What does it mean to “raise up, and sit” at the same time? To be raised up and seated describes our position in Christ. The book of Ephesians states that we have been made to sit. This is a good example of how God the Father extended the sonship of Jesus to us when we accepted Him as Lord. Praise God!
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV
In the earthly realm, there is a well-known royal tradition of Kings giving “seats” to members of the royal household within a Kingdom. This is a centuries old tradition based on Biblical custom of giving land and seats of responsibility. As believers, this is what has happened for us. The good news about the seat that we have together in Jesus, is that it we did not have to work for it or earn it. It is part of the free gift of our Salvation.
Let’s look at what it means to be both raised up and seated at the same time. How do we occupy this position and appropriate what Jesus has done for us?
Raised Up
If you have ever had an upgrade, you will know exactly what it means to be raised up. Being raised up is always good news! This is what happened for us when we became born again; Praise God, we have been raised up into the Heavenly realm through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
This means that we no longer have to be subject to our circumstances. What used to impact you negatively can no longer reach you because you are exercising your position in Christ! Jesus paid the price and, empowered by the Holy Spirit, so we can do exactly what He did on earth! We have the name, the blood and the Words of Jesus which allow us to rise above our circumstances. Notice how He is the name that is above and not beneath!
“at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” – Philippians 2:10–11
Made to Sit
“Made to sit,” this phrase is reminiscent of Psalm 23. David says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” In this situation, God is the shepherd who is blessing His sheep by making us sit. It’s also worth noting that in the natural sense, sheep will always sit after they are fed and feel secure and satisfied. Jesus is the Good Shepherd! He gives us rest and a peace that passes our understanding.
Can you picture yourself seated in a heavenly place? Well, your surroundings may not look too heavenly right now. Maybe you are facing a situation that is far from heavenly. But, the scripture tells us that we have been made to sit in heavenly places. This is where our Faith comes in! We have to choose to believe and confess what The Word says to change the reality of our situation. Jesus did this throughout his Ministry. He spoke to the fig tree, He spoke to the storm, He called Lazarus from the dead! The Word of God changes everything!
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
“And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church]” – Ephesians 1:22
Praise God, being raised up and seated in Heavenly places with Christ is a position of absolute victory! Start walking in this victory today, by confessing and believing what The Word says about you. Start visualising yourself seated high above everything and anything that is trying to exalt itself above the knowledge of God. This is what it means to be raised up and seated in heavenly places!
