Post by WatchmanRay on May 22, 2011 23:04:05 GMT -5
Everyone in Christianity is familiar with John 3:16, yet a few verses before that Jesus made a very incredible statement that no one talks about. Jesus questioned Nicodemus and found out that this master of the Jews couldn’t understand the simplest of truth in the earthly realm, such as you must be born again. Jesus began sharing information with Nicodemus that would help him and one of these is found in John 3:13:
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Jesus, while standing in Jerusalem speaking with Nicodemus, said that He (Jesus) was “IN HEAVEN”. Traditionally that would be a little hard to swallow as we have all developed this traditional view of heaven; the place we go after we die; seeing our loved ones that have gone ahead; streets of Gold; our mansion in glory; etc… I’m sure you get the picture.
Unmistakably Jesus clearly reveals that He “hath ascended to heaven” something that no other man has done before, He came down from heaven and was made like unto man in human flesh, but had already ascended back to heaven and was said to be “IN HEAVEN” as He spoke with Nicodemus. Seeing that Jesus was “IN HEAVEN” while standing on earth, we obviously have to expand our understanding on the “realm” of heaven!
The Greek word for “heaven” is ouranos pronounced oo-ran-os' meaning of elevation; the sky; heaven (as the dwelling place of God). The definition gives more leniencies to the rigid understanding so many have developed concerning the term heaven. The term is used in 264 verses throughout the New Testament and 284 times in those verses.
The definition “Of elevation” carries the meaning of a lofty place; above the earthly realm; or a higher level of understanding; such as spiritual existence, life, being, knowledge contrasted with earthly existence, life, being, and knowledge (from Hudson’s Notes). This clearly had application to Jesus, but could also be applied to every “born again” believer that is in Christ.
The definition “the sky” as referring to the atmosphere surrounding the earth such as was brought about on the day of creation. The literal sky as looking up towards the stars, sun, moon, clouds, air, etc…
The definition “the dwelling place of God” is the commonly accepted and understood meaning of Heaven, but the scope and existence of the dwelling place of God has been greatly diminished and narrowly scene due to narrow mindedness as one that uses both eyes at the same time while peering through a keyhole. The term is nareyed pronounced nar-i’-d meaning narrow mindedness; unable to see clearly; little vision of the truth or reality.
With the true definition of heaven in place one can easily understand that heaven isn’t where one goes to see God, but heaven is wherever God is dwelling. Literally, heaven can come into the earthly realm and is evidenced even as God the Father manifested and came into the earthly realm when God came down on Mt. Sinai; or when He dwelt in the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness; or when His glory filled the Temple of Solomon, the Tabernacle of David; etc… Remember that Heaven is where God is and God can dwell anywhere He chooses.
And we do understand and know that our loved ones are in heaven and we will enjoy everlasting life in the entirety of heaven when we leave this earthly body, but there is an earthly manifestation of heaven and it has been neglected as being such.
The greatest manifestation of Heaven ever witnessed by mankind is when God took up the dwelling place in His Son Jesus Christ. Heaven (the dwelling place of God) was seen to be upon the earth inside the man, Jesus Christ. The Father was inside Jesus doing all of the works.
Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Heaven (ooranus - the dwelling place of God - Jesus) was opened and a voice came from Heaven and this voice was the voice of the Father that said to Jesus you are My Son and I am well pleased in you. Where was the voice coming from? Heaven! Whose voice was it? The Father’s! Where was the Father? Inside of Jesus (see below)
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Seeing that the Father was in Jesus and the voice of the Father came from Heaven, one would have to conclude that within Jesus was a manifestation of the dwelling place of God (HEAVEN) on earth!
The next great manifestation of “Heaven” on earth has been kept a mystery since before the foundation of the world and unfortunately to most of Christianity. This great manifestation of Heaven on earth is found in the Christian believer and Church. That is why Scripture calls us the “temple of God”.
1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
This clearly identifies you as the dwelling place of God which is the very definition of “heaven”. Again it is said:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
The same was said about Jesus: Jesus spoke that if they destroyed the temple (speaking of His body) that He would raise it up in 3 days. This temple was the dwelling place of God, or quite literally a manifestation of “heaven” on earth.
John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.
We have other confirmations in the Scripture that we are the ouranus or heaven or “dwelling place of God”.
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Paul, in speaking to the Philippians reveals that their communications “IS IN HEAVEN” not to or from, but IN. He also mentions that it is from their position “IN HEAVEN” that they look for the manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Paul, again confirming his other teachings from the Holy Spirit, to the Church at Ephesus explains the process by which out seat in Heaven (the dwelling place of God) took place. He explains what happened with Jesus Christ in relation to heavenly places and then ties in you and I to the same awesome positioning that we have NOW! IN CHRIST!:
Ephesians 1:20-21 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
In Summary:
In plain speech the Holy Ghost/Spirit of God communicates to us that God raised Jesus up and set Him at His own right hand in heavenly places far above all principalities, powers, might, dominion, and every name that is named in this world and the one to come, Praise God. I believe we can all agree that by even the strictest of definitions of “heaven”, Jesus Christ has been seated there by the Father. Why is this so important in this study? In all ways! Why? Because it is followed up by the Holy Ghost/Spirit teaching us that God HATH (past tense meaning it IS FINISHED; ALREADY DONE) raised us up together AND MADE US SIT together IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS! If you are in Christ Jesus and He is by all accounts at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, then where are you? Correct! You are seated in heaven at His own right hand in heavenly places far above all principalities, powers, might, dominion, and every name that is named in this world and the one to come, Praise God.– RIGHT NOW! Praise God!
This honor and positioning has been given to you by your Heavenly Father, through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Power of His Spirit. AMEN!javascript:add("%20:o")