FAR ABOVE

SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST

Scripture Reflection: Ephesians 1:20-21

“which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His 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 age but also in that which is to come.”

A Mission of Grace: Deliverance from a legion of demons

When I arrived in a village, it was my habit to go from hut to hut, inviting people personally to an outdoor gathering where I would share the Gospel. At the time, the Xhosa people lived in traditional mud huts with thatched roofs, simple, well-built homes shaped by ingenuity and care.

Each hut had a solid wooden door and a small window, just an opening in the wall, closed with a wooden shutter. The floor was made of cow dung, expertly hand-smoothed into a thick plaster that hardened like cement. It didn’t smell bad, as some might assume. Instead, the air inside carried a warm, earthy scent, a mix of thatch, mud, and dung, grounding and familiar.

In the center of the hut, a small fire often burned, especially in winter, when Southern Africa’s temperatures could plunge without warning. Many imagine Africa as endlessly hot, but winters can be sharply cold. The fire wasn’t just for warmth; it was the heart of the home, casting light and heat into the dark, earthen space.

A Day That Began as Usual

One day, as I made my usual rounds, I approached a hut on the far edge of the village. It was unusually quiet. No voices, no movement—just stillness. The wooden door was shut, and something about the silence made me pause. I knocked and called out to announce myself. From inside came faint shuffling, the kind that made me wonder if someone, perhaps an elderly person—was lying on a grass mat, too weak to respond quickly.

I called out again, waited, then slowly pushed the door open. The interior was dim, the kind of dark that swallows the light. I kept speaking gently, not wanting to startle anyone. But then, suddenly, the scene shifted into something that felt surreal, like a nightmare unraveling in slow motion.

An Encounter with Darkness

From the shadows, a figure lunged. I barely had time to register it. A man, or what looked like one, came at me with feral intensity. His hair was long, tangled, caked with dirt. His nails were overgrown, twisted like claws. He moved like an animal, fast and unhinged, screaming wordlessly. Foam sprayed from his mouth as he charged, wild-eyed and furious.

I froze for a split second, stunned by the horror in front of me. But as he closed the distance between us, something deeper than instinct rose up. I spoke with authority, not my own, but in the Name of Jesus. I commanded the demons to come out.

The effect was immediate. He collapsed at my feet, convulsing violently. I kept praying, rebuking the legion that had taken hold of him. The scene burned itself into my memory, echoing the account of Jesus in the land of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1–20). It felt like that moment in Biblical history had come alive before my eyes. The darkness exposed and overpowered, not by me, but by the unstoppable authority of God.

Restoration and Redemption

When the final cries faded, the man lay motionless, exhausted, emptied, but free. The torment that had held him captive for years was gone. What remained was a broken figure, yes, but one now marked by peace. You could feel it, something had shifted. He was no longer bound.

I carried him outside. Neighbors, drawn by the noise, gathered around. Together, we washed him. We cut away the filthy, matted hair, trimmed his claw-like nails, and gave him clean clothes, simple pants and a shirt, but they marked a return to dignity.

The villagers told me his story. For as long as they could remember, he had been the outcast, violent, uncontrollable, feared. During the day, they chained him to a tree. At night, they locked him in that hut, bolting the door from the outside. He had lived like that for years, more like a prisoner than a person.

But on that day, everything changed. The power of God shattered the chains—both spiritual and physical, and set him free.

A Revelation of Authority

That moment wasn’t just life-changing for him; it changed me too. I saw the raw, unmistakable power of Jesus’ name at work. Not theory. Not theology on paper. But real authority, real deliverance.

It drove home the truth of Ephesians 2:6: we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, above all rule and power. That authority isn’t abstract. It’s active. It breaks chains. It restores lives.

For him, it was the start of a new life. For me, it was a defining revelation of the victory we share in Christ, and the call to walk in that authority, boldly and without hesitation.

Word Study: Greek “Far Above” ὑπεράνω -hyperanō

The term ὑπεράνω combines ὑπέρ (hyper, meaning "above" or "beyond") and ἄνω (anō, meaning "up" or "high"). Together, the word expresses not just a physical elevation but a state of unmatched superiority, transcendence, or preeminence.

• Superiority in Rank and Authority: The word doesn't merely imply being physically higher but denotes supremacy in hierarchy and power.

• Unreachable Distance: It conveys an overwhelming and unapproachable height, emphasizing the vast gap between Christ and all other entities.

This verse reveals the breathtaking truth of Christ’s supreme authority. He reigns over every spiritual power, human authority, and dominion, past, present, and future. By being seated at the right hand of God, Christ holds the highest position of honor, power, and glory.

But this isn’t just about His authority, it’s also about our shared identity in Him. Through Christ’s resurrection and exaltation, we too have been spiritually raised. As Ephesians 2:6 reminds us: "and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

This means that, as believers, we are united with Christ. When He was raised “far above” all powers and authorities, we were raised with Him. Though He is God, Lord, and Supreme Ruler, in His grace, He shares His authority with us, empowering us to live in victory over spiritual forces in His name.

Key Reflection:

• Our Position in Christ: We are spiritually seated with Him in heavenly places, a position of honor and authority.

• Living in Victory: Christ’s authority isn’t just a concept; it’s power we’re meant to walk in. In His name, we have authority over every challenge, temptation, and force of spiritual opposition. God has equipped us with spiritual armor, not for display, but for battle. We’re called to stand firm in the face of darkness, clothed in truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God. “Put on the full armor of God,” Paul writes, “so that you can stand your ground in the evil day.” (Ephesians 6:10–16)

• Worship and Union: While we bow in worship before Christ as our supreme King, our union with Him gives us access to His power and His Kingdom purposes. When we submit to God and resist the enemy, he flees, not because of who we are, but because of where we are seated: in spiritual authority with Christ.

Let this truth inspire confidence and humility: Christ’s victory is also ours, and His name is our source of strength and authority.

Call to Action: Step into Your Authority

This isn’t just theology to admire, it’s truth to live. If you are in Christ, you are not powerless. You are not at the mercy of spiritual darkness. You are seated with Him, far above fear, oppression, addiction, torment, and defeat. His authority is your inheritance.

So, stand up. Speak with the authority He has given you. Put on the armor. Resist the enemy. Take your place. Walk into situations that seem hopeless and declare His name with faith. You weren’t saved to survive; you were raised to reign.

Don't settle for a passive faith. Walk boldly, pray with confidence, and confront darkness knowing who goes before you, who lives within you, and where you are seated, with Christ, in victory.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the authority that you have given to me to walk in the power of the Spirit, doing the works entrusted to me. I am grateful that I am seated in heavenly places in Christ, ruling and reigning in this life. In Christ, I am far above all principality and power and walk in the victory of Him who rules over all.