Teach Me to Pray: On Earth as in Heaven

As Christians, it is exciting to think about heaven's wealth and health blanketing the earth and covering God's people. Many prayer meetings will claim and proclaim the promises of God, suggesting that we've been given a blank check with a guarantee that whatever we say will be fulfilled.

But is this true?

On many levels, yes. However, it is not as clear-cut as our finite minds might perceive. We are told in Isaiah 55:8-9 that God's thoughts and His ways are far different from ours. He sees with eternity in His sight, while we can only see as far as the upcoming horizon.

So let's explore this portion of the Lord's Prayer:

Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

This portion of the model prayer is both full of hope and challenge. What does the kingdom of God look like? What is His will for us individually and collectively? And what does it mean to have heaven on earth?

I've been thinking about last week's lesson, where we learned that Isaiah saw the Lord after King Uzziah died. When I studied that passage, I wondered why the Lord waited until this king passed before showing the prophet Himself. I am not absolutely certain; however, when reading about this king, we can learn that in his early days, Scripture tells us he did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Because of his righteousness, the Lord blessed him and his influence (2 Chronicles 26).

In his later years, though, we are told that he entered the temple and attempted to burn incense. The priests tried to stop him, saying it was not permitted, considering he was not a priest. King Uzziah became angry and retaliated, resulting in the Lord inflicting him with Leprosy.  From that point on, he was unable to enter the temple, nor was he able to live in the palace. And I don't recall reading anywhere that he repented of his pride (2 Chronicles 26).

It was after the death of this pride-filled king that Isaiah saw the Lord. Historically, people revered royalty as a deity. Scripture tells us that God opposes the proud (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Could it be that Uzziah's pride stood between the Lord and the nation? If yes, then in order to see the kingdom of God more clearly, we can ask ourselves, "What areas need to be surrendered to the Lordship of Christ?"

First of all, surrender may be considered a curse word for the average American in the USA.

In the 1960s, British gospel minister John Guest, visited the USA and toured several historical sites, including Philadelphia and Germantown with his friend, RC Sproul. During his visit, they visited the various sites known for their history in the Revolutionary War. In Germantown they visited an antique shop. Several plaques could be found, many quoting famous sayings: "Don't Tread on Me," and "No Taxation Without Representation." But the one that gripped John Guest the most was the quote, "We Serve No Sovereign Here" (The Prayer of the Lord, Sproul, 2009). John Guest was noted as saying, "How can I possibly preach the kingdom of God to a people who have a profound aversion to sovereignty?" (Sproul, 2009, p.40).

John Adams full Quote, courtesy Google images

It is no secret that American citizens are infatuated with royalty. In all my years, there has been no shortage of news regarding a coronation, royal wedding, abdication, royal birth--or death--or any sort of focus on the royal family in Wales. RC Sproul noted this phenomenon as well, questioning, "Could it be we retain an interest in royalty because we recognize that in this freedom we enjoy, something is missing? Perhaps what is missing is that which we need most desperately--an awakening of authentic sovereignty" (Sproul 2009, p. 41).

So, where do we find authentic sovereignty?

We are told in 1 Peter 2:9-10 that we are a royal priesthood. We are citizens of the kingdom of God simply because we believe Jesus is His son, risen from the grave after a brutal and barbaric crucifixion. It is He who is our perfect Sovereign, the One to whom we must surrender if we are to effectively usher heaven to earth.

It is impossible for light and darkness to coexist. Try turning on a penlight in a darkened closet with its door closed. It is amazing how that tiny light dispels the darkness, even if only a glimmer.

Now, we can ask and answer a couple more questions:

1. What does heaven look like?

2. How do we bring heaven to earth?

3. What is the will of God?

Let's answer number three first. We can know that God's will is:

Salvation and sanctification: 1 John 2:17; Matthew 7:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Colossians 1:9;

Living a Chris-like life:1 Peter 2:15-21; Ephesians 5:17-21; Romans 12:2; Matthew 28:18-20

Thankfulness and rejoicing: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 

Doing good: Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 4:18-19

To discern whether we are in the Lord's will, we can have confidence in:

1. The comprehensive Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 8:20) 
2.  Complete consecration (Psalm 37:3-4; John 7:17; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:5)
3.  Commitment in advance to do God's will (Luke 22:42; Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 10:7-9; John 4:34; John 5:20)
4.  Call upon the Lord (pray): (Matthew 6:10; Luke 6:12-13; James 1:5)
5.  Circumstances: (Acts 15:36-41; 1 Corinthians 16:9; Philippians 1:12-13)
6.  Counsel: (Proverbs 7:24; 15:22; 24:6; 28:26; Acts 13:2-3; 15:1-41) There is safety in the presence of counselors.
7.  Common sense: (Proverbs 23:19; Titus 2:11-12) 
8.  Consider the leading of the Holy Spirit: (John 14:26; 16:7-13; Romans 8:27; 1 John 2:20)
9.  Contentment (Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:15-17)
10.  Gospel consciousness and overall consequences: (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 9:19-23; Philippians 2:3-4; Colossians 3:17, 23-24) For every action there is a reaction, whether good or bad.
11.  Stewardship considerations: (Luke 19:11-26; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:4) We need to count the cost.
12.  Do God's will as you discover it: (Psalm 143:10; Mark 3:35; John 13:17; Philippians 2:12-13; James 4:13-17). Building upon layers of obedience as you follow the adventure of learning to hear God's voice. 

As we study Scripture and learn God's original plan for humanity, such as health, prosperity, and overall well-being, we may be tempted to determine that if we are devoted followers of Christ we shouldn't experience hardship or suffering. While it is true that sickness and struggle is not part of the original blueprint, Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation in the garden bringing into the world the curse that comes with sin. While we live in this fallen world, we will likely come into contact with some form of pain.

When walking with his disciples, a blind man was nearby. The disciples asked Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of god might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:1-7). In the Old Testament, the entire book of Job was dedicated to a man whose life was upended due to a "bet" Satan had with God. Satan was certain Job would curse God if given the right circumstances.

Instead, Job questioned God's motives, defended his honor to his friends, and held to his confession that he had done nothing to deserve the calamities falling around his life. By the end of the book, we can see God enter the conversation with Job and his friends. Instead of explaining himself, as Job had initially wanted, God asked Job, "Where were you when ...?" and listed a host of accomplishments God completed. Rather than hold to his assertion that he deserved an explanation, Job bowed his head and declared that God is sovereign. No explanation required.

When we get to the end of our lives, there is only one thing we need to understand to fulfill our purpose on this earth:

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

In other words, if we truly want heaven on earth, as image bearers of our Creator God, we ought to seek peace, extend kindness, be gracious, cultivate the fruit of the Spirit already placed within us the moment we believed on Jesus: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). When we do this, we will bring heaven to earth because, as a kingdom of priests, we represent the kingdom of heaven, and while we walk the earth.

 The kingdom of heaven is wherever we are. 

 

 So live in a manner that brings honor to our King, builds up our brother/sisterhood, and attracts others to want a meeting with the One who gave His all for the world.

One day, we who have declared allegiance with Christ will be in paradise with him for eternity, where suffering will cease, sickness and death will be abolished, poverty will be forgotten, and we will partake of the indescribable beauty of gold (not plated or paved, but GOLD!) streets and solid pearl gates (Revelation 21-22). Praying God's will on earth, in my mind is spreading the good news of God's desire for people, inviting as many to the supper table as possible, and walking together, linking arms in brotherly love, and cheering one another on as we cross our finish line to eternity.

Keep heaven in our hearts, looking forward to the finish line where the reward of eternity await us with the splendor, glory, and majesty of Christ.

Listed below are some links to the articles referenced in this blog post:

What Does the Bible Say About Heaven? 21 Scriptures about What Heaven Will Be Like

What Does Heaven Look Like?

Seven Characteristics of Heaven

What is the Kingdom of Heaven Like

The Real Meaning of 'On Earth as it is in Heaven'

How Can a Christian Live 'On Earth as it is in Heaven?'

What Does The Bible Say About Heaven On Earth? (25 Bible Verses)

Until next time, Karlene J 💝