And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV)

So many fairy tales end with these famous last words—and they lived happily ever after.

But prior to the ever after there was suffering, pain, loss, oppression, grief, etc. Perhaps the struggle makes the ending all the more sweet.

Ephesians 2 tells our story—it begins with slavery and oppression…

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. Ephesians 2:1-2 (NIV)

Born in sin, we lived lives of futility. Slaves to passions which didn’t satisfy. Bent creatures without purpose or hope. Living in rebellion to the God who made us and declared us “very good.”

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)

But God—great in love and rich in mercy—saved us. By his death and resurrection, he gave us life and the power to overcome temptation to sin. His love fills us to overflowing and his compassion pulses in our hearts. We have been saved by grace!

But that’s not the end—

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV)

In Jesus Christ we are already positionally seated with him in the heavenly realms. We’ve tasted the fruit of God’s rich grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus but our future holds even greater blessing. In the coming ages…

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”...I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Revelation 21:3-4, 22-25 (NIV)

Our King Jesus is coming back—with his army of angels—and will rid the world of evil once and for all. Then we will live with him happily ever after. Amen.