“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high [above] calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Paul wrote; “I press toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH [Grk. ano, “upward”] calling of God in Christ Jesus.” in Philippians 3:14.

Those called and chosen to the heavenly calling “far above” (Eph. 1:21) are “in Christ” and now positionally “with Him,” being “seated at the right hand of God.” They may be recognized in this way.

• As soon as any person takes an interest in these spiritual blessings of “the heavenly places” and wants to know how to obtain them, we feel assured that they have been “chosen” from “before the foundation of the world,” (Eph. 1:3), being predestinated to the “adoption” (Eph. 1:5). Heaven is then assured.

“… the Hope [Grk. elpis, confident expectation] which is laid up for you IN HEAVEN, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;” Colossians 1:5 (KJV)

• If however, a believer then takes no interest in or rejects the idea of the “high [heavenly, above] calling” then God must have “foreknown” this, and they are NOT among Chosen unto “The Heavenly Places In Christ.”

In Ephesians 1:13-14 Paul talks about one’s initial salvation and being “sealed [saved securely] with that holy Spirit” as the “earnest of the spirit” (the down payment) toward that which is to come, after first hearing the “gospel of the grace of God.” (Rom. 20:24). In Eph. 1:14 we have a further pledge given that guarantees “the redemption [i.e., resurrection] of the purchased possession.”

“[Christ] In whom ye also trusted, AFTER that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also AFTER that Ye Believed, ye were Sealed [saved securely] with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴WHICH IS THE EARNEST [i.e., the down payment] of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the purchased possession [by resurrection], unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:14 (KJV)

What else but ‘resurrection’ could this “redemption” refer to? Romans 13:11 we have another reference to our ‘resurrection,’ where the Apostle Paul says, “Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Each day is a step nearer our resurrection to “appear with Him in [heaven’s] glory” (Col. 3:4).

Ephesians 1:19 is a little understood verse speaking of “The power that RAISED Christ from the dead is to usward who BELIEVE.” In the first place, this makes it clear that the same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise us grace-believers from the dead. That power will not be squandered on any who do not believe. Furthermore, the Post-Acts Ephesian epistle of “the mystery” speaks of resurrection as the “blessed hope” (Titus, 2:5) of the members of “His body.”

Where in all the Word can it be found that man has any hope whatsoever except in ‘resurrection’? So how could any be saved apart from their ultimate resurrection since Only the Saved Will Be RESURRECTED as seen here?

In Colossians 3:3 we learn that the life of the believer is “HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.” In v4 we note that Christ as “the Head” of “His body” will “APPEAR [Gk. phaneroo, becomes visible]” and the members of “His body” will, logically, simultaneously “APPEAR WITH HIM,” since we are to be “with Him in [heaven’s] glory.”

Thus Paul writes, “If by any means I [Paul] might attain unto the RESURRECTION of the dead” (Phil. 3:11). Thus we read again about Paul’s hoped for his resurrection.

(A question then arises for the unbiblical religionist of today’s Christendom as to how there could be the possibility of resurrection … if, as many claim ‘the dead” are supposedly resurrected ‘immediately’ upon death - which they are NOT?)

Rather, the Bible tells us ALL the dead go to their “grave” [from the Greek, ‘hades,’ or the Hebrew, ‘Sheol’] and are raised in their order from the “grave.”

Then the question comes up as to the time of resurrections for each group of believers. None will be resurrected before the place they are to occupy is made ready. In Philippians 3:20 we note that those of “His body” Already Have A Homestead In The Heavenlies.

“²⁰For our conversation [Old English for, 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 [resurrection] body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV)

In Paul's last epistle, 2Tim. 2:18, he warns against the lie that says “the resurrection is past already, overthrowing the faith of some.” And he adds in 2Tim. 4:1 that the judging of the dead and living resurrected believers is to be “AT HIS APPEARING,” not some time earlier; and just 5 verses later in 2Tim. 4:6 Paul speaks of the time of his “departure,” that is his time to return to dust in the grave is “at hand.” From these verses we can see why Paul in Phil. 1:23 (below) spoke of his ‘departure’ to “be with Christ” … what Paul had in mind was his ‘sleep in the grave is to come FIRST,’ and his resurrection being LATER… being followed by ‘his appearing’ “with Him in [heaven’s] glory” (Col. 3:4).

“… I am in a strait [torn] betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better:” (Philippians 1:23)

In 2Tim. 4:8 Paul writes of “a crown of righteousness” being given to ALL who “love His appearing” in glory.

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at That Day [of resurrection]: and not to me only, but Unto ALL Them Also That LOVE HIS APPEARING.” (2 Tim. 4:8)

Recall: “WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE, SHALL APPEAR, then shall ye also APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.” (Colossians 3:4)

We also come to a question to be pondered as we note the term “that day” of 2 Tim. 4:8. Is it “that day” of ‘His appearing’ and our appearing “with Him” simultaneously “in Glory”? I think it is since WE ARE “IN HIM” and HE IS “IN US.”

²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery Among The Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY: Colossians 1:27 (KJV)

⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory. Colossians 3:4 (KJV)