Heaven Is Not The Goal!

Scripture Text: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10 (KJV) 

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DEVOTIONAL 

Many of us grew up hearing, “Just make Heaven at last.” We sang it, prayed it, and made it our whole Christianity. But what if I told you Heaven was never the finish line? What if I showed you from Scripture that Heaven was never lost, and Earth was never meant to be abandoned?

Related Post: The Kingdom Cultures!

Let’s settle this first. In Revelation 12:7-9 (KJV) says, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon… And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan… he was cast out into the earth.” 

Heaven was never lost to Satan. Satan lost Heaven. He is a fallen creature with nothing to his name. He doesn’t own Heaven, and he doesn’t own you.

Now look at Earth - Genesis 1:28 (KJV), “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion.” God’s first plan was not to take man to Heaven. It was to plant Heaven’s culture on Earth through man. 

Earth was given to us for dominion and enjoyment. But Romans 5:12 (KJV) tells us the tragedy: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” When Adam sinned, he handed the lease of Earth’s system to Satan. That is why Jesus called him “the prince of this world” in John 14:30 (KJV). 

That is why Satan had the boldness to tempt Jesus in Luke 4:6 (KJV), “All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me.” Who delivered it? Adam did.

But hear the good news: Earth was lost to Satan’s influence, but not permanently. However, through Christ, authority has been restored to God’s children. The Bible in Colossians 1:13 (KJV) says,“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” So if Heaven was never lost and Earth has been redeemed, what is God’s ultimate goal for you? It is not evacuation. It is occupation. 

The words of Apostle Joshua Selman,

God did not save you to sit in Heaven, but to seat Heaven in you so Earth can see Him through you.

Now, let me give you 5 truths for deeper growth and understanding:

1. God’s original plan was Earth...

  ..not Heaven for man -Genesis 1:28 (KJV)

God didn’t create Adam in Heaven. He made him from the dust of the Earth and put him in a garden on Earth. The instruction was “subdue it and have dominion.” The plan was colonization: To make Earth look like Heaven. Sin hijacked it, but Calvary recovered it. You were born again to continue the original assignment.

Heaven is your home country, but Earth is your duty post.

2. Jesus Didn’t Pray “Take Us To Heaven” 

 ...Matthew 6:10 (KJV) 

If “making Heaven” was the whole goal, the Lord’s Prayer would say, “Father, evacuate us quickly.” But Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” 

He wants Heaven’s order, Heaven’s joy, Heaven’s power demonstrated here. Romans 14:17 (KJV) tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” That is not just for when you die. It is for your home, your workplace, your community, your nation.

3. The End Of The Bible Is Not Us Going Up...

 ...It’s Heaven coming down. 

Revelation 21:2-3 (KJV), Please read it slowly, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven… And I heard a great voice… Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them.” The climax of Scripture is not raptured saints in the sky. It is God and man dwelling together on a renewed Earth. Meanwhile in Revelation 21:1 (KJV), “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth.” God is not abandoning Earth. He is restoring it.

4. We Are Saved To Reign, Not Just To Escape Hell.  

“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10 (KJV).

You were not saved to be a benchwarmer in Zion. You were saved to enforce victory. “they which receive abundance of grace… shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:17 (KJV) 

Read: You Carry Jesus’ Blood Line!

Reign where? In life. On earth. Now. 

Your salvation is a license for influence. Hell is not the motivation. Purpose is.

5. Your body is God’s chosen territory on Earth.

The Bible in 1 Corinthians 6:19 (KJV) says,  “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you.” God lost the garden in Genesis, but in Christ He gained millions of mobile temples. You are Heaven’s outpost. When you walk into a room, Heaven enters. When you speak truth, Heaven speaks. The goal is not to leave Earth. The goal is to let Earth feel Heaven through you until Jesus returns.

So stop living like a man waiting for a bus to Heaven. Start living like an ambassador on assignment. Heaven is intact. Earth is being recovered. And you are part of the recovery team.

POINTS OF REFLECTION

1. Are you living like your only goal is to “make Heaven,” or like God sent you to bring Heaven’s will to Earth daily?  

2. How does your work, your family, or your community look when God’s will is done there as it is in Heaven?  

3. Why would God leave you on Earth after salvation if Heaven was the only goal He had for you?

PRAYER KEY POINTS

Father, IJN: I thank You because Heaven was never lost and because through Christ, my authority on Earth has been restored. Thank You for a bigger purpose than just escaping hell.  

Father, IJN: Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done through my life, in my family, and in my nation as it is in Heaven. Use me to enforce Heaven’s culture on Earth.  

Father, IJN: Deliver me from a small, evacuation-only mindset. Baptize me with vision to reign in life and to disciple my sphere of influence for You.

COMMIT TO MEMORY

 "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men." Psalm 115:16 (KJV)

FURTHER READING

Genesis 1:26-28, Daniel 7:27, Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, Ephesians 1:10 

ASSIGNMENT 

This week, pick one area of your life where “God’s will is not yet done as in Heaven.” It may be your academics, your finances, your relationships, or your workplace. 

Write down what Heaven’s culture looks like in that area. Then take one practical step daily to align it. For example: if it’s your job, bring excellence, integrity, and service. 

Do it unto the Lord. Document the change. You are not waiting for Heaven. You are releasing it.

The church that is only Heaven-conscious but not Earth-relevant will leave the world to the devil. But the church that knows Heaven is intact will take Earth for Jesus.

Also Read: The Gift of Eternal Life!