Heaven's Perspective: Understanding the Reality of Heaven

Heaven is real, and without a clear vision of it, our navigation for accurate living on earth gets thrown out of whack. We can deteriorate into pop culture puppets, becoming aimless in our journey. The Apostle Paul gives us a radically clear vision of a fearless, heaven-focused life here on earth when he says in Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, for I will be with him in eternity."

Why Do Christians Still Feel Troubled?

There's an abundance of trouble, distress, and agitation in the world right now. Even Christians can be heard talking hopeless talk, with hearts being squeezed and troubled. It's interesting that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, victorious over all the world, yet many of us have allowed our hearts to be troubled.

Philippians 4:7 tells us that God's peace can and will mount a guard over our heart and mind in Christ Jesus. But like any protective device or gear, you can have it, but that's not the same as employing it. It's like having seatbelts but never fastening them, or having protective eyewear but refusing to wear it when cutting steel or wood.

What's Wrong With Our Perspective?

In John 14, Jesus is talking to His disciples who are troubled, agitated, and distressed—even though the Son of God is right there with them! Can you relate to that? Have you ever felt like you've got Jesus in your heart and life, but you're still majorly troubled?

The disciples didn't have a "lack of Jesus" problem; they had a perspective problem. They each had their own agenda for Jesus:

• Matthew wanted Jesus to fix political problems
• Peter wanted Jesus to fix the economy and fishing industry
• Judas wanted Jesus to do a reality TV show and sell t-shirts
• Andrew wanted Jesus to spearhead universal healthcare

Their perspective was "fix this world, Jesus, and then we'll be happy." Sound familiar?

What Did Jesus Really Come to Do?

Jesus did not come to save your government, your economy, or your environment. Jesus came to save us—to save you. And then to go where? To the Father.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus says: "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

If your perspective is only an earthly one, you quickly become lost and hopeless—even in the presence of Jesus.

How Does Heaven's Perspective Work Like GPS?

Think about GPS. Every day, people on earth use trilateration to accurately get directions, measure speed, and predict their arrival time at a destination. You're on Earth needing to go somewhere, and satellites orbiting 11,000 miles above broadcast signals that your receiver uses to calculate your location and guide you.

If in the natural world, 11,000 miles helps us navigate a one-mile trip, what coordinates can we use to navigate the spiritual? To navigate from mortality to immortality?

Ephesians 2:6 says, "And He raised us up together with Him and seated us with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." This gives you heavenly perspective for successful earthly living.

Colossians 3:2 instructs, "Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above, not on things that are on the earth which have only temporal value."

Are People in Heaven Aware of Us on Earth?

The Bible makes it clear that those in heaven are aware of what's going on on earth. Even the martyrs in Revelation 6 know that God hasn't judged their persecutors yet. This means there is a consciousness of history in heaven, a consciousness of time and season, and a passion for justice.

People in heaven are not ignorant of those on earth. So what is our perspective of heaven?

What Has God Prepared for Us?

1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has the human heart imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."

God is not arriving at this day unprepared to bless you or your family. God has amazing things and a place prepared for you, for your loved ones. The question is, do we really trust Him?

This world is not the end zone. It's not the reward. If our perspective is "God, I insist on this place right here being my forever home, so come fix it," we tend to stay stuck in our faith, minds, and hearts.

What's the Truth About Eternity?

The entertainment business is lying to you about eternity. Without heaven's perspective and faith reality in your life, your existence becomes miserable and hopeless.

God so loves you that He has already given His only begotten Son to die on a cross in our place so that we might have eternal life. But if your perspective is tied to saving this environment, economy, or government as your only hope, then you don't have a godly "heaven is real" perspective.

Heaven is where God lives. It's where God's throne is. It's not a vapor or fluffy cloud, but a real place that is the birthing room for all blueprints and designs for this physical world's existence.

How Do We Bring Heaven to Earth?

Matthew 6:9-10 says, "Pray therefore like this: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

We're on assignment to bring heaven to earth. That's our purpose. You're called to bring blessings, healings, God's treasures, works, signs, and wonders from heaven to earth. But you won't do that if you're not source-minded—heaven-conscious, supernaturally aware.

Life doesn't move from the natural to the supernatural; it moves from the supernatural to the natural. Faith moves mountains; mountains don't move faith.

Life Application

When someone you love leaves this mortal reality and Jesus is their Lord, you've got great hope. The best days are still ahead. 1 Corinthians 15:55 asks, "O grave, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

When the devil threatens with death, stand firm on God's promise of life. When the earth shakes and mountains fall into the sea, when war threatens and disaster dominates the news, turn to the good news of Jesus Christ, who said, "I'm going to my Father's house and preparing a place for you."

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I allowing my heart to be troubled despite having the Prince of Peace with me?
• What is my perspective—am I focused on fixing this world or on God's eternal plan?
• Am I trying to navigate life without heaven's coordinates?
• Do I truly believe that what God has prepared for me is better than anything I can imagine?
• How can I begin to bring heaven's perspective to my everyday situations this week? 

This week, challenge yourself to set your mind on things above. When faced with troubling news or circumstances, pause and ask, "What does heaven's perspective say about this?" Begin each day by acknowledging your citizenship in heaven and your role as God's ambassador on earth. Let this heavenly perspective transform your reactions, decisions, and interactions with others.