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Third Heaven Perspectives

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IN 2022 CBN shared an article about the transdimensionality of our universe. It states: Dr. Hugh Ross is an astrophysicist that uses science and scripture to show that God is not constrained by the time and space dimensions that we are. Humans operate within four dimensions of space and time which include length, width, depth, and time. When astrophysicists began studying String theory, they realized there were six additional small space dimensions, totaling 9 space dimensions and one dimension of time. The math on String theory looks promising and would result in 11 space-time dimensions. Dr. Ross explains, “The remarkable advances of research reveal a God who lives and operates in the equivalent of at least 11 dimensions of space and time. They show that God can create space-time dimensions at will and is not limited by any of his created dimensions. Therefore, God is transdimensional.

In 2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up to the third heaven. At that time the Jewish rabbis had a belief in three heavens: our atmosphere, outer space, and paradise or Heaven. Years ago I learned a phrase called “Second Heaven Revelation.” The inference was that the enemy operated in the second heaven, whereas God existed in Paradise or the Third Heaven. The challenge was to not see people from the devil’s perspective – but from God’s, Third Heaven perspective.

I recall the first time I heard Dr. Ross speak explaining extra dimensions of time: In a two-dimensional world a triangle cannot be a circle and a circle cannot be a triangle. But add a third dimension to the triangle and the triangle becomes a cone. In a three dimensional world a triangle can be a circle and a circle a triangle. He used this illustration as an example of understanding the Trinity of God. But the same can be applied to our perceptions of ourselves and others. Jesus raises us from the death of a two-dimensional existence – to the life of a multi-dimensional existence. The catch? He wants us to co-partner with Him in lifting others up to His multi-dimensional, level of existence. Not only does He desire our partnership – He longs for His Forever Family to begin seeing others from this perspective. Brad McClendon once said, If you are going to the Bible looking for flaws – How can you see Jesus? True discernment is looking for Jesus. See behind the prison bars. The Bible says Jesus is our Mirror. The accuser wants your focus on yourself and others performance – not the Mirror of Jesus.

Todays Challenge? Rise to God’s perspective and ask to see people as He sees them.

Non – Essential

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Essential is defined as absolutely necessary; indispensable; pertaining to or constituting the essence of a thing; noting or containing an essence of a plant, drug, etc. being such by its very nature or in the highest sense;

Many of us winced when our governor deemed alcohol and abortions essential, but not church. Yet we must face the painful truth and ask ourselves, Why has culture deemed it so? Where is the Power of the Spirit to set captives free and change continents of darkness into bastions of Light? Where is the power of the New Testament Church whose testimony included the following: Have you forgotten that the kingdom of God will never belong to the wicked? Don’t be under any illusion—neither the impure, the idolater or the adulterer; neither the effeminate, the pervert or the thief; neither the swindler, the drunkard, the foul-mouthed or the rapacious shall have any share in the kingdom of God. And such men, remember, were some of you! But you have cleansed yourselves from all that, you have been made whole in spirit, you have been justified before God in the name of the Lord Jesus and in his very Spirit. (1 Cor. 6:9-11, J.B. Phillips Translation)

Did you catch the bold faced statement? And such men, remember, were some of you! How is it that the NT Church had the power to deliver men, women, youth, children from hopeless slavery to these things but the modern church is powerless? May I suggest that part of the reason that we have become non-essential is that we have ceased aiming at Heaven. Our preoccupation has been too much with this earth, and we are reaping the results of our dereliction of love and duty.

C.S. Lewis states in Mere Christianity: “The apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth “thrown in”: aim at earth and you will get neither.”

Aiming to Please

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C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity: Hope is one of the Theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.”

C.S. Lewis echoes the Apostle Paul when he stated that if we have really been born-again of the Spirit, our aim, or life’s focus, will not be on this earth – but on the things of Jesus’ Kingdom. Colossians 3:1-2 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

What are you aiming for in this life? What do your activities, and energies spent reveal? What do your fears reveal – about this life and the life to come? What do your fears reveal about who or what you really place your trust?