6
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, Ephesians 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 the word epouraniois is found in many passages in the New Testament, such as Hebrews 12:22: `The
heavenly Jerusalem', nowhere else than in the epistle to the Ephesians do we read the phrase en tois epouraniois.
These words do not reveal the nature of our blessings - they are `all spiritual' - but they reveal where they will be
enjoyed - `in the heavenlies', which, because of their uniqueness, and in order to recognise the `far above' position
intended by the phrase we translate `in the super-heavenlies'.
A comparison.
It may be useful to place the opening words of the first epistle of Peter to the `dispersion' (Israel) side by side
with the opening words of the epistle to the elect company of the Gentiles (Author's translations):
The Church of the Mystery
The Remnant of Israel
PAUL
PETER
`Blessed be the God and Father
`Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who
according to His abundant
hath blessed us with all spiritual
mercy hath begotten us again
blessings in the heavenlies (en
unto a living hope through the
tois epouraniois) in Christ:
resurrection of Jesus Christ
according as He hath chosen us
from among dead ones, unto an
in Him before the foundation of
inheritance incorruptible, and
the world' (Eph. 1:3,4).
undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven (en
ouranois) for you' (1 Pet.
1:3,4).
The Third Sphere.
The Church of the Mystery is the only company that occupies this exalted position. The three spheres are
indicated as follows:
(1)
The earth -
`The meek shall inherit the earth'.
(2)
The heavens -
`The inheritance reserved in heaven'
(3)
The super-heavenlies - The Church of the One Body
While epouraniois 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'.
`Before' and `Since'.
Not only is the sphere of blessing unique, but the time with which this purpose is connected is unique also.
Speaking of the kingdom, the Lord said:
`Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
(or
SINCE)
the foundation of the
FROM
world' (Matt. 25:34).