1. Fresh Life in 2011

2. In Earth As In Heaven!

By Doug Fortune

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

We have prayed that so many times, as most of us learned it when we were young. I wonder if we really understand the impact of these words, which I believe are some of the most potent in all of Scripture.

Join me as I ponder and allow me to muse a bit here. In that prayer, we are dealing with two seemingly diametrically opposed dimensions- heaven and earth. Paul even uses the analogy of heaven and earth to describe two opposite natures- the first man (Adam) and the second Man (Christ). "The first man [was] from out of earth, made of dust (earthly-minded); the second Man [is] the Lord from out of heaven. Now those who are made of the dust are like him who was first made of the dust (earthly-minded); and as is [the Man] from heaven, so also [are those] who are of heaven (heavenly-minded)." (1 Corinthians 15:47-48 Amplified Bible)

Earth speaks of that which is finite, heaven speaks of that which is infinite. The earth speaks of chaos; "And the earth was without form, and void..." (Genesis 1:2) Heaven speaks of order, as it is referred to as a Kingdom; "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto..." (Matthew 13:24) And yet God created these two seemingly diametrically opposed dimensions- heaven and earth; "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) Interestingly enough, God looked at this seeming contradiction and considered it was good! "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good..." (Genesis 1:31)

It would seem that heaven provides "spirit", and earth provides "form"... allow me to explain. We know that "God is a Spirit..." (John 4:24) (the "a" is not really in the text) and that He is "Our Father which art in heaven..." (Matthew 6:9). So God, who is spirit and is in heaven, spoke to Himself and said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." (Genesis 1:26) If God, who IS spirit and is IN heaven made a man in His image, then this man would be a heavenly spiritual man, would he not?

Also consider Genesis 1:27, as it says "So God CREATED man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." God CREATED this man in Genesis chapter 1. However when we come to Genesis 2:7 it states that, "...the LORD God FORMED man of the dust of the ground..." The meaning of this word "formed", yatsar in Hebrew, is "through the squeezing into shape", to mould into a form especially as a potter. So the man that was CREATED in Genesis chapter 1 was created from SPIRIT, and the man that was FORMED in Genesis chapter 2 was formed from the EARTH. Father creates in spirit before things manifest in the earth. I believe that Adam had the potential to be the perfect union of the Spirit Man and the earth man, however we find that he, through sin, became the earthly carnal man.

Before Adam ever had an opportunity to transgress, in His sovereignty and perfect timing, Father already had a "convergence" planned to remedy this unfortunate situation. Let us read about it; "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son..." (Galatians 4:4), "...God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8:3) This is perhaps the epitome of things seemingly diametrically opposed- Father's own Son, yet in the likeness of sinful flesh. Jesus the Christ was the perfect convergence of the Spirit Man and the earth man. His was the Life in which heaven and earth converged, and this "convergence" happened precisely when the fullness of the time was come.

May I submit to you that in His sovereignty and perfect timing Father has another "convergence" planned? We can read about it in Ephesians 1:10, " [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in HEAVEN and things on the EARTH." (Amplified Bible) Just as heaven and earth converged in the Life of His begotten Son, so it shall converge again in the Life of a Corporate Son, as He is "...bringing many sons unto glory..." (Hebrews 2:10) This "convergence" in the Life of a Corporate Son will in turn bring forth a "convergence" of global proportion that will manifest in the natural realm, thus affecting all of creation.

And how, you ask, will all this come to pass?.... It will be the direct fulfillment of the cry, "Thy kingdom come! Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven!" (Matthew 6:10) Words act as containers, and contained within the words of this potent prophetic decree is the spiritual substance that shall bring it to pass in its' fullness!

So, what does this mean?... "Thy kingdom come." Obviously it speaks of HIS Kingdom, and the Kingdom is simply an extension of the identity of the King. The word translated as "kingdom" is basileia in Greek. Thayer's Greek Lexicon includes this definition: 1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule; 1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom. It is important to understand the latter part of that definition. Many in Christendom today are looking for a literal Kingdom, the New Jerusalem, to somehow fall from the sky. Perhaps we have seen a few too many science fiction movies? (smile)

The Kingdom of God is the power, the dominion, the right and authority to rule over a kingdom; and the Kingdom is IN the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is IN us! "For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy IN the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17) "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the Kingdom of God is WITHIN you." (Luke 17:21)

So when we pray, "Thy kingdom come!", we must not be looking for some abstract external event. We must understand the the way the Kingdom has entrance into this natural earthly realm is THROUGH US!

The word translated as "come" in the phrase "Thy Kingdom come" is erchomai in Greek. Its' meanings include- to accompany, appear, bring, come, enter. As I looked through the frequent usage of this word in the New Testament, it seemed to be used mostly in the context of "persons" coming, appearing, entering; it is used much less frequently in the context of "things" coming. This confirms the idea of the Kingdom "coming" or "appearing" because the Kingdom is essentially an extension of the identity of the King. The Kingdom is not so much a "thing" as it is a Person... the Person of Christ the King! Perhaps one fulfillment of the prayer, "Thy kingdom come!" might be found in 1 John 4:17, "...as HE (Christ, the Kingdom) IS, so are WE (appearing) in this world."

It is also important to note that erchomai in Greek is used only in the present and imperfect tenses. Bear with me for a quick but relevant grammar lesson. The present tense is INTERNAL, that is, it portrays the action from the inside of the event without regard for beginning or end. It is sometimes called progressive. It basically represents an activity as in PROCESS or in progress. Like the present tense, the imperfect tense displays an internal aspect. This contrasts with the aorist tense, which portrays the action in summary. For the most part, the aorist takes a snapshot of the action while the imperfect (like the present) takes a motion picture, portraying the action as it UNFOLDS.

This speaks volumes as it confirms the INTERNAL and progressive PROCESS of the UNFOLDING revelation of Christ (the Kingdom) within US! Let our urgent cry be, Thy Kingdom COME!

We also have a poignant prophetic picture in Acts 1:11; "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so COME (erchomai) in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." In a literal picture, here we find Jesus the Christ RISING UP from the EARTHLY natural realm, ascending into the HEAVENLY realm. Now shift with me into the spiritual significance of this prophetic picture. The promise was that He shall so COME (erchomai) in like manner. I believe that Father is preparing a people in which the character and nature of Christ is RISING UP causing us to ascend from life lived from the EARTHLY natural realm, into a Life that originates from the HEAVENLY realm. "And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne." (Revelation 12:5) The net effect of Jesus ascending to heaven was that His Spirit was released into the realm of the earth. The net effect of our ascending into a Life that originates from the heavenly realm, is that HEAVEN will be released into the realm of the EARTH. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come (erchomai). And let him that heareth say, Come! (erchomai)..." (Revelation 22:17)

So we have seen that the Kingdom "coming" is not so much an abstract external event, as it is an internal and progressive process of the unfolding revelation of Christ (the Kingdom) within a people. Now let us move to the next part of the verse; "...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

So we have seen that the Kingdom "coming" is not so much an abstract external event, as it is an internal and progressive process of the unfolding revelation of Christ (the Kingdom) within a people. Now let us move to the next part of the verse; "...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

This is only a portion of this article. I encourage you to read the rest of this article. For the entire article GO HERE: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35145&a mp;a mp;PN=1

Doug Fortune
info@dougfortune.org
www.inearthasinheaven.com/




3. Top News Headlines 


'Third Church' China's New Face of Christianity - 1/4/2011
Christianity in China began in the countryside, but today, a dramatic shift is happening. Young professionals in big cities like Beijing are changing the face of Chinese Christianity, as it moves to urban areas. The church in China is growing and Christianity is becoming more of a part of mainstream society," "The authorities are showing a willingness to work with us." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35190&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Superhero with Souls to Save - 1/3/2011
Charlotte Panther Shane Burton blocked a field goal in the 2004 Super Bowl, but was more interested in saving souls. Today the ex-football player puts on the Captain Salvation uniform once a month for appearances at churches, schools and concerts. A former Marvel and DC artist draws the character in a comic book, where he urges kids to pray "to ACTIVATE your salvation." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35166&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Islamic Countries Dominate Open Doors 2011 World Watch List - 1/5/2011
Iraq Leaps to Eighth Worst Persecutor of Christians, North Korea No. 1 for Ninth Straight Year. Despite North Korea topping the annual Open Doors World Watch List (WWL) the most dangerous countries in which to practice Christianity are overwhelmingly Islamic ones. Of the top 10 countries on the 2011 WWL, eight have Islamic majorities. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35202&a mp;a mp;PN=1


Muslim Halal Food Sales Supporting Terrorism? - 1/5/2011
Halal food, food prepared according to Islamic sharia law, is becoming an increasing part of the Western diet and has become a multi-billion dollar global industry. But CBN News has discovered that some of that money is funneled to groups tied to terrorism. According to some experts, a portion of the proceeds from halal food sales in France go to groups tied to terrorism. Read On:


Egyptian Security Guards Withdrew One Hour Before Church Blast, Say Eyewitnesses - 1/4/2011
Eyewitnesses confirmed that security forces guarding the church withdrew nearly one hour before the blast. "Normally they would have waited until the mass was over. There are many more victims that are still unidentified and whose body parts were strewn all over the street outside the church. Muslims started stepping on them and chanting Jihadi chants. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35193&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Indonesia: Moi church increases greatly - 1/4/2011
The Moi church in Indonesia has increased greatly. Missionaries heard testimonies from more than 80 Mois who declared their faith in Christ when the Gospel was presented this Fall. The total number of believers now consists of more than half of the adult and teenage population within a days hike from the village that first heard God's Word. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35192&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Boarding Schools for Missionary Kids are Increasingly Rare - 12/27/2010
It's a topic that frequently came up when missionary families visited churches during their year off the field. The parents would tell how they placed their children in boarding school where they could be with other missionary kids. The practice isn't so widespread anymore. Home school resources are getting better, and many MKs are going to day schools in larger cities. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35101&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Psych Studies Ordered for Jailed Homeschooling Dad - 1/3/2011
It's another case of European social workers inferring a link between homeschooling and conjectured psychiatric problems. Unspecified psychological studies or evaluations have been ordered for Christer Johansson. He's the father of a boy placed with social services, because he was homeschooled. The family was about to move to India, where Mrs. Johansson is from. Read On:  http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35177&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
 

Anglicans Received into Roman Catholic Church in Historic Service - 1/3/2011
A new wave of Anglicans has defected to Rome. The group includes three former bishops, who will have to be re-ordained. The Catholic Church does not typically consider marriage an obstacle to ordination for clergy transfering from the Anglican Church. The new converts are upset their former denomination allows the ordination of women. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35175&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Francis Chan Reveals He Left Megachurch to Seek Wisdom and Strength of Persecuted Christians - 1/3/2011
Francis Chan told the Passion Conference that American Christians change churches over better worship music, service time or daycare. When he said the same thing to Chinese Christians, they laughed, thinking it was a joke. It just didn't make sense in their world of persecution. Chan prays the new generation will see the foolishness of consumer-driven church. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35173&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Spain Goes on Mosque-Building Spree, Churches Forced to Close - 1/3/2011
The idea to build a mega-mosque at Spanish taxpayer expense comes from an imam who says it would be the best way to fight Islamic fundamentalism. Noureddine Ziani also believes European governments should pay for the training of Muslim clerics. But some municipalities with Socialist tendencies are using zoning laws to close down dozens of churches across Spain. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35170&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Church's 'Radical Experiment' Shakes Up Alabama City - 1/3/2011
A popular TV show from the 70s was about a black family who "moved on up" to the East Side. The Deloaches and Wards are white families who recently "moved on down" to a crime, drug and poverty infested neighborhood. It was in response to a 'radical experiment' advocated by their pastor that found a witness in their hearts. People are taking notice in Birmingham. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35168&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Pakistani Church Attacked and Destroyed by a Gang of Muslim Men - 1/2/2011
A Pakistan Christian church based in Sardar town in Bhopatian was bulldozed by Muslim gangers on Monday, November 15, 2010. The King of the Kings Tabernacle' Church which belongs to the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which sits off the Lahore-Raiwind road, was bulldozed under cover of aerial shooting by Muslims. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35160&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1

For More Top News Headlines, Go Here:  http://archive.openheaven.com/news/headlines/