Things of Heaven

"We should want them to rejoice with us."

WE SEE the potential of a human being filled with God in John’s Revelation. There appeared before the beloved apostle a vision of Jesus Christ such as none had seen. Clothed in such glory that He appeared radiant, He spoke, and it was as if a sword cut the atmosphere. We also read in the Word of God of the archangel Michael, a tremendous being created to war against the enemy and those beings who chose to follow him. Though he does what has been commanded him, obedient to the will of the Father, to fight against what was once under him is a grave thing. I won’t get into the creation of angels nor their duties. That is not my point, but that those who are “principalities and powers and rulers of darkness of this world” were made for a godly purpose but made a choice they were not given right to take (Ephesians 6:12).

Whereas Jesus made a choice planned for Him to take and now, look at His glorious majesty. We will all face Him. All of heaven and earth will stand before Him, for He is the judge of godliness and rebellion, and Revelation 1:7 says seeing Him and knowing then their insufficiencies, many will wail. But not those who rejoiced, hearing His shout and the trumpet blast, heavenly angelic hosts included. The angels rejoice when one sinner comes into the kingdom of God (Luke 15:10). They shouted and sang at the Savior’s birth. How much more then the finished redemption of all mankind?

“When I turned to see the source of the voice that was speaking to me, I first saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was one who appeared to be human, just like a Son of Man. He was wearing a robe flowing down to his feet and had a golden breastplate on his chest; his hair was brilliant white, like snow, and his eyes shone brightly like a fire. His feet glowed like metal in a furnace, and his voice resounded with energy like a roaring river. He held seven stars in his right hand, and the words coming from his mouth were the sharp double-edged sword of truth. His face radiated energy like the sun shining at midday.” (Revelation 1:12-16, Remedy)

What surprises me the most about these things is two-fold. God is love we are told in 1 John 4:8. Love created mankind in Genesis and all the flora and fauna that surrounds us. But love also created Gabriel, Michael, and all angelic hosts. God was love in this, too. What grief for God our Father that any would rebel. There is much unstated about this in God’s Word, but these facts are truth. When God had finished Creation, He declared all of it “very good.” Not because He was surprised, but so we would know. Earth was VERY GOOD. Man was VERY GOOD. But so were all elements of the spiritual kingdom. Singular. Darkness only came because of sin, and sin brought death. God suffered a loss in this and mourns it still in the destruction at their own hand, of what He created. We see these things from a human standpoint. We should seek God’s.

The other portion I want to press on you is how limited our expectations are of who we are “in Christ.” This phrase has been tossed around to show our potential, but our potential is pictured there with the Christ, Jesus Christ, in Revelation 1. He went before us, and we are made like Him, the fullness of it to come into being when He returns for His church. But though that is our hope, there is much we can “be” today. So much we should seek for the benefit and relief of those around us. Our heart should be that everyone would see Him from a place of right-standing and not death and emptiness. We should want them to rejoice with us and not cry out their regret. Jesus’ blood lives on the altar of heaven for their salvation. Any who call on Him can become like Him, filled with Him, and the power of Resurrection that lights heaven and will reform bodies from the grave. That’s what the Word says. That those who are dead in Christ will rise first then we which are alive will follow (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). From wherever they are buried, wherever and in whatever condition they are in, every cell, though it is but scattered dust, will join back together into human form. Except, as Jesus stands in His glory, so will we be. All God, His presence solely what is within us.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

We focus on the demonic too much, too often. We are warned of the worship of angels (Colossians 2:18). This is great error. But we must see the beauty of them, not just in their use, but in God’s design. We are told in Colossians 3:1-2 (TLB) to “let heaven fill your thoughts”, so that these things on earth grow dim. Knowing what this is for each of us can only be discovered by time with the Holy Spirit, seeking Him. Not what He can do, but Him as our Father and our Friend. Then, in that intimate place, we can each have a fuller picture of heaven and the angelic and, most grandly, of our Savior. Who wants to be seen by us. My grandfather spoke with Him before he passed and told the family of it. He called Jesus beautiful, said he couldn’t describe how much. I saw Jesus seated on a throne carved into Mt. Rushmore. He wore a golden crown and held a golden sceptre. He is King of these United States. I’ve had visions of the Father holding the future in His grasp, and of the Spirit who wanted to be seen by me. I cannot wait for that moment when Jesus and I are face-to-face.

In the meanwhile, I will seek the things of heaven in my life and the wellness and strength that Jesus rose again to supply. I can have heaven here. I can live as He did, confident in who I am because of Him, unafraid of the happenings around me or those predicted for the future, sure in what has been given to me to supply my daily needs and my spiritual ones.

“You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup. In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches.” (Psalm 16:5, VOICE)

“Since you became alive again, so to speak, when Christ arose from the dead, now set your sights on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where he sits beside God in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God. And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories.” (Colossian 3:1-4 TLB)

Horse Drawing Image by omar sahel from Pixabay
Background Texture Image by Kseniya Lapteva from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com