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DESHENMINISTRIES
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Seated in Heavenly Places in Christ

AuthorPatrick Oben
Published

And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:6, ESV)

seated in heavenly places

Years ago, while praying, the Lord interrupted me with a revelation: there is no poverty or disease where I am seated with Christ in heavenly places. It is up to me to align my earthly places with my heavenly places through revelation and faith. Let’s explore what these heavenly places are.

In the mysteries revealed to Paul, he tells us we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. But how can we be on earth and in heaven at the same time?

Let’s start with the tense of the verb seat and the term heavenly places. Paul uses a Greek tense for seated that indicates the action occurred in the past and its effects continue now. This means we were seated with Christ at salvation and remain seated there. Being seated above all else is a figurative expression with two key meanings. First, it signifies accomplishment; Christ completed His work and is now seated. Second, it speaks of God’s royal authority, the highest position of power that governs the universe(a throne, a seat). So, being seated with Christ means being one with Him in His finished work and sharing in the highest place of authority.

Paul reveals that we are seated with Him in heavenly places. The Greek text uses the term “the heavenlies.” English translations typically add “places” to convey the idea more clearly. However, understanding the figurative nature of this expression is crucial. When we hear “place,” we tend to think of a physical location, which can cause confusion. The heavenlies are not a physical location but a spiritual realm.

The key to understanding heavenly places as they relate to us lies in the mystery of humans as spirit, soul, and body functioning as one. Although we traditionally describe these as three distinct parts, they function together as one. With our bodies, we are present on earth; with our spirits, we are also present in the spiritual realm at the same time. We do not necessarily have to leave our bodies to enter the spirit realm. Spiritual life is not an out-of-body experience—it is experiencing the reality of the spirit within our bodies and in this physical world—here and now.

Heavenly places describe the spiritual status of our spirits that governs our lives on earth. This status primarily refers to our rank or level of authority and power in fellowship with Christ through His finished work. Therefore, being seated in heavenly places describes the spiritual communion we have with Christ and the exalted position of spiritual authority we hold NOW. The crucial truth is this: you are in the heavenly places right now as you read this. God wants us to live on earth FROM this heavenly place. That is what revelation, faith, and walking in the Spirit accomplish!

So, when you speak to demons, you are addressing them from heavenly places, meaning the power and authority of your words come from a position in the spirit that is far above all others—God’s throne.

Meditate

Do we have to be out of our bodies to enter into the heavenly places?

Apply the Word

Here’s what God is saying to us: “See, you are already in the heavenly place!” Know this, believe it, and let it shape how you see the world and live.

Pray

Ask the Spirit for a greater revelation of this truth and the grace to practice it.

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Comments

3 comments

  1. Allen Vishal Barrow

    So true,more than life itself.Seated in Christ in heavenly places.

  2. Moriah Murphy

    Thank you for your insighful teaching. However, I find the image of Jesus at the top of your article, difficult to reconcile with Ex 20.4

    We do not know what our Messiah looks like and a craven image or any likeness of anything in heaven is forbidden.

    Ex 20.4 is a commandment forbidding such images as I understand it.

    AI is currently manufacturing images of both God and His Son on YouTube ad lib and in various forms without conscience of a Holy God and I find this trend disturbing. Thank you again, I appreciate your teaching.

    1. Patrick Oben

      Thank you, Moriah for sharing your thoughts on this. Many blessings.

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