When studying Ephesians, some phrases are easy to overlook because we assume we already understand them. In the previous post, we examined “in Christ” and saw how much hinges on grasping its true meaning. Another phrase that deserves close attention is “heavenly places.” Paul uses this phrase multiple times in Ephesians, yet many readers may not stop to consider what it actually means. A clear understanding of “heavenly places” is essential for interpreting key themes in this letter.
Present spiritual blessings
Paul opens Ephesians with a remarkable statement: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3 ESV). Some might assume that “heavenly places” refers to heaven after we die, suggesting that these blessings are something we will only experience in the future. However, Paul’s focus is not on a distant reward but on present realities. As Klyne Snodgrass explains,
“Paul does not mean that spiritual blessings are to be enjoyed later in heaven, for the focus of this text is on the present enjoyment of God’s gifts. In fact, focus on ‘getting into heaven’ in the future is not the primary concern of the New Testament. The concern is much more for the present life with God and in Christ.”1
The blessings believers have in Christ are not merely stored up for later; they are active and available now. In fact, Paul will go on to name some of these blessings later in Ephesians, further emphasizing their present reality.
Life with God here and now
This concept fits with the broader New Testament emphasis on life with God in the present. While future hope is certainly part of the Christian faith, the New Testament is more concerned with how believers live in relationship with God today. Andrew T. Lincoln notes that in apocalyptic writings, aspects of future salvation were sometimes viewed as already present in heaven. However, in Ephesians, Paul presents these blessings as a current reality: “Through what God has done in Christ, the benefits of the age to come have become a present heavenly reality for believers.”2 This means that when Paul speaks of “heavenly places,” he is pointing to a spiritual reality that believers participate in right now.
The meaning of “heavenly places”
The phrase “heavenly places” appears five times in Ephesians, reinforcing this theme. In Ephesians 1:20, Paul says that God “raised [Christ] from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.” This passage highlights Christ’s authority, which extends over all things, both spiritual and earthly. Then, in Ephesians 2:6, Paul declares that God “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Believers sit with Christ—a statement that only makes sense if “heavenly places” refers to a present spiritual reality rather than a future destination.
Ephesians 3:10 further supports this idea: “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” The church plays a role in revealing God’s wisdom, which suggests activity in the present, not just something waiting in the future.
Finally, Ephesians 6:12 speaks of spiritual warfare: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Clearly, “heavenly places” refers to the unseen spiritual realm where both divine blessings and spiritual battles are a present reality. Paul is not simply describing heaven as a final destination but unveiling a dimension of existence that intersects with our daily lives—a realm where God’s power is at work and where spiritual forces contend even now.
Contrasting the heavenly and the earthly
Scripture often contrasts the heavenly with the earthly to highlight the distinction between the physical and spiritual realms. Jesus told Nicodemus, “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” (John 3:12 ESV). Paul also distinguishes between “heavenly bodies and earthly bodies” (1 Cor. 15:40) and contrasts “the man of dust” with “the man of heaven” (1 Cor. 15:48-49). These examples reinforce the idea that “heavenly places” in Ephesians refers to the spiritual realm rather than a future location in the afterlife.
Living in the reality of “heavenly places”
Understanding “heavenly places” correctly transforms how we read Ephesians. Paul does not speak of distant blessings reserved for the afterlife. Instead, he reveals that believers already possess spiritual blessings in Christ. God raises us up with him, seats us with him, and engages us in the spiritual realm. The battles we fight and the blessings we enjoy are part of this reality now. Recognizing this helps us live with greater confidence, knowing that God’s power, presence, and provision are not just future promises—they are present truths.