spoken of as eternal is that dispensation of the grace of God which has

blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the super -heavenlies far

above all.  This shows the unique character of the church of the One

Body.  It is connected both by time and place with that which begins

before the present heavens were made and goes on when the present

heavens are no more.

`The church of the Mystery is the only link during this age between the

time before sin entered and the time when sin shall be no more.  All

other purposes are "under the heavens", this one alone places those who

are blessed under its terms "above the heavens".  If these things are

so, it would be very surprising if the doctrine and practice of this

peculiar people were not different from all others'.

In our booklet entitled Far Above All occurs the following:

`Of no other company of believers is it said that their sphere of

blessing is "In the super -heavenlies".  The special sphere of blessing

which belongs alone to the Church of the One Body is mentioned five

times in this epistle, and a study of these occurrences will supply us

with valuable information.  First of all, we translate the word "super

-heavenlies" in recognition of the presence of the little particle epi

with which the word begins.  It is not simply ouranios, which is the

usual word, but ep -ouranios.  Secondly, because the word is found in

Ephesians 4:10, where "far above all heavens" is huperano panton ton

ouranon, and thirdly because the information supplied by the five

references demands some such translation.  Passing, therefore, to the

second reference, we find, in 1:20,21, that this sphere of blessing is:

At the Father's right hand.

Far above all principality and power.

That this tremendous height is the destined sphere of the Church of the

Mystery, Ephesians 2:6 declares.  There, the believer is associated

with the risen Christ, "made to sit together in the super -heavenlies

in Christ Jesus".  Christ the Head and the Church His Body are blessed

together There.

The next two references (Eph. 3:10 and 6:12), show the super -

heavenlies as the abode of principalities, powers and rulers.  Be it

noted that angels are not mentioned.  Angels are heaven's messengers.

The Church of the One Body is blessed even above heaven's nobility.

Dominions and thrones are beneath it in its super -heavenly sphere ...

While epouranios is used outside Ephesians, no other company of

believers is blessed In these exalted regions as their sphere.  The

blessings of the Church of the One Body are not only "heavenly", but

"up in heaven"`.

Having established from the Scriptures, quite independently of the

occurrences or the meaning of either epouranios or huperano, the fact that

there are three distinct companies of believers who are destined to inherit

blessings in three distinct spheres, we can dismiss the question as to how

`far' this exalted sphere is above all others, the answer to the question

makes no difference to the fact that the Scriptures speak of three different

spheres.  For the sake of clarity we summarize our findings.

There are blessings that are to be enjoyed on earth.  Those who will

occupy the central position in this sphere are Israel, and this calling is

expressed in the terms of a Kingdom.  Gentile nations, while blessed in this