A lot of people believe that death is the door or gateway into heaven, but Jesus actually said something interesting. He said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10: 7-10 NLT)
Jesus as the gateway brings us to the Father and his kingdom realm. He shows us how to enter through him to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction. He said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9 NKJV). In and out means we can come in and then back out again.
Entering into this realm of heaven is not difficult. Jesus has gone before us to open the way when He ascended into heaven while his friends watched on.
“After saying this, he (Jesus) was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him…they strained to see him rising into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-10 NLT)
When we ask Jesus into our lives; to forgive us of our sins and to wipe away our shame and hurts we choose to follow His lead in life. As a result of that decision Jesus says we have died to this life and our real life is hidden with Him in God. (Colossians 3:1-3 NLT) Our spirit’s come alive – they’re reborn and we are given a new life, “meaning that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
That new life means we have access to heaven now. We don’t have to wait to die because our old life has already died, and we a completely new creation able to see and experience spiritual realities in a completely different way from before. We need only step through the door or gateway that is Jesus into heavenly places, so that we can see, hear and experience all that the Father wants to show to us. Jesus encourages us to set our sights on the realities of heaven, where He sits in the place of honour; to think about the things of heaven, not the things of the earth – essentially to focus our attention, imagination, thoughts, and whole being on Him and heavenly places.
Our imagination is God given and was gifted to us so that we might “see” into the realms of the spirit and heavenly things. So when I set my mind on heaven I use my God given imagination to “see”. I find it easiest to picture a garden path with a gate at the end of it. I walk along the path, step through the gate and into heavenly places. From there Jesus leads the way. He’s always there welcoming me in and to come sit and talk or walk awhile with Him. “He lets me rest in green meadows and leads me beside peaceful streams, as He renews my strength.” (Psalm 23:2-3 NLT) Heaven is actually quite a busy place and once you start going there regularly you will begin to understand and become part of the business of heaven.
I encourage you not to wait until your time on earth is finished before you step into heaven. You can go there right now. All you need do is ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, choose to follow his way of doing life as laid out in the bible, and through relationship with Him, and come on in. It’ll change everything and lift the weariness from you soul, energise your spirit and renew your mind to know and understand who you are and what God is doing and releasing over both your life and the universe.
Don’t wait, but step in today!
“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6 NLT)
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.” (Matthew 11:28-30 TPT)
Prayer: Jesus thank you that I don’t have to wait another day to experience heaven, but that I can go there now. Please help me to quiet my heart and mind so that I can see and experience heavenly things right now. I’m stepping in today. In Jesus name Amen.
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