We are to fight from the third heaven

Ephesians 1:3-14 assures us of our blessings as Christians, as people who are ‘in Christ.’ In the original Greek, these verses are one, long sentence of over 200 words. Today’s English readers can barely cope with a sentence longer than 50 words! Hence, English translations split up this sentence but try to maintain Paul’s meaning.

The overarching idea is that we are partakers of ‘every spiritual blessing’, which is a reference to the source of blessing, not materiality. Christians share in every blessing that originates in ‘heavenly places’ – the realm of God’s complete, heavenly domain (which I understand as the ‘third heaven’). This is reinforced by two important theological points. First, we Gentiles have been united with Israel and partake of ‘peace’ (shalom) and ‘the covenants of promise’ – most likely a reference to the benefits of the Naohide, Abrahamic and Israelite convenants. (Eph 2:11-22) Second is the assurance that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6) and Christ Himself is seated at the right hand of God (the position of favour) in the heavenly places. (Eph 1:20) It is well worth meditating on these truths.

If we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, then like Him, we are ‘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.’ (Eph 1:21) Furthermore, the power at work on our behalf is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. (Eph 1:19-20)

This all begs the question, how come we are exhorted to armour up in readiness to fight ‘against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places’ in the same epistle? (Eph 6:12b) (Here I believe ‘heavenly places’ refers to the second heaven where demonic activity and influence occur.)

The apparent paradox between Ephesians chapters one and six can be explained by the fact that we are transitioning from what Paul calls ‘this (present) age’ to ‘that which is to come.’ The transition began at Christ’s first coming when He became Immanuel (‘God with us’) and the age which is to come which will be fully consummated at His second coming. This is a common theme in Paul’s writing.

In the meantime, we are to fight from the third heaven where we are ‘seated’ to enforce the victory won by Christ at the Cross against the principalities, powers are rulers influencing the world from the second heaven. As intercessors, our assignment is to perceive God’s leading in the spiritual battle and to ‘wrestle’ against the demons that have corrupted principalities and powers and have established themselves as rulers and spiritual hosts thus influencing world and local affairs.

Forget about putting on the armour of God each morning as, undoubtedly, we have all practiced at some point. Intercessors must put on the armour once and never, ever take it off. That is the meaning of ‘put on’ in the original Greek.

Dr Rod St Hill.

Until next time

Stay in the Blessings

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