Your Throne Rights
All Believers have certain rights, which have come to us by, with, through, and in the Messiah. These rights come to us as a matter of promise, and are received by faith. Your confession should never be controlled by your experience; rather, you should say what God says about you, in Messiah, regardless of your experience (or observation). The more you say it, the more you will live it.
All Believers have certain rights, which have come to us by, with, through, and in the Messiah. These rights come to us as a matter of promise, and are received by faith.
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own 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 world, but also in that which is to come: —Ephesians 1:20-21
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. —Ephesians 2:4-9
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) —Ephesians 2:1-5
First, though, your faith-confession should never be controlled by your experience; rather, you should say what God says about you, in Messiah, regardless of your experience (or observation). The more you say it, the more you will live it.
Your righteousness did not put you on the throne, and your unrighteousness cannot thrust you off the throne. Your word of faith will bring into reality, in your daily life, what is already true of you in the heavenlies (Positional Truth).
There is an inescapable spiritual law that says faith must precede practice. The rule cannot be violated: faith MUST come before practice:
...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. —Romans 14:23
Yeshua stated this law in John 8:32;
Thou shalt know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
So how do we obtain this freedom?
In other words, before you begin to pray for some need to be met, first get hold of what God says about his willingness and ability to meet that need; and then BELIEVE God’s word with all your heart.
This law is continually applied in the New Testament. Almost invariably, before explaining Christian Practice, the apostles explained CHRISTIAN BELIEF.
In the book of Romans, Paul wrote eleven (11) chapters of powerful argument on the plan of salvation before adding five (5) chapters on practical living.
In Galatians, the closing two (2) chapters of warning, instruction, and exhortation, are preceded by four (4) chapters of closely reasoned belief, climaxed by the sharp challenge:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. —Galatians 5:1
Not until Paul had brought the Galatians into the understanding of full Christian liberty did he tell them how to display the characteristics of a true Christian.
In Ephesians, Paul begins with three (3) amazing chapters showing the glories of the Messiah, the immensity of salvation and the vast scope of God’s plan for the church.
Paul explores the infinite wealth of the gospel, and reveals the riches of the glory God has given us in Messiah. THEN, and not before, he begins a practical application of these truths. Paul was careful to declare what God has done for us before writing about what we are to do for God.
In many other places in the New Testament, the same principle may be readily observed. Before urging Christian DUTIES, the apostles were always careful to teach the people Christian DOCTRINE.
This is particularly obvious in Paul’s written prayers.
An apostle praying for the church...what will be the theme of his prayers? Will he pray that Christians might conquer sin? or be healed? or that the church will grow? or that their needs might be met? and so on! NO!
Paul prayed for none of those things, which fill the prayers of most Christians.
Paul pleaded with passion, not that they might have things, but that they might know the truth! Again, and again, Paul longed for them to know...To Know...TO KNOW!
With a zealous intercession, Paul prayed that God would give them wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Messiah; that they might know the hope of their calling, and the riches of God’s glory; that they might understand the limitless power available to them in Christ; and that they might comprehend the love of God, and know his will, and have all spiritual understanding.
✦ Ephesians 1:15-19
✦ Ephesians 3:14-19
✦ Philippians 1:9-10
✦ Colossians 1:9
✦ etc.
If you familiarize yourself with the truth in Messiah, if you steep yourself in knowledge of the gospel, if you will grasp the significance of all that Messiah accomplished at Calvary for your full salvation, then you will need nothing else. All the things that you desire will flow, as a natural consequence, from this knowledge of the truth.
Perhaps the most powerfully persuasive presentation of the wealth God has freely given us in Messiah is found in the first three (3) chapters of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In that letter, Paul grasps the utmost depths, and scales the lofty heights of the glories of the gospel, and he reveals them to us in five (5) pungent sayings about our position in the heavenlies.
The message here is clear, our union with Christ (Messiah) is requisite:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: —Ephesians 1:3
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, —Ephesians 1:20
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: —Ephesians 2:6
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, —Ephesians 3:10
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. —Ephesians 6:12
Faith rejoices in the provision God has already made, and the work already done. Faith does not seek more to be done, but endeavors to act on what has already been done and what has already been given.
Faith affirms, with gladness,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: —Ephesians 1:3
Ephesians 1:18-20
Paul prays that the Ephesians might KNOW:
a. The hope of God’s calling
b. The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (believers)
c. The immense greatness of God’s power in those of us who believe
Paul did not ask God to give the Ephesians power. He longed ONLY that they might know the greatness of God’s power in the heavenlies, and to know that this power, all of it, was already their possession and prerogative.
Paul tells us two things about this power!
a. It is immeasurable.
b. It is according to a particular demonstration of the might of God.
c. The power available to each believer is,
“according to the working of his mighty power which God wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead.”
The power that is ours in the heavenlies is the same in character, force, and effect as that which broke the bonds of death from the crucified Messiah, freed him from sin’s darkness, and raised him, in glory, to heaven’s radiant throne room.
It is most interesting to contrast the variances in the standard of power between the old and new testaments.
Before the resurrection, whenever men wanted to depict the power of God, they could cite no greater demonstration than the exodus of Israel from Egypt.
Time and time again, the prophets pointed to that event as the apex of God’s working on behalf of his people. But now there is a new standard!
Now we are given an infinitely higher measure of the revealed omnipotence. It is found in the resurrection and ascension of Messiah. If the manifestation of God’s power in the Old Testament was great, now it is immeasurably great.
There is also a contrast between the effectiveness of the old power and the new.
If the first was a physical deliverance from temporal bondage — the second is spiritual freedom from eternal death.
If the first brought national liberty — the second has created salvation for the entire race.
If the first offered Israel an earthly inheritance and natural wealth — the second has opened the unlimited storehouse of God, and a kingdom eternal in the heavens to all who believe.
It must first be noted that the power of God is immediately nullified if any attempt is made to use it in situations other than those approved by God. It is limitless power, irresistible in heaven and on earth, but it is not available to just any man or woman for just any purpose.
It is not like an unshielded electrical outlet, open for anyone to plug into it whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases. The power of God cannot be used to do the will of man; it is available only to accomplish the will of God.
I cannot appropriate this power to merely do my own pleasure; but I can and should appropriate it to do all that I know is the pleasure of God for me. Therefore, Paul writes:
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; —Colossians 1:9-11
Once I have discovered the will of God in any situation, then his power is directed through me to accomplish his will - whether to change the situation by a miracle, or to endure it with steadfast faith and patience.
Since this power of God exists only to do the will of God, this power is not left lying about carelessly where anyone may improperly abuse it. It has been drawn up with Christ (when God raised him from the dead), and it remains with him, secure in the heavenlies. It is not there, however, for his benefit, but for ours. It is not extended toward the angels; it belongs to “us who believe,” and toward us it is proffered.
Moses had his rod! It was offered to him by God, and he took it up. It became for him the guarantee of God’s power. By that rod, and by the signs and wonders it produced, he smashed Egypt and created an example which for many centuries was the summit of God’s power among men.
Do you envy Moses his privilege? Do you stand in wonder before this awesome demonstration? Yet that ancient example has been overwhelmingly surpassed by God’s glorious new achievement in the Messiah.
Right now, offered to you who believe, is the right to grasp the staggering power which wrenched Messiah from death and exalted him to the highest glory.
From Ephesians 1:21 we see that Messiah reigns in unsurpassed authority,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
What incredible majesty we see here. However, the most marvelous thing is that this victory was not accomplished for heaven’s benefit, but for yours!
God had no need to establish his power over the devil, that was done in the very beginning, when Satan was thrown out of heaven.
Nor did Messiah personally need to be exalted above the kingdom of darkness; because he had long before cast down Lucifer and the angels who rebelled with him, leaving them bound in chains of darkness.
Therefore, Messiah was raised from the dead, and lifted into the heavenlies, not to establish heaven’s power (which was never at risk), but to establish power for us who believe in Messiah. This immeasurable power is not meant to be a weapon in God’s hands, but a mighty resource in your hands, so that you also, in the name of Yeshua, might be fully delivered from the oppression of Satan.
Paul gets even bolder. So certain was Paul of our complete identification with Messiah, so sure that we are already seated with Christ in the heavenlies, he declares that this immeasurably great power is even now “in us who believe.”
Yes, if you are a Believer, it is IN you this very moment. You may not feel it, but you can believe it. And if you believe it, then that power will begin to achieve God’s mighty purpose in your life.
Do you struggle to believe that the resurrection power of Yeshua is in you right now? Paul gives an illustration that clinches the matter. He says,
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. —Ephesians 1:22-23
If Messiah is the head, and we are his body, where he is we must be also; what he is we must be also; what he has we must have also. How can it be otherwise?
Where YOUR head and your heart are, your body is as well.
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Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own 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 world, but also in that which is to come: —Ephesians 1:20-21
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. —Ephesians 2:4-9
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) —Ephesians 2:1-5
Confession of Faith
First, though, your faith-confession should never be controlled by your experience; rather, you should say what God says about you, in Messiah, regardless of your experience (or observation). The more you say it, the more you will live it.
Your righteousness did not put you on the throne, and your unrighteousness cannot thrust you off the throne. Your word of faith will bring into reality, in your daily life, what is already true of you in the heavenlies (Positional Truth).
Faith Precedes Practice
There is an inescapable spiritual law that says faith must precede practice. The rule cannot be violated: faith MUST come before practice:
...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. —Romans 14:23
Yeshua stated this law in John 8:32;
Thou shalt know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
So how do we obtain this freedom?
Know The Truth
In other words, before you begin to pray for some need to be met, first get hold of what God says about his willingness and ability to meet that need; and then BELIEVE God’s word with all your heart.
This law is continually applied in the New Testament. Almost invariably, before explaining Christian Practice, the apostles explained CHRISTIAN BELIEF.
Book of Romans
In the book of Romans, Paul wrote eleven (11) chapters of powerful argument on the plan of salvation before adding five (5) chapters on practical living.
Book of Galatians
In Galatians, the closing two (2) chapters of warning, instruction, and exhortation, are preceded by four (4) chapters of closely reasoned belief, climaxed by the sharp challenge:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. —Galatians 5:1
Not until Paul had brought the Galatians into the understanding of full Christian liberty did he tell them how to display the characteristics of a true Christian.
Book of Ephesians
In Ephesians, Paul begins with three (3) amazing chapters showing the glories of the Messiah, the immensity of salvation and the vast scope of God’s plan for the church.
Paul explores the infinite wealth of the gospel, and reveals the riches of the glory God has given us in Messiah. THEN, and not before, he begins a practical application of these truths. Paul was careful to declare what God has done for us before writing about what we are to do for God.
In many other places in the New Testament, the same principle may be readily observed. Before urging Christian DUTIES, the apostles were always careful to teach the people Christian DOCTRINE.
This is particularly obvious in Paul’s written prayers.
The Apostles Theme
An apostle praying for the church...what will be the theme of his prayers? Will he pray that Christians might conquer sin? or be healed? or that the church will grow? or that their needs might be met? and so on! NO!
Paul prayed for none of those things, which fill the prayers of most Christians.
Paul pleaded with passion, not that they might have things, but that they might know the truth! Again, and again, Paul longed for them to know...To Know...TO KNOW!
With a zealous intercession, Paul prayed that God would give them wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Messiah; that they might know the hope of their calling, and the riches of God’s glory; that they might understand the limitless power available to them in Christ; and that they might comprehend the love of God, and know his will, and have all spiritual understanding.
✦ Ephesians 1:15-19
✦ Ephesians 3:14-19
✦ Philippians 1:9-10
✦ Colossians 1:9
✦ etc.
Paul Understood
If you familiarize yourself with the truth in Messiah, if you steep yourself in knowledge of the gospel, if you will grasp the significance of all that Messiah accomplished at Calvary for your full salvation, then you will need nothing else. All the things that you desire will flow, as a natural consequence, from this knowledge of the truth.
Perhaps the most powerfully persuasive presentation of the wealth God has freely given us in Messiah is found in the first three (3) chapters of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In that letter, Paul grasps the utmost depths, and scales the lofty heights of the glories of the gospel, and he reveals them to us in five (5) pungent sayings about our position in the heavenlies.
In The Heavenlies
The message here is clear, our union with Christ (Messiah) is requisite:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: —Ephesians 1:3
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, —Ephesians 1:20
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: —Ephesians 2:6
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, —Ephesians 3:10
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. —Ephesians 6:12
Faith Possesses What It May Possess
Faith rejoices in the provision God has already made, and the work already done. Faith does not seek more to be done, but endeavors to act on what has already been done and what has already been given.
Faith affirms, with gladness,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: —Ephesians 1:3
Ephesians 1:18-20
Paul prays that the Ephesians might KNOW:
a. The hope of God’s calling
b. The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (believers)
c. The immense greatness of God’s power in those of us who believe
Paul did not ask God to give the Ephesians power. He longed ONLY that they might know the greatness of God’s power in the heavenlies, and to know that this power, all of it, was already their possession and prerogative.
What is This Power?
Paul tells us two things about this power!
a. It is immeasurable.
b. It is according to a particular demonstration of the might of God.
c. The power available to each believer is,
“according to the working of his mighty power which God wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead.”
The power that is ours in the heavenlies is the same in character, force, and effect as that which broke the bonds of death from the crucified Messiah, freed him from sin’s darkness, and raised him, in glory, to heaven’s radiant throne room.
It is most interesting to contrast the variances in the standard of power between the old and new testaments.
Pre Resurrection
Before the resurrection, whenever men wanted to depict the power of God, they could cite no greater demonstration than the exodus of Israel from Egypt.
Time and time again, the prophets pointed to that event as the apex of God’s working on behalf of his people. But now there is a new standard!
Post Resurrection
Now we are given an infinitely higher measure of the revealed omnipotence. It is found in the resurrection and ascension of Messiah. If the manifestation of God’s power in the Old Testament was great, now it is immeasurably great.
There is also a contrast between the effectiveness of the old power and the new.
If the first was a physical deliverance from temporal bondage — the second is spiritual freedom from eternal death.
If the first brought national liberty — the second has created salvation for the entire race.
If the first offered Israel an earthly inheritance and natural wealth — the second has opened the unlimited storehouse of God, and a kingdom eternal in the heavens to all who believe.
The Purpose and Location of This Power
It must first be noted that the power of God is immediately nullified if any attempt is made to use it in situations other than those approved by God. It is limitless power, irresistible in heaven and on earth, but it is not available to just any man or woman for just any purpose.
It is not like an unshielded electrical outlet, open for anyone to plug into it whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases. The power of God cannot be used to do the will of man; it is available only to accomplish the will of God.
I cannot appropriate this power to merely do my own pleasure; but I can and should appropriate it to do all that I know is the pleasure of God for me. Therefore, Paul writes:
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; —Colossians 1:9-11
Once I have discovered the will of God in any situation, then his power is directed through me to accomplish his will - whether to change the situation by a miracle, or to endure it with steadfast faith and patience.
Since this power of God exists only to do the will of God, this power is not left lying about carelessly where anyone may improperly abuse it. It has been drawn up with Christ (when God raised him from the dead), and it remains with him, secure in the heavenlies. It is not there, however, for his benefit, but for ours. It is not extended toward the angels; it belongs to “us who believe,” and toward us it is proffered.
Moses had his rod! It was offered to him by God, and he took it up. It became for him the guarantee of God’s power. By that rod, and by the signs and wonders it produced, he smashed Egypt and created an example which for many centuries was the summit of God’s power among men.
Do you envy Moses his privilege? Do you stand in wonder before this awesome demonstration? Yet that ancient example has been overwhelmingly surpassed by God’s glorious new achievement in the Messiah.
Right now, offered to you who believe, is the right to grasp the staggering power which wrenched Messiah from death and exalted him to the highest glory.
Exaltation and Glory
From Ephesians 1:21 we see that Messiah reigns in unsurpassed authority,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named,
What incredible majesty we see here. However, the most marvelous thing is that this victory was not accomplished for heaven’s benefit, but for yours!
God had no need to establish his power over the devil, that was done in the very beginning, when Satan was thrown out of heaven.
Nor did Messiah personally need to be exalted above the kingdom of darkness; because he had long before cast down Lucifer and the angels who rebelled with him, leaving them bound in chains of darkness.
Therefore, Messiah was raised from the dead, and lifted into the heavenlies, not to establish heaven’s power (which was never at risk), but to establish power for us who believe in Messiah. This immeasurable power is not meant to be a weapon in God’s hands, but a mighty resource in your hands, so that you also, in the name of Yeshua, might be fully delivered from the oppression of Satan.
Paul gets even bolder. So certain was Paul of our complete identification with Messiah, so sure that we are already seated with Christ in the heavenlies, he declares that this immeasurably great power is even now “in us who believe.”
Yes, if you are a Believer, it is IN you this very moment. You may not feel it, but you can believe it. And if you believe it, then that power will begin to achieve God’s mighty purpose in your life.
Do you struggle to believe that the resurrection power of Yeshua is in you right now? Paul gives an illustration that clinches the matter. He says,
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. —Ephesians 1:22-23
If Messiah is the head, and we are his body, where he is we must be also; what he is we must be also; what he has we must have also. How can it be otherwise?
Where YOUR head and your heart are, your body is as well.
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