Is Heaven On Earth?

Text: Genesis 28:10-17

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

The Bible describes heaven as a house with many mansions, paradise, an unfading inheritance, a rest for the people of God, a marriage supper, a crown of life, and a city. Heaven is also described as the dwelling place of God, His holy angels, the ascended Christ, and believers who have died in the faith.  

So, heaven is a real place.  However, we must be careful not to understand heaven in a physical sense, as if heaven were physically located on the other side of Jupiter.  Now, the Bible does describe heaven as being above us and hell as being below us; however, this is only to help us understand heaven and hell from our earthly perspective.  Again, heaven is not necessarily located above us in space in a physical location, but instead, heaven is God’s throne from which He orchestrates all things, sustains all things, and sees all who dwell on earth.  It is a real place, yet it is not a physical place we can locate on Google Maps.  

This means that there is a distinction between heaven and earth. Not everyone on Earth will make it to heaven. And the departed baptized saints in heaven are no longer on earth—their bodies are in the grave awaiting the resurrection, but their souls are with Jesus in heaven.  

This begs the question, then, is it possible to bridge heaven and earth? 

Many religions discuss this. Take Hinduism, for example. In Hinduism, a mountain named Mount Meru is a cosmic mountain that bridges heaven and earth.  

Or consider Islam. In Islam, the prophet Muhammad supposedly ascended to the divine realm of heaven, and every Muslim can also journey from an earthly existence to the closeness of heaven.  

Many indigenous cultures hold to a sacred tree with its roots in the earth and branches reaching into the heavens. 

And who can forget Led Zeppelin’s iconic song, “Stairway to Heaven,” in which he uses a metaphorical stairway as a path of spiritual enlightenment?   

The point is that there is a distinction between heaven and earth, and humans want to bridge the gap so that we can travel between them.  

As far as the Christian Church, we have also bought into this.  Consider that old popular Sunday School song about Jacob’s ladder: 

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, we are climbing Jacob’s ladder, we are climbing Jacob’s ladder, soldier of the Cross. 

Every round goes higher, higher; every round goes higher, higher; every round goes higher, higher, soldiers of the cross.  

Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Sinner, do you love my Jesus? Soldiers of the cross. 

If you love Him, why not serve Him? if you love Him, why not serve Him? If you love Him, why not serve Him? 

This begs the question: Do we climb Jacob’s ladder to bridge the gap between heaven and earth?  

In our reading from the Old Testament lesson from Genesis, we certainly hear about a ladder.  However, in this vision given to Jacob, there is no indication that Jacob climbed the ladder to heaven.  The only ones ascending and descending the ladder were the angels.  In fact, in the Gospel of John, Jesus tells a man named Nicodemus that no one has ever gone up into the presence of God and then come down from that presence except Jesus Himself.  Yes, the departed baptized Christians have ascended to heaven in death; however, no one has ascended into heaven and then returned, which means that no one is qualified to speak about heavenly things except the One who came down from Heaven.  In other words, the One who stood at the top of Jacob’s ladder and the One who came down the ladder is Christ Jesus.  

Consider this a bit more; as we hear in the Gospel of Mark - when Jesus was baptized, the heavens were ripped open.  That is to say, when Jesus was born in the manger, it was an invasion of the Kingdom of God – the heavens tore open, and heaven came down to earth in Christ.  

And so, Jesus is clear that nobody has ascended to heaven and then descended to earth - except Himself.  And so, Hinduism is wrong, the Indigenous cultures are wrong, Muhamad is a liar, and Led Zeppelin’s stairway doesn’t quite reach the top of heaven.  Furthermore, all this talk about humanity climbing to heaven – whether it is an intellectual climb, mystical climb, or a moralistic climb – all of these attempts are futile, foolish, and naïve.  We cannot bridge heaven and earth.  We cannot travel back and forth between the two.  Only Christ bridges heaven and earth by coming down to you and me in His birth, life, and death. Christ travels the expanse between heaven and earth to come to you, me, and this whole world with His sacrificial life and His sacrificial death.   

But there is a problem with this: as you know, Christ was resurrected and ascended to heaven, where He sits at the Father's right hand.   And so, if Jesus has ascended to heaven – which He has – are heaven and earth no longer connected by Jesus? Is Jesus boxed up and enclosed in heaven, away from you and His church, leaving a big gap between heaven and earth?  Should we get busy trying to climb Jacob’s ladder, grabbing every round higher and higher by serving Jesus? 

Baptized Saints, there is no need for you to climb to heaven.  You do not need to fear that heaven is out of your reach.  And Christ has not abandoned you in glory.  Instead, heaven still comes to you.  Heaven is on earth.  Heaven and earth are bridged for you.  

* * *

Consider the Divine Service that we are in right now.  Have you closely considered what we sing and say each Sunday?  Bluntly and boldly stated, heaven and earth are united in this Divine Service.  Yes, you heard that correctly.  In the Divine Service, our Savior brings heaven to you with His gifts of the Word and Sacraments.  Just as Jesus got down on His knees to wash Peter’s feet, the same Lord Jesus descends to you - Baptized Saints - to serve you in this sanctuary, in this place, and at this time, with His Word, His Baptism, His Absolution, and His Supper.  

Stop and think about this for a moment.  Every Sunday, don’t we sing along with the angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven in unison?  Listen to what we say and sing every Sunday:

“…with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying…

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory…

Baptized Saints, I cannot stress this enough!  In this Divine Service heaven and earth meet through the presence of Jesus.  In this service, Jesus brings the gifts of salvation to you – His Word, His Name, His Body, and His Blood.  The Word that we read, the Word that is preached, the bread that we break, and the wine that we drink are not just empty symbols but the real means by which Jesus delivers you Himself – His forgiveness, life, and salvation.  And so, literally, this sanctuary becomes a space where the boundary between heaven and earth is bridged.  Right here is where Christ’s kingdom is truly present.  Heaven is on earth here in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. 

Let’s get a bit practical to drive the point home further!  

Why does the pastor wear an alb and not sloppy or casual clothes during the Divine Service? Because this is where heaven and earth meet - for you.

Why don’t we, as a church, play games or host concerts in the sanctuary?  Why don’t we use this sanctuary for socializing or entertaining events?  Because this is the place where heaven and earth meet - for you.

Why do we approach the altar with reverence and humility, not arrogance and flippancy?  Because at this altar, heaven and earth meet - for you.  

Why do we bow in this sanctuary? Why are we sober-minded in this sanctuary? Why are we reverent in this sanctuary?  Because in this sanctuary, heaven and earth meet - for you.

Why don’t we bring food in this sanctuary, hang a bunch of electronics up front, or rent this sanctuary out as a wedding venue? Because in this sanctuary, heaven and earth meet - for you.  

Now, others may perceive us as legalistic at St. Paul’s Lutheran; however, if this is truly the place where heaven and earth meet – which it is - why would we want to clutter, confuse, or distract this sanctuary with anything else?  

Baptized Saints, where we hear the Word of God, receive His Sacraments, and sing His praises, is the most important place in the entire world, for where Christ’s Word and Sacrament are delivered, heaven and earth meet for you and me.  

Take great comfort, Baptized Saints; heaven and earth are bridged in Christ for you where He promises to be for you – His Word and Sacraments.  

In the name of Jesus. Amen.