Heavenly Places

(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven. – 2 Corinthians 12:2

Paul talks about the third heaven. The question arises then where is the first and second heavens? The first heaven is what we know as the skies, the stars and the galaxies… referred as the firmament (Gen. 1:8). This-first heaven-is the limits of astronomy with the most powerful telescopes reaching upto the distant stars. The third heaven is Paradise (2 Cor. 12:4) where God dwells.

In-between, sandwiched between the first and the third heavens, as is obvious, is the second heaven. The question is ‘Who is in this second heaven?’ The answer is Satan (and his demons), the ones who were cast down from heaven. The Bible says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12).

The message of the book of Ephesians can be described in three simple words-Sit, Walk and Stand. (In the last post, you must have read about ‘Walk’). In this, I would like us to know about the other two aspects in our spiritual growth-Sit and Stand.

The first three chapters of Ephesians dwell on the theme of ‘sitting’ believers. Do you know where you are seated? Read this: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6). And this: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3). If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Col. 3:1, 2)

THIS is our exalted position being born-again: Children of God and seated with Christ! We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Imagine the scene here-you seated with Jesus Christ and in the holy presence of God the Father. Now look at why the author of Hebrews says this: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16). Where is this throne of grace? It is in this third heaven that we are now dwelling on (in). Ah-now you see! Audience with the King is possible anytime!

Several years ago, the prime minister of India had called for a meeting of Christian leaders, and some of the New Life leaders were present there. The PM office is secure, grand and the audience with him is fraught with awe for the first-timers.

But here now, for the Christian, he or she has access in the third heaven to the King of kings and the Lord of lords-in His own throne room.

Are you riddled with shame and guilt because of your sin? Do you seek forgiveness? Come to the throne of God to seek mercy. Do you feel weak and powerless against sinful habits? Come to the throne of God to receive grace {strength}. Are you perplexed? Wait on the Lord. The Bible says, “…those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31). There may be a time of weeping, there may be a night; there may be a time of waiting, but surely there will be light! We know that all things work together for good to those who love God; nothing in our life comes without His permission.

Wait, relax-let go! I think, waiting must be one the most hated words in this fast-paced 21^st century. But you know what? The eagle does it, even today, and renews its strength. Therefore wait on the Lord. Calm your-self, give up hatred and learn to forgive. Know that He is God. The psalmist says “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psa. 46:10). Know that He is in control. The Lord reigns! And Heaven rules! (Dan. 4:26).

If you are seated with Jesus Christ, know that it is a place of rest and peace. The Bible opens up a conversation between God the Father and God the Son: The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1). Yes, it is the Messiah’s reign-sit, be calm. Do not sit with scoffers; do not sit with the wicked, but learn the way of blessedness in sitting with Jesus. Seated with Jesus, you can have a little talk with Jesus; tell Him all about your troubles. He will hear your faintest cry and He will answer by and by… Just a little talk with Jesus will make it right.

Sitting depicts our position of rest, peace and calm. If you have not learnt the secret of sitting with Jesus, you will never learn walking with Him! As natural, so spiritual (find out what babies do!) Sitting always precedes walking. Evening preceded morning; rest precedes working.

Paul, after describing our position of seated members in Christ, goes on to explain Walk and Stand. Now Stand, as meant here is ‘stand against’; it is a position of alertness as against an enemy. Ephesians 6 describes our standing position. God has given us a full armor-Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. … Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6: 11, 13-17).

Have you put on the whole armor? See that you do not miss even one; because 80% protected is not good enough! Or even 99% protected! Stand with 100% armor. The Bible warns us not give any place {foothold} to the devil (Eph. 4:27). Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Cor. 2:11). Do you know his devices? It is living a life of compromise, a life focused on earthly things, a life of mediocrity or a life as lukewarm believers (not disciples).

Do you hold a grudge against your neighbor or a colleague; or maybe it is your boss? Know your enemy-it is Satan; it is not your irritating neighbors, nor snobby colleagues nor the condescending boss! Forgive those who have wronged you, resist the devil-stand firm, stand your ground-a wonderful victory is just around the corner. Paul, before describing our spiritual armor, talks about relationships; at home-between husband and wife (Eph. 5:22 onwards), between parents and children (Eph. 6:1-4) and between masters and servants (Eph. 6:5-9). It is in setting right our relationships that we take a stand against the wiles of the devil.

Our walking and standing must follow our sitting-we cannot say we enjoy blessed peace in sitting with Jesus. We live in flesh and among fleshly people; we are bound to face disappointments when we expect results in the flesh. Have you girded your waist with the belt of truth? Let everyone speak truth to his neighbor. Let him who stole steal no longer. (It is the devil who is a liar and the father of lies). Have you put on the breastplate of righteousness? We cannot live as those who do not know Jesus. Have you put on the shoes of the gospel of peace? Do not be quarrelsome-seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11). As far as is possible and depends on you seek peace with all people. Do not go out without your peace shoes. Take the shield of faith-for the enemy is throwing fiery darts at you. You will be able to quench all of those darts-with faith. Put on the helmet of salvation-it is knowing 'I am His and He is mine. No one is able to snatch me away from my Father in heaven'. Take the sword of the Spirit-the word of God; the only weapon given for attack (the rest is for defense). Speak the word of God; speak words of faith.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God… (2 Cor. 10:4, 5).

Someday, we will be there-in that third heaven, not just our spiritual position, but also our ‘physical’ position-the glorified body and the Bride of Christ. Satan and his cronies will be cast away from the second heaven. May we learn in this life the secret of sitting and walking with Jesus and know our position to stand against the devil and his schemes.