The faith of the Colossian believers looked forward to the hope, sure and certain, laid

up for them in the heavens.  Ouranos is used here, whereas epouranios is the

corresponding word in the Ephesian letter. But there is no contradiction. Ouranos is all

embracive, starting with the region here birds fly (Matt. 13: 32) right up to the abode of

God Himself (Matt. 5: 16), whereas the adjective epouranios is used of the highest

heavens to which Christ ascended and is supreme above all (Eph. 1: 19-23). This more

restricted term must obviously be contained in the larger one, so there is no contradiction.

Peter also speaks of an inheritance reserved in heaven, and as he is one of the twelve

apostles of the Lamb, he must be linked with the twelve foundations of the heavenly

Jerusalem which is now reserved in heaven, but awaiting the time in God's great purpose,

when in the new creation of heaven and earth at the goal of the ages it leaves the

heavenly sphere and descends to the new earth (Rev. 3: 12; 21: 2, 10). This was the

`better country' that the tested and suffering worthies of Heb. 11: looked for and Peter

writes to a similar company enduring great trials (I Pet. 1: 4-9) who had respect unto the

recompense of reward like Moses of old. Although heavenly in character and now

reserved in heaven, this glorious city is not destined by God to stay there. Hence those

believers will finally enjoy its wonders when it descends and is linked with the new earth.

In contrast to this, the Body of Christ, which finally merges into the Temple as a

dwelling place or home for God (Eph. 2: 19-22) is not only seated in Christ Jesus in the

heavenlies now, but will realize its hope in the same heavenly places `far above all'.

They have been made meet or sufficient by the Father for this supreme inheritance of the

`holiest of all in the light' (Col. 1: 12), the very holy of holies in heaven. Nothing less

than this will fulfil the purpose of God for this exalted company which has its origin from

first to last in abounding grace, beyond our dreams or our comprehension. Does our faith

rise to this?

We have seen how the Apostle Paul had heard of the Colossian believers' faith, hope

and love, which resulted from their acceptance of the word of the truth of the gospel.

This good news had not only come to them, but had spread `in all the world' (1: 6). No

longer was Israel the first and practically the sole recipient of God's message, as had

occurred during the earthly ministry of the Lord and the Twelve (see Matt. 10: & 15: 24;

Rom. 15: 8). The truth had spread right across the Roman empire and had reached the

Lycus valley, resulting in the formation of the churches there of which Colossae was one.

Paul was glad to note that not only had the word of the gospel been received by faith

Colossae, but since then it had borne fruit and grown: