#284 Kingdom: The Visible Realms Removed

If all the visible realms were removed, the invisible realms of God’s creation would be the only reality. God created both the visible and the invisible realms for a specific purpose.

Col 1: 16] For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him. [17] And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [18] He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.

Acts 10: 39] “And we are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And they also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. [40] “God raised Him up on the third day, and granted that He should become visible, [41] not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us, who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

We may assume that anyone who was in the area could have seen Jesus walking around after His resurrection because we assume He was man, like us. No! Jesus was invisible after His resurrection and it required the working of God to make Him visible. In other words His normal state was “invisible” and His special state was “visible.”

Eph 5:13] But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. [14] For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

If we interpret this as it is written, all things are “invisible” until they are made “visible” by the light of God. Therefore, there must be a whole invisible realm surrounding us that the “light of God” has not exposed to us. Once He shines His light on it the invisible becomes visible to us even in this state we are experiencing at the present time. Jesus was invisible but when God shone His Light the disciples could see Him. The pragmatist may have a little problem with this explanation.

Heb 11: 3] By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

If we take a natural explanation of this verse we could say that everything is made out of ATOMS which are invisible. We might say that the substance out of which everything visible is actually made is spirit, invisible. If this is true then all actual reality is “spirit” and invisible. Then is this visible substance unreality” No! It is the ultimate reality but its visibility is only temporary and its real substance is invisible.

This sounds like metaphysics. Dictionary [metaphysics ] 1 philosophy concerned with abstract concepts such as the nature of existence or of truth and knowledge. 2 informal abstract talk; mere theory].

Is truth and knowledge visible or invisible” If truth and knowledge are invisible does that make them unreal. Of course not! Is Life visible or invisible” Even if it is invisible we may see the manifestation of it and declare its reality. Faith and Love are “invisible” and so are many things about the Christian life. In fact there may be more things that are invisible than there are visible things concerning the Christian Life.

The point I am making is that if we view everything from the physical realm we will have a very limited or even perverted view of creation. We may misinterpret the Creator who is invisible in this realm but is visible in that other realm. Jesus Christ, the Word of God, is invisible in this realm unless the Father decides to make Him visible.

1 Tim 1: 17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

The ultimate reality of the universe is invisible. It is ,therefore, only by faith that we can touch the invisible realms of eternal reality. Rom 1: 20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

God’s nature, His power and His eternal attributes are invisible but they are made visible through the creation in the natural world. The reason that this is so important to our study about the Kingdom is because we are dealing with this invisible realm of His divine Government. In the “spirit realm” this is all real and visible, logical, normal and eternal. It is in this natural visible realm that the Kingdom becomes abstract along with other details of God’s eternal purpose.

It is for that reason that God must grant us a window into that reality. Eph 1:17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might [20] which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.

It should be obvious that we can preach our heart out but if God doesn’t give revelation all the people receive is some abstract information that adds to their knowledge but adds nothing to their spiritual Life. Our words are just interpreted as natural thoughts from the natural man in the pulpit to the natural mind of the natural man in the pew. The result is just natural. Every seed produces after its own kind. Natural seed produces natural results. Spiritual seed produces spiritual results. This is most likely why our preaching is not affecting the lives of our hearers.

The revelation of the Holy Place is fixed upon these invisible realms beyond the Second Veil. These realms are all spirit and focus upon the invisible attributes of Christ /God and of creation and our relationship to and function within these invisible realms. It is in the invisible realms that we touch eternity. It is at the Second Veil that God must grant unto us the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation and open the eyes of our understanding [soul] or the Holy Place will remain invisible.

The work of illumination by the Seven Spirits of God is limited to this invisible realm of the Holy Place and makes it visible within the two invisible parts of man, the spirit and the soul. This may sound too mystical but the invisible realms are mystical and we cannot make them physical or natural. The “natural man” insists that everything and every explanation be natural.

If this is clear we can examine the problems in man that are hindering man from comprehending this next restoration. The revelation from God comes to man in these invisible realms of man’s spirit and soul. Therefore, it is only the development in these realms of spirit and soul that will permit us to minister in these realms of the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. In other words, to stand before the Lord, minister to the Lord and to burn Incense requires that we relate to and stand in those invisible realms. Remaining in the visible realm will prevent us from being the priests of God and eating the invisible Showbread or being able to see the illumination of the Lampstand which we can all testify is invisible. Of course the Showbread becomes visible in the Holy Place as does the Lampstand and the Altar of Incense. Our frustration in trying to find the Lampstand church is that it is invisible to the Outer Court people. We can talk about it out there but we can’t describe it or discern how it is made or who is working on it. In our Outer Court ignorance we may even think we are building it.

2Cor 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent [visible] which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God [invisible], a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For indeed in this [visible] house we groan, longing to be clothed with our [invisible] dwelling from heaven; [3] inasmuch as we, having put it [the invisible] on, shall not be found naked. [4] For indeed while we are in this [visible] tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal [visible] may be swallowed up by life. [invisible] [5] Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. [6] Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the [visible] body we are absent from the Lord–

At this present time, while we are living in this visible tent called our body which is mortal, God is building another invisible dwelling place that is immortal. We can’t see it until this outer tabernacle {tent} is laid aside. That is probably the “invisible body” that Jesus had after His resurrection that could pass through walls and be instantly in another place. Still, God could make Him visible to those whom He chose. His resurrection body is similar to the bodies that angels have that are able to appear and disappear.

Then God is not only developing the spirit of man and renewing his mind, will and emotions [soul] but he is also preparing us an eternal dwelling place within us. When we are able to lay aside this visible tent we should have another invisible dwelling place completed that is once again made [created] by God but this one is eternal in the heavens. This eternal dwelling place will become visible to those in that realm but is invisible to us today. Then we will be known in that realm, the same as we are known now in this realm.

1 Cor 15: 46] However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. [47] The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. [48] As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. [49] And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

1 Cor 15: 51] Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

This transition will be accomplished in a moment and in the blinking of an eye. That which is “visible now” [body] will put on that which is” invisible now” [house] but this new house will be visible in the next dimension. If we can establish the reality of this invisible realm we may have a basis for sharing about the invisible realm of the Tabernacle of Moses which is the Sanctuary or the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. These two places correspond to the soul and the spirit which are the invisible parts of man.

If my concepts are correct, the distance from the visible part of man to the invisible part of man is just a veil away. This is the Second Veil in the Tabernacle of Moses and is identified as Truth.. Also the distance between the soul and the spirit is just another veil away. This is the Third Veil in the Tabernacle of Moses and this veil is identified as Life but is at first identified as “flesh” which is torn to open up the way.

Heb 10:19 Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Our speculation is that our full dominion over the things of the earth will come from the inner, invisible sanctuary of soul and spirit which is the seat of the Kingdom government of God. It is most likely here in that realm that we join in and cooperate with the sovereignty of God. Man exercising authority and dominion under the sovereignty of God carries the most reliability and integrity.

If we took “dominion” as a suggestion rather than a mandate we wouldn’t worry about any of this. Our goal would be just to prosper and be comfortable and happy and enjoy life. We could just eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we reign with Christ. We could use the excuse that “I am too humble or too shy to rule and reign.” This “humility and shyness” of the old creation and the flesh is erroneously applied to the “new creation”and the spirit and we don’t know the objective difference. There can still be an outward humility and an inner boldness over God’s enemies.

Our goal is always that when we lay aside this physical tent that we have a building made by God, eternal in the heavens. If this is not accomplished, our life may be wasted as far as eternity is concerned. Not so much that this physical body be clothed but that we be clothed upon from above with the eternal garments of the Kingdom. It is certain that we must at least have on a wedding garment just to attend the wedding feast.

What is visible today will disappear and what is invisible today will become visible and eternal. For that reason the New Earth, the New Heaven and the New Jerusalem will not be natural or physical but will be of this other spiritual substance that has its reality in the visible realm of that dimension. If we try to “visualize” eternity by today’s standards of physical, earthly reality we may get a whole wrong impression and see only confusion. First the natural THEN the spiritual. If we fail to develop the spiritual sanctuary of God in this life, this other dimension of eternal reality will escape us.

As long as the Veil between the soul and the spirit is intact this spiritual dimension will remain an enigma to the soul. This “veil of separation” between the soul and the spirit produces a soulish realm in which “ministry” can flourish but a ministry focusing up on the physical realms of prosperity, happiness, comfort, success, ministry and the good life. For many the “spiritual realm” is postponed until we leave this earth.

Teachings on “Spiritual gifts”from the soulish realms just identify natural talents through “personality profiles.” Then we try to “activate spiritual gifts” from the soulish realms of physical abilities. By this time of restoration, this counterfeit “ministry” should be recognized and rejected. Personality profiles are not wrong from a natural viewpoint of human fellowship but they should not be used to identify spiritual gifts. These counterfeits are the product of the natural mind and is the result of a “veil” remaining between the soul and the spirit. We can create doctrines about the “torn veil” but then just minister in the soulish realms of the intellect.

Understanding that is limited to the visible realms is always suspect being short of the Kingdom revelation. Revelation that is from God evidently comes to our new spirit.

I am being convinced that the “new spirit” in the redeemed man IS the Spirit of Christ. What Adam lost in Genesis 3 was the Spirit of the Creator [THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST]. The Creator breathed into Adam His very own Spirit and Adam became a living soul. What Adam lost was the Spirit of the Creator, the Spirit of Christ. What Adam retained following the fall was the soul and the body.

For man to be redeemed he must once again receive the Spirit of the Creator, the Spirit of Christ. This is what the disciples received following the resurrection of Christ. He breathed into each of them and said receive the Spirit, Holy.

John 20:21] Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” [22] And when He had said this, He breathed on [into] them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The Greek indicates that He blew into them a puff of air [wind or spirit]. This is the first that the disciples could have been “born again.” Man once again had the Spirit of the Creator, a soul and a body. Before this time the spirit of man was without “life” and the “body was dead.”

Romans 8: 5] For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. [6] For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, [7] because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; [8] and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [9] However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. [10] And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.

From this and a few other scriptures it is clear that redeemed man should have both the Spirit of the Creator,[ the Spirit of Christ,] and the Holy Spirit. Both the spirit of man and the body of man must receive “life” from God. In other words “resurrection” begins in this life time through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Of course He does much more than this in His work of bringing us to perfection. Still, we need to see that the Spirit of Christ gives “life” to our spirit or becomes the Life of our spirit and the Holy Spirit gives “life” to our mortal bodies by His “Life” in us.

2CO 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven; [3] inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked. [4] For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. [5] Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

There obviously must be both an internal and an external evidence of “life.”

In the Tabernacle of Moses there were three coverings over the Sanctuary where God dwelt. There was an outer covering of Badger or Porpoise skins. Other translations say fine goatskin leather. The word translated here is no longer known so some translators use what they know was available. For example porpoise skins might be difficult to find in the wilderness but goat leather would be available. The next outer covering was probably tanned ram skins with the hair left on it. The inner covering for the tent was made of fine linen woven from fine goat hair. Some commentators assume it was very white. Some say the second covering was rams skins dyed red but the word used seems to be “tanned.” My margin gives that as an alternative. Many interpret the linen covering as being pure white and the next covering to be red and the outermost covering to be brown. However, there may be other possibilities. These colors were used to describe “righteousness” then the “blood” and then “humanity” but it is possible this is just “interpretation” rather than fact.

However that is, I will use these coverings to apply to us personally because eventually I want to make an application to the “marriage between the new spirit and the soul.” That is between us (soul- our essence) and the Spirit of Christ, our spirit. This “division” between soul and spirit is why we live in so much confusion and why it is difficult to know what the “spirit is saying.”It is also in this Spirit that we see the invisible. In the soul we see the visible.

In 2 Corinthians 5 we saw that we live in a “tent” that eventually must be put off or laid aside. This is our “outer covering” which we understand to be this human body. However, Paul is teaching that if we don’t have another covering “we” will be naked. In other words the soul and the spirit without a tangible covering will be naked. The soul and the spirit are who we are but we must have another covering when we lay aside this human skin. This other covering that hides our nakedness is identified as our house. Our present “tent” is identified as our mortality that must be clothed with immortality. We surely can’t be accepted in the heavenly realms if we are naked.

1 Cor 15:42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; [43] it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; [44] it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. [47] The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. [48] As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. [49] And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

The question we are raising is these other “two coverings”, the fine linen covering and the tanned rams skins covering over the Tabernacle of Moses. If we have the correct translations there are two inner coverings, the fine linen covering woven with fine goat hair AND the tanned rams skins. Over these two inner coverings which are invisible from outside there are the fine goat skin leather. In understanding the two inner coverings it might be possible to apply these to represent our house that is “from heaven.” The outer leather skins might represent our present tent that is mortal. Since I have never had an acceptable understanding of these three coverings I am speculating and using a newer translation of these coverings.

It seems that we must be clothed with Christ as our first inner covering. If we have put on Christ as a garment then this covering must be over our soul and spirit. (Invisible)[Gal 3:27] The next covering may be the covering over that inner covering which is the righteous acts of the saints. [Rev 19: 8] This may seem strained of course but if the outer covering of leather is this tent which is our body the then next covering might be our humanity. Rather than force an application it is better to wait until we have a clearer revelation of the three coverings over the Tabernacle of Moses.