A vast majority of Christians today do not understand God's plan for the government neither for heaven nor earth. There is so much preached from our pulpits about "going to heaven" and "avoiding hell"; both with far too much obscurity. Heaven "the eternal state" is not the one where God now abides, nither God nor man will dwell where God now dwells; there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). It is very important for us to have this correctly outlined in our minds before we can even understand what God expects of us today. And before this 'new heaven' and 'new earth' there will be an organized system of government headed by Jesus Christ for at least one thousand years.
The “kingdom of the heavens” in Matthew’s gospel, or “heavenly places” in Ephesians, or a “heavenly calling” in Hebrews, do not form companion references peculiar to the New Testament. Rather, the over all thought of man occupying heavenly positions in the kingdom, as opposed to earthly positions, was previously set forth different places in the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis (cf. Gen. 14:18, 19; 15:5; 22:17, 18).
Abraham, five centuries prior to the time of any written revelation, understood this matter and looked towards a calling beyond the earthly, to the heavenly (Heb. 11:8-16). And numerous other OT saints living at different times following Abraham did exactly the same thing. They looked beyond the earthly to the heavenly as well (Heb. 11:32-40).
Thus, it is nothing new in either Old or New Testament revelation when one finds a reference to saints being placed in positions of power and authority in the heavens following the overthrow of this present world system, as in the Book of Daniel, Matthew’s gospel, Ephesians, or Hebrews. This is a teaching which has its origin in Genesis (the best place to begin, that's where God began His revelation to man).
Satan and his angels presently rule from the heavens over the earth, and Christ with His co-heirs will one day replace the incumbent governmental powers and rule form the same location, from the heavens. Christ will replace Satan, and overcoming Christians will replace the angels ruling under Satan. The whole matter is really set forth in Scripture after that simple of a fashion.
Abraham, five centuries prior to the time of any written revelation, understood this matter and looked towards a calling beyond the earthly, to the heavenly (Heb. 11:8-16). And numerous other OT saints living at different times following Abraham did exactly the same thing. They looked beyond the earthly to the heavenly as well (Heb. 11:32-40).
Thus, it is nothing new in either Old or New Testament revelation when one finds a reference to saints being placed in positions of power and authority in the heavens following the overthrow of this present world system, as in the Book of Daniel, Matthew’s gospel, Ephesians, or Hebrews. This is a teaching which has its origin in Genesis (the best place to begin, that's where God began His revelation to man).
Satan and his angels presently rule from the heavens over the earth, and Christ with His co-heirs will one day replace the incumbent governmental powers and rule form the same location, from the heavens. Christ will replace Satan, and overcoming Christians will replace the angels ruling under Satan. The whole matter is really set forth in Scripture after that simple of a fashion.
Many believers today believe they are able to 'fix' this earth, that's one of the reasons you hear so much about politicians being 'Christians'. We cannot fix this earth, God is seeking a bride for His kingdom and He is going to destroy and restore this earth; and He calls us to prepare ourselves for the new heaven and the new earth that He will provide (Matt. 6:33). The eternal abode (after the Millennium - 1000 year rest that awaits the people of God [Heb. 4:9]); there is so very little said in Scripture about it and if we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, truly, 'all other things will be added unto us.'
