Christ Seated in the Heavenlies

God has indeed, “set His glory above the heavens.” In the NT, we are told, “…Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet…” (Eph. 1:20-22) Jesus Christ is the glory of God, the One through whom God’s name has been made excellent in all the earth, and He is presented seated at the right hand of God. This is because He is Lord, having won all victory and authority.

For those who are IN CHRIST, we are also seated at the right hand of God – but only IN CHRIST. Paul says that God, “Has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:6-7)

It is vital to grasp what God means when He talks about being IN CHRIST, and what He means when He speaks of having given us all things freely IN CHRIST. (Rom. 8:32) This goes back to the meaning of Christianity – Christ in us. (Col. 1:27) We are IN CHRIST if we are, “joined to the Lord and are one spirit with Him.” (I Cor. 6:17) Nothing else is possible unless this is true for us.

Herein we see that God has not given us THINGS. Rather, He has given us Christ, in whom are all things. God has given everything He has to give solely in His Son. There is nothing God has to give that is outside of Christ. Thus, if we are IN CHRIST, we have all that Christ has – although can only come to experience these as we experience Christ. For example, in Christ, “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3) Therefore, it is only as Christ is revealed in us that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are revealed in us.

Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3) Again – God does merely bless us because of Christ, but rather, God blesses us IN CHRIST. It is by our union with Him that all that God has to give in Christ becomes possible for us. Paul agrees with the Psalmist and says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” God’s glory is indeed above the heavenlies in Christ, and it is through Christ that His name will be exalted.