in union with whom we were also assigned as heirs [of God], in that we were foreordained according to the purpose of him who operates all things according to the way his will counsels,

It is the congregation of Kingdom heirs, and these have a heavenly inheritance, the gift of God’s holy spirit to them being a token in advance of this heavenly inheritance. They are “the things in the heavens” that are to be gathered together again in the Christ, lined up under Jesus Christ as the spiritual Head. They were assigned as “heirs” of God and joint heirs of Jesus Christ.