God wants us to manifest the culture of heaven on earth; this can be seen in the Lord’s Prayer, where He instructs His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This prayer encapsulates a divine mandate for believers to bring the values, principles, and culture of heaven into the earthly realm. The notion is not just about a distant hope for the afterlife but an active and present call to transform the world we live in, aligning it with God’s will and purpose.
Understanding the Culture of Heaven
Before we can discuss how to manifest the culture of heaven on earth, it is essential to understand what the culture of heaven entails. The culture of heaven is characterised by the nature and attributes of God – love, peace, justice, mercy, holiness, and truth. It is a culture where God reigns supreme, where His will is done perfectly, and where His character is reflected in all aspects of life. Heaven’s culture is marked by harmony, righteousness, and a deep, abiding relationship with God, through His son, Jesus Christ.
In heaven, there is no sin, no sorrow, no suffering, and no death. The relationships among the inhabitants of heaven are marked by perfect love and unity. The culture of heaven also reflects God’s glory, where worship is central, and where God’s presence permeates everything. This divine culture is what believers are called to replicate in their lives and communities on earth.
Manifesting Heaven’s Culture on Earth
To manifest the culture of heaven on earth is to live in such a way that reflects the values and principles of God’s kingdom as delivered to us by Jesus Christ. It involves both individual transformation and collective action within communities. Here are several ways this can be understood and applied:
- Living Out Kingdom Values
The most fundamental way to manifest heaven’s culture is through the embodiment of kingdom values in our daily lives. This means living a life characterised by love, grace, forgiveness, humility, and righteousness. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, outlined the attitudes and behaviours that are reflective of the kingdom of heaven, such as being poor in spirit, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers (Matthew 5:3-10). These beatitudes are not just moral guidelines but a reflection of the culture of heaven that believers are called to emulate.
- Pursuing Justice and Righteousness
The culture of heaven is one where justice and righteousness reign. God is a God of justice, and He calls His people to be agents of justice on earth. This involves standing against oppression, advocating for the marginalised, and working towards a society where fairness and equity prevail. The prophets of the Old Testament, like Isaiah and Amos, emphasized the importance of justice as a reflection of God’s character and a requirement for those who would follow Him. Isaiah 1:17 says, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” This call to justice is central to manifesting the culture of heaven on earth.
- Building Communities of Peace and Unity
The culture of heaven is one of peace and unity, where discord and division have no place. Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He came to bring peace not only between God and humanity but also among people. Manifesting heaven’s culture involves fostering peace in our relationships and communities, resolving conflicts, and working towards reconciliation. It also means breaking down barriers that divide people, whether those barriers are racial, economic, or cultural. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks of Christ’s work in breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16). This work of reconciliation is central to the mission of the church and the manifestation of heaven’s culture.
- Reflecting God’s Love in Relationships
Heaven is a place where God’s love is fully realised and experienced. To manifest this aspect of heaven on earth, believers are called to love others as God loves them. This love is sacrificial, unconditional, and extends even to enemies. Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This radical love is a hallmark of the culture of heaven and is perhaps the most powerful testimony of God’s kingdom on earth.
- Engaging in Worship and Prayer
Worship is central to the culture of heaven. In Revelation, we see vivid depictions of heavenly worship, where all creatures give glory and honour to God. Manifesting heaven’s culture involves cultivating a lifestyle of worship and prayer, not just in church services but in every aspect of life. Worship aligns our hearts with God’s will and purposes, and prayer is the means through which we invite God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth. Jesus modelled a life of constant communion with the Father, and He taught His disciples to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, showing that prayer is essential to the manifestation of heaven’s culture.
The Role of the Church
The church, as the body of Christ, is the primary instrument through which the culture of heaven is to be manifested on earth. The church is called to be a foretaste of the kingdom of God, a community where the values of heaven are lived out and where God’s presence is evident. This means that the church should be a place of love, justice, peace, and truth – a reflection of the heavenly reality.
The church’s mission is not just to prepare people for heaven but to bring heaven to earth. This is why the church engages in acts of service, seeks to transform societies, and proclaims the good news of the kingdom. The church is called to be a light in the darkness, showing the world what the culture of heaven looks like and inviting others to experience it.
Challenges and Hope
While the call to manifest the culture of heaven on earth is clear, it is not without challenges. The world is marked by sin, brokenness, and resistance to God’s ways. However, the promise of Scripture is that God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail. Revelation 21:1-5 speaks of a new heaven and a new earth where God’s dwelling is with humanity, where there is no more death, mourning, or pain. This vision gives believers hope and perseverance as they work to manifest heaven’s culture, knowing that their labour is not in vain. The apostle Paul’s words in Galatians 6:9 offer a fitting encouragement for this journey: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” As we continue to manifest the culture of heaven on earth, we can do so with the assurance that our labour is not in vain and that God’s kingdom will ultimately triumph.
God’s desire for us to manifest the culture of heaven on earth is a profound and far-reaching call that touches every aspect of our lives. It is a call to live out the values and principles of God’s kingdom in our thoughts, words, and actions. It is a call to be agents of transformation in a world that desperately needs to see the reality of heaven. As we respond to this call, we participate in the divine work of bringing heaven to earth, knowing that our efforts are part of God’s grand narrative of redemption and restoration. We do this with the hope and confidence that one day, heaven and earth will be fully united, and God’s will shall be perfectly done in all creation.