Ruling in Heaven Shunned?
I Want To Go To The Stars
Q. I really don’t want to rule over cities in heaven. I don’t like politics here on earth and I’m not interested in spending an eternity “reigning with Christ,” either. Is that all we will do in heaven? Because I do not want responsibility in heaven and I would be happy to just clean toilets. I just want to rest forever in a wonderful place.
Answer:
Hmmm…Be careful what you wish for. With that kind of an attitude I don’t think you’ll have to worry about ruling with Christ or doing much of anything anyway! Really? You’d be happy just cleaning toilets forever?
But, seriously…I don’t like politics, either. So here is a more serious answer:
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Our Original Stewardship
Many of the parables Christ taught us have to do with our stewardship with what He has given us in the way of talents or material goods here on earth.
Originally mankind’s stewardship was dominion and rulership over all of creation on earth. This had to do with taking care of the animal life, plant life, and tending to the beautiful garden. It had to do with family life and enjoying fellowship with our families and the Lord.
Satan Stole our Inheritance
But, once sin entered the world, control of the earth has been given to Satan temporarily. That is why Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms on earth and offered to give them to Him if He would just worship the devil (Matt. 4:8-10).
Satan owned the world and had the power to offer it to Christ. It is why Satan is called the “ruler of the world” (1 John 5:19, John 16:12, John 14:30).
Our On-the-Job Training
However, redeemed mankind will regain dominion and rulership over the creation once we enter heaven. Part of our on-the-job-training in suffering, persecution and spiritual warfare is our preparation to receive our inheritance.
For Christians this means we will rule during the Millennium – a thousand years – and later rule from the New Jerusalem on a new earth in a new universe mentioned in Revelation 20:4, 21, and 22, among other references.
Myopic Thinking
I don’t mean to sound insulting. But, it seems you are thinking myopically if you believe we will simply be part of a political process in heaven where we rule with Christ like Congress “rules” over U.S. citizens along with the President of our country.
Star Trekkies
Rather than limit yourself to one-dimensional thinking, consider that we may have a part in ruling outer space! How would you like to be a part of something like Star Trek or Star Wars?
I suggest you begin to think of yourself as a person who will rule over and explore the star systems of the universe. If you love animals perhaps you will help to care for animals on other planets. If you love art perhaps you will paint other universes and organize celestial art shows. If you love music perhaps you will perform with the New Jerusalem Philharmonic.
Do I have evidence of ruling outer space from Scripture?
Yes, sir.
Evidence of “Starship Ruling”
King David asked and answered the question concerning the purpose of man’s existence in Psalm 8:3-6. Out of this passage comes an incredible truth:
3 When I consider Your
heavens, the work of
Your fingers,
The moon and the stars,
Which You have
Ordained –
4 What is man that You
Take thought of him,
And the son of man that
You care for him?
5 Yet You have made him a
Little lower than God,
And You crown him
With glory and
Majesty!
6 You make him to rule
Over the works of Your
Hands –
You have put all things
Under his feet.
According to this Psalm mankind was meant to rule over the works of His Hands.
What are the works of His hands?
The heavens, moon and the stars, all of creation!
Awesome!
Verse 6, mankind is “to rule,” refers back to verse 3, over the “works of His fingers.” In other words, mankind was not only meant to rule over the earth, he was also meant to rule over all of creation apparent in the universe!
No Corruption or Manipulation
Bruce Wilkinson notes,
“Ruling in heaven will have nothing in common with the corruption and manipulation we’re so used to seeing in displays of power on earth!
That is because when the curse of sin is removed and you and I are restored to our creation purpose, we will be free to rule for God to our fullest powers while bringing only the highest good to ourselves and to others.”
(Wilkinson 2002, 74).
Everything Subjected to Him
In Hebrews 2:8-9 we read…“In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet, at present we do not see everything subject to him…”
At present we do not see everything “subject” to Christ, do we?
We Want to go to the Stars
According to Joseph Dillow,
“That statement, ‘at present we do not see everything subject to him…’ is an apt summary of human history. Man attempts to exercise dominion, but he cannot do it. This desire was planted in man’s heart in the Garden, and the vestige of it remains today. That is why men throughout history have dreamed of having dominion over the planet. That is why we cannot keep off the highest mountain. That is why we want to go to the stars”
(Dillow 2006, 567).
I’m ready! Are you? I want to go to the stars…
Beam me up, Lord. I’m ready to rule the universe with You. I recognize and am willing to work hard here on earth to be qualified and skilled enough to prayerfully reign with you someday.
“Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:7, HCSB).
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References:
Alcorn, Randy. 2004. Section 12 – What will we do in heaven? From:Heaven. Carol Stream: ILL: Tyndale.
Dillow, Joseph. 2006 ed. The reign of the servant kings. Hayesville, NC: Schoettle.
Wilkinson, Bruce. 2002. A life God rewards. Sisters, OR: Multinomah.