Church of Christ

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Inspiration
Partial
Contradictions
& Inaccuracies

Ephesians 1:3

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

Ephesians 2:6

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"

Problem:

This passage is connected with Col. 1:13 and Rev. 5:9,10 by the Church of Christ in support of their teaching that Christ and the saints are now reigning in a spiritual kingdom.

Solution:

1. The Church of Christ argument rests on a faulty interpretation of Rev. 5:9,10. The kings and priests of these verses could not have been reigning in a spiritual kingdom since Pentecost since the events depicted in the Revelation are said to be things which "must shortly come to pass". (Rev. 1:1). This must be future to about A.D. 96, and certainly many years after Pentecost. Furthermore, it is expressly stated elsewhere in Scripture that those who are alive and remain will not precede those who have fallen asleep (died). (1 Thess. 4:15 R.S.V.). The redeemed can only sing the song, therefore, after the resurrection at the last day. (See 2 Tim. 4:1; Matt. 25:31,34,46). It can then be inferred that since the dead have not been raised, then the song of the redeemed has not yet been sung, and if the song of the redeemed has not yet been sung, then believers are not now reigning as kings and priests.
   
2. "Heavenly places in Christ Jesus" refers to status, and not to location or place. This can be shown from the following:
   
   1. A contrast runs through the Epistle between the position of an alien and that of a believer in Christ. Note the following contrasts:
      
      

      out of Christ	in Christ
      - one is within the principalities and powers of heavenly places in the world (3:10; 1:21)	- one is in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus favoured with all spiritual blessing (1:3; 2:6)
      - dead in trespasses and sins walking according to the course of this world, the spirit which works in the children of disobedience (2:1,2)	- made alive with Christ Jesus (2:6)
      - without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world (2:12)	- fellow citizens with the saints for an habitation of God through the Spirit (2:21,22)

      

   2. These contrasts are ones of position or status, not of location (i.e., between heaven and earth as if to imply that believers were translated to heaven).
      
   3. "Heavenlies" ("heavenly places" A.V.) is used of political systems on the earth (3:10; 6:12 - "high places" is translated from the same Greek word for "heavenlies"), as well as for exalted position of believers. It can be seen, therefore, that the word relates to position or status and not to location. Although believers are raised with Christ to the right hand of the Father, they are still on the earth, in Ephesus, Corinth, etc. They are transferred from the heavenlies of the world systems for the everlasting kingdom of His dear Son.
      
3. Rulership in God's kingdom is dependent upon the believer overcoming. A believer is raised to heavenly places in Christ Jesus upon his baptism. He is not, however, fitted to rule over the nations until he has suffered (2 Tim. 2:12) and "overcome". As Jesus put it: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." (Revelation 2:26,27). Believers have never ruled the nations with a rod of iron. This privilege awaits the return of the King to reign in the midst of his enemies. (Psa. 110:1,2).