8 June 2014 by Dr Yeo Teck Thiam –
In the first part of the article ‘From Here To Eternity’, Dr Yeo explores the possible realities of Heaven as a distinctive dimensional realm beyond the Earthly context, and the reality of an Eternal life. In the upcoming second part, the article will explore the meaning of Eternity within God’s supreme plan.
When we consider that God will create a new heaven and a new earth, we are, naturally, curious to know what these things mean for our lives. One obvious thought concerns what will become of life in this physical universe. Another equally obvious thought is what the new heaven and new earth will be like, and how do we get there.
For some aspects such as in end times, we know the disciples asked the Lord. And we know Jesus gave them a glimpse of these things. Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-36, Luke 21:1-38. Since these end days are already frequently discussed, it is worthwhile for me to move on from there, to see the Kingdom of God in the new world beyond.
So I wonder also what the Lord told the disciples while He was with them on earth. I think about the Kingdom that Jesus said is waiting for us with God in heaven. So I look to what God has to tell us in Scripture, for Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36
The End of the World
One aspect that links us to this quest is from descriptions about the end of this Age. This physical universe will certainly come to an end when the Day of the Lord comes. It is written:
2 Peter 3:10
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
Obviously, various things were given to the disciples to know, and God graciously makes known in Scripture for us also. So we have a picture, that day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 2 Peter 3:13
Perhaps we may wonder how the elements will melt, and what happens to all the heat energy that is produced by this destruction. It is tempting to think it is somehow related to the lake of burning sulphur and fire which is the Abyss in Revelation. However, Scripture does not specify.
I am careful also, because the human mind is carnal and finite, whereas what we think of beyond this physical universe concerns spiritual things. Unless God reveals, we have no knowledge. So I am only prepared to speak what is given in Scripture, for it is not right for me to speculate where Scripture does not say.
Faith and “Seeing is Believing”
Nevertheless, I also have limitations in speaking of the spirit. It is because the things of the spirit are not seen with the eyes. Jesus said the wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. And so is the Spirit. John 3:8
But God helps us to understand, through using things in this earthly life to tell eternal things; and it is God’s good pleasure to open our eyes when we seek Him. So Jesus taught in parables also, and visions are symbolically shown with earthly things. We also see miracles, and the workings in this universe, for the heavens declare the glory of God.
In this regard, some will know Plato sought “the entities” behind the evidence of what we see and understand. The quest is not knowledge, but truth. It is not about logic and intellectual reasoning, but the meaning and good of life. This is a great divide that modern philosophy is unwilling to pursue.
To this end, revelation is given for faith, and not for the intellect. God must reveal, for Jesus said that for many, “they will be ever hearing but never understanding; and they will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” Mark 13:14, Isaiah 6:9.
So I seek God to show me His Kingdom.
Jacob’s ladder
This was the case for Jacob when he left his home to go to Haran in Paddan Aram of the upper Euphrates River region. He sought to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. For Jacob has obtained by deceit the family’s blessings from his father Isaac, by disguising himself as Esau. Genesis 27:42
As many well know, Jacob had an awesome dream one night on his way to Paddan Aram. Jacob saw the heavens opened, and God’s angels were ascending and descending on a stairway from earth reaching to the heavens. He also heard God speaking to him. So Jacob called the place Bethel, the house of God. Genesis 28:12
When we think of how high and far away that heaven is from earth, we wonder how such a staircase is able to lean on earth and be supported. We imagine the stairway would break somewhere in its middle section, because of its own weight bearing down on it.
Yet this need not be so, if we can imagine a spiral stairway, going round and round an invisible central column. The staircase may not need to support its own weight in this way and breakdown, since it is like a coiled spring. So we imagine the angels were ascending and descending a spiral staircase to heaven in Jacob’s dream.
Is this possible? This leads us to consider a similar problem posed mathematically when someone goes round and round, in circles on earth. We won’t get a lift off to heaven in this way from our three dimensional world.
However, if we do travel in the fourth dimension, we will escape our physical world when running round in circles; and that fourth dimension is the complex, or imaginary “i “plane in mathematics that is used to calculate space time continuum.
This was one of the solutions that extend beyond Euclidean geometry which we use in everyday life. Riemann’s geometry paved a way to solve the universe’s complex geometry. We are “unable” to get out of this universe if we only use space’s three dimensions. But a complex plane shows there are many possibilities that we don’t know.
Someone who doubts the “reality” of such things has good reasons. Yet consider, if we see an object and then, look at it in the mirror. We realize the virtual picture exists like the real picture. We cannot touch the virtual picture, but it has a function that impacts on the tangible world. In fact, we make use of similar images of light, such as in the pin-hole camera to take pictures.
Thus, today, we see things differently from men of 100 years ago. Through the recognition of new frontiers, as in the fourth dimension in science, we can no longer view things solely in an earthly context. The mathematics needed in the new physics and cosmology shows our universe cannot be conceived solely in 3 dimensions.
The virtual world has impact on us, and everyone is aware that this is in the internet and cyber space world. If a virtual world exists, it is not farfetched to understand that the kingdom Jesus has “is not of this world.”
Vision of Dry Bones
Nevertheless, before I get going, I must reckon that life is only a short span on earth. Someday, we must give up the breath in this life. We do not know how to make life come into existent. Dead men tell no tales.
However, if we look to God, we are seeking life. So Scripture shows us something of this in the vision given to Ezekiel. God’s hand was upon him, and Ezekiel was set down in a valley in this vision.
The valley was full of dead men’s bones. God called Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones to come alive. The bones became attached with flesh, and skin covered them. Then God asked Ezekiel to prophesy for the breath of life to come upon them. Ezekiel did as told, and they came to life.
God told Ezekiel that Israel must not say they are like dead men’s bones. The LORD had this message for Israel, “O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live… Then you will know that I, the LORD have spoken, and I have done it.” Ezekiel 37:12, 14
God will raise us to life is His promise for all who believe. It is in the proclamation that Jesus is risen from the dead.
NB: Scripture texts are from NIV.
Note: Mr Yeo Teck Thiam is a retireer who used to work as a chemical engineer, specializing in food and perfume chemistry for an international food company and perfumer. His other main interest is astronomy and other mathematical matters, relating to the Biblical passages.
NB: Scripture texts are from NIV.
Note: Mr Yeo Teck Thiam is a retireer who used to work as a chemical engineer, specializing in food and perfume chemistry for an international food company and perfumer. His other main interest is astronomy and other mathematical matters, relating to the Biblical passages.
– See more at: http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/faith-part-1/#sthash.wrbTgiJG.dpuf
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References for pictures
http://1ms.net/wondrous-coastal-highway-bridge-under-the-stars-320870.html
http://nccg.org/eternallife3.jpg
http://www.wallpaperup.com/uploads/wallpapers/2013/09/12/147076/bfe17e6a76392ccef4b4307c00b46690.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nK5jBDnGR3Q/THl0jNi0FFI/AAAAAAAAAIU/1lSW1n5wQtY/s1600/Jacob%27sLadder.jpg
http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb406/sumitsijher/dodecafly2.gif
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45M0qwtEano/TyezpEk5QdI/AAAAAAAAAGw/tms8OE4-GsI/s1600/PAB1168.jpg
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