towards us in Christ Jesus". What does this verse teach? Does it mean that in those

future ages the church of the one body will be recognized as an exhibition of the

exceeding grace of God, by reason of His great mercy that quickened, raised and seated

us in the heavenlies?  Or can it be possible that these blessings are after all only

preliminaries? If the words, "rich in mercy", are sufficient to speak of the blessings that

lead to the seat in the heavenlies, what subsequent blessings are they that shall call forth

the words, "exceeding riches of grace"? The wording of Eph. 2: 7 seems to show that

the blessing that culminates in the seat in the heavenlies is but a beginning, not an end. In

the coming ages the exceeding riches of His grace will be exhibited in kindness toward

us. It seems too good to be true, and that very fact may be a good reason why it should

be true, for we are now in the atmosphere of mercy, love, grace and kindness. If rich

mercy places us at the right hand of God, what may not the exceeding riches of His grace

accomplish? Do not these thoughts throw us back once more to chapter 1: 18, where we

are exhorted to pray that we may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the

riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints? If the ages to come hold out such

blessed prospects, we also remember that it is written concerning our exalted Head, that

He has been raised far above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in

that which is to come. No added blessing but what will enthrone Christ; no added

kindness but what will be ministered to us "in Christ Jesus."