May 17, 2021
By Rick Combs
Unique to the Apostle Paul’s revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ recorded in his epistles is the focus on the Heavenly Calling and spiritual blessings for the body of Christ. You don’t find this anywhere else except Paul’s epistles.
Right here – we need to make a decision that we are going to believe what the Word of God says to us. It is straight foreword. Are we going to believe the revelation given to the Apostle Paul from the Lord Jesus Christ?
Here we go…
Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”.
Where are we blessed with all spiritual blessings? In Heavenly Places! Not earthly but heavenly. Why? Because our home and realm of authority is in heaven – Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ”.
It is interesting that Strong’s Concordance (G4175) gives the meaning from the Greek text in this passage; the administration of civil affairs or of a commonwealth. In the ages to come, our calling is to administrate governmental affairs – in heaven – under the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:6 tells us that God “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. In Christ, we as the body of Christ are now raised up together and seated! Please notice the focus is NOT earth, but heavenly places. At this time, we are seated in Christ with God waiting for our eternal positions.
Therefore, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”. Colossians 3:1-2
Where is our focus suppose to be? Colossians 3:1-2 speaks for itself. Obeying this verse and studying it makes us more useful to those around us for it causes us to walk in the Spirit as we believe God’s Word. This is NOT a “too heavenly minded to be no earthly good” sort of thing.
Colossians 1:16 & 20 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him”. and20 “Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven”.
There are several things to notice with Colossians 1:16 and 20;
1. By Jesus Christ all things were created in heaven and in earth.
2. What things? On earth – visible thrones, dominions, principalities, powers. These are governmental structures that organize nations and are seen in the natural realm.
3. In heaven – invisible thrones, dominions, principalities, powers. These are governmental structures that organize the angelic realm and are in the spiritual realm.
4. It is God’s plan and purpose to reconcile all of these things – governmental structures – unto Jesus Christ that He might be all in all; the head of all creation.
The time period we are referring to is the “ages to come” – Ephesians 2:7.
This is our heavenly inheritance! Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18; Colossians 1:12; 3:24.
We will flesh out more detail in our next post.
Grace and Peace unto you…