Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Hebrews 11:16
Where is your soul in the perspective of hope? Is it in the past yearning for things and memories that use to be? Or is it in the future for what is to come? Part of the blessing of the prophetic is to have glimpses of what is ahead. Visions of what exists above and is soon coming. When we are downcast in soul where do we focus looking for relief? Is it with what was or will be? Without the Spirit of God the future is usually met with fear and uncertainty. But for those who KNOW their God and are immersed with His Spirit — the God-instilled hope is our shining beacon of light. Do you have a sense of excitement for the glorious reunion with your family that soon awaits? Do you have excited anticipation for that meeting with Jesus? Have you had glimpses of that heavenly realm? We have so many now who have a testimony of that heavenly place.
Knowing the place that is but a short time ahead — the urgency of the present becomes even more real. Paul puts it this way …
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Philippians 1:21-24
If we ‘remain’ — we find our purpose for being here. Others. Discipling. The ‘call’ Jesus gave to His disciples and the end of His earthly stay.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
This is for everyone who is His — that ‘remains’ here on earth …now. Where are you in this call to disciple? Are you actively discipling others in the ‘hope’? What can cloud and diminish that ‘hope’ is an abundance of comforts and wealth here and now, with a desire to secure them even tighter. We either try to secure our hope here — or through the Spirit of God we look up for our promises in God. Jesus made it pretty clear in where we should put our focus.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
How do we exactly lay up ‘treasures in heaven’? It can only be through the obedience to the personal instructions given to us by the Holy Spirit. This means a very intimate interaction and conversation with the living Spirit that indwells those who have asked Jesus to fill them.
The Body of Christ needs the gift of the prophet to help equip them for the ‘ministry’ Jesus has for each one of them here on earth. Just as the ekklesia needs the other 4 gifts as well (apostle, evangelist, pastor, teacher) to have the full perspective and understanding of how the Body is to work and function. (Ephesians 4:11-12) The Body of Christ needs the Holy Spirit as their Teacher to help them understand the spiritual realms. The gift of the prophet helps the ekklesia learn to interact and seek the Holy Spirit with each step to equip them for their calling in the here and now.
Have you asked the Holy Spirit to reveal heaven to you? Do you have a hope for the future?