Recently I was hiking on top of a mountain and there was a boundary marker delineating the border between two provinces. If I stood with one foot on either side of the boundary I could be ‘in two places at once.’ Cute. Yet, there is a deeper and more important aspect, scripturally we were originally designed to live in two places at once, the natural earthly realm and the heavenly spiritual realm. I believe Adam and could see in both realms, hence Eve could see and interact with serpent, a spiritual being and throne guardian, not a talking snake. I think one of the things that made them aware of their fallen state was the shift in what they were able to see and interact with. Whether that is accurate or not, doesn’t change what we were designed for.
We were created to live in two places at once, the natural and spiritual realms, after all, at the consummation of the age the New Jerusalem, the Lamb’s bride, the Holy city, comes from heaven to earth and the two realms are joined. In the meantime, if we have a better understanding of how we are called to function now we can live out of an awareness of both realms.
Paul made some comments about being in two places at once in both Ephesians and Colossians.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:4–6 (NKJV)
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Ephesians 2:4–6 (NKJV) Colossians 3:2–3 (NKJV)
Jesus also had a perspective on this concept.
13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. John 3:13 (NKJV)
Jesus more than any of us knew what it was to live in two places at once, to be in home in both the natural and spiritual realms. While I don’t expect any of us to fully live this out to the degree that Jesus did, He did set an example for us to follow. We follow His example by paying attention to what Paul wrote.
The obvious practical issue is delineating the how. I know in my own life often during the day my thoughts are drawn heavenward. That is, I am drawn to prayer, worship and reflection, sometimes in the midst of a group of people. It also means that heaven has a perspective on my days and decisions and I need to factor in heavens perspective in my decision making. Lastly, I can simply abide in His presence at any time and all times by turning my mind and heart toward Jesus. This is our call, to believe we are seated with Him and thus set our affections upon Him.
NOTE This post will lead into the next one, Authority and Abiding
