The Invitation – Come Up Here

by W. Chaz Glass

 

Our spiritual journey from sinner to servant begins with a fundamental understanding of the holiness of God and our separation from Him due to sin. This gap created by sin is bridged when we accept Christ and are born again. As our own understanding dissolves, in its place, the mind of Christ begins to form in us. We begin desiring, above all, to see the world through God’s eyes and to grasp the wonderful truths He wishes to reveal. Able to hear His voice, we wait for the invitation to receive deeper spiritual understanding. This experience can be seen through a scriptural progression that positions one from recognition to revelation:

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 -> 1 Corinthians 2:16 -> Jeremiah 33:3 -> Revelation 4:1

 

The Holy Spirit transforms us by cultivating in us the mind of Christ, lifting us out of carnal thoughts to the heavenly places, which we experience when called to “come up here” where spiritual truth gradually becomes our reality. We are seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), and we are called to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). We must understand it is not a matter of intellect but of spiritual receptivity that, through the mind of Christ and the indwelling and illumination of the Holy Spirit, we gain the capacity to hear God’s voice, understand His thoughts, and receive His revelations.

 

As the Holy Spirit cultivates in us the mind of Christ, we are invited to “come up higher,” to see things from a heavenly vantage point where we have a broader view of the spiritual landscape. Understanding the spiritual landscape allows us to speak to the concerns of God’s heart from this higher perspective. The words we hear and receive are then used to reshape the spiritual landscape, articulate God’s redemptive process, bringing deliverance, and expand the kingdom.

 

This elevated perspective comes from growth and development while on the vine and is an indicator of fruit. When we come up higher and receive a glimpse behind the veil, the spiritual aperture expands. We have an acute awareness about ourselves, a person, a situation, events, and where God speaks to it in scripture. The awareness functions as a seed of revelation or insight that, when ripe, can be shared with the body under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Prior to that ordained time, it serves us by accurately depicting, either by encouragement or conviction, our circumstances, our relationships, and our worldview through the lens of God’s eternal purposes and His power. It gives us access to the wisdom that comes from above, which is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere (James 3:17). We must act on this revelation, tasting and seeing that the Lord is good, stewarding it, so that we may receive invitations to enter other doors. Joseph demonstrated this when he told his brothers the unfortunate events in his life were orchestrated to position him to save God’s people.

 

So, this invitation to “come up here” is not just for our own benefit but for the sake of others. As we enter into the heavenly places through prayer and meditation, the Holy Spirit illuminates us, like the Menorah illuminated the inner court, revealing God’s plans and purposes across time that are meant to be shared with God’s people. This is something all believer can experience, receiving from God and communicating His heart and His mind to His people, speaking the truth, wisdom, and the perspective of God into specific situations individually and to the Body.