THE ANGELIC REALM

Angels manifest themselves from one realm to another. When they do they appear as real persons, wear clothes and can touch people. Very often they radiate the brightness of God's glory for they come from the presence of his glory. (Matt 28:3, John 20:12, Acts 1:10) Paul was caught into the "third heaven" which indicates there are different levels in the spiritual realms. There are different kinds of angels and there are also fallen beings, principalities and demons. In fact the whole problem of sin started with the rebellion of Satan. In Revelation we are told of a war between Satan's angels and Michael's angels. (Rev 12:7-12) This war takes place in the spirit dimension immediately adjacent to earth. Satan and his angels will be cast out of that realm onto earth and this is followed by a time of conflict. During this period angelic activity will become very intense and I believe that people will see more and more spiritual manifestations of one kind and another. Even as I write there are amazing reports of things that are happening. The world is entering a spiritual conflict. Christians are having more and more spiritual encounters, angelic visitations, and spiritual revelations as barriers between the realms are opened. There are testimonies of our Risen Lord appearing to people world wide. This will increase more and more until the time he “catches” them through the veil right into his Cloud. The exact moment is known to Him alone. Jesus said to Nathanael that he would see the heavens open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Jesus is the true ladder or stairway to heaven. The word "highway" in Isaiah 40 means a viaduct or "staircase" allowing entry into God's glory which will be revealed to all who travel that highway. It is Jesus himself who is the gateway and opens the heavens to enable us to enter; he is the door and mediator into God's realm and Glorious Presence. He is the "ladder" or link between the two realms. (John 1:51, Gen 28:12, Isa 40:3-5, 62:10) After his resurrection the Lord Jesus lived in both realms. He is forever the risen Son of Glory and Eternal God. During the forty days if he wanted to be visible he stepped through the veil into the visible realm. When he wanted to be invisible he stepped back into it. He was in any place at any time with no earthly restrictions. He had no limits, no hindrances. When Jesus departed he simply lifted himself up and stepped through the veil into the Cloud. He did not go like a rocket into the sky but disappeared into the Cloud of God. On the day he returns he will simply step back from the invisible. Weymouth's translation puts it well; "on the day that the veil is lifted from the Son of Man". (Luke 17:30) Paul wrote that we eagerly await the revelation or unveiling (apokalupsis) of our Lord. (1 Cor 1:7) He can come at any time! When he does he will be real, as real as he was to Thomas! There are those who say that Jesus cannot be in two places at the same time. I discount that. He is God with no limits. Scientists now know that quarks, very small particles of matter, can be in two places at one time, how much more the One who made them? His resurrected body is real but not physical; it is a body of Glory empowered by His Holy Spirit.
There is a "veil" that hides God’s realm. Before Adam sinned he had perfect communion with God but after his fall he only heard God’s voice. He hid from the Presence of the Lord. (Gen 3:8) A veil shut off God. This veil will one day open. At his return Jesus will forever destroy the veil that covers all nations. (Isa 25:7-9) At present we look through a "glass" but one day we shall see him "face to face"; "We all, with open (or unveiled) face beholding as in a glass (or mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory". (1 Cor 13:9-12, 2 Cor 3:16-18)