Do you know that Jesus brought heaven to earth? Most people have not thought of Jesus this way, but with some reflection and a little prodding a person realizes that with his miracles Jesus was painting a picture of heaven. There’s no temptation in heaven and no place for the devil. Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, and even raised people from death. Jesus forgave sins (Mark 2:1-7; John 8:11) thus freeing us from guilt, shame and condemnation.
Jesus multiplied bread and fish to feed a large crowd of over 5,000 men, plus women and children. There is no hunger in heaven.
Since he multiplied bread and fish for a large crowd of hungry listeners, Jesus shows that he satisfies our basic needs and longings. He also calmed a choppy sea by commanding gale-force winds to cease, thus giving his disciples safety in time of danger.
Jesus commands the wind to stop. There will be no natural disasters in the new creation.
Jesus gives sight to the blind and heals every sickness to show that in the kingdom of light everyone will see.
Jesus heals the sick showing that there is no infirmity in the new creation.
By reaffirming God’s law of love (Mk 12:29-31 quoting Dt 6:4,5 7 Lev 19:18), he is telling us that in heaven God rules. He has his way in everything. In heaven people love God, and they love all of God’s children—peace with God and peace among mankind. No one in the kingdom of heaven is hiding from God, as Adam did and how we now hide our sin and shame. We love God and want him near and are praising him all the time (Revelation 4 and 5). Further, the new creation is filled with people from every nation, tribe, people and language (Revelation 7:9). No longer do they hate, cheat, lie, and defraud others. No longer do people need to protect themselves with weapons, walls and doors (Revelation 21:25). Family ties will not separate us from others since we will be like the angels (Matthew 22:30). Distinctions that have meaning for societal life in this world, and that separate people, have lost their relevance in the kingdom. Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). So, in our living out the heavenly life here on earth, we do not allow these distinctives to separate us from each other.
Further, heavenly manifestations indicated that Jesus came from heaven. While the infant Jesus was lying in a feeding trough, the glory of the Lord shown around the shepherds and an angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Lk 2:10,11). At his baptism Jesus heard his Father’s voice from heaven, “You are my Son whom I love. With you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11). John the Baptist saw the dove descend upon Jesus, and also heard the voice, “This is my Son whom I love. With him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17). On the mountain of transfiguration: Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white, . . . and a cloud appeared and enveloped them –and a voice said, “This is my Son whom I love, listen to him.” (Mk 9:7)
To fulfill the Scriptures Jesus died on the cross as a sin offering, an atonement sacrifice, for the sin of the world. Isaiah wrote, “He was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). “The Lord makes his life an offering for sin” (Isaiah 53:10).
Finally, God raised Jesus from death and the grave—an angel with appearance of lightening came to the women who had come to the tomb to anoint his body. He said to the women, “He is not here; he is risen, just as he said. Come and see the place.” (Mt 28:8). This spiritual body of Jesus was no longer subject to the curse of sin, to suffering and death. Jesus could appear and disappear and even eat in the presence of his disciples (Luke 24:42,43). The Apostle Paul states that we also will enjoy in eternity, in the new creation, bodies like that of our Lord Jesus. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20,21).
So now you know how Jesus brought heaven to earth. This is what he meant when he said, “The time has come. . . . The kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15).