Self-similarity across scales in the Bible as part of self-similarity across all creation, and Parallel Action in Heaven and

on Earth in the visions given in the Bible

..extracted from the free commentary which you can download without any costs at http://sites.google.com/site/freecommentary (paste this in the address bar) Part A Similarities and self-similarity between the visible realm and Yahweh Creator God's realm There are two realms to Creation: the visible world and the spiritual world. The Bible ties them together: For instance: Mat 6:9-14 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Eph 1:10 unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say, Our Christian faith presupposes that we are living in a spiritual world,

as much as in a physical world. And we assume that the spiritual world is more powerful -- our world is run by matters of spirit, not of flesh. Moreover, I contend that the two realms are parallel: Isa 24:21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. I would like to show you some obvious evidence for that view. More than Wishful Thinking; More than Imagination In the Bible, encounters with, and visions of, the spiritual realm, are not entirely figurative. The characters in visions represent real characters coming from the presence of God, a God who is a very real force. The visions are not modelled on earthly realities; rather the opposite, earthly experiences are the outworkings of heavenly reality. Earthly experience is often a reflection of heavenly oversight, which we can recognise from reading about similar experiences in the Bible. Scripture itself witnesses to how this realm of ours reflects God's realm in very close ways. For example: The figure of a man appears in the descriptions of the throne of God. (This attracts criticism, but such a claim is surely aimed at staggering us. It forces us to rethink. For example, consider the point that God has entrusted judgment of man, to a man, brings us up short.) Storm-clouds, which we know, are part of the shekinah glory of His presence, which is not often seen, and of the coming of God to earth, which we do not yet see. Family on Earth; Family in Heaven; Jesus is in both: Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother. It is easy to get confused as to which realm is being referred to.

Perhaps it is more than just difficult -- Perhaps it is impossible to separate the realms in our mind. When we try to divorce them into two separate realms, we can never quite succeed. That implies unsuspected closeness between the two. For example... The separate realm of old Eden, which is to reappear in the New Jerusalem, was and is described in terms of our own creation. The New Creation is called 'heavenly Zion' after the Zion-Jerusalem on earth. The heavenly River of Life flows into the new-earthly River Jordan. Those who see the visions, are themselves incorporated into them. (More on this below.) The temple on earth was designed as a copy of something seen in a heavenly vision. Exo 25:40 And see that thou make them after their pattern, which hath been showed thee in the mount. That raises, for example, awkward questions about how similar the covenant box and its laws on earth are, to the covenant box seen in heaven and the commandments of Jesus. Heb 8:4 Now if he [Jesus] were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. More than Parallel More like Concurrent Sides of one Coin An ambiguous verse is... Eph 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-

rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The 'spirituals in the heavenlies' could be Satan and his angels, or it could be the high-priest and his men on earth -- in the 'high places' of religious government. The earthly Zion is treated as in the heavenly Zion! Lam 2:1 How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger! He hath cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, And hath not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger. ..And there are several similar verses equating high authority on earth with being in the presence of God in Heaven. Heaven in Earth and Earth in Heaven Here is an example of creation overlapping with religion, and earth with heaven: Exo 20:11 for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. So Man 'rests' like God 'rested', by purposeful design. Here is God making sure that our light (Day 4) reflects His light (Day 1 Gen_1:3-5): Gen 1:16-18 And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. Here is God making sure that Man reflects God: Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our

likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. That is three witnesses to a divinely deliberate policy agenda from the beginning, to reflect God in creation. Here is another deliberate similarity, between heaven and earth, and between deeds and rewards: Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. The outstanding example of heaven appearing inside creation, is Jesus: Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. [explained Him; represents God; is His Son and Image] Jesus is certainly expecting us to see the similarity and the close connection: Joh 14:8-11 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Joh 5:19 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father

doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. Joh 5:30 I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Joh 8:28 Jesus therefore said, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I speak these things. Joh_12:49 For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. Joh_14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. Joh_20:21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Here is earth in Heaven, or is it Heaven on earth? -- God dwelling with Man, on earth, complete with mountain, city, streets, river and trees within the new city: Rev 21:1-2 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. Eze_28:13 + Eze_28:16, Eden is on a mountain. Similarities across Events and Players The topic of Christology (covered elsewhere in the commentary) shows up how history pre-plays the Christ vs Anti-Christ struggles.

The topic of recurrent prophetic fulfilments (covered elsewhere in the commentary topics) presumes that history reflects the future. Similarities across Time The whole realm of prophecy assumes a repetitive similarity across time-scales. For instance, the destruction of creation, in the Flood, undoes the previous creation, and starts again, as before, from one man. In turn it foreshadows the destruction during Revelation's plagues, and the starting again with a new creation, with one Father. Paul invokes the images of God within creation (us), and the images of gods (idols), and creation itself, and the recreation in Noah's time... Act 17:24-29 The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with (human) hands; 25 neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, [nations are post-Flood] having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; [scattered nations are after the Flood] 27 that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28 for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. When talking of Jesus as the 'son and image of the Father' let us not forget that God has designed the world so that a child is to reflect his father, in perpetuity. Likewise, designing plants and animals to reproduce 'after their own kind', is self-similarity across both time and space. Self-Similarity across Scales of Time

The idea of self-similarity across scales emerged in chaos-theory some decades ago, and found wide application in complex systems. Nature is a complex system. Prophecy too is a complex system showing the same character -- The Bible shows self-similarity across time-scales of 'seven', as everyone knows. It is simply a matter of putting the label 'self-similar across time-scales' on it, for the purpose of recognising it in a new light. There is a cycle of 'seven' across days, weeks, years, weeks of years, and perhaps at greater scales: God created the world in 6 days and rested on the seventh, making 'the creation week'. He also applies that one-week timetable prophetically, to span the age of Man, the sixth day, still in progress. ('We do not yet see Man ruling', Heb_2:8, nor 'God resting from His works', Joh_5:17) He will destroy the world in a week of de-creation, again in 7 stages, and recreate it on the eighth. Because Israel despised His sabbaths, He seems set to destroy them on one of His sabbaths, and to place the coming age on a 'high sabbath' eighth day. He told Israel to rest every seven days. He told Israel to rest its land every seven years. He told Israel to rest and celebrate after every 'week' of seven years (7 lots of 7), on the 50th year of Jubilee. Twenty jubilees make up a millennium. (Many believe in a 'week' of millennia as significant in religious history.) He ordered a 'feast of weeks' of 50 days after Firstfruits Sunday. The same formula of 7x7+1=50 is used for Jubilee Year calculation. Half a week -- three and a half days -- also figures in prophecy, e.g. Dan_9:27. Three and a half weeks (the 24th day of the month) is nearby in Dan_10:3-4 Three and a half years is prominent in Dan_12:7, Dan_12:11-12, Rev_11:2-3, Rev_12:6, Rev_12:14 This viewpoint may throw light on the puzzling verses penned by Solomon:

Ecc 1:9-10 That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us. Ecc 3:15 That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away. Self-Similarity across all levels of Creation Self-similarity across scales is like fractal art -- a piece, is a microcosm of the whole. This is also like when a laser-activated-hologram can cast a faint but whole image, from enlightening any tiny bit of it. Both of these rely on the scales of distance, to be made visible. But other scales, like time and meaning, can be just as much built in to God's handi-work. For instance, many religions, poets and philosophies agree, that we are each microcosms of God, able to channel divinity, made for that purpose, spiritual beings, islands of complexity in a sea of chaos, housing divinity inside, while being conscious of it outside. Self-similarity across scales of space is evident in the various levels of creation. It is most evident in Yahweh's holy sites -- Israel, Jerusalem and the temple -- things which we can see -- which reflect the setting out of God's throne in Heaven, and of the New Jerusalem and of Eden -- things which we cannot yet see. This can only become obvious from reading scripture and interpreting its references to these places. The composite picture involves too many scriptures to list here. To summarise the scales of creation which show self-similarity: (Elements of any one of these are liable to reproduce in any other one) God's (third) Heaven Our Heavens (skies) Eden (of old and to reappear) Our Earth

The skies and land of Israel, locally Israel, the holy land Jerusalem, the holy city Our fields, our gardens, our houses The Temple (decorated to be like Eden) Outer Temple courtyard, the holy house Inner Temple courts Holy Place Most Holy Place The mercy seat, made as an image of the heavenly throne. For example: Star imagery in the holy places -- the smallest scale ties in with the largest The temple has lights in the darkness, angels appearing there, golden cherubim, and a 'veil' like the sky. Trees: ..in Eden, on Earth, or in the temple decorations. They are also made to stand in for kings, judges and prophets who have standing before God's throne. 'Ordinances' are a common feature (which preaches an orderly creation)... ..the ordinances of God, of the skies, for the people, and for the temple, Heb_9:1 Four Directions: Most of the things in the longer list above are set out in cardinal directions. For instance, 'the four borders' of the land, the four-square architectures of the temple and city (and garden and sheepfold), the four cherubim under the chariot, the four quarters of the Israelites' desert camps, the setting out of the holy land in Ezekiel. 'Ordinances' can mean: the set-up/ the setting-out -- tying the previous point into archtecture. On earth, going 'upwards' beyond the visible heavens into God's presence, is replicated by a horizontal plan in the temple, whereby you must pass onwards through a thick veil to enter the most holy throne-room. (In this way, the spherical architecture of the global heavens can transform into a four-square layout, without a clash.)

God describes building this earth like we build a house -- with store-rooms and inner chambers, with windows and rafters and lamps. (There are many more details in the commentary on the Song of Songs in the Articles listed at Son_1:1 -- such as how Israel is a miniature of all the land -and in the Topic Notes \Imagery \ Several sub-topics on Creation.) Here is a North-South-East-West layout which links the astronomical scale to Israel, Jerusalem, and to the life of one man. In the middle of a discussion of how John and Jesus are like the lights of the Moon and the Sun following each other across the sky, either ahead of, or behind, it says: Joh_1:28 These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. For those in Jerusalem, this is the place of the rising of the Sun and Moon, being almost due East of Jerusalem. The other 'Bethany' is also almost due East of Jerusalem. Similarly, when Jesus 'withdraws' into the land of deep darkness (Galilee, due North of Jerusalem) it is a picture of the Sun withdrawing its light, as in the far northern regions of polar night or in the shadow of objects (The Hebrew word for North is 'dark-and-gloomy'): Mat 4:12-16 Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up. Isa 9:1-2 But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Another set of similarities: God (of the living) Angels (looking like men) Christ (in the flesh) Church-Bride; 'body' of believers Empires Nations Tribes People (in His image) Children (in their father's image) Limbs (of the body) Forests Trees Crops Branches Seeds Such a design allows God, whom we cannot see, to compare Himself to man, in His own image, such as Jesus; or by saying 'the Good Shepherd'; or by telling us of the rich and shrewd master, and of the valiant Bridegroom; and many more. A little child is a smaller version of his father. This allows God to call the disciples 'little children; babes'. The separate limbs in our one body, are like the separate stones in a temple, and like the separate people in the church of God -- These are deliberate comparisons, intertwined with dozens of others, so intricately that they cannot be described as 'mere incidental metaphors'. The word for tribes is 'branches', and Christ is called 'the Branch'. Branches spread over the ground below, dominating it but also sheltering it; so the image of a huge and spreading tree is used for an empire, ruling over nations. The seed in the ground dies to itself (and produces more new life).

From this smaller life form, the scale increases to... The temple of one's body, which is the mortal flesh, which must die (to receive an incorruptible and spiritual body); This scales up into the temple of stones, which is to be destroyed (to make way for the new and spiritual temple); then up to the temple-city, to be ruined (to be replaced by the New Jerusalem from above); then the holy land, to be taken away from the nation (while the everlasting Promised Land is still waiting to be given); then into the whole creation which must die in giving birth to... ..the new creation, including the holy spiritual temple made up of many saints, which is never to be destroyed A variation, with the focus on glory: Divine bodies Celestial Bodies Human bodies Clothing Greenery Flowers and ripe fruits Clothing on bodies; crops covering the fields; colour covering a tree -- These are all made parallel to spiritual ideas such as atoning for death (covering the shame of sin); God tending to His flock and to His vineyard, and filling the land with life; Here is some scaling up and down, in images: The monster in the sea [or river], is also the sea [/River] itself ('the monster of the sea' [=waters]). The ancient Dragon, is like a crocodile, or a sea-serpent: Isa_27:1 In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent; and he will slay the monster that is in the sea. Pharaoh is the monster, in the River, of his own creation. Pharaoh represents all Egypt with him. The Nile Monster is the serpentine Nile itself:

Eze 29:2-5 Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt; 3 speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster that lieth in the midst of his rivers, that hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself. 4 And I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales; and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, with all the fish of thy rivers which stick unto thy scales. 5 And I will cast thee forth into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open field; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered; I have given thee for food to the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the heavens. Again... Pharaoh=Egypt=Nile Jer 46:7-8 Who is this that riseth up like the Nile, whose waters toss themselves like the rivers? 8 Egypt riseth up like the Nile, and his waters toss themselves like the rivers: and he saith, I will rise up, I will cover the earth; I will destroy cities and the inhabitants thereof. Tyre, is a ship: Eze 27:3-5 and say unto Tyre, O thou that dwellest at the entry of the sea, that art the merchant of the peoples unto many isles, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Thou, O Tyre, hast said, I am perfect in beauty. 4 Thy borders are in the heart of the seas; thy builders have perfected thy beauty. 5 They have made all thy planks of fir-trees from Senir; they have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for thee. The result is that scripture and prophecy, past and future, are organically part of a whole creation, which includes the images within creation, and the meanings given to them. No longer should we live only in the secular present, because all dimensions of the creation we can see, hear about, read about or look forward to, are imaging the spiritual realm to us, giving us a taste of the future.

The whole plan of final creation is deliberately made present at all levels. This self-replication across scale, centred on Zion, has profound implications for perceiving 'intelligent spiritual design' in creation. I prefer to call it 'Top-down creation'. The idea is that what initially seem to be unrelated aspects of our world, need to be seen as a coherent design, by the Master Creator. The simplicity is perhaps: 'Oh yes, of course, that's what a Creator God would do, wouldn't He?' Take another look at the obvious: Religion (past or present) is not separate from life; That's hard to argue with, but people can divorce the two in their minds, as if history hasn't happened. History is tied in to reality as it is. A huge part of the past is religion. Spirituality is a bigger part of history than we admit (see the separate commentary on polytheism). Past Scripture is not separate from current ideology and 'alternative truths': There are no more influential books in the world than those from prophets -- the Bible -- and its poor imitations -- from falseprophets. The inspiration of false-scriptures is to set out to distort Yahweh's truths, especially as written in the Bible. Even scriptures written before the message of Messiah, do not pre-date the truths about God, from the time of Adam and Noah, and the spirit of deception in the Garden. The Bible, and its poor imitation, the (anti-Christ) Koran, are currently the two most important books, as far as religious conflict goes -- The Koran deliberately sets out to distort Biblical truths (see the separate commentary) and to oppose Biblical peoples, militarily, and succeeds, in raising religious war. Environment (physical creation) is not separate from humanity (moral beings); Yet we treat 'reality' as somehow independent from ideology, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, morals, and from a Creator. Prophecy pulls all these aspects together, and imbues all these aspects. That's simply a fact which emerges from a closer study. And what emerges is a coherent explanation of all, on the assumption that all aspects of creation reflect all other parts of creation, and all

are working toward an image of God and of the future. Imagery and Prophecy span the two realms Bible Imagery draws together similar parts of creation, with different aspects of revelation. For instance, jewels are used to typify divine wisdom; and sparkling coloured stars are likewise used for angels delivering prophetic messages; and all three are likened to flames, and a dozen other common points are brought out. This shows up self-similarities woven into the fabric of creation, woven into scripture, and interwoven between these two aspects of our world. The similarities span different times, places, and arenas. They can only be expounded via scripture, which acts in concert with creation. The Bible is like an explanatory text or field-guide, to the picture book of creation -- it explains our world to us, God's way. Within scripture, similar cross-talk occurs between divine law, prophetic history, written prophecy, wisdom writings and revelations -- for instance in housing christologic foretyping (not covered here, but it is a large area of the link between history and prophecy). You may require some convincing about this, since we are not used to hearing about it or practised at discerning Bible images or prophetic fore-types. The Introduction to Topic Notes\ Imagery, explores many ways in which Biblical Imagery is much more than accidental metaphor. To Summarise that topic: Imagery is real not imagined, like seeing an image through a magnifying glass. Imagery is tied in with creation and its purposes: Eden; This Creation; Destruction; Recreation Does creation tell us nothing about Creator? The divine and ideal versions (of a servant-lord, or a royal marriage) show a top-down design (i.e. putting the heavenly before the earthly), rather than taking their lead from the spoiled life around us.

The two creations (Eden, and our living space) are described in one breath. Our place was separated off from His, as part of the whole of what was described. There are times thereafter when it is difficult to tell which realm the Bible is talking of. Adam moved from one to the other -- They cannot be much different. The new creation will look much like the old (e.g. fish in the River of Life, from Zion). The Jordan Valley was 'like the Garden of God', Gen_13:10. Our 'trees' must be like the Trees in Eden. The imagery of 'Up/Down' is a good example (set out at the beginning of the Imagery Topic) that this creation is created the way He wanted it (with the glory of the Sun and stars, above and purposely out of our reach). 'Created/made' implies a purpose, according to a plan. God makes that clear. We are made 'like God', to be able to relate to God, to be a suitable bride (help meet) for His Son. (See the Article at Gen_2:7 A "Created to love and serve Creator with all your life and breath and being".) The Bible's Christian narrative is that He intends to make us holy through sprinkling us with the sacrificial blood of the Lamb which He provided, so that we can be forgiven and made clean, holy like Him, to approach Him and serve Him in His presence. He makes things to endure, and this is only a dry run for eternity. A pilot-scheme is made to mimic the larger scheme. We are living in the pilot-scheme. God has gone out of His way to make a creation for Man to inherit, but it (and we) must be purged and refined first. If we were insects, this life would be our grub stage, then comes being buried underground waiting, and what emerges is like a totally different being, looking like a different species. That's the plan: first a short-lived physical species; then a longer-lived spiritual species of man. It would be strange for the all-wise God not to plan carefully, and then simply pick some merely coincidental analogies. Rather, By deliberately aligning our world with His, He has pre-planned that we

can the more readily understand, what He wants us to know. God's realm and ours seem to share real-time, space, air and ground. The shekinah cloud of God's presence is like an earthly storm cloud, but different. When Christ comes on his clouds, the other skies disappear and are replaced by God's new heavens. In visions of God, and with His real presence and cloud, the two coexist while He is present (e.g. over 40 years in the wilderness). God works out spiritual heavenly wars through human affairs. His concern is also targeted at us; His redemption-salvation plan is for us. His victory is inseparable from the world we live in, the world He has organised. We must imagine a physical creation fully integrated with the spiritual realm. His images are numerous, very apt, and intricately interwoven. Prophecy depends on them. If you dismiss imagery as incidental, you must dismiss God. Creation is created to be prophetic. It is talking to us of the next creation. We have to learn new ideas (a shepherd who is a lamb and a lion; a wife who is a warrior) from His extraordinary explanations -through pre-planned analogy -- physical analogy for the unobvious spiritual reality. Images, parables and prophecy are tied to Historical reality. All aspects of the Bible are anchored in reality, and uniquely find meaning in history or future history. The future is part of reality. Yahweh has told us on page one of creation, that He has deliberately placed physical images of invisible spiritual realities right into our everyday world: Man in the Image of God, Gen_1:26-27. Light and separation existed before the world, but was replicated

for us, Gen_1:14. Life itself is a reflection of the Living God, made so that we can appreciate it as such. Many of the pervasive images of prophecy began as an integral part of creation, and of its account. They were revealed as meaningful at a later time. The book of Hebrews interprets temple architecture in a spiritual way, and hints of much more, Heb_9:1-5, Heb_9:8-9, Heb_9:24. 'Religion' belongs to the same Universe as 'creation' and everyday life, and we already believe that God has impregnated the Old with the New. God carefully designs earthly copies, Heb_8:4-5. The God-written stone tablets and the God-ordered tabernacle and the God-revealed mercy seat of God's presence, are described respectively as 'a shadow of the things to come' Col_2:14-17 God has deliberately put into creation, adequate physical images of spiritual realities, Rom_1:19-20. God's description in Job 41, of Leviathan on earth, matches that of the Dragon in heaven. Spiritual wisdom was prepared from before the foundation of the world, before the physical creation, 1Co_2:7-9. Proverbs tells us that spiritual creation came first, and the physical creation was therefore built to reflect it, Pro_8:22-32. The two levels of creation start with the spiritual, the wisdom and the plan, then with the heavenly, and lastly with earth and sea and flesh, Col_1:16-17. God Himself has stated that He has built the creation to a carefully measured plan, as any builder builds a house, Job_38:4-8, Isa_40:12. It would be ridiculous to think that God had not done a very careful job, to a very specific plan.

How could God house double-meanings in His prophecies, about the eternal world to come, unless this world was deliberately closely corresponding to the next? Jer_10:12. He has the power, wisdom and understanding to do a long-lasting and good job. There must be fore-planning to allow this creation to serve as an image of the next. We should expect marvels and wonders hidden, in creation, just as you expect from His creative writing, from His prophecies, from His history, from His law, from His temple architecture. We have His word for it that 'My mercy is as high as the heavens'. The images are marvellously apt, simply by looking. We can't fault them. This creation is too elaborate as a 'custom-made metaphor' to be wasted as 'only a metaphor'. We will find the New Creation will be highly reminiscent of the Old. The two realms are mutually reflective of each other. It would make no sense if this life did not test us and fit us for the next life. The two must be comparable. The realm to come must be sufficiently like this life to make our life now, relevant to the next. How can our eternal status be shaped by something irrelevant? God would say that life on earth and the present creation itself is the transient picture, and that His realms are the certain reality. That is a top-down view -- from God's perspective, not ours. You could summarise many of the images in the Bible as looking forward to redemption, recreation and resurrection. If it were the work of poets and fraudsters, you would expect a plethora of unrelated and contradictory messages. Instead a single stream of prediction emerges from a rich field of mosaic elements. Part B PARALLEL ACTION IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH

One aspect of self-similarity is the tie between the physical and spiritual creations. Instead of imagining spiritual creation as quite 'other' than visible creation, you simply need to see the close connections. For example, Jesus sees what is parallel in Heaven to what is taking place on earth -- demons are being cast out. Luk 10:17-18 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. Secondly, John sees and hears this in a vision of Heaven, but on earth other mighty things are happening, quite parallel in nature -- the throne of Satan's Beast is overthrown. Rev 12:10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night. The Judgment Throne and Presence of God Spiritual Parallels to Earthly action lie behind many Biblical Stories, and many of the deliberate parallels between earth and heaven relate to the judgment-court of God before His throne. Since 'the presence of God' is almost the definition of 'Heaven', we should expect visions to major on legal judgments (directed particularly against the throne of Satan upon earth). The presence of God, as ruler of all Creation, begins in Eden, where Satan throws a spanner in the good works of God. The rest of the story is of judgments of Satan, until that is accomplished, such as Jesus and his disciples casting out devils, then John seeing more of the story, as just shown above. Supernatural events like visions are often arranged to reflect the earthly characters involved in the heavenly happening: An early example in the Bible is when the Serpent talks about himself

in glowing terms to Eve: Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? The Serpent wants to talk to Eve about the Tree of Knowledge. This tree is like the Devil's own Tree, of false knowledge, false wisdom. Just as Christ is the Good Tree of Eternal Life, so the Devil is the bad tree, producing bad fruit. And when the Devil talks about Wisdom like God's, he is lying about himself. Gen 3:5-6 for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. It is the Devil who told Eve all about what the Tree of Knowledge was, and what it could do for her. It is as if the Serpent is talking about himself as he opens her eyes to that tree. For more evidence for this way of representing people and spirits, as trees in Eden, see the Article at Gen_2:9 A, but here is a precis: Trees in the Garden of Eden, Symbolise Important People In Tree imagery, throughout the Bible, trees are highly symbolic. (See Topic Notes\ Imagery\ Trees.) In the Article on the "Two Wisdom Trees", at Gen_2:9 A, the idea is explored that the trees in the Garden of Eden, Psa_92:12-14, represent good and evil characters, such as Christ, the Wisdom of God; Satan, the false-wisdom; Jesus the Tree of Life; and the kings of the idolatrous nations as high and proud trees cut

down to ground. There are several examples of tree visions applying to good and bad characters, who have some counterpart in the people involved in the vision. Let's look at Jesus first: Jesus called himself 'the Life', Joh_14:6, Joh_11:25 -- like 'the Tree of Life' John called him the 'Wisdom of God' (Logos, Joh_1:1) -- like the Tree of Knowledge, but true, not deceptive. and the 'divine Life of men' (in the same breath as 'creation', Joh_1:3-4) -- like the creation account. Jesus is pictured as supplying true life and true wisdom, and true food and true drink, from above. Jesus called himself the giver of the bread of eternal life, Joh_6:27, and the true food itself, Joh_6:35, Joh_6:55 (like the fruit of the tree of Life) Joh_6:41, Joh_6:48, Joh_6:51. The Tree of Life must be somewhere beyond 'the Way to it', Gen_3:24, which is presumably at the gateway to Paradise, which is where angelic doorkeepers are placed, Rev_21:12, and where the king of the city keeps court. Rev_22:14. It is not so different to say 'I am the Door' or 'I am the Way to Life', if you also say 'I am the Life', Joh_6:54... Jesus called himself the Way to life and to God. Jesus called himself the gateway and entrance for the sheep of God, Joh_10:4-7. Jesus likened himself to Jacob's ladder, which led into heaven, Joh_1:51. So when Jesus says: I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life, he is talking 'Eden and Creation' talk, of redemption and resurrection, of Paradise regained -- the way back to the Tree. Jesus is seen in John's visions, as with the river of life-blood streaming from his throne Dan_7:10, with the tree of Life alongside it. It is as if he himself is also the River of Life: Jesus says 'I AM', and in the next breath, 'the Way to the Tree of Life':

Rev 22:13-16 I [Jesus] am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. [=creation talk] 14 Blessed are they [reversing the curse] that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15 Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring [branch] of David, the bright, the morning star. In Mat_7:13-17, the contrast between the two 'trees' is between the good and the evil, the true and the false, with the choice being between Jesus, as the way to Life, and the Jewish rulers. In other words: 'I AM the Good Tree' Of course men cut down the Tree of Life, but it resprouts: Isa_6:13, Isa_11:1, Psa_80:14-17, and Jesus is the sprout. The trees of 'wisdom' in Eden are related to evil people: The image of a Tree in Eden is given about the king of Tyre who thought he was a great tree in Eden; who considered himself 'perfect in wisdom' and 'perfect in beauty' (desirable to the eyes) and who claimed he would live forever as a god. Eze_28:3-5, Eze_28:12-15, Eze_28:9-10, Eze_28:14 The king of Babylon, who thought he was an immortal, is compared to a great tree, but again very sarcastically: Isa_14:19, Isa_14:12-14 The king of Assyria is likewise mocked as a mortal god, using the imagery of Eden, and Pharaoh with him: Eze_31:2-10 Micaiah's vision There is an almost comical picture of two parallel scenes,

where the earthly kings sit on their thrones, in pomp, taking counsel from prophets (earthly messengers), who disagree among themselves, while the Heavenly King sits on His throne, in glory, surrounded by angels (heavenly messengers) who disagree among themselves. There are differing opinions from the floor, both on earth and in heaven: On Earth, Ahab's prophets before his throne disagree with Micaiah, while Micaiah sees a vision of Heaven, with Yahweh's hosts debating before God's throne. A powerful deceiving spirit carries the day. On the one hand, Micaiah resisted the lying spirit, and opposed the other prophets, but the other prophets, on the other hand, did not detect their delusion, as they gave their prophetic counsel to the king, thus setting up a 'on the right and on the left hand' division of opinion, on earth, just as in heaven. Micaiah is given a vision of the throne in heaven, which maps what is happening on earth: 1Ki 22:10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. ... 12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper; for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king. 13 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good. ... 17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace. ... 19 And Micaiah said, Therefore hear thou the word of Jehovah: I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left... 20 And Jehovah said, Who shall entice Ahab, that he may go up

and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner; and another said on that manner. 21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before Jehovah, and said, I will entice him. 22 And Jehovah said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so. 23 Now therefore, behold, Jehovah hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets; and Jehovah hath spoken evil concerning thee. The earthly picture of the thrones of judgment is like the heavenly: Rev 4:1 After these things I saw, and behold, a door [gate] opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voice as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter [=prophecy]. 2 Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne; 3 and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty thrones: and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, arrayed in white garments; and on their heads crowns of gold. Saul's enquiries I include this because it is similar to Ahab's enquiries. What God does, is reflected in what the people do: 1Sa 14:36 And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and take spoil among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them.

And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God. 37 And Saul asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But he answered him not that day. 38 And Saul said, Draw nigh hither, [36] all ye chiefs of the people; and know and see wherein this sin hath been this day. 39 For, as Jehovah liveth, who saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him. [37] 40 Then said he unto all Israel, Be ye on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other side. And the people said unto Saul, Do what seemeth good unto thee. Shimei the Accuser of Israel's Christ Sometimes events on earth surrounding the king, deliberately reflect events in Heaven, surrounding God. The picture here of the king surrounded by his mighty bodyguards, reflects God surrounded by His angels, 'on the right hand and on the left', which turns out to be how God's court is set out: 2Sa 16:5-8 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came. 6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Begone, begone, thou man of blood, and base fellow: 8 Jehovah hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and Jehovah hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and, behold, thou art taken in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood. 2Sa 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. Then David invokes the court-room image of heavenly and earthly advocates and accusers, in response to an earthly scene of accusations: 2Sa 16:10-13 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because Jehovah hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more may this Benjamite now do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for Jehovah hath bidden him. 12 It may be that Jehovah will look on the wrong done unto me, and that Jehovah will requite me good for his cursing of me this day. 13 So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hill-side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. Later... 2Sa 19:21-22 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Jehovah's anointed? 22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? In this you have a picture of the king's restraint and mercy (like God's), in the face of impatient warriors (like angels). Perhaps this reflects the third of the angelic hosts which back Satan, the Adversary,

in his strong-handed approach against the saints, whom he never fails to accuse. Rev 12:10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come [=finally, after a very long wait] the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: [David is the Christ of Israel, then his 'son'] for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night. Shimei is filling the role here, of accusing continually, with spite, 13, while David waits for God's justice and salvation, 12. The parallel is similar to that found in Micaiah's vision, where a powerful deceiving spirit carries the day. Job's trial on Earth and in Heaven The book of Job explains the heavenly legal argument behind the afflictions of Job, while on earth Job debates fiecely with his own falseaccusers. There is a deliberate parallel between the sons of Job gathering on earth on a given day, and the sons of God gathering on a given day in heaven. This verse [Job 1:4] is replayed in Job_2:1, as if it were an annual 'day', like the birthdays in verse 4. Job 1:4 And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. Job 1:6 Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. Job 1:13 And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, The in-between verses set up the legal debate: Job 1:8-12 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.

9 Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. 12 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah. Job's three or four 'wise counsellors' (prophets) gather to comfort Job but have their counsel turned to sin. Because again a powerful deceiving spirit carries the day. The man of God, Job, resists all the forces of deception (like Micaiah), and (like Micaiah) eventually succeeds. Conscience vs Court The court-case scene (in Heaven) is the equivalent of a mental battle of conscience (on Earth): where two conflicting halves of the conscience battle out a court-case. Rom 2:15 in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them); We live, in other words, as a micro-part in a moral universe. Zechariah takes part in his own visions of a heavenly courtcase Yet another time, Satan argues in God's court against the anointed one of God. Zechariah takes part in a vision of 'God's Branch' (which is another 'tree' vision), and is told that the people in the vision and hearing the vision signify God's servant (Jesus).

Zec 3:1 And he showed me Joshua [='Jesus' in Greek] the [anointed] high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, [=Yahweh Himself -- since one 'stands before' a judge] and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. The language is that of Law & the Courts. (See Topic Notes\ Imagery.) It is a judgment scene. That is obviously the case here, where Satan is an 'accuser'. Notice the 'right-hand, left-hand' again figuring in court procedure. It is easy to place Jesus (the name is a form of 'Joshua') in the role of the one who intercedes for Joshua, and offers forgiveness of sins: Zec 3:2-4 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah [='I'] rebuke thee, O Satan; yea, Jehovah that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee [This is a verdict made sure by repetition]: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? [a branch] 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying [This repeats a public verdict delivered after consideration], Take the filthy garments from off him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee ['Not guilty; forgiven'], and I will clothe thee with rich apparel [compensated]. The vision was a message of encouragement to rebuild the temple of God. It in effect tells Joshua that God in Heaven is with him in the rebuilding on Earth. 5 And I said, Let them set a clean mitre upon his head. [Zechariah is in the vision] So they set a clean mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments; and the angel of Jehovah was standing by. 6 And the angel of Jehovah protested unto Joshua, saying, 7 Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge,

then thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by. [Zechariah is nearby] 8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before thee; for they are men that are a sign: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch. Zechariah, one of the pair of prophets, is taken before the throne and shown the two anointed ones before the throne Zechariah sees two trees in the presence of God, in front of the throne, and asks the angel questions, and the angel, who knows, replies 'Don't you know', but in the end, what we read is that it is Zechariah who knows and is telling us. In other words, the spirit of knowledge given to Zechariah, is not so different from Zechariah himself, in as much as Zechariah is a prophet, and receives such knowledge. Zec 4:3-5 and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4 And I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord. Zec 4:11-14 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12 And I answered the second time, and said unto him, What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord. 14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. [as Zechariah, an anointed prophet, paired with Haggai, is also doing, in the vision of what is in front of the throne, like John does in Revelation] The twist of relevance in this vision is that Zechariah himself is being granted standing room before the throne of God, right there among

the lampstands (like John in Revelation), as part of his position of anointed prophet of the Lord of all the land. Spirits and Prophets are Hand and Glove There is a chain of messengers from God's throne to man on earth. God passes the message to His angel who passes it to a prophet who passes it to people. The go-betweens are 'anointed' with God's Spirit for the task. 'Anointed one' is applied to a 'prophet' and to a 'witness'. 1Ch 16:22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm. Rev 11:3-4 And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth. There is a tight connection between prophets, or messengers of God, prophesying on earth, and angels or 'messengers' standing in God's presence, in that the 'angels' stand waiting to be sent to carry messages to earth, i.e. as prophecies given to prophets, and the prophecies or inspirations are called the 'spirits of the prophets'. Thus there can be a double interpretation at any stage, between what is visible on earth and what is invisible to us, in God's presence. See the Article at Heb_2:16 A, about how there is little distinction between angels and men, prophets, and messengers, gods and people, a spirit and a prophecy, when the spirit is working. Here is a sort of statement of close parallel: 1Co 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. Further, the spirit of a child of God may be in the presence of the

Father of spirits, Mat_18:10. Daniel stands as a prophet before the king on Earth, and before the king in heaven To stand before the throne in the king's palace is what prophets did, ready to speak divine counsel to the king. The picture of wise men and prophets 'standing' before the king is a reflection of angels 'standing' before God, as servants ready to be sent as messengers, to be the spirit of inspiration to the prophets on Earth: Dan 1:4 youths in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skilful in all wisdom, and endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace; and that he should teach them the learning and the tongue [language] of the Chaldeans. Daniel fulfils the king's vision Nebuchadnezzar (an evil figure at this stage) and Daniel (a holy man, Dan_8:13-14) see a vision of 'a holy watcher from heaven' delivering a sentence against a 'great tree'. But in reality the king of Babylon hears a holy prophet, Daniel, personally delivering the verdict against himself. Dan 4:23-25 And whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of heaven: and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 24 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 that thou shalt be driven from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and thou shalt be made to eat grass as oxen, and shalt be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee; till thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Daniel is a 'holy one' pronouncing the verdict to the king. In the vision the holy one spoke to a tree, then Daniel says here, 'You O king are

the tree', and the unstated extra is 'and you have already seen in a vision what I am now going to say to you'. Earthly and Spiritual Bondage Mat 16:19 I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 18:18 Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The whole area of healing and deliverance shows up spiritual causes of earthly afflictions. The Mount of Transfiguration Vision There is a comparison at Mat_17:6 (in the commentary) of the three accounts of the Mount of Transfiguration, Mat_17:1-8, Mar_9:2-8; Luk_9:28-36. It seems that it was a vision, and that the disciples were in the vision, talking, about tabernacles, but not in command of their senses, because they were seeing things, 'sore afraid', and 'heavy with sleep', yet 'fully awake' in the vision. When they woke up, because Jesus said 'Arise', the vision had gone. John fulfils the vision of himself John sees a vision of 'the angel of Jesus' telling 'my servant John' of things to come, concerning the prophets and apostles of Jesus, and concerning the Tree and River of Life. John takes part in the vision, right alongside this angel, who tells him that he must prophesy again. The upshot is that he himself prophesies to the churches of things to come. In other words, 'the spirit of prophecy' which was inspiring him, was made visible to him as part of receiving the vision as a prophet for Jesus. John becomes the mouthpiece for the angel in the vision. For our part, we only hear John telling us of things to come. Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel

unto his servant John; Rev 22:6-8 And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass. 7 And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book. 8 And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things. Revelation offers parallel visions Revelation is a good example of how it is difficult to know for sure what is happening in heaven as opposed to what is happening on earth. In the end we are all surprised when the heavenly bride descends from heaven to take up a place high on the earth -- rejoining the two realms. Meanwhile we are given double accounts -- a physical history of visible events, and a spiritual explanation of invisible causes. The Book of Revelation, the best example, tells us of the heavenly judgment scenes and judgments, but also shows what goes on on earth as a result -- more as simultaneous scenes than as sequential ones. When angels in heaven break seals or blow trumpets or pour out bowls or give voice to thunders, John is also shown what happens on Earth as a result. Rev 9:13-17 And the sixth angel sounded [his trumpet], and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 one saying to the sixth angel that had one trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates [on earth]. ... 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them,

having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone. When the heavenly court is described, so too are Earthly judgments -The two represent the one event. The same judgments are also shown as signs in the sky (of a woman and war in heaven, which seamlessly transfers to earth when the dragon chases the woman). In this passage about the war, the two different realms -- Heavens and skies -- angels and stars -- are deliberately companioned. Rev 12:3-4 And there was seen another sign in heaven [sky]: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems. 4 And his tail [like a comet] draweth the third part of the stars of heaven [sky], and did cast them to the earth [ground]: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child. Rev 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; 8 And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. The intricate engineering of all this, and much more, into revelation spanning millennia, testifies to the quality of scripture. Those who are familiar with the intricacies of scripture will conclude that no person or group of people could possibly have written such an intricate story. It is not simply 'a story' for who would dare to challenge the dominance of death in our world? Who could heal sickness the way Jesus did? Who can reverse the curse, but God Himself?

We cannot understand all of scripture, yet its message is so transparent that we can all see the wonder of it, the mercy of God, and the beauty and life in what lies around us. God has masterfully undergirded a physical world with a greater spiritual reality, and mercifully informed us of it. Adding an eye for deliberate self-similarities in all which God has handled, lends a deeper and enduring conviction to our Christian faith. We are already living something eternal even while anchored into the temporal.