Marks of a Man with a Heavenly Perspective
By Bro. Biju Itty, Surat
Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two-body system like the Sun and the Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion. Spacecraft can ‘hover’ there, with little fuel consumption. Satellites at Lagrange Point (L1) are able to continuously observe the sun and solar activities without any occultation, eclipse, or obstruction, unlike from any place on earth. They can report violent solar storms that could damage communication and navigation satellites orbiting the earth.
In contrast, satellites at L2 are in a ‘sweet-spot’, being perpetually in the earth’s shadow. Always looking away from the sun, into the dark deep space and distant past. Their extremely sensitive optics and instruments cannot tolerate the slightest heat of the sun. These satellites need regular course and altitude correction, and are eventually deorbited after the end of their useful life.
This illustrates an interesting spiritual reality. Apostle Paul says in Phil.1:23,24 - “But I am hard-pressed from (pulled in / torn between) both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes” [NASB]. Johnson Oatman Jr. sang of this spiritual vantage point:
“I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.”
“Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
By grace the elders stood on this higher plane, and obtained a good testimony. Heb.11:13 describe those who have a heavenly perspective. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth”, Heb 11:13.
1. They are able to see afar off
They get an unhindered view of the promises of God from a higher plane of increased faith. Lot left Abraham and moved his tent closer and closer to Sodom, to the low-lying plains of Jordan, for worldly gain. He chose to be in the cold shadows of worldlings, free from godly restrictions and the all-consuming holiness of God. But there his righteous soul was oppressed and tormented daily by the filthy conduct and lawless deeds of the wicked. And then he lost all, even his family.
In contrast, Abraham moved his tent to Mamre, in Hebron, a higher place where he built an altar to the LORD. Hebron signifies ‘alliance with God’, and God calls him ‘My friend Abraham’. He walked in the clear sunshine of fellowship with God and was blameless. He passed the ultimate test of obedience to God in offering up his only begotten son Isaac, and gained him back as from the dead.
By faith he saw Jehovah-Jireh, the Great Substitute, God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. “Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” He is the father of the faithful, “who do not see Christ, yet believing, rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”
2. They embrace God’s promises
They don’t shun the sunlight of God’s promises. It’s by the sun’s heat that “the precious fruits of the sun” or a bountiful harvest are produced. Moses chose to suffer the heat of affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…for he looked to the reward, or harvest of souls. Standing on the top of Mount Pisgah he saw the Promised Land from a distance.
But his eyes looked onward to Calvary where Christ the Passover, would be slain. He saw the One who would give true spiritual rest to the people of God. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. On the mount of Christ’s transfiguration, he stood evaluating Christ’s upcoming decease at Jerusalem. He thankfully acknowledged the exceeding riches of God’s grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
3. They confess their heavenly calling
They know their mission is to forewarn sinners and intercede for them before God. Like Abraham, they risk the Lord’s righteous anger, but become successful intercessors. They confess that they are strangers and pilgrims on earth. They focus their attention on the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.
The world hates them, because they are not of the world, just as Christ is not of the world. Christ prays for them to the Father, not that they may be taken from the world, but that they may be preserved from the evil one.
So they do not go out of the world to become ascetics or recluses. Rather, they walk by faith with Christ in white, saving sinners with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
4. They all die in faith
They know that “a man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.” So they pray, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” They all live by faith, and please God by being rich toward Him. By faith, they do fruitful labor for Him. But also they die in faith, because they consider it far better to depart and to be with Christ.
As Paul put it, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. Faith elevates them to heaven’s tableland and they see the Sun of Righteousness rising with healing in His wings, meaning, and a better resurrection.
Let us, like heaven-bound luminaries, reflect the light of God’s love to this sin-darkened world, through above-the-average Christian living. For “we have been raised with Christ, and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ.” G&P
