Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The amazing promise

Along with the great invitation, we talked on Sunday about the amazing promise Jesus made to Nathanael.

I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

What I didn't mention on Sunday was that the 'you' is plural, and so it does not refer to NAthanael alone, but to all those who were listening at the time. Probably Philip, possibly Andrew and the others too.

But the point is this: heaven opened. Imagine that for a moment. Heaven opened right over your community. Heaven and earth connected. The kingdom real and present among the people. Powerfully at work transforming lives.

I guess Nathanael and the others might have thought about Jacob and his vision of heaven open and the angels ascending and descending. Heaven touching earth. In the arrival of Jesus, heaven certainly touches the earth. But there is another Old Testament passage that comes to mind too.

 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Malachi 3:10

Perhaps there is more to seeing heaven opened that we might have first thought.

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