The question which now arises is, Does this passage refer to a distinct sphere of blessing, or is this blessing of

Abraham to be enjoyed in one or other of the two spheres already considered? A complete answer can only be given

after careful examination, but for the sake of conciseness we note that in this calling `there is neither Jew nor Greek,

there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus' (Gal. 3:28).

Such a unity as this is entirely unlike the constitution of a kingdom, which is what is in view in Matthew 5.

Rather, it so closely resembles the later revelation of Ephesians that some have adopted the expression, `All one in

Christ Jesus', with the idea that it declares the unity of the spirit of Ephesians 4. Before proceeding to proofs, most,

if not all, will agree that Galatians 3:14 does not refer to an inheritance on the `earth'. Yet on the other hand, when

we read on to Galatians 3:29, we are also prevented from asserting that it belongs to the sphere of the mystery made

known in Ephesians, for we find it stated: `and if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to

the promise'.

So entirely contrary is it to the scriptural teaching concerning the mystery, to make it a fulfilment of any promise

to Abraham, that we must hesitate to place this company, which is Abraham's seed, `in heavenly places'. We

therefore search further in this Epistle, and in the fourth chapter find the following statement:

`But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all ... Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the

children of promise' (Gal. 4:26,28).

`Jerusalem which is above,' is neither on `the earth' nor `in heavenly places far above all principality', and as

this city forms the theme of Hebrews 11:9-16 and 12:18-23, where the `heavenly country' is contrasted with the

`earth', we are obliged to record a third sphere of blessing:

(3) A third sphere of blessing, differing from that of Ephesians 1:3 and that of Matthew 5:5, is recorded in the

The order in which these three spheres are placed is immaterial to our immediate purpose. We have taken the

highest first, the lowest second, and the intermediate last. Later, when we have established the distinctive character

of each sphere, we shall attempt to relate them to each other, and the question of their order will then be discussed.

Meanwhile, we submit that we have established that there are `Three spheres of blessing' revealed in the Scriptures.

Our further studies must be directed to a fuller explanation of the distinctions that Scripture makes between these

three spheres, and an examination of what is intended by such expressions as `in heavenly places' and `far above

all', but no doubt can be entertained as to the existence in Scripture of these separate callings, and their

corresponding spheres.

(Matt. 5:5). The Kingdom.

(1) `The earth'

(2) `Jerusalem which is above' (Gal. 3 and 4). The Bride.

(Eph. 1:3). The Body.

(3) `In heavenly places'

We will begin with the lowest, namely the earth, pass on to the second sphere, the heavenly Jerusalem, and

conclude with the sphere of the church of the one body, `Far above all'.

The First sphere, the Earth.- In the near context of Matthew 5:5, which speaks of the meek who shall inherit the

earth, we learn of a kingdom which is yet to be set up on the earth:

`Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven' (Matt. 6:10).

In that prophecy of His second coming, The Revelation, one of the titles of the Lord is:

`The Prince of the Kings of the earth' (Rev. 1:5).

The extent of the kingdom is defined in Psalms 72:8 and 2:8 :