Ephesians --seated in the heavenlies

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konroh

konroh

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2013
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In Eph. we have the incredible statement that as those chosen by God we are seated in the heavenlies. We are figuratively in the spiritual realms above angelic and demonic rulers, authorities, and powers. Then in Eph. 3 Paul speaks of the wonderful mystery of the Church which God the Father uses to demonstrate His manifold wisdom to all the spiritual forces in the heavenlies. The body of Christ is a cosmic illustration of God's wisdom and the audience is all the spiritual powers of the world. Finally in Eph. 6 we are told to stand firm because we wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places. Put on the armor of God's righteousness, the helmet of the assurance of salvation, the honest belt of truth integrity which holds all the pieces together.

We've been placed in an amazing position by God, we're there right now. We are his artwork demonstrating His wisdom. And we have the power to stand firm against deadly, malevolent spiritual forces. To the praise of the glory of His grace.
 
Whether or not Satan can have influence on our minds, it's clear that we can stand firm against Him using the tools at our disposal and our heavenly position.
 
I think when we also need to look closely at Eph. 6:17, where we find the helmet of salvation. This helmet is meant to protect our minds from the devil. If we walk with God, stand firm in his armour, and use the Word of God, Satan is not going to be able to penetrate our armour and destroy us. Please note that all the weapons are defensive, except the sword of the Spirit. All we have to do is STAND firm, and God will help us.

"and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," Eph. 6:17

Ephesians is one of my favorite books, because it does express the incredible majesty of God and how we are children of God and joint heirs with Christ!

"In love [SUP]5 [/SUP]he predestined usfor adoption as sons through Jesus Christ" Eph. 1:4b-5

"[SUP]17 [/SUP]and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17 (Different book, I know, but same meaning!)

We need to fix our eyes on Jesus, and recognize the work is finished and we have the Holy Spirit to help us and lead us. It doesn't mean that God will not allow trial or tribulations in our life. But it does mean we have an advocate with the Father.
 
I love the idea of the helmet of salvation! When we are assured of our salvation, it protects our minds. The entire book of Ephesians is written to Christians, so Paul isn't saying that they need to "get saved." He's saying take up the knowledge that you have salvation like putting a protective metal helmet around your head, knowing that nothing can hurt your mind when you know that you are saved.

It's interesting too that the typical Roman soldier of Paul's day had a helmet that had a red mohawk flair that would intimidate the enemy when they say the legions coming over the hill. The helmet is a declarative statement for all the world to see. You can see a Christian coming a long way off because they wear salvation like a helmet.
 
konroh said:
In Eph. we have the incredible statement that as those chosen by God we are seated in the heavenlies. We are figuratively in the spiritual realms above angelic and demonic rulers, authorities, and powers.
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We are not figuratively in Christ Jesus, nor is He figuratively in us.
No, there is a literal spirit from Him that is in us and a literal spirit from us that is in Him.
Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and because we are in Him, so are we . And for that reason, we are seated in heavenly places.
 
I understand what you're saying, but here's the question about literal and figurative: if I literally have a spirit that is in Jesus, doesn't that mean I'm literally in two places at once? It seems to me that only God can do that. I don't doubt the realness of the fact that Jesus is in me and that I am in Him, but to put it to a literal spirit is not necessary. I am physically here on earth, but in a spiritually real sense, I'm seated in the heavenlies. The fact that it's a spiritual reality doesn't mean there has to be a physical reality (a literal spirit) attached to it. I will only ever be able to be physically or in spirit in one place at a time, but the spiritual reality does not have to be limited to the physical properties of the space/time continuum. Maybe I'm getting too detailed here, but the point is that I the reality of being in Jesus and knowing that I am seated in the heavenlies--have spiritual authority right now--helps me to live my life in that reality and transcend the space/time continuum, of which I will always be attached to since that is where I came to being.
 
konroh said:
I understand what you're saying, but here's the question about literal and figurative: if I literally have a spirit that is in Jesus, doesn't that mean I'm literally in two places at once? It seems to me that only God can do that. I don't doubt the realness of the fact that Jesus is in me and that I am in Him, but to put it to a literal spirit is not necessary. I am physically here on earth, but in a spiritually real sense, I'm seated in the heavenlies. The fact that it's a spiritual reality doesn't mean there has to be a physical reality (a literal spirit) attached to it. I will only ever be able to be physically or in spirit in one place at a time, but the spiritual reality does not have to be limited to the physical properties of the space/time continuum. Maybe I'm getting too detailed here, but the point is that I the reality of being in Jesus and knowing that I am seated in the heavenlies--have spiritual authority right now--helps me to live my life in that reality and transcend the space/time continuum, of which I will always be attached to since that is where I came to being.
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Consciously, you will only be in one place at one time, but spiritually, you can and are in more than one place at one time.
You are not just you. You are a me, myself, and I. Like God, there is more than one of you in you, and like the cells in your body that are separate, yet through bonding and ties, they form one body, and though each have there own function and ability, they work in unison as a whole.
As I said, we are made like God, in His image, after His likeness. I believe God to be three persons in one. I also believe we are made like God with three individual persons within us. Each with different functions and abilities. And yes, I can show this in scripture.
Like God and the devil, we also have the ability to multiply ourselves, and I'm not referring to our children that we have in the natural. There is a reason why Abraham and God is called our father, even though they are not our natural fathers.
So to answer your question, yes, you can be in two places at one time, spiritually. When God said that we are, currently seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, it is because a part of us is literally in Jesus Himself, just like a part of Jesus is in us, and because He is seated at the right hand of the Father, so are we in Him.
 
By your logic, because a part of us is in Jesus, and because Jesus is God, who is omnipresent, a part of us is now omnipresent. I am right now everywhere at once. I believe you are blurring the line between deity and humanity. If I did not come into this existence except to be in a physical place in a physical space then I cannot transcend this entirely. There are attributes of God that I will never have. There is a reason we were created in the image of God, as a reflection of Him, but not the substance of Him. Your view that we all have multiple personalities because God is a Tri-unity will break down immediately because we don't have awareness of three consciousnesses. You may find biblical precedent that we are body, soul and spirit, but we are always one person, that's what makes God so unique.
 
konroh said:
In Eph. we have the incredible statement that as those chosen by God we are seated in the heavenlies. We are figuratively in the spiritual realms above angelic and demonic rulers, authorities, and powers. Then in Eph. 3 Paul speaks of the wonderful mystery of the Church which God the Father uses to demonstrate His manifold wisdom to all the spiritual forces in the heavenlies. The body of Christ is a cosmic illustration of God's wisdom and the audience is all the spiritual powers of the world. Finally in Eph. 6 we are told to stand firm because we wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places. Put on the armor of God's righteousness, the helmet of the assurance of salvation, the honest belt of truth integrity which holds all the pieces together.

We've been placed in an amazing position by God, we're there right now. We are his artwork demonstrating His wisdom. And we have the power to stand firm against deadly, malevolent spiritual forces. To the praise of the glory of His grace.
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Konroh we CANNOT both be in this war on the same side. Either you are God's worrior or I am or neither,,,, How can there be INFIGHTING and I am telling you now... even the ones that puts LIKE to your thread, if you and they start fighting others, soon you will be fighting AGAIN amongst yourselves.... Do you know why? You fight not with the SWORD of GOD, but with FALSE DOCTRINE...

My friend I am sorry, but I fear God and His Word and Truth, but your doctrine is not even a breath of air worth. It is like chaff. When it comes in the light and fire of God's Word, it will burn to NOTHING.

God's Truth is the power, and you are NOT IN IT... The word says this.... The NAME of the LORD is a STRONG TOWER... Now GET THIS...... THE RIGHTEOUS RUN INTO IT AND THEY ARE SAFE..... Please Konroh.... ONLY THE RIGHTEOUS CAN RUN IN THERE... NO SINNER ALLOWED....


Do you know what the NAME OF THE LORD IS?..... HIS WORD.... The TRUTH!!!!! I am so safe from the FALSE teachers and preachers and agents.... SO SAFE IN TRUTH.... Praise the NAME OF THE LORD, MY SHELTER AGAINST ALL EVIL.... WOW!

Again if ANY of you need me to prove anything I say, I will use ONLY SCRIPTURE / TRUTH to confirm what I say...
 
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We are seated in the heavenlies. I'm taking this to mean that we have spiritual authority and power over forces of wickedness right now.

Cobus, you did nothing to interact with the text of Ephesians, all you did was attack me. You have an agenda. Why can't we be on the same side on some issues of Scripture? One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father who is above all.
 
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