by Aaron Davis
For they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and stubborn and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
Now, the point I’d like to make here is that there appears in this example to be some sort of knowledge possessed by Pharaoh’s magicians outside of the influence of the power of an omnipotent God moving on a stick and changing its molecular structure. And this encounter exemplifies something that we cannot understand, and as far as I have seen or heard, do not possess today.
It appears as if the Bible may be alluding to some laws between the physical and spiritual realms that may have been understood by early man but apparently have been lost or maybe even stripped from our understanding today. I use the word stripped because there is another biblical scenario that I have considered with similar confusion, and possible resolve.
In Genesis 11, there is a story about a city that decided to build a tower, or building, to heaven, the Tower of Babel.
Genesis 11:1–9 (KJV)
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar.
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built.
And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
This story was also always confusing to me. I’ve heard this set of scriptures explained in lessons surrounding the importance of the unity of the people and the downfall of pride, but I’ve never heard anyone make sense of why would God deem it necessary to confuse their language and go on to justify it by stating that because of their unity anything was possible.
Of course we know today what God would have known then, that the higher you travel in the earth’s atmosphere, the thinner the oxygen becomes, limiting any physical ability of living past the 20,000-foot “death zone” barrier where humans cannot live indefinitely because of the lack of oxygen in our atmosphere. Yet the Bible depicts God saying in verse 6, that because of their unity, “nothing would be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” That’s a bold statement, but one that I intentionally read past because it didn’t make sense to me when holding it to the light of understanding what we know today.
But since I began studying some theories surrounding quantum physics, I found myself revisiting this set of scriptures for analysis with some additional perspectives.
In verse 4, we see the word heaven used, which in Hebrew is the word Shamayim:
Shamayim (שמים), the Hebrew word for heaven denotes a component of the cosmos, the other elements being the earth (erets) and the underworld (sheol).67
Not knowing the depth of man’s initial understanding of physical and spiritual law at this time, is it possible that man, this close to creation, had a greater understanding of some laws that exist between the physical and spiritual realms, between time and space as we know it and some form of a fifth dimension? And is it possible that the Bible describes this occurrence of the Tower of Babel as the point in which access to and the transference of the knowledge of some of these laws began to cease?
Just stay with me for a minute. What if the traditional perspective of heaven being some distant place beyond the cosmos is simply jaded by misperception? Could it be possible that heaven or the spirit realm and earth actually exist in direct proximity with one another, only in parallel dimensions? And if this is possible, is it also possible that the translators of this original text might have chosen words to describe what happened based upon their knowledge of what they knew or thought was possible?
For instance, if the proximity of the spiritual world or “heaven” was believed by the translators to be distant or somewhere beyond the sky, then when they interpreted the scriptures, is it possible that they would describe it or project this tower of Babel as a vertical structure that was being built toward the direction that they perceived heaven to be—up, but in actuality could have been an attempt at more of a parallel gateway between dimensions?
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)
The Race of Faith
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…
Science, particularly in the field of quantum physics, has theorized much on the possibility of other parallel dimensions and travel to other parts of the universe through a shortcut type of a portal called a wormhole. Although to date there is no observational evidence of the existence of wormholes that man could travel through (that I’m aware of), there are valid mathematical solutions to equations containing wormholes, or in other words, at least mathematically they could exist outside of our current knowledge of them (and I’ve also heard explained that they do also exist at an atomic or subatomic level).
When I combine some of what is unexplained but theorized in science and compare it to other things that are unexplained but theorized in the Bible, I can’t help but see the possibility of a parallel or at least a loose agreement.
These examples, like the Tower of Babel and Moses’ staff, seem to not only point to the possibility of previously understood laws, but also to an interesting perception that access to the use of these laws does not appear to be limited solely by one’s theistic belief systems, or maybe even better put, kingdom alliances.
PAGAN RELIGIONS AND THE OCCULT
This may explain why other kingdoms other than the kingdom of God may have access to some of the same types of expression within these laws as can be experienced within the kingdom of God. Perhaps these laws are accessible to all of mankind but only experienced in the fullness and way that God intended by those subjected to and operating within His superior kingdom.
As the biblical account of the magicians in Egypt exemplified, they were able to access powers that would be considered supernatural by our understanding today. This includes the experiences of those involved in witchcraft, the occult, or even Eastern religions that seemingly share in spiritual experiences while admittedly subjecting themselves to a kingdom outside of what we understand or might even define to be the kingdom of God.
To say that this subject intrigues me is an understatement. I don’t pretend to know all the answers, but I also cannot deny the seemingly reccurring theme throughout the Bible that implies that more is possible than what is currently experienced, and the catalyst seems to have something to do with the extension of faith. After all, the Bible says to declare a thing and it shall be established, not declare a good thing and it shall be established.
Mark 9:23 (AMP)
And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes!
In the very words of Jesus, He questions, “What do you mean if you can do anything? All things are possible to him who believes!” I, for one, am curious as to the width of the gap between what Jesus intended in this statement and what we actually understand. When Jesus said, “All
things are possible,” I wonder if He really meant “all things.”
So, if there are additional laws present within the physical universe that transcend what we understand to connect the physical and spiritual dimensions, if there is more that we as Christians should experience, and if there is some catalyst existent between our divinely inspired authority, the involvement of God, the kingdom of God, and our extension of faith . . . what is it and how does it work? Is faith much more than just a belief? Does the expression of it mandate some sort of physical response? Is faith without an intentional physical extension of it actually dead like the ingredients of unstirred sweet tea? Is the extension of faith actuated and displayed or even defined by our actions? Perhaps there’s a reason beyond our traditional understanding and interpretation of what the Bible says when it reads,
James 1:5–8 (AMP)
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
If there is a definitive link between our current experience and more that appears to be expressed throughout the Bible, is there a definable and quantifiable faith catalyst?
These kinds of questions have propelled me to ask God to give me wisdom and help my unbelief, instead of asking him to change the entire situation. When I pray about a situation, I now pray until I come into a place of faith for that situation. When that happens, my perspective on the problem changes. I begin to see it from heaven’s view.
My role also changes. Instead of asking God to invade my circumstances, I begin to command the mountains to be removed in His name. It is from the place of faith (or rest) that I discover my role as the pray-er. As Bill Johnson says, “Pray until there’s a breakthrough. Then exercise the authority given to execute His will over the circumstances at hand.”68
OUR ROLE IN IT ALL
Assuming the biblical account of creation is true, I have a final thought that I would like to close out this chapter with, as it pertains to man and his authority on the earth. In Genesis, we see that God spoke into being everything in creation except for man, who was created in His image and likeness. He didn’t speak us into existence; He created us with His hands and then breathed life into us. He breathed it.
In my studies of science, I’ve read that with each breath of air exhaled, we expel billions of atoms. Over time, atoms become evenly dispersed throughout the earth’s atmosphere, and with each breath we take, we share atoms that were breathed out from every other human being throughout history! Atoms released by our mother during our birth, or that were released by Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address, that were exhaled by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount, or by Moses in Pharaoh’s court when he demanded that he “let God’s people go” . . . and that were breathed into man by God himself “in the beginning” when man received life!
The thought of this is astounding to me as I consider the potential that with each breath we take, the atoms resident within the life-giving force of God and breathed into man still surround us today and are inhaled by me today. And I wonder what role that this might play when we combine our faith with our God-ordained authority and even the atoms with which He breathed life into us. When we enforce our authority and speak to our mountains or declare a thing to see it established, the very life force breathed by God Himself passes our vocal cords and forces them to vibrate! Although I’ve never heard this taught anywhere else, I wonder if this is just another quantum connection and catalyst present within our authority paradigm. It definitely gives me pause to consider and wonder more deeply!
If even a portion of what I am coming to conclude about man’s authority in the kingdom of God is true and faith is the catalyst to experiencing breakthroughs within that kingdom, then I wonder if it is possible that what needs to be increased and intentionally addressed in my prayer life is not necessarily the physical need, but rather the increase in my wisdom, faith, and belief in the power of God resident within me. If this is the case, then does the establishment of God’s kingdom within my sphere of influence rest completely upon me accepting and enforcing my authority, simply because it is under the jurisdiction of what God has commissioned me to directly address?
If Christ came to redeem that which was lost, then is it possible that we have been restored to our original intended position? Then should we not be back in the place where we were originally given dominion over the earth?
And if so, what do we need to know or rediscover in order to be what we were originally intended to be?
CHAPTER TEN
From the First Atom
to the Second Adam
“God exists whether or not men may choose to believe in Him. The reason why many people do not believe in God is not so much that it is intellectually impossible to believe in God, but because belief in God forces that thoughtful person to face the fact that he is accountable to such a God.”
—Robert A. Laidlaw, writer and philanthropist
Recently I saw a picture of a phone-booth time machine from the television show, Dr. Who, with these words below it:
What do we want?!
TIME TRAVEL!
When do we want it?!
THAT’S IRRELEVANT!
Considering the content of study that I have been immersed in over the course of the past few years while developing the outline for this book, I laughed out loud as I completely identified with the clever sentiment. The point, of course, is if we have time travel, when we get it becomes inconsequential, because at that point, your abilities transcend the limitations created by time and space.
As I have studied, I’ve discovered that time travel and the question of what existence outside of the limitations of time and space may look like is a significant aspect of certain theories within quantum physics. As I considered this clever cheer on time travel, I found myself seeing an applicable parallel with what I have been pondering from a Quantum Christianity perspective.
John 1:1 and 14 (KJV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
There are several scriptures in the Bible like the one above that refer to Jesus (also referred to synonymously as “the Word”) being an intricate part of the development, and the redemptive plan of God, from the beginning of time. And as I considered the possible involvement of God (or lack thereof, depending on whose perspective you are entertaining) in the overall plan for mankind, I found myself not only weighing these scriptures but also the differing interpretations popularly subscribed to by alternate Christian camps. Some believe that God is infinitely aware but only involved with man as a distant, hands-off observer; others believe that nothing in this world happens outside of His will for mankind; still others believe that man plays an intricate role in how God’s will is ultimately displayed on the earth, with even the relationship between God and man being our choice to relate to Him, while others insist that our relationship with Him is strictly His choice and limited by His choosing us individually and those who do not have a relationship with Him are simply not “chosen” by Him. This consideration also led me to evaluate how these perspectives apply to the perception of Christianity as a whole, both by Christians and non-Christians alike, and how we process who we are and where we stand in direct or indirect relationship with God.
> ARMINIANISM AND CALVINISM
In Christianity, there are two prevailing and opposing schools of thought (Arminianism and Calvinism) on whether or not we have a choice in the matter of a personal relationship with God, as defined by being saved and forgiven of the sin and being able to approach God and communicate with Him personally.
In a nutshell, Arminianism teaches that man has a free will and a choice in his relationship with God. Calvinism teaches that you are chosen by God, and as a result, even your desire to be in relationship with Him is a part of Him choosing you.
How we process these issues can bring up the very significant question of Why am I here? Between the defining conditions of these schools of thought, there are a ton of scriptural and life application questions, such as these:
If God is omniscient (all-knowing), to what depth does that affect our existence?
If God does exist outside of time and space, does that mean that He literally already knows everything that will happen because He is able to travel outside of time’s restrictions?
Is our life and existence completely predestined, and if so, do we have the illusion of control—but in actuality, even the daily choices that are made have already been decided?
If I do have a choice in the matter, what does that mean as it pertains to my responsibility to that choice?
If I don’t have a choice in the matter, do I have a responsibility to do anything at all?
If I have no choice in who I am, what I become, or my relationship with God, then why would God punish me for my unavoidable choices?