Heaven on Earth

Michael and all the angels battling to save humanity in the apocalyptic visions of John (Rev 12.7-) reminds us perhaps of recent films regarding the fate of the Earth and the Avengers. Perhaps each is an allegory of the other in some respects. In this allegorical vision what is the fight about and how does it concern us in the present day?

There have been an extraordinary number of interpretations of this particular book from the scriptures. Most find it so hard to understand that it is impossible while others treat it perhaps as a magic mushroom journey experienced by John on Crete. What if we can draw something that is beneficial for us today from the whole book? It is really far fetched and does as I have mentioned reflect shades of the Marvel universe. Yet, the general thrust is about the new Jerusalem, Heaven here on earth, the essentials of goodness surpassing the horrors of evil. So, if that is the case we need to delve into some rather obvious and deliberate definitions that apply for our world today. Things like "heaven" seem to be important to understand if we wish to bring heaven to earth or at least a semblance of heaven in the new Jerusalem. Do we still cling to a belief in heaven being somewhere up there or is there some other alternative vision that we can conceive of when we talk about heaven in this context? (What do we mean by heaven and how that connects with things like the creed are perhaps beyond this particular blog).

Destruction of community destroys the presence of God

The simplest explanation may be the best as we take a look at the phantasmagorical writings of Daniel (7.9-14) and Revelation. In these works the talk is about kingdoms and empires because that is what is known in the context. if we were perhaps to substitute Governments for these in the current era we would come closer to the points that are being made. Once we have authority, especially authority that displays sovereign power, we begin to understand the draw that such authority has to those that are corrupt in soul and body. Once such power is gained we begin to imagine and use our authority in ways that are detrimental to the majority as we attempt to uphold our own power. To realise this we just need to read the political reality in the books of Samuel (see Halbertal and Holmes' book). So what stands before such sovereign power and authority but the presence of heaven as suggested in the book of revelation. It is Michael and all the saints and angels that form the bulwark that fights for justice and peace. The understanding here is the closeness this group has formed with God and God's presence in their lives to form a community that brings God's presence to Earth.

Heaven is found in the presence of God. This being the case then perhaps heaven is found within the community of God that expresses God's love to those who are part of that community. We confirm our presence in Christ as we celebrate God's presence in ourselves only when we express God's love. The moment we begin to do those things that are detrimental to the formation of community, by concentrating on our own selfish needs, we deny the reality of God. Just as Michael and All the angels fight for the community of God so must we join in that fight by ensuring that we form community, a community that is based in God. Only when we are truly members of the body of Christ, contributing to our fullest extent do we begin to find God's presence in reality and heaven on earth. Just as Christ found community in the poorest of the world so we find community in those who are outcast from society. It is only when we begin to dialogue with the least in society will we begin to realise our own centredness in Christ's presence and so show God's love in the world.