In a former article we were considering the "dispensation of the mystery," and were

reminded of its heavenly character. In this present article we desire to consider the

references to the heavenly aspect of this mystery a little more closely. Five times does

the word translated "heavenly places" occur in the epistle to the Ephesians, and the

spiritual significance of five is grace.

The blessed truth connected with the heavenly places is a fitting witness to the "riches

of His grace," and the "glory of His grace." There are not a few who seek to discredit the

emphasis upon the peculiar and exclusive teaching of the Prison Epistles by the remark

that the word translated "heavenly places" occurs in other passages of Scripture,

particularly in Hebrews. Twenty times in all the word occurs in the New Testament,

distributed as follows: in the Gospels, twice; in the Epistles before Acts 28:, five times

(grace); in the Prison Epistles, seven times (spiritual perfection); and in Hebrews, six

times (the number of man, imperfection, and of that age which immediately precedes the

new creation, viz., the millennial kingdom).

There is, however, a most important distinction to be noticed between the five

occurrences in Ephesians, and the fifteen elsewhere. The word in Ephesians is in the

dative plural, en tois epouraniois, "in the heavenlies"--speaking of locality, whereas the

word in the other passages signifies "heavenly," but not necessarily "in heaven." Those

who tasted of the "heavenly gift" in Heb. 6: 4 certainly did not taste a gift that was up in

heaven, but which was heavenly. So the "heavenly" country or city of Heb. 11: 16 will be

seen "coming down from God out of heaven"; it will not be enjoyed "in heaven." The

expression "in the heavenlies" (the dative plural) is peculiar to the epistle to the

Ephesians. If we deny the distinction, surely we must not resent it if anyone doubts our

belief in the inspiration of the Scriptures.

Having seen the unique character of these five passages, we will quote them in their

order, and seek to exhibit their blessed meaning. Before we quote the passages, however,

we desire to throw light upon the meaning conveyed by this term by reference to another,

and then by comparing the passages together we may be enabled to more clearly see the

sphere of our blessedness. The word we desire to consider is that translated "saint."

Fifteen times does the word hagios (saint) occur in Ephesians. Fifteen is of course 5x3,

the superlative of grace (5=grace; 3=completeness, resurrection, &100:), and is

consequently connected with the five-fold occurrence of "heavenly places." To many

passages in the A.V. we do not take exception, but there is one form in which this word

"saint" occurs that may teach much more than our English Version allows.

The genitive plural of hagios is ton hagiõn, in masculine, feminine, and neuter.

Consequently the context must decide whether the word means "of the saints" (masc. Or