John Kpikpi

Heaven and earth: closer than you think

John Kpikpi

Since our Holiness Revival broke out on the 2nd of September, 2012, I have found myself spending more time than usual in the last book of the Bible. When I reached Revelation 21, I was arrested by the very first verse in a way that I'd never known.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."  (Revelation 21:1)

I saw for the first time that the two places, heaven and earth, were bound together - twice in the same verse - in significant ways.  I thought I would investigate this further and I discovered the following:

1. Heaven is very closely connected to the earth

In Revelation 21:1, the time for the launching of a "new heaven" was also the time for the inauguration of a "new earth" - a kind of joint unveiling.  And the time for the passing away of the "first heaven” also coincided with the passing away of the first earth - a kind of joint annihilation

I was surprised about this strong co-joining of the fortunes of heaven and earth since, in the course of our day-to-day life here on earth, we do not normally think that often about heaven - although we firmly believe that heaven exists.  Those who have lived in more than one country are sometimes struck by how, when they are in one country, the daily pressures of life in thatcountry can prevent them from thinking a lot about what is going on in the other country. In the same way, it appears that the day to day cares of life on earth keep us from thinking much about heaven.   Out of sight, out of mind.  But God wants to change all that for us now.

2. Heaven and earth have the same birthday

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1.  See also Genesis 2:1).

If this is so, then heaven and earth must be twins of some sort!

3. Heaven and earth were made by the same person - God

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.  When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens... (Genesis 2:4)

Consequently, these two countries are owned by the same person - God.

The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.(Psalm 89:11)

4. Heaven and earth have similar destinies

a)

They will be shaken together.

"The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry.” (2 Samuel 22:8)

The picture I see here is a man, shaking with anger, holding two bottles - one in each hand.Of course both bottles will be shaking as well, because they are in the hands of the person who is shaking.  Then the person holding both heaven and earth promises to, once more, deliberately shake both.

This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land…’ (Haggai 2:6-9)  

b)

They will be judged together

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. ( 2 Peter 3:10)  

Thus in their 'birth', ownership, and destinies, these two ‘countries’, heaven and earth, have so much in common.  But there is more….

5. Heaven and earth share similar experiences

a)

Joy and praise is shared

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"    (1 Chronicles 16:31)

The praise leader connects the two countries in his mind as he exhorts both countries to rejoice together in the exploits of their one maker. The Lord reigns!  They have the samesovereign.

b)

They party together  

God came… His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. (Habakkuk 3:3)

When God's glory filled the heavens, praise erupted on the earth!  These two countries must be having joint celebrations or throwing parties together.

Jesus also links the moods of the two countries:  “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)

6. There is a lot of movement between heaven and earth

Just as the close ties between two countries on earth are expressed by the regular movements of people and goods between the two countries, so we find traffic between heaven and earth.  Beginning in the Garden of Eden when God came to the people he had created, we find numerous occasions when heavenly beings entered the earth for all sorts of purposes. But my favourite one is about Jacob. When he was running away from his brother Esau, weariness caught up with him and he needed a rest. In his sleep he saw “a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.”(Genesis 28:12)

God himself was in the frame, standing beside the ladder and spoke some wonderful promisesto Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15).  At the end of the revelation, Jacob declared, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." (Genesis 28:17)

Jacob spoke like this although he was on good old earth!   He saw the very close connectionbetween heaven and earth and also the fluid nature of the 'location' of these two countries. He designated a piece of ground on earth, as the ‘house of God’, a phrase that is almost synonymous with heaven, God's dwelling place. Heaven and earth must flow easily into each other.

If this is what things are like then we have to conclude that God has joined heaven and earth very closely and it will be wise for us to join the two places in our minds and hearts and in our deeds.

7. Jesus is the way between heaven and earth

Ultimately, Jesus came out of heaven into the earth to create a sure highway between heaven and earth. The traffic can only increase between the two countries.  He said, “I am the way…” (John 14:6)

We can expect not only busloads of angels but jumbo jet loads of angels and other heavenly hosts moving between heaven and earth to wherever they will be welcome in. We can expect arch angels, other heavenly hosts and the Holy Spirit all crowding out any place where the Lord Jesus is at work and is being worshipped. The way is indeed now wide open for the greatest interactions ever between heaven and earth. We can expect some genuine miracles, where earthly impossibilities become commonplace occurrences. The strength and power of God released through his angels and other heavenly hosts on behalf of those who worship the Lord will be producing some truly extraordinary happenings.  Our souls can gain comfort and inspiration from crossing into heaven’s territory regularly, anytime we turn aside to worship Him.  Our vision and capacity will be extended beyond that of mere mortals because we are engaged with and experiencing the life of the greatest country ever, heaven. As we make progress in our experience of heaven we shall see this earth become more and more like heaven, just as the Son of God desired:  “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

My plea here is for wisdom - which will look like this:  what God has connected together, we should also connect together. We should no longer complete our interpretation of significant events in our lives without a reference to heaven. Neither should we attempt a full diagnosis of majorissues in our personal lives and in our churches and nations without reference to heaven.  Let heaven's wisdom become our constant companion in everything we attempt or develop here on earth.  Let us no longer live like the pagans who have only the earth. We have both heaven and earth. What a privilege! Let us expect heaven’s riches and fullness to become our regular experience.  Let us take every advantage of the open door that Jesus has become for us.  May you enjoy all of heaven’s provisions to the full!  The way is open!

May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness — an abundance of grain and new wine.(Genesis 27:28)

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