#25 Heavenly Places
Today we’ll look at the last key doctrinal issue wrapped up in understanding the mystery of Christ, which is our heavenly position in Him.
Remember, in times past, Israel was a peculiar people separated for God’s earthly purpose with promises and covenants yet to be fulfilled. In the ages to come, Jesus will return to set up his kingdom at which point Israel will receive her full atonement, hence accomplishing God’s earthly purpose. This all has to do with prophecy.
Today, under the mystery of the cross, and the dispensation of the grace of God, both Jews and Gentiles are in equal standing with God. He sees everyone through the finished work of the cross, giving a heavenly position to anyone who believes.
so that…
“…in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” – Eph 1:10
“… and having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. … reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” – Col 1:20-22
And now…
“…we are raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Eph 2:6
“…complete in him” Col 2:10
For the purpose of…
“…the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Eph 3:10-11
Both groups benefit from Christ’s finish work for salvation; Israel for the completion of the New Covenant promises, the Body by grace alone, through faith alone apart from covenants, (1 Cor 2:7-12). The blood of Christ is the connection between the two groups. Christ Jesus, being the mediator of a better testament for Israel under the prophecy program, is also the Head of the Body for the church today under the mystery program, completing the two-fold plan of our gracious God!
We, as the Body of Christ, have a much higher calling than anything prophesied to Israel, through the mystery of the cross. We are to make all men see the fellowship of the mystery! Eph 3:9
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” – Eph 3:14-19