by Jesse Steele
above-ground/underground isn’t a clear difference so much anymore. There are many Christian fellowships. Some Churches meet in people’s homes, others meet in large halls. Some underground churches meet in large gatherings, others in people’s homes. Some small churches are led by pastors, some large ones are elder-led. It’s all a huge mix.
Hank: Three Self Church is an interesting name. I wonder where they came up with it.
Watchman: It’s more important to remember not to use any special names for the Local Church. The Body of Christ is the Bride of Christ, in a manner of speaking. Would you put your own name on another man’s bride?
Hank: Well, no, that would be strange.
Watchman: Then never put your name on God’s Bride either. That was actually the main reason I left the denominations. They loved the idea of putting their own names on the God’s Local Church. The clergy issue was actually the second-biggest reason I left them.
Hank: Wait.. clergy issue?
Watchman: Yes. The clerical structure isn’t Biblical. That’s what I’ve been telling you.
Hank: I don’t remember talking about that.
Watchman: That’s because you are looking at the labels instead of the working definition.
Hank: I’ll agree to that admonishment. But what when were we talking about it before?
Watchman: As I’ve said, we believe in pastors, but they are different from clergy.
Hank: OH!! Pastors, not clergy! That’s something I can explain to my congregation.
Watchman: Glad we cleared that up.
Hank: So, God called pastors in Ephesians 4, but He never said that they were to take on the role of clergy. It all makes sense now.
Watchman: It doesn’t make sense to everyone. Any guess why?
Hank: Maybe our desire to make a name four ourselves led to our non-Biblical clerical structure. It all starts some place.
Watchman: Names, theology, administration… they are all related. They either give glory to God or they give glory to ourselves. Watch to make sure that you don’t have personal ambition or you’ll become a false teacher. That is at the root of the divisive actions in the denominations. It’s not the technical ideas that divide God’s people—it’s the power of the leaders.
Hank: I heard that the Church of China didn’t like America theology books.
Watchman: Some of the underground fellowships gave those books the boot. God works in many ways and He always will. His Body is being build up by Christ, the Head. He is building a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one. Jesus Himself will return and wage war, but only against unjust kings of the earth. But until Jesus does that Himself, in the flesh, we Christians need to focus on setting as many people free in their hearts as possible. Eventually it will all be consummated in the New Jerusalem in the age to come. That’s really the end goal we are striving for: the New Jerusalem.
Hank: Can you tell me more about the New Jerusalem?
Watchman: You should talk to John. He’s the one who saw it.
Scene 4: John
Hank: Are you the actual, true, Apostle John?
John: You see me with your own eyes, don’t you?
Hank: Wow. It’s you. I mean, I can even touch you with my hands. [shaking John’s hand adamantly with both hands and a wild look of awe]
John: Yes, and I’m going to need that hand back.
Hank: Sorry. There you go. It’s just that I’m in disbelief.
John: Well, disbelief isn’t exactly the best choice of words.
Hank: Yeah. I’m familiar with your work. You talk a lot about belief… and you saw so much.
John: Speaking of which, let’s step into the light so we can see a little better…
Hank: What was it like actually being caught up into the Throneroom of Heaven? Did it seem unreal?
John: Heaven is more real than this world. The spiritual realm is like that. More colors, denser-stronger material, lighter weight, and the waters and clouds don’t growl in dark tones. A rushing river sounds like the song of angels’ praise.
Hank: Why did God choose you, of all people, of all disciples—to show Heaven’s Throne to you?
John: God has His own reasons for everything He does. And what is that for us to know or even care? But I do know that He loves me and He only reveals Himself and His plans to those who love Him back.
Hank: I was talking with a guy…
John: …Watchman…
Hank: …yeah, and he mentioned the New Jerusalem. I asked him about it, but he said I should ask you since you actually saw it.
John: What I saw was of things yet to come. And yes, I did in fact see the New Jerusalem. But I haven’t experienced it yet. None of us have… yet.
Hank: What will it be like?
John: First, we need to pray for it to come. We must welcome it.
Hank: What do you mean?
John: In the beginning, the Word of God gave dominion of the earth to mankind. We fell into sin and Satan took up a power seat. We technically still have dominion over the earth, but, because of sin, we don’t have the power to enforce our dominion. When Adam invited Satan, Satan gained the ability to remain—whether we wanted him or not.
Hank: And what’s the solution? I mean, Jesus will come back, right?
John: Not uninvited.
Hank: Uninvited?
John: By inviting Jesus to come and have His own Kingdom here, in the earth, we invite Jesus into our domain, that is, we invite Him to bring His glory and justice to undo what Satan started. Jesus Himself is the solution to war and famine. But He will only come with our adamant invitation.
Hank: Why is it so important for us to invite Jesus before He brings His kingdom? Why doesn’t He just give us justice now?
John: God loves us very much. And love knows when to let go and allow others to have what they want, even when what they want will harm them. Humanity chose sin. Because God loves us, He will allow us to reverse that decision, Jesus made it possible at the Cross, but He still won’t force His way on us. That’s why we must pray for His will to be done.
Hank: But I don’t see how prayer relates to God’s will. I thought we pray about what we want. You’re saying that we have to persuade God to do what is good in the earth?
John: Prayer is not persuading God. It is inviting Him. God already wants to do good, just, fair, and beautiful things that give abundant life to everyone.
Hank: Then why doesn’t He already?
John: Because we must invite Him. Prayer doesn’t persuade God. In a sense, we could say that prayer announces to Heaven that we have been persuaded. Our prayers are like a petition, asking Jesus to do what He already wants to do and what He won’t do without our invitation. That’s because He gave us dominion of the earth—and God is faithful to keep His promises.
Hank: It sure will be great when that finally happens.
John: When what finally happens?
Hank: When the New Jerusalem comes down out of Heaven.
John: It sounds like you’re waiting.
Hank: Well, there’s nothing else to do. We pray for it, but it happens when it happens.
John: No, you can experience a small piece of it even now.
Hank: What? You said you no one had experienced it yet.
John: Not fully. But we can in part.
Hank: In part? Now you sound like Paul.
John: We had fellowship. But, maybe even now is a better choice of words.
Hank: So, in part, even now? It still sounds like jibberish.
John: It’s part of why Jesus came—to give abundant, eternal Life, even now. We don’t have it fully, but we can have it in part.
Hank: Well, maybe as an idea to believe in and hope for, but you don’t really mean we can actually experience it now, do you?
John: Faith is the starting point for us. I explained that in my story on the Life of Jesus.
Hank: Oh yeah. The Gospel of John.
John: If that’s what you want to call it.
Hank: You menti
oned “faith” in that book more than the others did on their stories about Jesus.
John: They covered different issues and they did a good job. I saw the need to clarify that Jesus’ Kingdom does not arrive by our work, it expands by our work. We must touch with our hands and see with our eyes at some point. That’s the goal. But it begins with belief. If you don’t first believe then you can never invite God to make it a reality in the earth and in your own life. If you believe, then you will already see by His Light in your heart and it will expand to your hands and actions to all you touch. Work is the goal—He is the beginning.
Hank: What about us becoming sons of God? You mentioned that early in your book. Where does it fit in?
John: We were pre-adopted based on His foreknowledge of who we are, even before He made us. But we must believe and accept it to have the right to be called God’s children.
Hank: That sounds like predestination. Didn’t God give us a free will?
John: Free will is why He will not invade the earth to defeat Satan for us without our invitation. Nor will He invade our hearts without us opening the door. He only knocks.
Hank: But how can God pre-determine things for us if we have a free will?
John: He predetermines the knocking. Believing Him—that He is good and that He is capable—is a Truth we must accept ourselves. These two are different. He unlocked the door for us and knocks. But opening the door is our responsibility—and it’s not easy.
Hank: It sure will be easy when we see the New Jerusalem ourselves.
John: The New Jerusalem will shine. The whole earth will be full of His glory and we will no longer walk by the light of the sun, but by the glory of God Himself. He Himself will be there and faith, having served its purpose, will fade into