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THE VISIBLE AND THE INVISIBLE
Col 1:15-17 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Some Christian people have the idea that someday we are all going to move out of the natural physical “visible” realm of creation and become invisible spirit beings. The natural physical “visible” realm has been taught to be a temporary realm of existence, which is to pass away, be folded up, and replaced, by the invisible realm of spirit.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen (the visible), but at the things which are not seen (the invisible): for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2Co 4:17-18
This is one of the favorite scriptures used to support that theory. However, as we read the surrounding context where the above scripture come from, we find that the apostle Paul was relating to the distress and afflictions that Christian people pass through. And certainly, if those circumstances were to continue indefinitely, then, we might very well despair of life. But those “things which are seen are temporal,” and thank God that they are only temporary. The word “temporal” comes from the compound Greek word; pro - skairos which means; for the occasion only, that is, temporary: - dur- [eth] for awhile, endure for a time, for a season, temporal. (Source: Strong’s Concordance).
The apostle Paul refers to the distresses and afflictions which we endure as being “light afflictions” in contrast to the “exceeding weight of glory” which these things are working for us. I suppose that one of the greatest reasons why people are ready to discard all the temporal sufferings which is designed (temporarily for the occasion), is simply because they have grown weary of those things.
“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the (flesh) body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our (flesh) body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” 2Co 4:8-11
Where is the “life of Jesus Christ” going to be “made manifest” (revealed)? You got it – right there in your MORTAL FLESH (bodies). This is what the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the saints in Corinth. There is to be a “nevertheless afterward” which means that those things which are designed for the occasion will not continue indefinitely, but do have an ending.
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Heb 12:11-12
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1Pe 4:12-13
Remember, His “glory” shall be revealed right here in our physical (“visible”) mortal bodies! But, you know something else? When His glory is revealed, there is going to be a wonderful “CHANGE” takes place in these physical (“visible”) mortal bodies. His glory is going to become so great within us until our present physical (“visible”) mortal bodies will not be able to contain that glory, so there will have to be a CHANGE made in our bodies. Does this “change” (1Co 15:52) mean that we suddenly leave the visible realm of creation in order to exist only in the invisible realm? Or, does it mean that the “change” will raise us up out of the realm of mortality (the death state of being) in our bodies, that the life and immortality of Jesus Christ (2Co 4:11; 2Ti 1:10) may be made manifest in our bodies? The “change” will not eliminate us from being a part of the visible creation of God, but will wonderfully bring us into a compounding of both the invisible and the visible. The “change” will also wonderfully lift us out of the realm of the mortal state of being imposed upon us by our birth in the first man Adam after the flesh, lifting us into the life of our heavenly birth from above by the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus.
It is my conviction that the “change” (1Co 15:51-52) which the apostle Paul tells about will not mean that we will no longer be a part of this physical visible creation of God, but it shall bring us (with those on the other side) together, releasing us from the limitations of being bound either in the invisible, or the visible realm so that we may be a part of both realms. I am persuaded that this state of being has been thoroughly explained and revealed throughout the scriptures.
While it has been commonly taught that Christians are to one day leave this earth behind in order to make “heaven” their home, many are finding that “heaven” (the realm of Spirit) is to swallow up the (visible) material realm in its present state of being, bringing it, and all the natural universe, into a whole NEW and HEAVENLY state of being; however, this does NOT mean that the “visible” dimension of God’s creation shall cease to exist. It is also my strong conviction that our God and Father has many things is store for us that we are not able to even imagine yet.
1Co 2:9-10 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
As those “deep things of God” become “need to know basis” for us, HE will REVEAL those things to us “by His Spirit.” For now, it is truly astounding and marvelous what our God and Father has “revealed” to us, and yet, we KNOW, that what we know right now, is nothing in comparison to those things which He WILL reveal to us in the proper time of their unfolding. That is just how awesome and marvelous our Father is! And we know that because of His love and grace through Jesus Christ, all that God IS has been made our inheritance. For we have been made His “Heirs, heirs of God, and co-equal-heirs with Jesus Christ!” (Rom 8:16-17). We are made to know that “all things” in the creation of God whether invisible or visible is a part of our inheritance, and yet – there is the realm in God which lies beyond the created realm of “all things” and that is also part of our inheritance as well. How utterly awesome!
WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST
How awesome are those words! We are the embodiment of Christ! The very Christ that indwelt the body of our Lord Jesus is the very same Christ which dwells in us. It is the mystery that has been hidden (kept secret) from ages and generations which is now revealed (made known and disclosed to His initiated ones) the saints, which is Christ IN YOU the hope of glory. (Col 1:26-27). It is Christ in you that is our hope of glory. Who is this Christ, there seems to be a lingering mystery as to who the Christ is.
Act 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Peter leaves little room for doubt as to WHO the Lord is, as well as WHO the Christ is, for HE is Jesus The Anointed One.
The New Testament word “Christ” means; “anointed,” or literally, The Anointed (One). The Old Testament word “Messiah” means; “anointed,” or literally, The Anointed (One).
Isn’t it amazing that there are only two ( 2 ) verses of scripture in the entire Old Testament where the word “Messiah” is used? (Daniel 9:25-26). In the New Testament there are some 532 times where the word “Christ” is found. In Daniel both references refer to Jesus (Christ, The Anointed One). In the New Testament there is no doubt that they all refer to Jesus Christ God’s Anointed One.
Why is it that the words, “the body of Christ” are so awesome? As we stated, we are the body of Christ, and as such we are members in particular in His Body. We are the embodiment of Christ! AND HIS BODY IS ONE even though it consists of many (enChristed) members. We have often stated in our recent writings that there must be a conscious awareness in our understanding that we cannot be identified with BOTH the old creation of the first man Adam, and the new creation of God in Christ Jesus. There MUST be a renunciation and even a declaration of that renunciation of our identity in the old creation of the first man Adam, and a proclamation and declaration of our identity in God’s new creation in Christ Jesus. Of course, that declaration will not be in word only, but in the fact that we are becoming the manifestation and expression of the new creation that we are in Christ Jesus. And where do you suppose that manifestation and expression is needed most? The Bible tells us that there is a whole creation which awaits the manifestation of the sons of God. (Rom. 8:19). Not the manifestation of the sons of God in their infancy or immaturity, but sons of God who are in the same measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, The Anointed ONE. (Eph. 4:13). The many-membered brethren of sons brought into His same Glory. (Heb. 2:10-13).
While there are some who have their heads poked so far through the clouds until they have become oblivious of the tremendous needs of a creation lost in sin and darkness, God is preparing to manifest His Son(s) to bring liberation and salvation and reconciliation in every area of creations need. Let it be noted once again, the creation which stands in need of the manifestation of the sons of God consists of BOTH the visible and the invisible realms of God’s creation. It will of necessity require a ministry which is able to traverse both the realms of the visible and the invisible. The sons of God brought into the “glory” of full sonship to God will not only be able to minister the life of God in the invisible realm, but also right here in the visible realm. Such a time as this is even now unfolding and shall continue to unfold into the future days ahead of us. Even in our preparation times great needs are being met and dealt with, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others all around us. And yet, there lies before us the greatest challenges of all, the need of salvation for all creation, both visible and invisible.
What will it be like for us who are called to share in His glory of life and immortality? No one at this present time (of this writing at least), I assure you can give you that answer, but we are given insight into that realm in the life of Jesus Christ our Lord, and personal glimpses and experiences which allow us to know the reality that awaits us.
I do know that there was ONE MAN who was among His disciples and the people of earth over 2000 years ago who walked in the realm of life and immortality, His name was Jesus Christ. And, I can almost hear someone saying; “Oh yes, brother Dale. But Jesus Christ has ascended far beyond that heaven, and even beyond all heavens, for now He fills all things as He is seated with the Majesty on High.” And I will say “amen.” But as we ascend, don’t you think that we need to experience, and enjoy, all the heavens that our Father has prepared for us? I feel like a little boy sometimes who has been given a new toy (and believe me I am not degrading the life and immortality of God by referring to it as a new toy), for I am only using the term “toy” as a point of illustration. I am excited and thrill, dear friend and brother in Christ, at all that My Father has in store for me! I may have at one time in my far distant beginnings in Christ known all these things, but as their remembrance is revealed to me, I get excited! Don’t you?
I have brothers and sisters who have passed beyond the veil of my physical eyesight who are there in that invisible realm of spirit, and I can hear their voices beckoning me, and encouraging me onward unto that time and place when we shall be united once again. But not only in the visible and invisible realms, but also, throughout ALL the unbounded realms and dimensions in our infinite God and Father. Oh my, How awesome and great is our God and Father!
Dale Luttrell
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