Part 2 – God’s Whole Household “in heaven and on earth”

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called God’s “Whole Family In Heaven and Earth”.

Having established the fact of governmental seats of authority in heaven and on earth,” we can now gain a perspective on understanding the household of God. Here below Paul speaks of the; 1) the whole household of God (v19), and 2) Paul writes of “the body of Christ. with both OT saints “His body” members, as “fellowcitizens” or ‘co-citizens’ in the all-encompassing household of God.

“Now therefore ye (all you Ephesians) are no more strangers and foreigners (to Israel), but fellowcitizens (Gk. sympolites, co-believers) with (all) the saints, and of the ‘household of God;’

20 And (ye Ephesians) are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple (Gk. root, naio, for a dwelling) in the Lord: 22 In whom ye (all of you) also are builded together for an habitation (dwelling place) of God through (by) the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)

But prior to the beginning of the Heavenly Church of the “body of Christ,” God had only the nation Israel, to be His earthly people… His ‘saints’ (His sanctified ones) on the earth. But, with the salvation and commissioning of the Apostle Paul, God through Paul “laid the foundation… which is Christ” and began to form “the Church the Body of Christ” to be His heavenly people, whose destiny is to co-reign with Christ “in heaven.”  

If we suffer with Him (Gk. hypomeno, ‘endure’ with and by Him), we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us (deny us the reward of ‘reigning with Him’):” (2 Tim. 2:12)

All the members of “the body of Christ” are being trained to reign “in heaven,” by learning how to endure the trials and issues of this life while on earth this life is our training ground for learning the truth of the Lord and to learn to co-operate with Him… to live His life through us. We are being prepared for reigning in heaven as our ultimate, eternal home (cf. Philip 3:20-21, 2Cor 5:1b)

“For our conversation (our citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV)

Likewise, Israel will be God’s Agent to Co-reign with Christ on the Earth… Forever. In Luke 19, below, Jesus speaks to the disciples that He had entrusted with treasure of to be invested – a metaphor for “the gospel of the kingdom” to gain souls. He in the Parable returns to weigh the return on their investment; note that their reward will be to reign over cities on the new earth.

“And he (Jesus) said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.” (Luke 19:17-19)

Israel reigning on earth is confirmed here in Revelation at the end of all ages, in accord with Psalm 2.

“And hast made us (Israel) unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5:10)
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:6)
 “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” (Psalm 2:8)

Thus, we have seen how it is that Israel and the body of Christ both have destinies to reign, Israel on earth, “the body of Christ” in heaven. Together, we of the “body of Christare fellowcitizens with the saints” of God’s “Whole Family in Heaven and Earth.”

Both of us, by virtue of our faith in Christ’s shed blood and resurrection, we have joined God’s family to become spiritual relatives.

Just as the Israelites who believed in Jesus, His “little flockof Luke 12:32, were born-again into union with Christ, to be saved by the blood of Christ, we of the Gentiles “body of Christ” are likewise in union with Christ. Both of us are to be saved, as opposed to being in Adam, lost, unsaved and hell bound for “eternal destruction” (2Thes. 1:9).

We of “the Church… the Body of Christ” are God’s heavenly people,’ have all Power and Authority … under Christ who is “The Head” over the “All Things” discussed earlier.

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of His Power To Us-Ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in ‘the heavenly places,’ 21(located) 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 (world) which is to come (on earth): 22And hath put all things under his feet (of His body, the church), and gave him to be the Head Over ‘All Things’ to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:19-23)

6And hath Raised Us Up Together, and made us Sit Together In “(The) Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus: 23(so) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6-7)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath (already) blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

Finally, we read of God’s ultimate “intent” for us in Ephesians 3:9-11. Verse 9 is our commission in this age while se are on earth.

9And To Make All Men See What Is The Fellowship Of The Mystery,

which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To The Intent that now unto The Principalities and Powers In (The) Heavenly Places might be Known by the Church the Manifold Wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

Recall that Paul wrote in Eph. 3:15 concerning “the whole family in heaven and earth.

1) God already had a people in Israel, but they were God’s earthly people.

2) When He started “the Church the Body of Christ” with the Apostle Paul, God began to form a heavenly people for Himself.

God’s “whole family in Heaven and Earth is talking about “the Church the Body of Christ (in Heaven)” and the nation Israel (on Earth).

In and by both of these, God the Father will exalt His Son Jesus Christ in Heaven and Earth.” Jesus Christ has His family members in Heaven – “the Church…Body of Christ,” and His family members in Earth - Israel. This glorification of Christ will be seen by (God’s) whole family in heaven AND earthin the ages to come; by the Church…  the Body of Christ” in Heaven and by the believing nation Israel in the Earth.

Thus, Paul writes concerning the consummation of all ages – the final dispensation.

“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,

according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

That in The Dispensation of The Fulness Of Times (at the end of all ages)

he (God) might gather together in one ‘All Things (ALL authority) in Christ,’

both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him (in and under His sovereign reign).

(Ephesians 1:9-10)