Robert E Rasmussen.com

As the coronavirus spreads across the earth through human bodies, we can have hope because, by believing and following Christ, our most significant realities remain permanent with God.

Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians cites five specific truths which are immune from disease because they reside “in the heavenly places” (which is an accurate translation of Greek, en tois epouranious).

1. In the heavenly places, all the spiritual blessings of the believer are currently and permanently reserved.

“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)

We can get anxious about the future of our retirement savings. In some parts of our world today, residents do not have any food for this day. How good to know that God has reserved for believers an inheritance in Christ. We are accepted in the Beloved. We have redemption through the blood of Christ.

I find this virtually impossible to grasp, but I believe it is true.

2. In the heavenly places, Jesus Christ, having been raised from the dead, is seated at the right hand of God.

“which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His 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 age but also in that which is to come.” (1:20-21)

Importantly, Jesus’ seat has authority over every other seat or place in heaven. No principality, power, might, or dominion excels Christ. He looks down on them all, not just barely, but from “far above.”

Nothing can shake this hierarchy of heavenly powers. There can be no coup. The universe of spirits is established. 

3. In the heavenly places, we who follow Christ are raised and seated together with Him.

“and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (2:6)

This is a metaphysical mystery to me. While we walk bodily on this earth for a few decades, our souls are positioned in heaven with our Savior. In this sense, heaven is not far removed from us. No wonder Paul prayed that the believers would have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (1:17).

Sickness and death cannot separate you from your true, everlasting life which you already possess as God’s gracious gift (“for by grace you have been saved through faith” 2:8)

4. In the heavenly places, the wisdom of God is put on full display by the church to all other powers.

“to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” (3:10)

This is wild. The service and worship of the Church is witnessing to heavenly forces and beings. The context would suggest that it is the peace between Jew and Gentile, made possible through the cross, which especially declares God’s wisdom in heaven.

Where the Church and local churches overcome divisiveness and dwell together in unity, God’s power is proclaimed.

Right now, our Asian-American neighbors are experiencing ugly racism. Some people are taunting and ridiculing those of Asian ethnicity due to association with the virus. We believers must counter this attitude, and show the love of Christ where the world shows animosity. This is a perfect time to use that smile, and order Chinese takeout!

5. In the heavenly places, we stand strong in the full armor of God against spiritual hosts of wickedness.

“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.” (6:12)

On one level, our current struggle is against the Covid-19 virus. But Paul, even though confined as “an ambassador in chains” (6:20), knew our ultimate prayer-focus is not on flesh and blood.

And so we are given the whole, victorious armor of the risen Jesus Christ:

• His truth as a belt
• His righteousness as a breastplate
• His gospel of peace as sandals
• His faith as a shield
• His salvation as a helmet
• His word as a sword

Steady yourself. Most of what is true about you is established securely in heaven. Dwell in the peace that is yours in Christ

Pray in confidence that He knows and hears you.
God has heaven well-organized and fully under control.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Ephesians

For a short letter, this epistle is heavy in teaching on the “trinity” (which is not a word from the Bible, but used to describe the three members of the God-head).

• Chapter 1 contains a hymn of praise with three stanzas; Christ is a thread throughout, but each stanza has a focus on Father, Son, and Spirit.
• 2:18,22.  All believers are reconciled and welcomed into the family and temple of God, by the working of the Trinity.
• 3:14-17.  All three members are mentioned in the prayer for greater understanding of the love and fullness in Christ.
• 4:4-6.  “Spirit,” “Lord” [Jesus], “God and Father” all cited as truths about which we are unified.
• 5:18-21.  Be filled with the Spirit; Sing to the Lord; Give thanks to God the Father.
• Did I miss any?

I had just begun studying Ephesians again when the Corona virus hit. My instinct was to set aside the writing from the epistle, as somehow out of touch with the crisis. But then God gave me the thought: What could be more appropriate for troubled times than timeless truths?

I have received a lot of response expressing appreciation for these brief reflections. Thanks for your interest. 

Before this storm arrived, God’s truth stood unmovable. And after the dust settles, His truth will be clearly seen, glistening in the light. 

We now enter Ephesians chapter two, and the beloved declaration of salvation by grace, apart from works. As I reflected on this passage, God brought it to me very personally. So I am going to invite you to personalize it, just as I have done.

Dear (your name),

Your soul was once doomed to destruction.

“you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others” (2:1-3).

You were in the clutches of the dark prince who planned to persecute your soul forever in conscious torment .You were by nature scheduled to receive wrath and produce it for others, to fall to deepest filth of your perverted mind, to prostitute your body in debauchery.

“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)” (2:4-5).

But now you are alive– not doomed but destined for eternal life! Your soul has been raised from death and restored to its created purpose — to live forever with God and for Him,

You are wedded to Christ Jesus, sitting with Him in the heavenly places, sharing in His glorious inheritance

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (2:8-9)

This is all because God is merciful, and longed to shower His grace on you. He longed to buy back your lost soul and reclaim it for Himself.

And you accepted this gift, by faith. You overcame doubts, and believed in simple faith.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (2:10).

And now at this very challenging time, God has works of beauty for you to do. God has given you gifts to share with others. Maybe those gifts grew stagnant through disuse.

Now is the time to

• stir up what God has placed with you
• simplify and prioritize, removing clutter from your mind and living space
• immerse yourself in larger portions of God’s Word so as to feed your soul which He has redeemed for His glory

This is the message God wants every soul to hear.

I have believed in Jesus for my salvation since I was a young lad, but today I have been startled to realize that I was born into a frightening future. My soul was doomed to a living hell because my very nature was fallen. Satan wanted to destroy me forever — a nice kid like me!

How I thank God today for reaching out to me with His grace.
I am saved! Rescued! Delivered! And Satan has no hold on me anymore!

Is this your story? Make sure today.
Don’t leave this most important decision untended. Be sure that you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior. Let Him rescue your soul from doom.

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Missed earlier posts on Ephesians? Click here to go back to the first one on my website.