Heaven is the dream of every believer. We all dream of a place of perfect peace and joy. Jesus came to show us that this dream is not a far away reality but can be experienced here and now.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mathew chapter 10, verse 7)
The life of a Christian is a life of heaven on earth. When we are born again, we are translated into the kingdom of light
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son” (Colossians chapter 1, verse 13 KJV)
When we are born again, we are translated into the kingdom of heaven. The problem is we still live like we are of this world. We still conform to the patterns of this world. There are heavenly realities waiting to manifest on the earth but an heavenly minded man is needed for this great task. We will be transformed to the degree that we have taken on the mind of Christ. Every kingdom has her language and way of life and so does the kingdom of heaven. This is one of the reasons for the manifestation of tongues. One of the major ways we know a citizen of a kingdom is by their language.
The Key to transformation
We cannot be transformed to the image of the risen Christ if our minds are still fixed on the passing pleasures of this world.
“And be not conformedto the world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...”(Romans chapter 12, verse 2 KJV)
Many wish to manifest the realities of heaven on the earth but the weight of this world keeps pulling them down. The thought patterns of this earthly plain are like gravity pulling us to the earth. The way to ascend is to lay down the weight of the love of the world and embrace the truth that we died and our new life is beyond what we see.
Deep down, we ache for something more—an ascended life, a life of heaven here and now. The process of the renewing of the mind is a must for every believer for the difference between a baby Christian and a mature son is the extent to which the word of God has captured the mind. We all have strongholds in our minds but the question is,what are the strongholds made of? The word of God?Or the patterns of this world?
The Apostle Paul was a man of the law, a Pharisee of Pharisees but when he discovered the Gospel of Christ, he had to lay down preconceived notions of how he perceived reality. How many Christiansare still holding on to mind-sets forgedin them by their parents or their environment. Paul was able to count his previous knowledge and achievements as dung to gain Christ.
The strongholds of humanism and materialism still limit the expression of Christ in many Christian circles today but it ought not to be so. We have tried to live the Christian life on our own terms. We are called into a kingdom. We cannot live here with the mind-set of another kingdom.
Defeating the strongholds of materialism and humanism
Most theologians agree that the Laodicean Church is written in Revelations 3 is the last day church. Thus we are in the age of the Laodicean Church. Jesus gives a stern warning to the Laodicean Church
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” (Revelations chapter 3, verses 17-18)
Is this not the state of many Christians today; boasting of material goods and intellectual exploits but no treasures in eternity.There are ministers who have never shed a tear for souls but can pack a crowd with sweet words; a gospel solely focused on earthly things.
For the strongholds of materialism and humanism to be defeated, we need the real Gospel. We need preachers who are not afraid to speak the truth, men who are sold out for Christ. We need preachers who’ll point men to Christ and not to themselves.
It’s time for an awakening. May we not just speak about healing but may we heal the sick. May we not just speak about raising the dead but may we raise the dead. May we not just speak about revival but may we experience revival. Come Holy Spirit, break down our pride, invade our cities. From nation to nation, let God’s fire spread. May we see true revival- a manifestation of heaven upon the earth!
Rume Kpadamrophe is an evangelist, writer and researcher based in Lagos, Nigeria. Rume speaks French and English and loves to travel. He has a strong desire to see revival ignited and sustained in the nations of the world.Rume’s email address is rumekpadamrophe@yahoo.com
Rume's previous articles may be viewed athttps://www.pressserviceinternational.org/rume-padsmrophe.html