PrintThe more I reflect on this theme the more there seems to be examples of two realms, co-existing yet separate. Even so, there are some incursions that cannot be denied.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favoured woman! The Lord is with you! (Luke 1/26-38)
“……God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth….” Question, “Sent him from where?” The answer is found earlier in this chapter when Gabriel interacted with Zechariah.
Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! Luke 1:19 (NLT).
I think it is reasonable to assume that, since God is in heaven, that’s where Gabriel “stands in the very presence of God”.
It does seem that there are two realms that co-exist with occasional interaction between the two.
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him Luke 24:13-16 (NIV)
How? Why?
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:28-32 (NIV)
What was that all about?
Whatever that episode confronts us with, I can’t get away from the fact that Luke wants us to understand that these are spiritual realms.
So, most of the above is speculation and some of it may or may not be accurate. I think most of us have gone through seasons of questioning, wondering, discovering about virtually everything we believe. I see that as a good thing. I hope that something in what you have just read lifts you to another level of wonder, love and praise.
