History is filled with nations warring against nations to conquer a neighbor and possess its land and wealth. The history of war typically centers in expansion of a nation to impose its influence and increase its treasuries.
As believers, we are in the war of kingdoms, of which there are only two: the kingdom of darkness led by Satan and the Kingdom of God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan’s kingdom pays little attention to many churches, since much of Christianity’s teaching today has little real power. It is only when believers step up into their true role in God’s Kingdom that the power of the Gospel brings sustained change. Only when believers rise up in their authority in Christ to dismantle darkness is there the clashing of spiritual kingdoms in the ongoing war of the ages. Jesus taught us to pray in a way that will lift us into this place of dominion. We find a portion of this prayer in Matthew 6:9–10:
The way things are done in Heaven is exactly the way the Father wants it done on earth. We are praying that His ways become our ways. The more we can emulate Heaven now, the more we will walk in His peace and power.
Today we live with a thin veil between Heaven and Earth — the veil of between the natural and the spirit worlds. As believers, we actually live in both dimensions. Although we remain here in our natural life, we are also alive spiritually and have access to the resources of the Kingdom of God.
The spirit realm is very real. Heaven is real. People live there and are actively engaged in the business of the Kingdom. The moment a believer steps out of this life, they are in the presence of the Lord.
This became much more real to me when my mother left this life in 2012, just eight days short of her 95th birthday. I was in Australia ministering at the time. When I was told about her moving to Heaven, I was alone in my hotel. Immediately a sense of grief, sorrow, sadness, and loss began pulling on me, weighing on my mind.
Vikki was at home in Texas, praying for me, and the Holy Spirit led her to a powerful passage of Scripture just for me at that moment. Second Peter 1:11 says, “Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” A GRAND ENTRANCE! There it was — I could see the glory of the entrance my mother had made into Heaven! I began to laugh out loud because my mother had always liked the idea of making a grand entrance into any event she attended.
With Vikki’s word, given by the Spirit as a divine reminder, all of the pain and pressure that had tried to come on me was gone. I started to rejoice at the reality of my mother in the greatest place of all — the presence of our Heavenly Father.
We also know from Scripture that entering the Father’s presence is not limited to Heaven. We have the ability to enter His presence now. Hebrews 4:16 tells us to come boldly before the throne of grace. We can fellowship with Him, hear from Him, and enjoy His presence anytime we choose.
In Heaven, there is continual and unobstructed conversation between the Father and His family. Here we deal with the clutter and clamor of life that vies for our attention and drowns out His voice. Yet we can turn our attention on Him at any moment and tune into Him. As we do, He is always ready to lift us into a greater place by His unconditional love.
So often, we can feel distant and unclear regarding spiritual matters. But at any time, we can dial into God’s Word and His Spirit and regain our place in Him. The dimness and darkness of the times we live in never has to determine the boundaries of our walk with God. Heaven’s will is meant to become more evident in our lives every day that we live on this earth.
A friend of mine told me of an experience his wife shared with him. She had an experience in Heaven and described what she had witnessed there. One of the things he told me about his wife’s spiritual experience that stood out pertained to the sense of love and honor people have for one another there. His wife said that four things were always a part of every communication: Respect, kindness, compassion, and excellence.
The Code of Heaven
This heavenly code of conduct in communication lays out a powerful path for us here and now. Consider each of these:
- Respect — to highly esteem; to have a high opinion; to give proper acceptance or courtesy to another.
- Kindness — a part of the fruit of the Spirit; to speak or show heartfelt benevolence; considerate and graceful.
- Compassion — deep sense of interest and empathy with others; to stand united with others facing a difficult situation.
- Excellence — choosing to take the high road, thinking the best and highest.
Imagine adopting Heaven’s way of communicating with one another and making sure our conversations with loved ones and coworkers always reflect that divine standard. It is obvious that this would solve many of the heartaches we deal with.
Naturally speaking, it is unrealistic for many to think that they could be very successful at keeping up with Heaven’s code of communication. Many people are angry, dealing with their own issues, harsh and unbending. They seem to beg others to jump into their strife and wallow in the mud with them.
But we have an edge over the average person.
The Believer’s Edge — Holy Spirit Power
The Holy Spirit dwells within us and has given us the ability to live by a completely different source of strength. We are no longer limited to our childhood experiences, influences, or abuses. We have a new source in the core of our being — and the fruit of the Holy Spirit born into our spirit gives us the capacity to live with Heaven’s power.
Galatians 5:22–23 is a detailed list of all of the possibilities within us all:
All of these divine qualities reside within our born-again spirits. And the Holy Spirit is guiding each of us into the habit of allowing these qualities to become a way of life — Heaven’s manner of conduct revealed now in this life.
There is more to this believer’s edge. The Holy Spirit has also given us divine abilities for every believer to experience. First Corinthians 12:8–10 gives us nine gifts of grace that the Holy Spirit will manifest though us as we serve Him.
These supernatural abilities of the Holy Spirit are given to take the limits off our own ability and empower us to live beyond limits.
This is the clashing of two kingdoms. This age-old war is first conquered in our personal lives. When we diligently lay hold on His abilities, we will discover the powers of the age to come available through the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Then all that’s left is to rest in God’s ability within to do amazing things through us!
Since 1979, Dennis Burke has led multitudes of believers into the biblical principles of faith, healing, love, prosperity, and righteousness. Through the Insights: the Way to a New Life magazine, books, eBooks, CDs, and mp3 resources, Dennis has brought revelation knowledge on the truths of God's Word. He has taught Christians everywhere to know God more deeply and overcome the challenges life brings through faith in God's Word.
Dennis and his wife, Vikki, travel the globe throughout the year preaching and teaching in seminars, conventions and churches, sharing the Word of God and the keys to victorious Christian living. Together they are co-founders of Dennis Burke Ministries in Arlington, Texas. They have one married daughter, Jessica Shook.
In 2003, Dennis earned his Doctorate in Theology from Life Christian University, Tampa, Florida.