4th → 5th → 6th - by Joel Hempel Do you ever think of the dimension we live in and the dimensions we will live in? We now live in what is called a four-dimensional universe, limited by three spatial directions + time. We can go back and forth, side to side, up and down. The temporal aspect of our here-and-now dimension tells us when we are where we are.1 Obviously, we live within this fourth dimension until we don’t. When we die, we believe we leave our old home dimension and enter the 5th dimension of the spirit.2 We go to be with Christ who is in heaven,3 which may have its own dimension, perhaps the 6th and beyond. The spirit has no body and is not limited by time, space, or gravity. Within the spirit world, there are those who live in the 5th dimension or beyond, because we know from Scripture that Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Enoch and Elijah were taken to heaven without having died; and angels appeared to multiple people, including Abraham and Sarah, Mary and Jesus, and the women at the tomb. Then, of course, there is the resurrected Jesus who could move through walls and still be physically touched by Thomas, and then elevate into the clouds when it was time for him to ascend - perhaps forecasting what our resurrected bodies will be able to do.4 We also remember St Paul recalling a man he knew - probably himself - who was in or out of the body - he wasn’t sure - and caught up into what he called the third heaven (paradise).5 Then there is a dimension way beyond anyone’s understanding that God occupies. Christ and the Holy Spirit can be in heaven and live within us. God can be as mighty as a powerful, supernatural force and as little and unassuming as a still, small voice. I’m writing as if I know something about these dimensions. I don’t. I only know what you know from God’s Word. But what we do know we can rely on and look forward to: We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.6
1. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimension 2. There can be reasonable disagreement among Christians as to what happens when we die. Do we go to be with Jesus and remain in a conscious state of existence, or are we “asleep” with Jesus awaiting the resurrection (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14; John 11:11; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Luke 8:52; Acts 7:60)? I believe there is stronger biblical evidence that the spirit or soul continues in a conscious state in the presence of Christ. 3. Luke 23:39-43; 2 Corinthians 5:6-9: Philippians 1:21-23; Romans 8:35-39. 4. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 5. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 6. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 |
