This precious and deeply-instructive book figures our conflicts in the heavenly places.

The people had known the value of the "blood of the lamb" in screening them from Divine
judgment in the land of Egypt; they learned for the first time the meaning of that precious word
"salvation", as they stood fully delivered on the other side of the Red Sea; brought to God they
were tested in the wilderness, where their sins and necessities formed so many occasions for the
display of Divine grace and for the rich unfolding of God’s infinite resources. Now they are about
to cross the Jordan, and possess the land promised to their fathers. We, too, like them_only in
a far deeper way_have known the priceless worth of the blood of God’s beloved ONE. Yes, the
infinite value of that "one sacrifice" has been fully declared by God, and by the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven; "When I see the blood I will pass over you" (Ex. 12:13), forming at once the
ground of peace and the righteous basis on which God acts in grace. (Rom. 3:24-26).

But, further, we have been brought to God through the death and resurrection of Christ. "In Him"
we have died out of the scene of our hard slavery and bondage. Deliverance from the "world"
(Gal. 1:4; 6:14), from "the flesh" (Gal. 5:24), from "law" (Gal. 2:19), from "sin" (Rom. 6:2-11),
from the power of the enemy (Col. 2:15), from the Devil (Heb. 2:14), and from death (Heb. 2:15)
_is the present and blessed portion of all who believe. Ours is no uncertain redemption, for now
we have been brought in the power of the work of Christ to God (1 Peter 3:18), but to God in the
wilderness, and here comes in the full character of our Christian state.

If I look up I can say "I am in Christ in heavenly places". Such is our position. We cannot
otherwise define it save by saying, "In Christ". We have crossed the Jordan and entered Canaan:
in other words, the Church has been "quickened", "raised up", and "seated" in Him in heavenly
places. (Eph. 2).

Thus the Jordan does not so much express what we have been delivered from as what we have
been brought to. With us it is necessarily distinct from the position of Israel, we being both in the
wilderness and in Canaan at the same time_the former as to our state, the latter as to our
standing.

It is interesting to note that in Romans we get "dead to sin" and "alive to God"_not raised in His
resurrection. In Colossians we get a step further_"quickened with. Him", and "risen" with Him;
thus "seek those things which are above"; but in Ephesians, which answers exactly to the book
of Joshua, we have not merely quickening, as in Romans, nor quickening and raising as in
Colossians, but quickened, raised up, and seated in Him in heavenly places; thus, what I am told
to "seek" in Colossians I have got in Ephesians_"Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places in Christ".

The Church is blessed according to the fulness of the heart, and mind, and counsels of God (Eph.
1); but the practical realization of her place and blessings is quite another thing. Hence,, the
heavenlies becomes the sphere of her action, the scene of her conflicts. (Eph. 6:10-17). Canaan
is not rest, but conflict. I am to hold my own against all the powers of darkness:the warfare is

a deadly one, and must be waged unceasingly.

It will require energy, courage, devotedness, decision, and dependence upon the Holy Ghost to
maintain in practical power in the soul the place and blessings our gracious God has given us. We
must have on every bit of the armour of God, else our watchful enemies will get an advanatage
over us. This warfare can only be successfully maintained in the power of the Holy Ghost, He
being the seal of redemption, and the earnest of glory (Eph. 1:13,14).

He guides to the Father, and dwells in the assembly (Eph. 2:18-22); He strengthens inwardly the
saints with power (Eph. 3:16); He has established a Divine unity (Eph. 4:3,4); He is the Holy
One, who has sealed the saints for final redemption. (Eph. 4:30). We are to be filled with the
Spirit (Eph. 5:18); and, finally, the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)_the only offensive
weapon_must be wielded in our conflict with the powers in the heavenlies, else defeat will be the
certain result; "Concerning the works of men by the words of Thy lips, I have kept me from the
paths of the destroyer". (Ps. 17:4).

Praying and supplicating in the Spirit is the fit closing of His place and functions in this Epistle.
(Eoh. 6:18). We might just add, that in the Epistle to the Colossians, which gives a magnificent
unfolding of the glories of Christ, the Holy Spirit is only mentioned once. (Chap. 1:8). How
necessary the Holy Ghost is to the maintenance of our place and blessings as Christians, is at once
apparent from the important place He occupies in the Ephesians. Joshua represents Christ acting
in the power of the Holy Ghost. This may suffice as to the spiritual application of the book and
of its general teaching to us.