HEAVEN...
The 'sky' is above us. The men of old days used the term 'heaven' to describe the 'sky' which from their vue was the highest visible point above them. Heaven is an elevation or lofty position. Keep in mind as you read the word 'heaven', the writers used the terminology that everyone was familiar with at the time. We have learned to see further into space with our technology, so we would probably use the term universe or galaxy or outer space to describe the highest place that we could physically see above us. Whether used physically or spiritually, it may be proper for us to see the word 'heaven' and vue it as 'above or higher or elevated' over all. 'Our father who art thou in heaven’ could properly be read 'Our father who is higher than all'. Let's look at what we mean by higher, concerning our father.
As you may be aware by now, 'above or higher' does not necessarily mean distance from the earth and does not necessarily require measurement with our fleshly senses. 'Above or higher' also has to do with rank or class or position or maturity. You may be in the balcony and your dad on the first floor, but he is still above you in a relational and authoritative position. In spirit, 'above and higher' has to do with things pertaining to understanding, discernment, maturity, judgment, insight, wisdom, knowledge, love, patience, grace, kindness, etc... these things cannot be measured with the eyes or hands of our flesh, right? Evidence of them can be seen, but not properly measured. No, they are measured in spirit and are described as higher or lower, ascended or descended, up or down, great or little, increased or decreased, over or under, king or servant, heaven or earth. Our father is higher than all in the realm of spirit.
For example, there is wisdom from above and wisdom from below. This wisdom has nothing to do with measuring distance or height in the physical realm. Heaven is above earth in two realms, do you see? The physical height of heaven is symbolic of the spiritual height of heaven in relation to the earth or earthliness. Our wisdom may be raised in some spiritual measure, but God is above all wisdom. Our love may be increased in some spiritual measure, but God is over all love. He is the author and finisher of all things, therefore, he holds the position over all things because he is the sum of all things. He is in those things and moves through those things. He is those things. He is the father and creator of them. He is the father and creator of you and I.
God gave himself, the sum of all things, into his son who was constantly higher than all else spiritually, while below on earth. He was in the highest spiritual heaven, but the lowest physical earth. His body was lowered as our body is lowered (humbled) in the physical realm. If he indeed gave himself into his son, and in turn gave his son into us, where does that leave us? Physically we are still lower (humbled), down, little, decreased, under and earthly. Spiritually (in the mind/soul/heart/desire) we are presently being highered (exalted), raised up, ascended, greatened, increased, over all into the 'above all' or 'heaven'. If you look closely at the word 'resurrection' you will see this happening not only as a one time event in the body at the end of time and consummation of all things, as most believe, but presently happening today in spirit. It means to 'raise up again' or to 'stand again'. Yeshua, is our resurrection and he is within us resurrecting us from the deadness and blindness and corruptness of our lowered soul. Raising us from the grip and rule of death and separation that came at the beginning of our time in this realm. He is presently awakening us and standing us back up again as we fell down into sleep. He is raising us from the earthly into the heavenly where he is presently seated at the right hand of the father. Not physically seated, nor physically on the right side of the father, but spiritually in the powerful position and presence of the father above all or ‘in the heavenlies'. In the spiritual realm, there is no space or matter, so Yeshua could not be physically located to the right side of a physical throne.
If we agree that heaven describes the higher positions in the realm of 'spirit', then let us determine whether our hope is truly in the heaven that many believe resides in a distant place beyond the universe. Let us determine where heaven is now and what heaven is to us now. After all, isn't that our living hope? Isn't that our reward and our prize in this ‘high' calling? Are we not supposed to set our affections 'above’. Not above, as in further into our physical galaxy. Isn’t our citizenship presently in the heavens? How is God's will done on earth as it is in the heavens if heaven is literally millions of miles away tucked behind the largest sun that many of us can’t remember the name of or pronounce? Does his will travel light years from beyond the stars to be done on earth? Must grace travel through the air of time to reach us, like a radio or television signal? No, the heavens, that which is 'above all' must present itself within the earth in order to take hold of mankind and draw them upward. This is happening now.
It is entering into earth, into earthen vessels, into man, into Yeshua and into you and I. Most people describe it as a place they travel to when the body dies, as if their body must literally raise into the literal 'sky' and somehow move to a distant heaven. They use the term rapture, which I do not use. Yeshua entered into full awareness and consciousness of the heavens when God raised him from the waters of the Jordan and deemed him his ‘beloved son’. Then Yeshua had eyes to see and ears to hear the things concerning the heavens. He received full spiritual access as the son of God.
When Yeshua disappeared in the body, he was not traveling to a distant place above the stars, but rather he crossed out of the consciousness of the physical realm which can be seen of man, into the full consciousness of the spiritual realm which cannot be seen. The realm that he was already fully aware of while in the physical realm but he remained conscious of this realm while here for our sake. He translated from this lower realm to the ‘higher’ realm. He was taken from below to a higher place in spirit. From earth to heaven. The incorruptible body allowed him to pass from one realm to another, which we do not have yet. We are presently mortifying this corruptible physical body, and being released and separated (forgiven) from its deadly passions and appetites. We are presently being birthed out of death into life that never ends. Like a seed sitting within the earth, watered and penetrated by light, moving into the position of eventually sprouting from among the earth. We are presently sprouting into everlasting life by the Christ within us, into the realm of God and Christ, which is the heavens.
So the question is, where is heaven? It is the realm of spirit in which God who is above all and his son Yeshua, the anointed of God dwell. Where do they dwell? Where is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of heaven? How do we enter? Is it through a literal gate? Where is the mansion with many rooms and the streets of gold? The land flowing with milk and honey? Where is the tree of life which sits beside the river of flowing water? Why can the rich man not enter it? When and why do children enter in? How and when do we inherit it? How do we see it? When do we see it? How do we lay treasures in it today? How are we citizens of it already? I cannot make you see it, but I can help and hope for God to unloose the preconceived notions that you have had concerning it until now. I can hope for your vue to switch.
It is among (within) you. It is at hand. It is present in all things and encompasses us. We live and move and have our being among it. The realm and kingdom and heaven of God has been given to you. Yeshua was the first among many brothers that would eventually see and hear the kingdom of God and his heavens. God purposely chose to place the essence of holiness within you in order to raise you up to the ‘elevation’ of spirit where He is. There is no need to search for it in any other place. There is no need to look for it with your eyes or dream of it as a distant place you will travel to later. There is no ‘Lo, here’ or ‘Lo, there’. Entering (going in) and inheriting (obtaining) is a process occurring as you are being highered, raised up, ascended, greatened, and increased 'into’ it now. Christ is forming his fullness within you presently. He is watering the seed of heaven within you now and manifesting it inward and outward through time. Heaven is the goal, aim, reward and result of a translating work that began the moment God began calling you towards him. Calling you inward towards his heavenly realm.
Raise up in the higher place my friend. Ascend into the heavens of God's spirit (mind).
Switchvues
As you may be aware by now, 'above or higher' does not necessarily mean distance from the earth and does not necessarily require measurement with our fleshly senses. 'Above or higher' also has to do with rank or class or position or maturity. You may be in the balcony and your dad on the first floor, but he is still above you in a relational and authoritative position. In spirit, 'above and higher' has to do with things pertaining to understanding, discernment, maturity, judgment, insight, wisdom, knowledge, love, patience, grace, kindness, etc... these things cannot be measured with the eyes or hands of our flesh, right? Evidence of them can be seen, but not properly measured. No, they are measured in spirit and are described as higher or lower, ascended or descended, up or down, great or little, increased or decreased, over or under, king or servant, heaven or earth. Our father is higher than all in the realm of spirit.
For example, there is wisdom from above and wisdom from below. This wisdom has nothing to do with measuring distance or height in the physical realm. Heaven is above earth in two realms, do you see? The physical height of heaven is symbolic of the spiritual height of heaven in relation to the earth or earthliness. Our wisdom may be raised in some spiritual measure, but God is above all wisdom. Our love may be increased in some spiritual measure, but God is over all love. He is the author and finisher of all things, therefore, he holds the position over all things because he is the sum of all things. He is in those things and moves through those things. He is those things. He is the father and creator of them. He is the father and creator of you and I.
God gave himself, the sum of all things, into his son who was constantly higher than all else spiritually, while below on earth. He was in the highest spiritual heaven, but the lowest physical earth. His body was lowered as our body is lowered (humbled) in the physical realm. If he indeed gave himself into his son, and in turn gave his son into us, where does that leave us? Physically we are still lower (humbled), down, little, decreased, under and earthly. Spiritually (in the mind/soul/heart/desire) we are presently being highered (exalted), raised up, ascended, greatened, increased, over all into the 'above all' or 'heaven'. If you look closely at the word 'resurrection' you will see this happening not only as a one time event in the body at the end of time and consummation of all things, as most believe, but presently happening today in spirit. It means to 'raise up again' or to 'stand again'. Yeshua, is our resurrection and he is within us resurrecting us from the deadness and blindness and corruptness of our lowered soul. Raising us from the grip and rule of death and separation that came at the beginning of our time in this realm. He is presently awakening us and standing us back up again as we fell down into sleep. He is raising us from the earthly into the heavenly where he is presently seated at the right hand of the father. Not physically seated, nor physically on the right side of the father, but spiritually in the powerful position and presence of the father above all or ‘in the heavenlies'. In the spiritual realm, there is no space or matter, so Yeshua could not be physically located to the right side of a physical throne.
If we agree that heaven describes the higher positions in the realm of 'spirit', then let us determine whether our hope is truly in the heaven that many believe resides in a distant place beyond the universe. Let us determine where heaven is now and what heaven is to us now. After all, isn't that our living hope? Isn't that our reward and our prize in this ‘high' calling? Are we not supposed to set our affections 'above’. Not above, as in further into our physical galaxy. Isn’t our citizenship presently in the heavens? How is God's will done on earth as it is in the heavens if heaven is literally millions of miles away tucked behind the largest sun that many of us can’t remember the name of or pronounce? Does his will travel light years from beyond the stars to be done on earth? Must grace travel through the air of time to reach us, like a radio or television signal? No, the heavens, that which is 'above all' must present itself within the earth in order to take hold of mankind and draw them upward. This is happening now.
It is entering into earth, into earthen vessels, into man, into Yeshua and into you and I. Most people describe it as a place they travel to when the body dies, as if their body must literally raise into the literal 'sky' and somehow move to a distant heaven. They use the term rapture, which I do not use. Yeshua entered into full awareness and consciousness of the heavens when God raised him from the waters of the Jordan and deemed him his ‘beloved son’. Then Yeshua had eyes to see and ears to hear the things concerning the heavens. He received full spiritual access as the son of God.
When Yeshua disappeared in the body, he was not traveling to a distant place above the stars, but rather he crossed out of the consciousness of the physical realm which can be seen of man, into the full consciousness of the spiritual realm which cannot be seen. The realm that he was already fully aware of while in the physical realm but he remained conscious of this realm while here for our sake. He translated from this lower realm to the ‘higher’ realm. He was taken from below to a higher place in spirit. From earth to heaven. The incorruptible body allowed him to pass from one realm to another, which we do not have yet. We are presently mortifying this corruptible physical body, and being released and separated (forgiven) from its deadly passions and appetites. We are presently being birthed out of death into life that never ends. Like a seed sitting within the earth, watered and penetrated by light, moving into the position of eventually sprouting from among the earth. We are presently sprouting into everlasting life by the Christ within us, into the realm of God and Christ, which is the heavens.
So the question is, where is heaven? It is the realm of spirit in which God who is above all and his son Yeshua, the anointed of God dwell. Where do they dwell? Where is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of heaven? How do we enter? Is it through a literal gate? Where is the mansion with many rooms and the streets of gold? The land flowing with milk and honey? Where is the tree of life which sits beside the river of flowing water? Why can the rich man not enter it? When and why do children enter in? How and when do we inherit it? How do we see it? When do we see it? How do we lay treasures in it today? How are we citizens of it already? I cannot make you see it, but I can help and hope for God to unloose the preconceived notions that you have had concerning it until now. I can hope for your vue to switch.
It is among (within) you. It is at hand. It is present in all things and encompasses us. We live and move and have our being among it. The realm and kingdom and heaven of God has been given to you. Yeshua was the first among many brothers that would eventually see and hear the kingdom of God and his heavens. God purposely chose to place the essence of holiness within you in order to raise you up to the ‘elevation’ of spirit where He is. There is no need to search for it in any other place. There is no need to look for it with your eyes or dream of it as a distant place you will travel to later. There is no ‘Lo, here’ or ‘Lo, there’. Entering (going in) and inheriting (obtaining) is a process occurring as you are being highered, raised up, ascended, greatened, and increased 'into’ it now. Christ is forming his fullness within you presently. He is watering the seed of heaven within you now and manifesting it inward and outward through time. Heaven is the goal, aim, reward and result of a translating work that began the moment God began calling you towards him. Calling you inward towards his heavenly realm.
Raise up in the higher place my friend. Ascend into the heavens of God's spirit (mind).
Switchvues
