“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:6 (NIV). Hmmm, we are seated in the heavens with Christ? When did that happen? What is Paul talking about? It sounds like he is saying that Christians were resurrected with Christ and ascended into heaven with Christ. And being “seated” includes the idea of having a place of honor; we are sitting together with the highest authority, the king of all, so we have been placed in a position of great honor. But, obviously we don’t see or feel this physically; this is why it is hard to grasp. Paul is teaching us a spiritual truth that may feel dim, but he continually teaches that we are united with Christ (“in Christ”) in his letters; our heavenly induction is another aspect of our union with Christ.
Though we do not physically see our heavenly dwelling, we do see this spiritually, because “we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen,” II Cor. 4:18. We were raised up with Christ (Col. 3:1) when we believed; baptism is a reminder of this, and informs us that we are physical experiences are not the same as our spiritual experience. They will not be in sync until Jesus returns.
So God is teaching us in Ephesians that we are already spiritually resurrected and ascended with Christ! And we are sitting with Him! It is a mystery, but it is true biblical mysticism. It may be mind-blowing but it is real. This truth has a radical effect on our spiritual formation and discipleship! It helps us escape the deceptions of the world. It inspires us to pursue continuous spiritual growth. It anchors us and gives us peace. It tells us of our future in God’s utopia.
