Introduction to the Dynashperes

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The Dynaspheres.

As an introduction to The Dynashphers, we will first define the word “world” as it is found in the Bible 186 times, being is transliterated from the Greek ‘kosmos,’ which has following varied meanings as determined by the context of its use.

  1. a suitable and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government – both “in the heavenly places” (Eph. 2:6) and on earth among men.
  2. the universe of outer space
  3. the circle of the earth
  4. the inhabitants of the earth, mankind, the human family
  5. the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
  6. world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
    1. the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.  (Rom. 12:2 be not conformed to this world…)
  7. any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
    1. the Gentiles, as contrasted to the Jews (cf. Rom. 11:12 etc)
  8. of believers only, John 1:29; 3:16; 3:17; 6:33; 12:47 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19
  9. adornment (the verb, Gk. kosmeo, garnished), used once, 1Peter 3:5

Modern physics points to the reality of dimensional existences, demonstrating even the so-call ‘the spirit world.’ This exists not as a seemingly unreal ‘ghostly’ realm, having a series of very real measurable dimensions, such as the extremes of outer space and the subatomic creation.

The Bible challenges the superstitious belief of a purely unearthly spirit world by setting up a literal hierarchy of realms. There is the Earth, the three Heavens, including the very highest heaven called – “the throne and mountain of God.”

The Bible speaks of the ‘Sides of the North’ as being a holy realm, which is above all and as something our human mind cannot understand – a completely transcendent place.  It is far above the physical mountains on earth; in fact, the great mountains of the earth are only limited ‘models’ or facsimiles to heaven’s Zion, like the way a simple paper airplane “models” a greater reality of a jumbo-jet airliner.

Psalm 48:1-2 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion [on] the sides of the north, The city of the great King.

Lucifer, the archangel, while being lower rebelled against God and pledged in his pride to ascend to this realm of “the most High.” These verses are the account of his rebellion and his fall to the lower heavens, as the false “god of this world.” (2Cor 4:4).

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)

The Bible has much to say about the scene of the complex hierarchy of the multidimensional realm that is unseen to us, yet it affects nearly everything on this earth, from personal lives to geopolitical realities. Read Daniel 9:1-27 to see how the angel Gabriel was withstood by fallen angelic forced for 21 day in his coming to Daniel until Michael the Archangel came to assist Gabriel; today fallen angels rule over cities and countries.

Yet, above all this reality of the heavens is God, who sent his son to redeem us lowly humans from being continual victims of the fallen angelic forces of darkness and from the power “Sin and death” itself.

In Biblical cosmology, there are three levels of heaven

“It is he that buildeth his stories (levels) in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name.” (Amos 9:6)

“His stories,” here above is the Hebrew ‘maʿalâ’ meaning ‘levels’, referring to levels in the government of heaven. Paul in his epistles refers to these levels of rank and authority in the heavenly government as follows.

Colossians 1:16 (KJV) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible (on earth) and invisible (in the heavens), whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things (levels of rank and authority)  were created by him, and for him:

Romans 8:38 (KJV) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Ephesians 3:10 (KJV) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Job says the heavens were not clean in his day:

Job 15:15 (KJV) Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (‘in the heavenly places’).

Jesus destroyed their power of this the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places that had polluted the heavenly places … by His death of the Cross.

Colossians 2:15 (KJV) And having spoiled (stripped the fallen) principalities and powers, he (Jesus by His cross) made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The First heaven is the atmospheric region, where there is air, wind, and clouds.

 17 And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. Deut/ 11:17
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. Deut. 28:12
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17 (KJV)

The Second heaven is what we call the region of outer space,

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. Psalm 19:6 (KJV)
2 And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the (angelic) host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth. Jer. 8:2
10 For the (angelic) stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. Isaiah 13:10

The Third heaven is God's dwelling place.

1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Psalm 8:1

30b   … hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. 1 Kings 8:30
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Psalm 2:4
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psa. 48:1-2

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:12-14

Summary:

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

At the end of all ages, when arrives “…the dispensation of the fulness of times arrives, “he (God) might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Ephesians 1:10

Then, the church the body of Christ” will have been raptured to co-reign with Christ “in the heavenly places” of rank and authority in the government of heaven. (Philip. 3:20-21, 2Tim. 2:12, 2Cor. 5:1b)

Then also, the believing Nation of Israel will have been established by His 2nd coming and putting down of all enemies on earth unto “the Lake of fire,” to co-reign with Christ on earth forever. (Revelation 5:10, 20:6)

Most genuine Christians know that in Christ they have salvation from judgment, but few take note of God’s “eternal purpose” for them goes far beyond. My own view of God’s “eternal purpose” involving believers has become greatly enlarged as I’ve prepared this series. We will see that God’s “eternal purpose” involves an important role for the “saved” in eternity, for those who “love God… who are the called according to His (eternal) PURPOSE” (Romans 8:28 below).

2 Timothy 1:9 (God) Who hath saved us, and CALLED US with an holy calling, not according to our works, but ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN,

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are THE CALLED ACCORDING to HIS PURPOSE  30… them He also GLORIFIED.”

For “the body of Christ” God’s “eternal purpose” extends from “BEFORE the world began” (1Tim 1:9 above) and points to the culmination, in the endless “AGES TO COME” (Eph. 2:7 below).

Ephesians 2:5-7 Even when we were dead in sins, (God) hath (already) quickened us (made “the body of Christ” alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, and MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN (THE) HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS: 7(Intending) THAT IN THE AGES TO COME he might shew (display, Darby Bible) the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness TOWARD US through Christ Jesus.

Above Paul says; “(God) HATH RAISED US (the body of Christ) UP TO SIT IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST”… intending that He might “SHEW,” or “DISPLAY,” “the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us” (Eph 2:7).

The obvious question then might be: WHO IS THE PARTY to whom God will “shew (or display) the exceeding riches His grace in His kindness toward the body of Christ”?

We need to look further to find the answer to this far reaching question.

We can know the answer to this question only because the Apostle Paul says God has “made known unto us the mystery (musterion, secret plan) of His will… which He hath purposed in Himself” for “IN THE DISPNENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES,” the consummation of the ages.

Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known unto us the mystery (secret) of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 (Intending) That IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES (the consummation of the ages) he might gather together in one ALL THINGS in Christ, both which are IN HEAVEN, AND WHICH ARE ON EARTH; even IN HIM (fixed “under Christ’s headship,” see NIV):

Thus, as “the beginning” involved the creation of both the “the heavens and the earth,” so will the consummation, when God then will “gather together in one ALL THINGS in Christ, both WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN, and which are ON EARTH…” (V10 above).

The “ALL THINGS” of which Paul writes in Ephesians 1:10, 22 and Colossians 1:16, 20 refers to the principality, and power, and might, and dominion” (Eph 1:21). These are the present realms of Lucifer and the fallen angelic host, “the rulers of darkness in high (epouranios, heavenly) places(Eph 6:12), with whom we contend today.

Now please read Paul’s prayer in Eph 1:16-23. Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers might have “revelation” to “know or perceive “the hope of (their) callingand “the glory of His inheritance” that is vested in the saints.” “Hope” in the Bible is, of course, more than a wish. It is an eager anticipation of wonderful things to come. Heb. 6:19 says: “Which hope we have as an anchor to the soul, both sure and stedfast.” The simplest believer in Christ may rejoice in the anticipation of sharing God’s glory some day.

The prayer goes on that the believers might know theexceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.” Paul then makes clear that the “body (of Christ)” with “The Head” (Christ), was “raised up together, and made us sit together IN HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6), FAR ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY, AND POWER, AND MIGHT, AND DOMINION,” the angelic host that currently rule in “THIS WORLD (aion, age)and those that will rule in the “world (age) which is to come” (Eph 1:20-23).

Ephesians 1:20-23 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and SET HIM at his own right hand IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES,

 21 FAR ABOVE ALL PRINCIPALITY (arche, the highest ranking of the heavenly host under God), AND POWER (exousia, the authorized), AND MIGHT (dunamis, the empowered), AND DOMINION (kyriotes, lords of governments), AND EVERY NAME THAT IS NAMED, NOT ONLY IN THIS WORLD (aion, age), but ALSO IN THAT (age) WHICH IS TO COME:

22 And hath put ALL (THESE) THINGS under his feet, and gave him (Christ) to be THE HEAD over all things to THE CHURCH, 23 WHICH IS HIS (Christ’s) BODY, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

In Ephesians 3:9 below Paul goes onto reveal God’s “intent” that “from the BEGINNING OF THE WORLD HATH BEEN HID IN GOD” until it was revealed to him.

Ephesians 3:9-11 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of THE MYSTERY (secret plan), which from the beginning of the world HATH BEEN HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 TO THE INTENT THAT NOW UNTO THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN HEAVENLY PLACES might be known BY THE CHURCH the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our lord:

Here above we see the INTENT of God is that BY THE (Christ-filled) CHURCH,” Lucifer and his fallen angelic hosts who still occupy the heavenly governmental sphere today, here referred to as THE PRINCIPALITIES, AND POWERS IN (the) HEAVENLY PLACES,” are now observing “THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD, 11 ACCORDING TO THE ETERNAL PURPOSE WHICH HE PURPOSED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.”

The average Christian has a view merely toward their salvation and the happenings within their own lives upon the earth. By contrast, God’s ultimate “intent” for the “body of Christ” clearly points us toward the “HEAVENLY PLACES” (spheres of the heavenly government). God’s ultimate “intent” involves “the Head (Christ) working through “the church, which is His body” (Eph 1:22-23), reigning over the sphere of the PRINCIPALITIES … POWERS… THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD (age)… SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.” (Eph 6:12).

In (2 Tim 2:10) Paul writes to Timothy, not just of salvation, but of “salvation… WITH ETERNAL GLORY; that is salvation together with reigning and functioning in the eternal heavenly sphere. In eternity the “saved,” the members of “the body of Christ” will enjoy “glory”; glory being both the place that is our ultimate home that we call “heaven” (Philip 3:20), and also as their sphere of governing and reigning over “principality, power, might, and dominion.”

Paul then also writes to Timothy; “If we suffer, WE SHALL ALSO REIGN WITH HIM…” (2Timothy 2:12a). The words “reign with Him” here means to “act as co-regents” with Christ. Our sufferings today prepare us for reigning in the moral rectitude (rightness) and in the wisdom that we have learned of God directly. We must come to learn God’s love in Christ (Eph 4:20) and His grace, mercy, faithfulness, sovereignty, all-sufficiency, and power. We learn through our personal experiences of suffering and enduring life’s situation on this earth with and by the indwelling life of the “Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9-10). Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

God planned “before the world began” and then worked through the cross of Christ with the intent of saving and recovering a body of believers among mankind, and “… TO RECONCILE ALL THINGS UNTO HIMSELF… whether they be things in EARTH” or things in HEAVEN (Col 1:20).

Thus, we see that God is mightily purposeful, seeing to it that”… all things are working… according to His eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ” (Rom 8:28).

This then is preview into this study series.