Category: heavenly kingdom

Keep Your Fork! #2

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

To a great many cynics, “Heaven” is nothing more than “a positive state of mind,” “wishful thinking,” or “a fairytale.” (If they so desire to be wrong, we dare not take away their right!) Nonetheless, if we truly are Bible believers, we will believe the Bible’s descriptions of it. As presented in the first verse of Scripture, Heaven is very much an actual place, just as real as Earth: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Here is your first reason to “keep your fork.” Provided we have no difficulty trusting the Bible’s opening verse, we will accept the testimony of the rest of the Scriptures.

So as to teach us more about Heaven, the Holy Spirit commissioned the Apostle Paul to amplify Moses’ words in Genesis. We turn now to Colossians 1:16,17: “For by him [God’s dear Son, Jesus Christ; verse 13] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” When the Lord Jesus Christ functioned as Creator in Genesis, creation was divided into two organized realms—Heaven and Earth.

Yea, the heavenly realm is “invisible,” but its “visible” earthly counterpart allows us the ability to comprehend what we cannot see. Look closely at those “things” in Colossians 1:16 again—“thrones,” “dominions,” “principalities,” “powers.” Do we not know what these are? Why, these imply offices of government or seats of authority, for they represent kings, lords, princes, and so on. The literal language the Bible uses for Earth is the same literal vocabulary it employs for Heaven. Whatever structure there is on Earth, it is also in Heaven. Here is your second reason to “keep your fork….”

Keep Your Fork! #1

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7 KJV).

Will Heaven be a boring place? (It is a resounding “NO!”)

Having just learned she has a terminal illness and but a short time to live in this world, a young woman begins getting her affairs in order. She starts writing her final wishes, including her funeral plans. Inviting her pastor over to her house to assist, she shares all the details with him: what verses she wants read, which hymns she wants sung, and what burial clothes she wants worn. After several minutes of discussion, she finally declares, “That is all, Pastor. Thank you.” They rise from the couch and she shows him to the door.

As he starts walking outside, she exclaims, “Wait, Pastor! I forgot the most important part! Place a fork in my right hand. Okay? Remember, a fork in my right hand.” Amazed, to say the least, the pastor cannot remain silent any longer. He inquires, “Pardon my curiosity, ma’am, but why this most unusual request? Why place a fork in your hand?” She smiles and explains how she had learned from attending socials and dinners that immediately after the main courses were served and the dishes were being cleared from the table, people seated next to her would always lean over and remind her, “Keep your fork!” After all, the best part of the meal, something more fantastic, was yet to come. Dessert was on its way! The young woman summarizes: “Pastor, when people ask why that fork is in my hand in the casket, you take time in your sermon to relate this story to them, and close with these words: ‘Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, the best is yet to come, so keep your fork!’” The pastor cannot help but smile too, for now he understands the symbolism.

What exactly is Heaven like? Is it boring? Are people floating on clouds? Is there an endless strumming of harps? Will we see “a bearded old man” sitting in a “rocking chair?” Or, perhaps something else….

333 Turns 11!

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20,21 KJV).

Dear brethren in Christ, these 11 years now—where, oh where, has the time gone?!—we have journeyed quite far by God’s grace. Are we willing to go even further?

We are often accused of being “know-it-alls,” but that is simply a misunderstanding of what Bible believers should be. For example, would you not expect your physician to be skilled in specialized medical training? I hope so—especially if you need surgery! Or, would you be surprised if your attorney was quite knowledgeable of the judicial system? No, in fact, you would panic if some know-nothing represented you in court! Accordingly, Bible-believing Christians should be just as acquainted with the Bible as any professional is with his or her discipline.

No, we are not “know-it-alls,” for if we were, then we would no longer be studying the Bible on a daily basis, now would we? Let us put it like this. We know more about Scripture than we did when we appealed to denominationally-minded leaders for “help.” So as to excuse their willful ignorance, “Christian” (?) people will fault we who are more knowledgeable than they. We politely invite them to stop whining and start growing with us!

Friends, we are preparing for life in the heavenly places by storing up sound Bible doctrine in our inner man right now. Whether we realize it or not, over the course of these last 4,000-plus Bible studies, Christ has been formed in us (Galatians 4:19). It will not be until the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9-16; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10) when we learn the eternal value and impact of God’s work in and through us here as we keep “studying… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). With each passing day, may we continue renewing our mind (Romans 12:1,2) and maturing (Ephesians 4:12-32), ready to accomplish God’s will in the heavenly places when He comes for us.

Remember, all past 11 years of daily devotionals are archived here.

Special-edition Bible Q&A #960: “Does John 7:53–8:11 belong in the Bible?”

Categorized! #6

Thursday, April 28, 2022

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10 KJV).

Behold, the evil categorizer!

Just before we the Church the Body of Christ occupy the heavenly places and subsequently reign for our Saviour’s glory (Ephesians 1:3,20-23; Ephesians 2:6,7; Colossians 1:16-20), the defiled heavenly realm must be vacated of all evil beings. Satan’s multimillions of angelic cohorts—the “spiritual wickedness in high [same in Greek as ‘heavenly’] places” (Ephesians 6:12)—must be addressed. Here is the purpose of the battle in the context of today’s Scripture.

We re-read Revelation 12:7-9: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” With Satan and his troops defeated and permanently evicted from outer space (second heaven), they are thrown down to Earth to afflict it for the last 42 months of Daniel’s 70th Week. Those last three-and-one-half years will close with Christ’s glorious return.

As we fill Heaven’s governmental offices, God’s authority in the heavenly places is restored. Israel’s believing remnant on Earth, aware of our occupation high above, prays, “Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9,10; Luke 11:2). To wit, as God’s kingdom has now been founded in Heaven, Israel’s Little Flock implores the Lord to return to them and also establish His earthly kingdom with them. Jesus Christ’s Second Coming to Earth is His reply.

Yet, there is a difficulty: Israel’s unresolved sin dilemma obstructs righteousness in the Earth. Let us consider one last passage to see Almighty God finally settle the sin issue for His earthly people….

Bible Q&A #945: “What are ‘bunches of camels?’”

A Delight That is Right #4

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 KJV).

What is the “delight” that is right?

The Lord Jesus Christ is the most unique Person in all the universe: He is the God-Man, undiminished Deity and full humanity. The Gospel Record of Luke prominently features His human qualities. For instance, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him…. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:40,52). As we grow and learn, so Jesus developed physically and mentally.

Isaiah the Prophet, 700 years before, quoted Christ: “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back” (chapter 50, verses 4,5). In complete submission to His Heavenly Father, He learned exactly what His Father had planned for Him. Jesus took particular interest in studying the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament Scriptures, His Father’s preserved words. “Yea, thy law is within my heart” (today’s Scripture).

One fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit is “joy” (Galatians 5:22). In other words, if He is working in us, we will rejoice or take delight in what God is doing. Yet, we cannot know what God is doing until we first find His words to and about us. The Apostle Paul is God’s spokesman to us Gentiles in the mystery program (Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1,2). We study the entire Bible, but we pay special attention to the Pauline Epistles, Romans through Philemon, God’s current dealings with man. As Jesus Christ conducted His earthly ministry, He knew exactly where He was in the purpose and program of Father God. Similarly, we can find immense satisfaction in knowing where we are on that Divine timeline for the ages. Of all the pleasures and thrills in this life, dear friends, nothing else even comes close to the delight that is right!

A Delight That is Right #3

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 KJV).

What is the “delight” that is right?

Today’s Scripture reveals the key to delighting to do God’s will. We must first know God’s will, having His “law” (that is, His words) within our heart. Addressing the saints at Rome, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul penned, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you” (Romans 6:17). The Roman believers, as lost people, had trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Hence, they passed from death to life, Adam to Christ, Satan to God. Here is the first part of God’s will for any person: “…God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved…” (1 Timothy 2:3,4a).

Here is the second part of God’s will for us: “…God our Saviour; Who will have all men… to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). This is victorious Christian living—learning, understanding, and believing sound Bible doctrine that will give us daily victory over sin. We have eternal life in Christ, so now that life of God is expressed in and through us as we walk by faith in these His words to and about us. In Ephesians 1:1-12, we read of “the good pleasure of [God’s] will” (verses 5,9). Ultimately, our Heavenly Father desires to have spiritually mature believers who can glorify His Son Jesus Christ in the heavenly places throughout the endless ages to come.

For now, we are on Earth, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). If we want to do God’s will, we simply find out what He enjoys doing, and, by faith, go do that, and thus we will do God’s will and have the delight that is right….

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Joy to the World! #4

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Psalm 45:6,7 KJV).

The final verse of the classic Christmas carol highlights today’s Scripture.

“He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.”

When Satan’s reign on Earth and in Heaven concludes, voices in heaven cry out, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Hebrews 1:8,9 quoted today’s Scripture as true of Jesus Christ’s righteous reign. Notice how Father God addressed Jesus as “God.” Human history has never experienced a global, benevolent, theocratic monarchy. For the first time ever, all power in Heaven and Earth will be consolidated forever in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:8-10). All governments in Heaven and Earth will be cleansed of evil. By faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, we will participate in that operation of God (Colossians 1:16-22). We will reign with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6,7)!

Zechariah 14:9: “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” Daniel 2:44: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” And, Jeremiah chapter 23: “[5] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. [6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Indeed, there will be such joy! Jesus Christ glorified forever, in Heaven and Earth! 🙂

Joy to the World! #3

Monday, December 13, 2021

“For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody” (Isaiah 51:3 KJV).

The third verse of the classic Christmas carol highlights today’s Scripture.

“No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.”

God’s Word to Adam just after he sinned included the following pronouncement, “…[C]ursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee” (Genesis 3:17,18). This is part of the “bondage of corruption” of which Romans 8:21 speaks. Sin tainted creation. Thorns and thistles began to grow, making Adam’s labor in the field even more grueling. Paradise was indeed lost… but not forever!

When God created the heaven and the earth, He selected a special location on Earth as His home. Exodus 15:17,18 say: “Thou shalt bring them [Israel] in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.” Isaiah 40:22 says God “stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.” While Adam’s sinful actions delayed God’s earthly kingdom, God would take care of those mistakes and still accomplish His original intention.

Israel’s mistakes further delayed God’s earthly kingdom. However, God will restore Earth’s ecology to its original, pre-Fall (pre-sin) conditions. This is true especially of Zion, Jerusalem, which will be the global and universal capital city. There will be joy and gladness, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. All believers in heaven (Body of Christ) and earth (redeemed Israel) will join the angels in song. The curse has been lifted, and Jesus Christ has been exalted (Isaiah 11:1-9)!

The Secret Things #12

Monday, September 27, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

In the beginning, Father God intended to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ, in Heaven and Earth. From Adam onward, an earthly kingdom exemplified the Creator’s message to man (Matthew 25:34; Acts 3:19-21). In this prophetic program, once Adam sinned by following Satan (a spirit being who had already corrupted Heaven with sin), the LORD began forming a new people in the Earth to be His kingdom of priests. The nation Israel was born, eventually receiving God’s words through Moses (today’s Scripture). As more centuries transpired, however, it became clearer Israel would not receive their King or their kingdom. In unbelief, they crucified Him, the Lord Jesus Christ! Israel’s temporary spiritual fall before God concerning Messiah’s rejection was no secret (Luke 2:34).

Of course, the God of Scripture is omniscient: Satan would not outsmart Him at Calvary’s cross (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). In eternity past, the Godhead had already determined to use that blood shed on the cross to form a second group of believers. Here is the mystery program, information God never told anyone about until He revealed it to and through the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:25,26). What would happen to the world through national Israel’s temporary fall? To save Paul (Saul of Tarsus) and those Jewish and Gentile unbelievers like him, God revealed a new Gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3,4): through Israel’s fall and Paul’s ministry and message (Romans 11:11-14), the Lord would make an heavenly kingdom of people: the Church the Body of Christ.

Now, with all prophetic truth revealed through the non-Pauline Scriptures, and the Pauline Scriptures unveiling “mystery” (previously hidden) truth, we know all God’s will (Ephesians 1:8-10). As Israel was without excuse concerning the “prophetic” things revealed to them through Moses (Dispensation of Law), so we are without excuse concerning the “secret” things revealed to us through Paul (Dispensation of Grace). We know what God is doing today (Romans through Philemon), and what He is not (the rest of Scripture). “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:38).

The Secret Things #11

Sunday, September 26, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit were not surprised when Israel murdered their Messiah-King by nailing Him to Calvary’s cross in unbelief. Jesus’ death was already known to the Godhead, planned since eternity past: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:22-24).

Centuries beforehand, the Old Testament prophets glimpsed Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection in types and shadows (Genesis chapter 22; Psalm 16; Psalm 22; Psalm 69; Isaiah chapter 53; et cetera; cf. Hebrews chapter 9)—although God intentionally withheld all details until later (see 1 Peter 1:9-11). By Satan and his angels participating in Jesus’ death, they assumed the prophetic program was forever destroyed—the King’s very people had rejected and executed Him! Yet, in God’s wisdom, after Calvary transpired, He revealed to the Apostle Paul the “mystery” or secret things, the full scope of Jesus’ finished crosswork.

Had Satan been omniscient (all-knowing), he would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:6-8)! Not only would that blood shed on Calvary pay for Israel’s sins via the New Covenant, that shed blood would become the basis for another entity—the Church the Body of Christ. Both the nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ would thereby become God’s people in Earth and Heaven (respectively), thus glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in both realms—just as Father God had wisely purposed all along (Colossians 1:14-20; Ephesians 1:3-14; Ephesians 3:1-11).

We now summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….