SueAnn Porter

God has raised us up together,

and made us sit together

in the heavenly realm

in Christ Jesus.  – Ephesians 2:6

See yourself seated next to Jesus in the heavenly realm. From here, we have a different view of the world, our problems, and our families. We see the “big picture”. We are above our problems and see from God’s perspective.

Picture yourself looking down at your life from this angle. Do you see how much bigger God is than your problems from here?  Do you see a neighbor how needs a kind word or a smile from you? Do you see a child in poverty who needs a sponsor? (see my friend Terri’s blog for more details here )

Do you see a friend who needs prayer? Do you see someone who needs to hear about Jesus, what He has done for us, and how they can be Born Again?

Why did God raise us up with Christ?

[The purpose is] that through the church, the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.  –Ephesians 3:10

God has raised us up so that we can let the demons know the wisdom of God!! We have power over them in Jesus’ name because of the victory of the cross of Christ.

But before you sit down, make sure you are dressed.

Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to resist and stand your ground in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  – Ephesians 6:13

Since we have on God’s armor and are in the heavenly realm with Christ Jesus, and the powers and principalities are in the heavenly realm also, we can fight them eye to eye–they are not so big and powerful over us. In fact, they are supposed to be under our feet.

Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. –Luke 10:19

From up here, seated with Christ, we can also see the End. We can see how close we are to the End. We can see those who don’t yet know Christ.

I confess, part of me is trying to hold onto the world the way it is; part of me does not want to see it all go away. (My flesh) Part of me is afraid. Life as we know it is passing away. When I go to bed at night I am thankful for one more night in my nice bed, and think how many more nights like this will I have? And I pray for my brothers and sisters who do not have a nice bed, who are suffering for the gospel in prison.

Yet part of me is looking forward to the new world–when all this mess is gone, and we are in the next world.

Do not fret or have anxiety about anything but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your requests known to God, and God’s peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7

We are to take our seats in the heavenly realm with Christ. How else can we be seen as lights?

We are seen as bright lights — stars or beacons — shining out clearly in the dark world.  — Philippians 2:15b