Among the celestials

16-06-2016 - Posted by Andre Piet

The Greek word for ‘heaven’ is OURANOS. The term is derived from words meaning ‘look up’.

It points to the airspace above us. Angels and celestial beings are not something like toddlers with wings. That kind of picture is medieval. By the way, in the Bible angels with wings are not mentioned at all. The Bible speaks of realities which we on earth are totally oblivious of. Nowadays, one would speak of extraterrestrial civilizations.

Angels

The word ‘angel’ is in some way a misleading word translation. Because it suggests that it is an inhabitant of heaven and that is not necessarily the case. The word ‘angel’ simply means messenger. In James (2: 25) the spies in the house of Rahab are also called ‘angels’. In some translations it is correctly displayed as ‘messengers’, but why do other translations maintain the word translation ‘angel’?

Not every inhabitant of heaven is a messenger. Only inhabitants of heaven with a courier function are referred to as ‘angel’. Angels are God’s postal service, so to say. The number of inhabitants of heaven could be a multiple of the number of ‘angels’. In Unveiling 5: 11 we read about ten thousand ten thousand and a thousand thousand messengers around the Throne. When we convert, it comes down to millions of heavenly messengers.

On-heavenly

In John 3: 12 is spoken about ‘terrestrial’ and ‘celestial’. The original text talks about matters ‘on-land’ and ‘on-heaven’. That is about matters that take place on earth, and parallel, matters on-heaven. We are accustomed to the phrase ‘in heaven’. But Scripture also speaks álso about ‘on-heavenly’ matters. Do we have to think about matters and beings on planets? (See also Philippians 2: 10 and 1 Corinthians 15: 40)

Heavenly ones

Five times the Ephesians’ letter speaks about ‘among the celestials’. Literally is written: ‘in the on-heavenly ones’.

Walks of life

In Ephesians 1: 20, 21 is written about every sovereignty and authority and power and lordship, among the on-heavenly ones. As there are many walks of life on earth, that is also happening in the heaven above us. Or do we have to say: on the heavenly bodies?

Enemies among the on-heavenly ones

Ephesians 6: 12 shows that there are also hostile authorities and powers among the on-heavenly ones. Behind the scenes they control the atmosphere on earth. They operate unseen and they influence the people. Ephesians 2: 2 speaks of ‘the jurisdiction of the air, the spirit now operating in the sons of stubbornness’. Without knowing it mankind is influenced by spiritual powers. They are the true opinion leaders.

Immeasurable mission field…

In Ephesians 2: 6, 7 is said about believers that they are sitting together among the on-heavenly ones, in Christ Jesus. That is their official position. To which end? That, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace. On earth Israel will be the channel of blessing for the purpose of the nations. The ecclesia (community), which is Christ’s body, is destined to be a blessing for the entire universe and all its inhabitants!

In Colossians 1: 20 we read that one day ALL will be reconciled to God, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens. Also in heaven will not remain any hostile creature. Thát and nothing less is the power and potential of the blood of the cross through which God is making peace!