Positions in Heaven

So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” Matthew 20:23 NKJV

The mother of the two sons of Zebeedee asked Jesus if one of her sons could sit on His right in His kingdom and the other on His left - the scripture above (Matthew 20:23) was His answer. He also shared that there are those who are being prepared for that position, but they are being prepared by God, the Father... God, our Father. There is a remnant. This remnant will continue to enter into the narrow gate - giving their daily lives as a ransom for many, being baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit, and living this life to the glory of God. This remnant is allowing God to use them how He chooses - according to His agenda, His plan, and His purpose.

(Following are my notes from this empowerment teaching. I encourage you to watch the actual video for greater understanding and to hear more of what the Holy Spirit ministered).

Many will be baptized just a Jesus was baptized, but will many do what Jesus did… will you give your life as a ransom for many?  Jesus was the primary example of a life laid down. Jesus had no thought or concern on what people thought of Him. His only concern was doing what His Father told Him to do and saying what His Father told Him to say. There was an instance in John 6:66 when Jesus gave a spiritual teaching and some of His disciples who were obviously in the flesh or living carnal lives chose to walk with Him no longer.

Jesus never denied God. Jesus never denied His Father through compromise nor did He ever back down when it came living and speaking the truth. Peter did. Peter denied Jesus when temptation came and pressure pressure to stand for the Truth (Matt. 26:69-75).

We should be very mindful... there is a kingdom to come (Matt. 6:10). Those who God is preparing will be ready. As we keep the following at the forefront of our minds and in our hearts: 

• Not my will be done but Your will be done. 

• Humility here on the earth gets you great positioning in heaven. 

• Too many seeking great positions here on the earth neglecting the weightier matters that get you great positioning in heaven – the Kingdom to come.

• There is a remnant in preparation. Definition of a remnant – a small part, a surviving group, those still remaining… in faith.

The word of God shares in Luke 18:8, will the Lord find faith in the earth upon His return? This is clearly sharing we must be found in faith not caught up in our emotions or our feelings. Hebrews 10:35-38 shares that we are to remain confident because our confidence has great rewards. Confidence is our faith in God. These verses also remind us that we have need of patience - patience with ourselves and with others - patience to be content where we are and to remain in the will of God that we may receive the promise of life and life eternal. It continues to say, "For yet a little while and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith."

Don't forget about the 'The Narrow Way'... enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matt. 7:13, 14). We are admonished not to love the things of the world or the things in the world. All that is in the world is the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. The Word says, that the world is passing away and the lust of it (1 John 2:15-17). This is clear that if the world is passing away there is something new to come. The new heaven and the new earth are to come - the Kingdom. The Kingdom to come is for those who are being prepared and remaining in preparation mode (the remnant). Those whose are not so caught up in the natural things and natural life - to the detriment that they have become blind to spiritual things and what is taking place - the times we are in as the Church.

Eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love Him (I Cor. 2:9).  If you love you Me – obey Me (John 14:15; 21). But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant (Matt. 23:11). Jesus was the greatest Servant. Your leaders are live in action servants. Will you lay down your life like Jesus did or will you lay down your life the way your leaders do? God is no respector of persons, He does not have favorites but, there will be different positions in heaven - in the Kingdom to come. These positions have everything to do with our faith and how we serve as servants... right now. We do not want to hear these words... I Never Knew You... “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! (Matt. 7:21, 23)

TLW