~ written by Connie Dunmyer
Ephesians 2:6 – “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…”
I have been noodling this verse around my brain for a while now, and I don’t yet know if I have a complete understanding. But it has made me stop and consider what it means, and how it changes my perspective, as well as my life’s actions and attitudes. I’m sure you’ve heard this verse before. I know I had. But for the first time, I was struck by one word… seated.
I could easily gloss over this, but there’s something about the past tense of the word “seat”ed. I mean I get the past tense of “raised” in “raised us up” – God has brought me back to life when I was dead in my sin. But how am I seated with Jesus in the heavenly realms? It’s not future tense. It’s past tense.
Then a few weeks later, I began a study of Revelation, and I almost fall out of my chair when I read the fourth verse:
Revelation 1:4 “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne…”
Did you catch the connection?
The “seven Spirits” (also called “the sevenfold Spirit”) – is the Holy Spirit. Now it’s not surprising that the Holy Spirit is before the throne in heaven. BUT – let’s not forget that as Believers, that same sevenfold Holy Spirit is living IN each of us… in me, right now!
Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.”
Now I am no theologian... and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night... But, here's what my very human-peabrain thinks…
Having been saved by the blood of Jesus, God has created a seat for me WITH Jesus – (& it’s a royal throne, by the way). This body is temporary. I have already been made one with Jesus (John 17:21). And I have been given the Holy Spirit as a deposit (Ephesians 1:13-14), ensuring my residence in that seat. My spirit is one with the Holy Spirit, Who is in me AND in heaven. Thus, I can consider myself as having been “seated” already. I just haven’t shaken off these human bonds quite yet.
You have probably just said one of two things: 1) Well, duh!! or 2) Why is this important?
If you said #1... I'm trying to catch up as fast as possible.
But if you asked #2... we are in the same boat. I asked God that very thing… Why has this been on my mind and heart, and why was He leading me here yet again? It occurred to me that perhaps I am not living in the peace and the power that have been afforded me by virtue of my “seat”. Perhaps I should take more time to get to know this Spirit who lives in me, and to question and contemplate how having the Holy Spirit of God living in me changes the way I view life, problems, fears, etc.
So I go back to Revelation 1:4 … the sevenfold Spirit.
What are the seven Spirits anyway?
Well, apparently, it’s referencing Isaiah.
Isaiah 11:2
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord…”
Having that list, I did some research on the original Hebrew words for each of these, as well as commentaries by people much smarter than me. These seven attributes represent a progression of the Holy Spirit's character and power. (The Hebrew word for each is in parentheses.) And my applications are italicized after each.
- The Spirit of the Lord: (Ruach HaKodesh). This is the foundational divine presence and sovereign rule of God.
He is Sovereign – in and over all. He is always with me. And He never changes. So I can trust Him and all the rest of His attributes forever.
- The Spirit of Wisdom: (Chochmah). The ability to discern and make godly decisions. It refers to a profound, intuitive flash of inspiration, and the practical ability to discern and act with skill.
I can trust that God will give me those flashes of inspiration. An intuit. Because He is living in me, I can step out in faith with what He’s given me, even if logic does not dictate it to be so.
- The Spirit of Understanding: (Binah). The comprehension to grasp God's truth and apply it. It represents the intellectual process of taking a vague idea and developing it into clear, logical, and structured understanding. The ability to judge wisely between right and wrong.
Sometimes we’ve referred to this as “conscience”. This is the Spirit teaching us and leading us. There are times when something doesn’t “feel” quite right. I can trust that’s the Spirit guiding and protecting me from a present or a future evil.
- The Spirit of Counsel: (Etzah). Divine guidance, advice, counsel and direction for navigating life. A plan or purpose. Isaiah. 4:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”)
Isaiah 30:21 “This is the way; walk in it.” He orders my steps, and guides me by an unseen hand toward my purpose that He will fulfill in and with me. I can trust that by taking that step, He will guide and direct me - even if I "get it wrong" at first. The Holy Spirit knows well how to get me "back on track".
- The Spirit of Might: (Gevurah). The inner strength and power to overcome adversity. Derived from the root (g-v-r), meaning "to prevail", the term goes beyond physical muscle and implies spiritual courage, self-discipline, and the strength to exercise restraint.
Wow. I really need to rely on the Spirit more for HIS might, which is IN me. I am typically such a weakling in these things. I pray He will show me how His might can be exercised in me.
- The Spirit of Knowledge: (Da'at). A deep, personal intimacy and familiarity with God. It originates from the root yada (to know), implying intimate knowledge, awareness, and wisdom rather than just intellectual information. It can imply a settled mind and common sense.
THIS is what has grown in me these past few years. There is actually a word for it!! By spending time together, and learning, an intimacy has been created. A knowing.
- The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord: (Yir'at Hashem). A reverent awe and deep respect for God's holiness. It rarely means cowering in terror. Rather it's reverence, awe and humility. Reverence and Awe: is an overwhelming sense of wonder, respect, and amazement at God's majesty and the vastness of creation. Humility: is the recognition of my ego shrinking in the presence of the Creator, allowing my soul to expand. Considered the starting point of wisdom and the ultimate motivation for living a just, ethical, and moral life.
Every time I sense His presence, or when He has done something specific for me, I do feel this my spirit. It’s like I catch my breath and am afraid to move for ‘fear’ of losing that feeling, that knowledge, or that awareness of Him.
Wow and Hallelujah!! THIS is the Holy Spirit that stands in heaven AND lives in me. Note that this is not the fruit of the Spirit, although they are certainly connected. This is the Spirit HIMSELF - HIS attributes, HIS character, HIS power. So by relying on HIM Who lives in me, I have no excuse for being weak or scared. I have everything (& everyone) I could ever need. My seat has been created, and my oneness with Jesus practically puts me IN that seat. Heaven is all around me and within me. I just need to commune with Him more and more, as I tap into all He has provided. Less of me. More of Him.
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