Bible Discussion Thread

The Third Heaven (2 of 2)

Instead of a veil the Ch. 4 we have 'a sea of glass like unto crystal'. (cf.Ez.1). When Lamb opens the fifth seal "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held (Re.6:9)." We have a great congregation to whom Psalmist speaks of. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;"(Re.5:11) (Ps.40:9) " have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest."

Each believer witness before this great congregation.These are cloud of witnesses (He.12:1) and they figure in the night vision of Daniel."A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him"(Dan.7:10)'

It is for this reason Jesus warned," For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known./ Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."(( Luke 12:2-3) Elisha for this reasonwhould know what King of Syria had planned(2 Ki.6"12-17)

What is our heart but a Spiritual space where truth serves as our guide. Indwelling Spirit serves us as an in-house tutor. As many as are led by it are the sons of God for whom the third heavens serve as the presence. 'My presence shall go with thee and give thee rest.(Ex.33:15)'

Every child of God holds a volume which is the gift of God so that he may live the fulness of God through his Son and it pleased his Father that all fulness should dwell. St Paul refers to it in this passage,"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,/May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;/ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ep.3:17-19) He is referring to the world of the Spirit in his heart which holds the great congregation mentioned by the Ps.40 and he says "May be able to comprehend with all saints" and it can be possible only if he sees through the light of the Son. If mystery of grace works with the Gentile, colored or Barbarian what on earth a Christian from Jewish background is crowing about? "According to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" everyone draws from this fulness.

No Christian has this luxury to live apart as if is no concern of his.

"Bear each other's burden" is a proof of this grace in operation. Consider Lk.12:49-50. When the Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost it fulfilled his prophesy," I have come to bring fire on the earth."

Let us look at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: baptism for the dead in this case celebrates the spirit of Christ. We put on his spiritual body as it were. So living even as he did is vital. "We are hid in him so we may live in heavenly places" so our house is not made with hands but with death we continue with him. (2 Co.5:1)