Heaven On Earth
The year 2006 came and is now gone. We reflect upon the year remembering God’s blessings and recognizing His grace in the challenges. …but what about this year, 2007? Prophecies have gone forth concerning each of our historical years, but this year seems to be the one that we have focused upon for so long. The prophecies have seemingly climaxed in the mention of 2007 with the words that flood our souls with much anticipation. Kenneth Hagin said in 2003, “In 2007, we just might go to heaven.” No, no one knows the time but we sure know that His coming must be near. I believe that Hagin’s declaration was to fill our hearts with wonderment, “Could this actually be the year of the rapture.”
Other prophets have declared that 2007 would be like heaven on earth. What could this mean? Our first inclination is to visualize the scenes of what we know about heaven, then experience these realities among us. Jesus prayed in Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Our heavenly Father is in heaven and has a will for all the earth. Did Jesus really pray a prayer of faith that His Father’s will would be done on Earth? Yes, He did. Could Jesus pray contrary to God’s will? That is not possible. So God’s will in the heavens can be done in the earth. This does not necessarily mean that we will have a perfect earth at this time. Scripture says in Heb. 1:10-12 that the earth will perish ”…and all shall wax old as doth a garment and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed…” The earth is growing old, but God will one day give us a new earth.
Romans 14:17 in the Amp. Bible says, “[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” In our accepting Jesus as our Lord, we receive the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17); but now, we must walk in righteousness (i.e., that is in right standing with God). Notice again, then, we have a heart peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. That IS heaven on earth.
Psalm 119:89 in the Amp. says, “Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven (stands firm as the heavens). Let us therefore, receiving a kingdom that is firm and stable and cannot be shaken, offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with modesty and pious care out of godly fear and awe” (Hebrews 12:28.) The people of God are to live their lives based on an unshakeable kingdom. Even God’s angels in the earth hearken to the unshakeable voice of His Word (Ps 103:20). Malachi 3:10 tells us that if we take our tithes to the storehouse that He will “open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing…” Obedience to God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit ushers in heavenly blessings.
Oftentimes, we find ourselves desiring to see the days of the mighty miracles that we read about in scripture or read out of a book describing the healing ministries of a man or woman of God. Why do we not experience the mighty miracles that we see of old? I certainly do not believe that it is God’s fault. I believe that the people of God have not sought Him for His unshakeable, heavenly will for the earth, but I believe that this is a new day. I believe that 2007 is the year that God’s people will pray the prayer that God is praying; do what God is doing; and go where God is going. Then, we shall see 2007—a year like heaven on earth. Amen!