“Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG)
Finding Expression in the High Realm
The scriptures make it clear that there are heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1). God created them! That signifies something very important, that is, low and high realms. Similarly, we have people who are occupiers of low and high realms respectively. Notwithstanding, it is God’s ordination and desire for His children to find expressions in the high realm.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV)
Going Further with God
Imperatively, whenever God wants to show a man something significant to his life and that of others, He takes him from where he is to a farther place.
“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” Genesis 15:1-5 (KJV)
Therefore, this is a call to a shift to a better place with a better understanding which is beyond the present state.
The Benefits of Ascending in Fellowship
There are benefits when you ascend in your fellowship with God:
(1) You receive privileged information (Matthew 17:1-9)
The information other disciples could not gain access to was revealed to the three who ascended with Jesus. If you refuse to ascend in your fellowship with God, it affects your knowledge about Him (Daniel 11:32b). Knowledge requires one step after the other. The more you climb with Him; the more of His revelation you are exposed to.
(2) You lose the taste to descend to the life you have been living before.
If you have been so satisfied with the time you spend praying and studying the Word you will definitely lose your satisfaction when you ascend. Prior to the mount of transfiguration experience, Peter had seen the lame walk, blind see, dumb talk, and dumb speak, however, he wanted to stay when he had another encounter.
“Peter blurted out, “Sir, it’s wonderful that we can be here! If you want me to, I’ll make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4 (TLB)
(3) You have a new experience
The experience in the above scripture was difficult for the beneficiary to share. It was mind-blowing, and far beyond human explanations and descriptions. Note that it is God’s earnest desire for His children to come up higher in fellowship. It was a journey that Enoch embarked on, and he never returned to the things of this world anymore. God took him away!
“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
