEAVENLY PLACES are central to your life in Christ Jesus. Many believers have heard precious little about THE HEAVENLY PLACES. Rather than being subjected to the glories of this realm, they are told such things as, "Don't be so heavenly minded you are of no earthly good." Such statements reflect an abysmal ignorance of the nature and effects of salvation. The notion that you can be "too heavenly minded" is like saying there are too many spiritual blessings, or that we have been elevated too highly in Christ Jesus. Expressions like that are in the category of "dung," or "refuse," which are to be cast away by believers (Phil 3:8).
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for providing a realm in which only benefits are found.