The question of how `far' huperano indicates is not answered by the word

itself, but by the context.  The cherubim of glory were not `far' above the

mercy seat, the nature of the case limiting this superior position to a matter

of inches, but the exaltation of the Lord's house to the top of the mountains,

and so far above the hills, may indicate thousands of feet (Isa. 2:2), while

the present position of the Ascended Lord is so high, that no higher place can

be conceived by the mind of man; He is at the right hand of God in the super -

heavens, far above all principality and power.  This is the unique sphere of

blessing of the church of the Mystery, and any and every attempt to belittle

the high exaltation of the church must of necessity belittle the high

exaltation of its Head.  All other callings find their sphere either in the New

Earth or in the New Jerusalem which, though `heavenly' in character, is obliged

to descend to the earth at the end, because the heaven in which the City is

reserved is destined to pass away.  The only redeemed company that has a place

in the original heavens of Genesis 1:1, which are never to pass away, is the

Church which is His Body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.  Their

`citizenship' (R.V.) is (an abiding fact) in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

The Fathers.  While every man and woman living must have had a father, the term

`the fathers' is peculiarly reserved to refer to the patriarchs, Abraham,

Isaac, Jacob and David, and in a wider sense to the house of Israel, and it is

one of the unique blessings of Israel, that `the fathers' belong to them.  If

any reader of these lines should maintain that God made promises to his

`fathers' is he in a position to prove who his `fathers' were?  The writer of

these lines is named `Welch', his forefathers for several generations were men

of Devon, but beyond that he knows nothing.  Israel, however, were in an

entirely different position.  Their genealogies were scrupulously kept and it

was an essential part of their religion to maintain the integrity of each

tribe.  So, when Paul spoke of his brethren according to the flesh he included

`the fathers' among their privileges.

Israel's Dispensational Privileges

A

According to the flesh

B

Who are

C

To whom pertaineth the

D

And the

E

And the

E

And the giving of the

Law

D

And the

C

And the

B

Whose are the

A

According to the flesh

When God spake in times past, He spoke `to the fathers' (Heb. 1:1).  When

Peter addressed Israel he spoke to them of the covenant which God had made with

`our fathers' (Acts 3:25).  When Paul stood before his judges he declared that

he lived in hope of the promise made unto `our fathers' (Acts 26:6).  The place

that `the fathers' occupy in the purpose of God can be assessed by reading

Romans 11:26 -29:

`And so all Israel shall be saved ... As concerning the gospel, they are

enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved