What does it mean to be hidden with Christ in God? Let’s examine this passage in Colossians.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (Colossians 3:1-4 NLT)
First, it’s not fair that we did not see any of these glimpses of God’s glory recorded for us in the Bible. And we live in a world that has been cursed by God because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Therefore, the most beautiful and awesome things we have ever seen pale in comparison to what God has prepared for us.
- Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28:10-17)
- Isaiah’s vision of the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne (Isaiah 6:1-8)
- Joshua the high priest’s filthy garments replaced with clean robes (Zechariah 3:1-5)
- The many mansions that Jesus is preparing for us (John 14:2-3)
- Jesus transfigured on the mountain, appearing with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-8)
- Stephen’s vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56)
- Paul’s revelation of being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)
- John’s vision of God’s throne in heaven (Revelation 4:1-11)
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But heaven is a reality that God has prepared for us. It is only hidden for a little while. And then it will be revealed to us. But, for now, we have to believe it by faith.
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)
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In the meantime, we are “hidden with Christ in God.” That means we are doubly protected. We are protected in Christ. And we are protected with Christ in God. Not even Satan can touch that protection.
We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20 WEB)
What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39 WEB)
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And our real life is hidden from the world because the world does not know Jesus Christ. Therefore, the things of God don’t make sense to them.
Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.” (John 8:42-47 WEB)
Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him; and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is to be judged by no one. “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind. (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 WEB)
They will hate you because they first hated me – Who hated Jesus? Not the multitudes who were fed, who were healed, who were forgiven, who lined the road and shouted Hosanna. But, the religious zealots.
Furthermore, the Christian’s real life is hidden from the world because it is on a different plane than the world. Our real life is in “heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” This current life that we are living is just a temporary life. It is an opportunity for us to obey God and do his will. But this world is not our home, so we won’t be treated like citizens here.
Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God; and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1-6 WEB)
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16 WEB)
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But someday very soon, Jesus Christ will be revealed to the world. And we will be with him.
I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called “The Word of God.” The armies which are in heaven, clothed in white, pure, fine linen, followed him on white horses. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16 WEB)
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