We are now with Jesus in Heaven and He is now with us on Earth.
This awesome truth needs to be shouted from the housetops to all believers. Jesus really did prepare a place for us in three days that we may be where He is always. Paul plainly said we have been translated out of this world of darkness and placed into the Kingdom of the beloved Son now by the Spirit. Paul wrote that we are now seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly places. This is not just flowery language and nice spiritual words. This is an awesome reality in Christ. Paul said know you not that your old man died with Christ and your new man is now hidden with Christ in God?
Jesus said the Father was in Heaven at the beginning of what many call the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father who is in Heaven.” He prayed that Heaven would come to earth when He said, “On earth as it is in Heaven.” Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is not coming like men think for it shall be within you. Jesus told Peter as He was approaching His death on the cross that Peter could not follow Him now but that Peter would follow Him later. Three days later.
Jesus taught that when He finished His work on Earth and the Spirit was sent then the Spirit would take the believer on His “great wings” to the place He had prepared for the believer in Himself that we may be comforted and nourished. He said in that day you will know that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me and that I am in you and you are in Me. The Spirit is given to show us the things that are freely given to us in Christ Jesus.
Behold the meaning of the Feast (or Celebration) of Tabernacles (or Dwelling Places)! Jesus said, “In My Father’s House are many dwelling places. I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus is the House of God that God raised up in three days! In this union with God through Jesus by the Spirit a mighty river of life flows in us from our innermost being.
The apostles never prayed that the Spirit would fall on believers afresh as some church songs say. Rather the apostles said to stir up the gift of the Spirit that is already in you by remembering the truth.
James Barron