Philippians 3:20
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ
Ephesians tells us of the Great Salvation that is a part of The Dispensation of The Mystery. But in Philippians, we are told to work out that salvation with fear and trembling. So then, Ephesians tells us what we are in Christ, but Philippians tells us what we can do with Christ in us.
One of the things that date the Epistle of Phillippians is the mention of Epaphroditus and his illness. Before the end of Acts, Paul could heal all that came to him and even sent articles of his clothing to others who could not make the journey, and upon receiving them, they were healed (Acts 19:11-12). But that sign-gift was available only until Acts 28:28 and was ended as there was no healing from Paul for Epaphroditus or anyone else.
Another thing that dates it is the confession in Chapter 3 that the things which were counted as profitable in the flesh during the Apostolic administration are no longer a ground of confidence but thrown away as trash (Phil. 3:4-8). All the advantages of Israel in the flesh have passed off the scene.
In Phil. 3:11, we find Paul yearning for a resurrection, but before the end of Acts, he was expecting to be here and alive when the Lord came to set up His Kingdom (1 Thes. 4:15). So the Dispensational Frontier had passed, and the coming of the Lord postponed for about Two days (Hosea 6:2, 2 Pet. 3:8), and Paul knew this.
In Phil. 3:20 Paul reminds us that our conversation (citizenship) is in The Heaven of heavens and that it is from this citizenship location that we look for the appearing or manifestation of the Savior, the Lord Christ Jesus. So then, unlike Israel, who will look for Him coming in clouds to the earth, we look for His Manifestation or Coronation in the heavens.
In the past dispensation, men were taught to pray and expect an answer to prayer or to have it done as asked. But that is no longer in order, for here in Philippians, we are to pray thusly;
"The Lord is at hand (His Manifestation could be at any moment), be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:5-7)
How different from the so-called Lord's prayer in Matthew;
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13)
The fact that Paul refers to the Praetorian guard in Phil. 1:13 and then expects to be released (his salvation) Phil. 1:19 shows that he was in Rome. This is further shown by the fact that many of Caesar's household were slaves if not all of them. God had put Paul in such a position that he could contact the members of the household of Caesar and give them the good news of The Dispensation of The Mystery.
It might be well for the reader to outline the seven steps in the Lord's humiliation in Chapter 2 and then the seven steps of exaltation which follow.
In chapter 3, Paul gives the seven things which he once thought were an advantage and the seven things he wins in the renunciation of all advantages of the flesh.
Then outline the examples of both Timothy and Epaphroditus, who labored with Paul. See the complaint even then of the lack of those who put Christ first.
