Heavenly Realms, Heavenly Places, Heavenlies

A term found only in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. The BSB translates it as “the heavenly realms.” Other translations render it “the heavenlies” or “the heavenly places.” The term refers to the unseen world above the earth. Some scholars suggest that the term “in the heavenlies” was associated with religious ideas that were common in the non-Christian world of Paul's day. If so, Paul may have used the term to show that Christ rules over all spiritual powers.

In Ephesians, the heavenly realms are the sphere where the risen Christ reigns. God seated Christ at His right hand in a position of authority, power, and dominion, far above every other power (Ephesians 1:20–21). Believers already share in the blessings of this realm. God has blessed them “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” (verse 3). God has raised them up with Christ and seated them with him “in the heavenly realms” (2:6).

The heavenly realms are also the place where spiritual powers are active. Through the church, God's wisdom is made known to the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:10). The church also shares in Christ's victory over “the spiritual forces of evil” that are present there (6:12).

See also Heaven; Principalities and Powers.