Tantalize, Or Actualize?

[WordSword]

The theme of this article is knowing the definite possession of heaven for the Christian! Moses could not enter the Promised Land for going beyond what was instructed on him. He could only see Canaan but was not allowed to enter in. Christians can see the New Heaven in the image of their mind, and they are guaranteed their place There. Thus, the believer should have the sense of being there now, and even praying from there to the earth; for God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6).  
NC

 
 

 

Tantalize, Or Actualize?

 

It is possible, in a way, to be tantalized by the beauty and perfection of the glory, because there is nothing to compare with it here; and yet it may be as seen in the distance, as Moses saw the land from Pisgah, admired and loved, but with no positive possession, no setting the sole of one’s foot solidly on it (nothing physical, with anticipation only—NC).

If I only see the glory as Moses saw Canaan from Mount Pisgah, I have no sense of possession there; this is merely seeing a better thing, in which I not only have no present possession, but I am myself actually separate from it, and outside it. This tantalizes, if I may so say. If I were to die then, with this view fully before me, I should be a Stephen, but if I have to live here with a glimpse of it, without any realization of possession, it is only tantalizing.

We must know the place and glory into which the Lord Jesus has entered as our present home and abiding place; an actual possession in which the Father has “set us” now (Eph 2:6), in order to be true strangers here (Heb 11:13; 1Pe 2:11). When we realize this, everything here becomes strange to us (even with feelings that you don’t belong here, so don’t allow this to trouble you—NC), because we are here from another realm, a bright and heavenly place. It is not only that we are looking for and expecting this place at the end (we are to know the surety now that heaven is ours—NC). This will not make us strangers here; for we may have this, and still be at home here, and though we may wish to go to heaven, we are as yet strangers there (instead of here—NC), for we have never enjoyed possession there, (we are to realize that heaven is a Christian’s present possession - Luk 22:29, 30—NC). 

There is often this beholding afar off, and there may be a great deal of true admiration, the heart captivated with the view from Pisgah, which does not help one in one’s path down here, but on the contrary, makes one feel the contrast between what is here, and what one has had a glimpse of. In this case one is more unfitted for remaining here, instead of being enabled, because of moral superiority and elevation, to meet everything here as the Lord Jesus’ witnesses on earth. 

The fact is, we are not now as Moses on mount Pisgah, nor even as Stephen; we do not see the glory from earth, but we are positioned in heaven (same as being there—NC), and there we see it. Thus we “behold” the Lord Jesus where He is in glory, and as we behold Him and fellowship with Him, we are gradually transformed “into the same image (have the same desires—NC) from glory to glory” (2Co 3:18; 1Co 15:49; Rom 8:29), we are transformed into the condition of the place in which He is, and we in Him there (Jhn 14:20). Then we can walk and serve here (1Jo 4:17—NC), expecting mothing from this scene, but able to contribute to it, as a wealthy man can contribute when visiting the haunts of the destitute. If he were one of them, surely he could not contribute.

The Lord grant that we may indeed traverse the haunts of the destitute down here (witness to the lost—NC), with hearts full of the unsearchable riches of Christ; not merely seeing a future of unbounded wealth, but in spirit there now, our cup running over, and therefore not seeking for anything here; but, as opportunity offers, contributing to each according to his need (according to where our faith may be weak—NC).

— James Butler Stoney (1814-1897)

 

 

 

MJS daily devotional excerpt for October 29

“Rationalism defies God; Ritualism degrades God.” –MJS 

“With Rationalism’s intellectual audacity on the one hand, which dares to speak against the Word of God; and on the other hand, the outward piety of Ritualism—there is really the same root of infidelity at bottom. There is the supplanting of the plain truth of the inspired Word. Both get rid of it, depriving the soul of that which is the only means of a living link between God and man.

“It does not matter what the means or forms may be, whether the negative process of Rationalism, or the more positive claim of Ritualism: if man comes in—whether it be his rites or his reasoning’s—so as to exclude God’s Word, or step between its authority and the soul of man, it becomes pretty much the same result in the end.

“Rationalism is the deification of human powers, in which man presumes by his own mind to judge the Word of God, and is therefore the infidelity of the intellect when either carried out to its results or judged in its principle.

“On the other hand Ritualism is the infidelity of the imagination, very often with piety underneath it, with a love for the Savior that may preserve from the full consequences of the system, but in itself always savoring of and tending to idolatry.

“We cannot know the value of Christ the Truth unless we have the Spirit of Truth. Nevertheless, the test of having the Spirit of Truth, and of not being a prey to fanaticism, is that the soul is attracted and subject to the Lord Jesus Christ—and this cannot be without faith produced and nourished by the Word of Truth.” —William Kelly (1821-1906)
http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/
 

Edited October 29, 2024 by WordSword

[Mr. M]

3 hours ago, WordSword said:

Christians can see the New Heaven in the image of their mind, and they are guaranteed their place There.

This is tantalizing. How does someone visualize a city only, much less than a New Heaven;, that is square-shaped, measuring approx.* 1320 miles? What would be a point of reference for that?

Revelation 21:16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand *furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.

Between about 53 miles (85 km) and 375 miles (600 km) lies the thermosphere, known as the upper atmosphere. While still extremely thin, the gases of the thermosphere become increasingly denser as one descends toward the Earth.Aug 20, 2024

The atmosphere becomes thinner with increasing altitude, with no definite boundary between the atmosphere and outer space. The Kármán line, at 100 km (62 mi) or 1.57% of Earth's radius, is often used as the border between the atmosphere and outer space.

An informative exercise would be to apply this knowledge to the parable of the wedding feast when people jostled for the high seats. And consider, where might I be domiciled in this great city? Here is what the Spirit is saying, "your nearness to God in this life establishes your nearness in eternity.

Motivation for living a godly life?

[Mr. M]

3 hours ago, WordSword said:

Thus, the believer should have the sense of being there now, and even praying from there to the earth; for God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6).  

The sense of being for a Believer is clearly defined in scripture as 'strangers and sojourners'. We are Ambassadors for Christ, far from home in hostile territory. As to Ephesians 2:6, this reality is supposed to play out here in our fellowship. The buildings shook when Believers prayed TOGETHER.

Now, that is bringing heaven to earth!

Edited October 29, 2024 by Mr. M

[Mr. M]

3 hours ago, WordSword said:

It is possible, in a way, to be tantalized by the beauty and perfection of the glory, because there is nothing to compare with it here; and yet it may be as seen in the distance, as Moses saw the land from Pisgah, admired and loved, but with no positive possession, no setting the sole of one’s foot solidly on it (nothing physical, with anticipation only—NC).

If I only see the glory as Moses saw Canaan from Mount Pisgah, I have no sense of possession there; this is merely seeing a better thing, in which I not only have no present possession, but I am myself actually separate from it, and outside it. This tantalizes, if I may so say. If I were to die then, with this view fully before me, I should be a Stephen, but if I have to live here with a glimpse of it, without any realization of possession, it is only tantalizing.

I am not sure, is this visualization? Isn't "tantalizing" the point?

2 Corinthians 4:

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

3 hours ago, WordSword said:

We must know the place and glory into which the Lord Jesus has entered as our present home and abiding place; an actual possession in which the Father has “set us” now (Eph 2:6), in order to be true strangers here (Heb 11:13; 1Pe 2:11). When we realize this, everything here becomes strange to us (even with feelings that you don’t belong here, so don’t allow this to trouble you—NC), because we are here from another realm, a bright and heavenly place. It is not only that we are looking for and expecting this place at the end (we are to know the surety now that heaven is ours—NC). This will not make us strangers here; for we may have this, and still be at home here, and though we may wish to go to heaven, we are as yet strangers there (instead of here—NC), for we have never enjoyed possession there, (we are to realize that heaven is a Christian’s present possession - Luk 22:29, 30—NC). 

Realization, or transformation? Life on earth has truly become a journey toward the strange.

Luke 22:29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

How is this a present possession?

Only in the breaking of bread in the fellowship of the Saints!

Is this the reality of Sunday morning?

A heavenly perspective found in worship.

[WordSword]

On 10/29/2024 at 11:12 AM, Mr. M said:

This is tantalizing. How does someone visualize a city only, much less than a New Heaven;, that is square-shaped, measuring approx.* 1320 miles? What would be a point of reference for that?

Motivation for living a godly life?

Hi, and yes, that is the dimensions of the New Jerusalem! Good mention concerning motivation for a godly life, which all Christians have! I believe the New Heaven's boundaries will be unlimited!

[WordSword]

On 10/29/2024 at 11:17 AM, Mr. M said:

As to Ephesians 2:6, this reality is supposed to play out here in our fellowship. The buildings shook when Believers prayed TOGETHER.

Now, that is bringing heaven to earth!

Good comments! I agree, we can be encouraged with the thought of knowing our place in heaven. Concerning "heaven on earth," this is for God's people the Jews who believe in God but not the Lord Jesus; believers in Christ will not be on the earth, but in heaven with Him--ruling (judging; teaching) those on the earth (Mat 19:28).

 

[WordSword]

On 10/29/2024 at 11:37 AM, Mr. M said:

I am not sure, is this visualization? Isn't "tantalizing" the point?

You probably mean having a desire, but tantalize means to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach.

Thanks for your replies and God bless!