To And Fro

"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is completely his" 

2 Chron. 16:9.

The bible is specific, and this phrase "to and fro" is significant. The Law of First Mention in biblical interpretation gives the initial appearance of something in Scripture its meaning. "To and fro" first occurs in Job 1:7 and 2:2, and describes Satan's travels in the earth.

Consider this. These scriptures in Job call Satan one of the sons of God present before The Almighty. Why was he included and allowed to be there? Hmmm, something to think about.

"To and fro"  is the devil's travel itinerary in the earth. Kicked out of the heavenly realms, his field of accessibility is severely restricted. Why does God keep such a close watch?

According to Daniel 12:4 men also go "to and fro", in the same dimension Satan trolls, and will do so until time ends. God watches over all His creation but specifically those "whose heart is completely His." Those in this category, if not vigilant, are more susceptible to attack.

Fortunately for believers, we're not trapped in the kill zone of "to and fro". In his letter to the Colossians Paul exhorted them to "keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." Col. 3:1. Why? Because Christ, "...hath raised us up together and made us sit in Heavenly places." Eph. 2:6.

Paul understood we live and operate from a Heavenly realm far above earth and "to and fro". Still, many believers are unaware of who and where they are. They view life strictly from a temporal perspective.

The truth is we are a "new creation" 2 Cor. 5:17, but most still see themselves as "mere men" 1 Cor. 3:3. When was the last time you heard yourself or another believer assert, "I'm only human! What more do you expect?" (Break out Cristy Lane's "One Day at a Time". On second thought, please don't.) Jesus faced impossible situations and never resorted to that excuse. Just the opposite.

While here on earth, in His physical body, Jesus declared, "I am in the Father and the Father is in me" John 14:11 (note the present tense). The Father was in Heaven. Jesus was not only there, but also on the earth at the same time. He said this about those who would follow him:

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me" John 17:22-23.

Jesus said believers are in Him while He is in the Father - right now. For John, this must have been initially hard to grasp. By the time he penned what we know as 1 John, this impossibility was reality.

"By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He as given us of His spirit." 1 John 4:13.

Fortunately for those living as if this is true and for those still unaware of their real position in life, God keeps an eye out. He'll encourage those of faith to assume their place above and out of the fray of "to and fro". It's sometimes easier said than done. Our hearts may yearn to be completely His, but our minds (reason, logic, thought processes) are often rooted in the natural world nurturing unbelief, thus painting a target on our backs.

How about you? What do you think about Paul's belief that Christians are already in Heavenly realms? How do your feelings impact your ability to believe this is true, right now? How would operating from a Heavenly position remove opposition and reduce/eliminate blow back from the enemy? If Heaven is truly available now in this lifetime, do you still want to postpone being there to some time it the future?