Ephesians 2:6 says that God has “raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” This is a profound spiritual truth that speaks to the incredible blessings we have as believers in Jesus Christ.
To understand what it means, we first need to look at the context. In Ephesians 2, Paul is contrasting the spiritual state of non-believers versus believers. Non-believers are described as “dead in transgressions and sins” (v1) and enslaved to worldly passions and the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” (meaning Satan, v2).
But God, in His great mercy and love, has intervened. Even when we were dead in sin, God made us alive with Christ (v5). This is salvation – we are saved by grace through faith in Christ (v8).
As part of this salvation, God has done something remarkable: He has “raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms” (v6). Let’s explore the meaning and significance of this.
1. We are raised up with Christ
First, when God saved us, He also “raised us up” with Christ. This refers to the resurrection of Jesus. Because we are united to Christ through faith, we spiritually participate in His resurrection. Jesus conquered sin and death when He rose from the grave, and now we share in His resurrection life.
Romans 6:4 explains it this way: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Resurrection life – eternal life – is ours in Christ.
2. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms
Secondly, not only are we raised with Christ, we are also now spiritually “seated with Him in the heavenly realms.” Christ has ascended to the right hand of God, where He reigns over all creation. And because we are united to Him, we share in this reign.
Jesus is enthroned in victory and majesty in the heavenly realms (see Ephesians 1:20). And because we are in Christ, we are seated there too! This sitting implies ruling, resting, and relationship.
A. We are seated there to rule with Christ
In some sense, we share in Christ’s rule and authority from the heavenly realm. We are seated there to “rule with Him.” This theme is repeated in other verses like Romans 8:17 which speaks of being “co-heirs with Christ” so that we may share in His glory.
B. We are seated to rest with Christ from earthly toil
Being seated also implies spiritual rest and reprieve. Christ finished His work and then sat down at God’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3). There is great rest for the soul that comes from being securely positioned with Christ in the heavenlies.
C. We are seated there to have relationship
To be seated with someone connotes close fellowship and relationship. Jesus said “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14:21). Being seated with Christ allows us to experience close relationship and intimacy with Him.
3. In Christ – our position in Him
An important final note is that this seating is “in Christ Jesus.” Our position is in Him. We can only experience these spiritual blessings because of our vital union and connection with Christ. Through faith we are united to Him so that His triumphs are our triumphs. His position in heaven is now our position.
Paul says in Colossians 3:1-3, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Because we are in Christ, our lives are now hidden in Him. He is our life! And so we can share in His resurrection power and His glorified position in the heavenly places.
4. The significance of being seated with Christ
What are the key implications of the amazing spiritual reality that, as believers, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies?
A. We have direct access to God’s throne and grace
We can now come boldly before God’s throne to “receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We have unhindered access to the Father because we are hidden in the Son who sits at His right hand.
B. We are delivered from the power of Satan
The “ruler of the kingdom of the air” has now been decisively defeated. He has no ultimate power over us. Why? Because we are seated with Christ in victory far above all rulers and powers (Ephesians 1:20-21).
C. We are free from condemnation and judgment
Romans 8:1 proclaims “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We will never be condemned because our life is securely hidden with God in Christ (Colossians 3:3). Seated with Christ, we are untouchable.
D. We are being transformed and sanctified
Being seated with Christ enables the process of becoming like Christ. His heavenly life can now flow through us by the Spirit to produce righteousness and holiness. We are empowered to walk worthy of this heavenly calling (Ephesians 4:1).
In summary, being seated with Christ is a profound spiritual reality for believers that denotes our union with Christ, victory over sin and Satan, unhindered access to the Father, and the promise of progressive transformation by the Spirit. This amazing truth should lead us to worship and spur us to holiness.
Our position is secure in Christ in the heavenlies. Therefore, we can live our daily lives here on earth differently. We are now seated with Christ!
5. Other key verses on being seated with Christ
Here are some other important verses that speak to the truth of believers being seated with Christ:
– Ephesians 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
– Ephesians 1:20-21 – God “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
– Ephesians 2:6 – “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”
– Colossians 3:1 – “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
– Romans 8:34 – “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
– Hebrews 12:2 – “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
These verses paint a beautiful picture of the exalted position of honor and glory that we now share with Christ through God’s amazing grace. Seated with Him, we can experience victory, intimacy, and empowerment as we live for His kingdom.
6. Being seated while still on earth
A final question that often arises is how are we already seated with Christ while still living here on earth? How can we be both heavenly and earthly at the same time?
The answer is that our earthly physical existence is only temporary. Our true eternal home and position is in the heavenly realms with Christ (Philippians 3:20).
However, we live in an overlap of ages. The fullness of the kingdom is not yet fully realized on earth. And so we are physically present on earth but spiritually seated with Christ by faith (Colossians 3:1-3).
One day when Christ returns, our earthly physical existence will pass away. But we have an everlasting home and position in the heavenly realms secured for us in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).
Even while on earth, we are granted a foretaste of these heavenly realities by the Holy Spirit who lives within us. He guarantees and seals our heavenly inheritance now (Ephesians 1:13-14). We live empowered by heavenly realities that one day we will fully experience face to face.
So in summary, although we are physically on earth, we are even now spiritually seated in the heavenlies with Christ by faith. And this is just a glimpse of the eternal glories to come when He returns.