JESUS COMES FROM HEAVEN — BUT NOT TO TAKE US TO LIVE IN HEAVEN FOREVER By Josimar Salum

 

JESUS COMES FROM HEAVEN — BUT NOT TO TAKE US TO LIVE IN HEAVEN FOREVER

By Josimar Salum

July 10, 2025

For generations, Christian teaching has proclaimed that believers will one day leave this world to live in heaven forever. But is that what the Bible truly says? This study challenges that long-held tradition by returning to the authority of the Scriptures.

The New Testament never says that Jesus will take us to live eternally in heaven. Instead, it reveals a greater and more glorious truth: Jesus is coming from heaven to reign, to restore all things, and to dwell with His people in a renewed earth under a new heavens.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is not about escaping the earth—it is about God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven, the fulfillment of all things spoken by the prophets, and the ultimate hope of a creation made new.

This message is not based on sectarian theology or speculative eschatology. It is rooted in the plain language of Scripture. The coming of Jesus is not a “return” to take us away—but a royal appearing to bring redemption, justice, and glory to the earth.

Let the Church rediscover its true expectation: We are not going up forever—the King is coming down to dwell with us.

The New Testament clearly teaches that believers are waiting for Jesus to come from heaven, but it never says He will take us to live in heaven forever. That concept is tradition—not Scripture.

1. WAITING FOR THE SON FROM HEAVEN

“And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

— 1 Thessalonians 1:10

The direction is clear: Jesus comes from heaven. The purpose is deliverance—not to remove us to another world, but to intervene in this one.

2. OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, BUT HE COMES FROM THERE

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

— Philippians 3:20

We don’t wait to escape; we wait for Him to come. Heaven is our origin, not our final destination.

3. HEAVEN MUST CONTAIN JESUS UNTIL THE TIME APPOINTED

“Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.”

— Acts 3:21

Jesus is now in heaven, but He will not remain there forever. He will come when the time of restoration of all things arrives. This is the true hope—not relocation to heaven, but the renewal of the world under His rule.

This agrees with the prophetic vision of Isaiah 11 and 65, where peace, justice, and righteousness fill the earth.

4. WE ARE WAITING FOR A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

“But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

— 2 Peter 3:13

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…”

— Revelation 21:1

The redeemed are not promised life in an ethereal heaven, but in a restored creation. This is not a sectarian doctrine—it is the clear and repeated teaching of Scripture.

5. THE KINGDOM COMES TO EARTH

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

— Matthew 6:10

Jesus didn’t teach us to escape the earth, but to pray for the Kingdom to come here.

6. THE HOLY CITY COMES DOWN — GOD DWELLS WITH US

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven…”

— Revelation 21:2

“Now the dwelling of God is with men.”

— Revelation 21:3

God doesn’t remove His people to heaven; He brings His presence to earth.

7. JOHN 14: JESUS TAKES US TO HIMSELF — NOT TO HEAVEN FOREVER

“I will come again and take you to Myself…”

— John 14:3

Jesus promised to bring us to Himself, not to a place apart from His future reign. And according to Revelation 5:10, we will reign on the earth.

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’”

— Revelation 21:2-3

THE BIBLE NEVER SAYS “JESUS RETURNS” — IT SAYS “HE COMES”

The biblical vocabulary is consistent and clear:

• “He comes with the clouds” — Revelation 1:7

• “The Son of Man coming” — Matthew 24:30

• “Until the Lord comes” — 1 Corinthians 4:5

• “He will appear a second time” — Hebrews 9:28

• “The day of His coming” — Malachi 3:2

• “He will come in the same way” — Acts 1:11

There is no mention of a “return” in biblical Greek—only of His coming in glory.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Using the language of Scripture focuses our faith on God’s revealed purpose:

• The King comes to reign — Psalm 2:6; Revelation 11:15

• The Judge comes to restore righteousness — Isaiah 11:4; Acts 17:31

• The Bridegroom comes for His bride — Matthew 25:6; Revelation 19:7

• The Lord comes to dwell with us on a new earth — Revelation 21:3

The eternal hope is not that we go to heaven, but that Jesus comes from heaven to judge, restore, and reign. Heaven holds Him until the time of restoration, and we wait for the new heavens and the new earth—the home of righteousness.

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

— Revelation 22:20

#ASONE

YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN by Dr Josimar Salum

   The verse from Matthew 6:10—“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”—touches on deep and profound aspects of God’s plan for the world. 

   Let me share four thoughts to help you meditate on and understand what “the will of God on earth” might mean:

1. God’s Sovereign Rule:

   In heaven, God’s will is perfectly carried out—there is complete harmony, justice, peace, and love. When Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth, it’s an invitation to see earth as a place where God’s perfect rule is fully manifested. This means that His justice, mercy, and love should be evident in all of human society, just as they are in the heavenly realm.

2. Redemption and Restoration:

   The will of God encompasses His redemptive plan for mankind. It means that despite the brokenness and sin in the world, God’s purpose is to restore and redeem all things. This involves the transformation of hearts and societies, where love, forgiveness, and reconciliation replace division, injustice, and strife.

3. Living in Obedience:

   On a personal level, part of God’s will is for each believer to align their life with His teachings. This includes living according to values such as compassion, humility, and integrity. By doing so, each person becomes a reflection of God’s kingdom on earth—a living testimony of His will being done.

4. A Call to Action:

   Praying “Your kingdom come” is also a call for us to be active participants in bringing about change. It reminds us that we have a role in working for justice, peace, and love in our communities. It’s an invitation to reflect heavenly values in our daily lives—challenging injustice, caring for the vulnerable, and promoting peace.

   When we focus on the kingdom of God as something present now rather than a distant future reality, we begin to understand that “Your kingdom come” is a call for God’s rule and influence to be evident in our everyday lives today. 

   There are five aspects I wish you to consider:

1. God’s Reign in Our Hearts:

   The kingdom of God starts with a personal transformation—a surrender of one’s own will to embrace God’s love, mercy, and truth. When we allow God to reign in our hearts, His kingdom is present within us, guiding our actions, decisions, and interactions.

2. Community and Relationships:

   The kingdom is not confined to an abstract concept but is manifested in the way we build relationships and communities. When we practice forgiveness, compassion, and justice, we are essentially living out God’s kingdom on earth. This means that the values of the kingdom—such as love, peace, and mutual support—are brought to life in our families, neighborhoods, and social circles.

3. Active Service and Justice:

   The call to see God’s kingdom as a present reality encourages us to be active in addressing the injustices and needs in our communities. Engaging in acts of service, standing up against oppression, and caring for the marginalized are practical expressions of God’s will. When we see these actions as part of the kingdom, our daily work becomes a reflection of heaven on earth.

4. A New Way of Living:

   Emphasizing the kingdom now means recognizing that the transformative power of God is at work in our midst. It’s about living differently—choosing integrity over deceit, humility over pride, and selfless love over selfish ambition. 

   This “already but not yet” aspect of the kingdom invites us to experience the manifestation of God’s reign even as we await its full consummation.

5. Empowerment by the Spirit:

   The presence of God’s kingdom today is also experienced through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Believers are given spiritual gifts and a renewed purpose that equips them to bring God’s love and justice to every aspect of life. This spiritual empowerment is a sign that the kingdom is active and accessible in the here and now.

   In summary, focusing on the kingdom of God as a present reality means seeing His reign not as a future promise alone, but as a transformative force in our personal lives, communities, and the broader world. It challenges us to live out the values of heaven—justice, peace, love, and mercy—right here on earth, making the kingdom of God a living, dynamic reality in our daily existence.

   In other words, the will of God on earth as expressed in this verse involves the active and transformative reign of God’s justice, love, and truth. It invites believers to both eagerly anticipate a future of complete renewal and to actively participate in manifesting heavenly values in the present. 

   This dual aspect—personal transformation and societal change—is central to understanding what it means for God’s will to be done on earth.

   #ASONE

MY PRAYER ABOUT THE COMING OF JESUS. Josimar Salum

MY PRAYER ABOUT THE COMING OF JESUS. Josimar Salum

 Someone desperate with the situation the world prayed like this: “Come back soon, Jesus Christ.” 

But I also prayed! 

Free, Jesus, the billions of people who have not yet heard your Gospel or even know your name. 

Help Your disciples to go all over the world and make disciples of all nations! 

Help them to preach the Gospel all over the world and in this way, only in this way, will the end come. 

I long to hear, Father, the seventh trumpet sounded by the seventh angel, and great voices in heaven, saying, 

The kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15) 

And so the word 'soon' will make sense to me. 

“He that testifies to these things says, Surely I am coming soon. Amen! 

Maranata, come, Lord Jesus!

#ASONE