)%20(50%20%C3%97%2030%20cm)%20(60%20%C3%97%2030%20cm)%20(29_7%20%C3%97%2021%20cm).png)
)%20(50%20%C3%97%2030%20cm)%20(60%20%C3%97%2030%20cm)%20(29_7%20%C3%97%2021%20cm).png)
ON EARTH
)%20(50%20%C3%97%2030%20cm)%20(60%20%C3%97%2030%20cm)%20(29_7%20%C3%97%2021%20cm).png)
Imagine
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
MATTHEW 6:10
WHAT IS HEAVEN?
Heaven is the eternal dwelling place and operational hub of God where mortality, time, space and matter all cease to exist. It is a place where everything is illuminated with the glory and light of God, as His presence fills the atmosphere. The kingdom of heaven is also interchangably called 'the kingdom of God' and it is the place of the King's dominion (king-dom). Entrance into heaven is only made available through one door; Jesus Christ. Sin can not reside with God because of the nature of His holiness, therefore the ability to become a citizen of this heavenly location is only made available to all those who have had their sin remitted and received the gift of the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in the testimony of Jesus Christ and the price that was paid to wash us of all impurity.
The moment a believer is born again, the Bible says that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ref. Ephesians 2:6). Our primary residence now becomes the dwelling place of God and the only thing that is keeping us bound to this earth is this form of clay we call our flesh which is mortal and has no eternal substance. The Spirit of God carries the entirety of heaven and is the access point by which we are able to bring the reality of the heaven (which we are now citizens of) down into a tangible manifestation as reality here on earth. We need God in order to reveal to us the nature and fullness of His kingdom, that we may begin to let the reality of heaven completely saturate our understanding and worldview, replacing our old reality which was carnal and focused on temporal affairs and live from a state of being that is motivated predominantly by that which has eternal value.
Eternity is a gift from God, a timeless existence where the the soul finds its eternal home in the presence of the Almighty. It is a state of being where the past, the present and future merge into one infinite moment, and all things are made new in the glory of God. In eternity, the soul is free from the struggles and hardships of earthly life and is embraced by the love and grace of God. It is a place of infinite possibilities, where the soul is free the explore the wonders of creation and grow in wisdom and knowledge of God. Eternity is a promise of everlasting life in the presence of God for those who receive the gospel. It is a place of peace, joy and perfect communion with God, where the soul is reunited with it's Creator in a state of perfect holiness. In eternity, believers experience the fullness of God's love and grace, and all the pain and sorrow of this earthly life will be wiped away by the hand of the Almighty. Eternity in heaven is a promise that every believer can cling to, a hope that sustains us through the trials and challenges of this life. It is a place where we will finally see and understand the fullness of God's plan, and where we will worship and praise Him for all of eternity. Furthermore, God gives us access to this reality through the Holy Spirit and HEAVEN on Earth is about letting that reality invade earth.
​
ETERNITY
a timeless existance
GOD
the Creator
God the Creator is the light that shines in the darkness, the source of all life and goodness in this universe. He is the one who spoke the world into existence and who continues to sustain each living creature with his breath and loving kindness. In God, we see the perfect embodiment of unconditional and unending love, a love that knows no bounds and is without limit. He has shown us this love through His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth as a humble servant and died on the cross to save us from our sins. God is also the revealer of truth, the One who gives us wisdom and understanding in all things. He has given us the written word (the Bible) as a guide and a light unto our path. Through the Holy Spirit, God also speaks to us and reveals to us His love, His grace, His kingdom and His mysteries.
As believers, we know that God is the source of all goodness and He desires to bless us in every way. He is the One that gives us strength to overcome our struggles and gives us the courage to face each day with hope and joy.
In God we find our true purpose and meaning in life. He created all things, yet when He created us it was for the purpose of being in fellowship with Him, to worship and serve Him with all of our heart and love Him out of choice and not obligation. God honours our free will and love by definition must be freely given.
IMMORTALITY
the beauty of salvation
The beauty of salvation is the most precious gift that God has given to humanity. It is the ultimate expression of His love and grace towards us. Through Christ's sacrafice on the cross, we are redeemed from our sins and reconciled to God. As Christians, we know that salvation is a free gift that we receive by faith in Jesus Christ. The beauty of salvation is that it offers us the oppertunity to have a personal relationship with God. It is a transformative experience that changes our lives forever. When we accept Christ as our LORD and Saviour, we become a new creation in Christ. We are no longer bound by the power of sin and death, but we are set free to live a life that is pleasing to God. The beauty of salvation is that it gives us faith and assurance. We know that we are saved by grace through faith and not by our works. We do not have to earn salvation or try to be good enough for God. We can rest in the knowledge that our salvation is secure in Christ.
The beauty of salvation is that it brings us into the family of God. We become His children, and He becomes our heavenly Father. We have a new identity in Christ, and we are no longer alone in this world. We have a community of believers who support us and encourage us on our journey of faith. The beauty of salvation is that it is a source of lasting peace and joy. We are no longer slaves to our worry because we know that God has us in the palm of His hand and He is in control. The fear of death no longer has any hold on us for we know that death is merely a transition to a new destination, one that is far better than earth. Salvation is the greatest gift one could ever receive and it the source of the joy that springs up in our hearts. The beauty of salvation is what all believers are called to share with others that they may encounter the radical love of God for themselves and secure their eternity in heaven.
REVELATION
the light
Revelation is the function of God shining a light on that which is hidden in darkness or behind a veil of our understanding. The process of revelation involves God unveiling His mysteries, secrets, thoughts and plans to His people. As believers, we know that God is the source of all truth and He has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Scripture teaches us that God's revelation is progressive. Throughout history, God has gradually revealed Himself through interactions with prophets and kings of Israel. In the New Testament, God revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the exact representation of God's nature. However, revelation is not just limited to the past. God continues to reveal Himself to His people today through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who guides us into all truth. He illuminates the Scriptures, helping us to understand God's will and apply it to our lives. The purpose of revelation is to bright light into the darkness. The world is full of darkness and people are living in spiritual blindness. However, God in His mercy and love has chosen to shine His light into the darkness. Through revelation, God reveals His character, His plan of salvation, and His will for our lives. Revelation is also a call to action. God's revelation demands a response from us. We are called to repent of sin, turn to God and follow His will for our lives. We are called to be obedient to His Word and to share the good news with others.
Revelation also demonstrates a God who is active and alive, for when God reveals something to us it is for the purpose of brining life through breakthrough, deliverance, healing or causing a miracle to take place.
Revelation gives us insight into hidden knowledge that God is wanting to reveal to us.
RESURRECTION
the life
Resurrection is the life of God making that which is dead and dormant rise again. Resurrection as the life is a central belief of Christianity. The belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day after His crucifixtion, conquering sin and death, and offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. In John 11:25-26, Jesus states "...I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith because it confirms the divinity of Jesus Christ and validates His teachings. It proves that He is who He claimed to be, the Son of God, and that His sacrifice on the cross was sufficent to atone for our sins. It also gives us hope that the death of our carnal bodies is not the end, but rather a transition into eternal life with God. We are called to live in the light of resurrection as people who have been raised from the dead to live a life of hope, joy and victory over bondage to sin. Our old self has been crucified with Christ and it is no longer we who live but Christ who lives in us and it is by the Spirit that life can spring forth from all that is dead or laying dormant.
THE LIFE OF GOD'S SPIRIT
The life of God's Spirit ressurects the dead parts of us by bringing us into a new relationship with God. When we come to fatih in Jesus Christ and are born again, we become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means that the old parts of us that were dead in sin are made alive by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the life and the life giving power of God that worked in Jesus and now works in us to transforms us into the image of Christ. He convicts us sin, leads us to all truth and empowers us to live a life that honours God. The Spirit of God also resurrects the dead parts of us by giving us new desires and passions. We are no longer slaves to the sin working in our members but are free to pursue the things of God. The Holy Spirit working in us gives us a hunger for God's Word, a desire to pray, and a passion for serving others. He also gives us gifts and talents that we can use to build up the body of Christ and glorify God. By the Spirit of God, we are raised to a new life with Christ.
The life is the substance of God that brought all living things into being as it was released in the form a word and breath. The same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead now operates in the body of a believer and therefore there is a creative power that operates through the temple of someone who has given their life over to full submission to God and a life dedicated to prayer and fasting so that the flesh and all carnality residing within us can continue to die whilst the Spirit of God that brings life can rise up and operate freely through us causing the dead to be raised, the lame to walk, the healing to take place, the mute to speak, the deaf to hear, the believer to produce fruit, the heart to receive and the life to transform. Therefore, our old works which were dead are given the power to become works that produce life.
THE THREE HEAVENS
KEY VERSES
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession."
"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven."
PSALM 8:3
HEBREWS 4:14
II CORINTHIANS 2:12
Note: If Paul talks of a third heaven, then we can know that there is a first and second.
Though not everything is strictly recorded in scripture, God reveals His secrets to those who desire to know them.
The teaching on three heavens is a revelatory teaching unveiled by the Spirit of God.
1.
FIRST HEAVEN
the atmospheric
The first heaven is the heaven that you can see with the natural eye. The sun, moon and stars are like celestial evangelists that decorate the blanket of the sky declaring the glory of God. The Psalmists sing beautifully, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky sheweth his handiwork."
Every day, God paints a masterpiece of vibrant hues and dreamy tones across the horizon with each rising up and setting down of the sun. The first heaven testifies to all of creation of the existence of God through the invisible things of him (His intelligence, His wisdom, His power, His majesty) being made clearly known so that no man is without excuse on judgement day.
The first heaven is a love note of God being extended to His creation, inviting them into a deeper curiousity and wonder of all in existence, so that their journey of discovery behind creation can ultimately lead them to their Creator.
2.
SECOND HEAVEN
the celestial
The second heaven is the spiritual realm that exists beyond that which we can not see with the natural eye.
If you were to diffuse all physical matter, you would see a realm of demonic forces in operation.
The second heaven is the place of operation for principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness that covers the world and spiritual wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). Everything that we see take place in the physical realm is like the reflection of a mirror, portraying the events, realities and affairs that take place in the realm of the unseen.
The second heaven is where Satan rules his evil empire of fallen angels and demons.
Satan's kingdom has two main agendas;
1) Steal, kill, destroy. Create veils of darkness and deception that will keep each individual from coming to the cross of Christ and receiving salvation.
2) If you fail the first, then keep the individual from fulfilling their life purpose and prevent them from being effective for the kingdom of God.
The second heaven is the real battle ground and only the Spirit of God who created all things has all power and authority over the kingdom of darkness which is why believers who carry His Spirit pose such a threat to Satan once the believer understands how to exercise the authority that God has given them. Satan wants people to believe that the real war is physical and against each other, when in truth, the real war that we are called to fight is the spiritual war and God is calling all men everywhere to become a bold soldier for the army of the living God.
3.
THIRD HEAVEN
God's dwelling place
The third heaven is God's throne and the eternal dwelling place for all the children of the Most High God.
A place where the streets are made of gold, reflecting the glorious light of the Lamb. where righteousness and immortal life eternal are the reality. A place without sun, moon or stars, for time does not exist in timelessness or true holiness. A place with mansions of great eternal splendour for those who gave up their earthly life for eternal life, where the atmosphere is filled with heavenly beings, angels and saved souls singing 'Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD God Almighty!, worthy is the Lamb who was slain, Jesus!". A place where pain, sorrow, suffering and torment cease to exist and the word 'goodbye' ceases to be used. (Revelation 21:1-7)
It is a place of perpetual bliss where hatred, anger, strife, malice, division and slander cannot exist, a timeless state of eternal existence where we are reunited with the rest of God's children, bathing in the presence of faith, hope, love, goodness, kindness, peace and joy in it's divine, eternal and pure form.
​
LET'S WORK
Together
Do you share in this vision too? Get in touch so that we can start working together.