En Tois Epouranios

By Michael S. Mecikalski

This descriptive Greek phrase used by the Holy Spirit through the "instrument" of the Apostle Paul, is found only five times throughout ALL the New Testament Scriptures; ALL occurrences are found ONLY in the epistle of Ephesians. This fact alone should prompt any serious, mature son of God to immediately take notice.

As it is with any "subject" in Scripture, the context in which the subject found is of extreme importance... "to Rightly Divide the Word of Truth" (II Tim. 2:15), or as the original Greek suggests, "to designate the proper place of each truth of Scripture with the skill of a surgeon." This discernment is provided to us by the Holy Spirit, and in today's world is literally priceless.

It is an undeniable fact that the epistle of Ephesians was written after Israel was set aside as a "vehicle of blessing" to the nations; recorded at the end of the book of Acts (28:23-31), with the third and final pronouncement of Isaiah 6:9,10, this occurring in approximately 64 A.D.

It is also an undeniable fact that the "phrase" being discussed herein is as far reaching in depth and revealed truth as any contained in all of Scripture since it involves a serious understanding of the Father's complete plan of redemption from the earth to the very HEAVEN FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS.

For now, I will list the five occurrences of the phrase ENTOISEPOURANIOS translated in the KJV as "In the Heavenly Places," but better translated "IN THE HEAVEN FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS." I beseech our readers to take a slow, earnest look at these "AWESOME" Scriptures.

Eph. 1:3. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings IN THE HEAVEN FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS."

Eph. 1:20. "...which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand IN THE HEAVEN FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS."

Eph. 2:6. "And hath raised us up together and made us sit together IN THE HEAVEN FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS in Christ Jesus."

Eph. 3:10. "... to the intent that now unto principalities and powers IN THE HEAVEN FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God."

Eph. 6:12. "For wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness IN THE HEAVEN FAR ABOVE ALL HEAVENS."

More to come.