A lot of people think that when they die, that’s it. Game over. There’s nothing beyond existence here on Earth. Christians believe that when you die you go to heaven. For many of these believers, heaven is viewed as something like enhanced retirement, without the annoyances and with better bodies.
This view portrays the afterlife as pleasant but uneventful (or perhaps even a bit boring). It doesn’t reflect what’s described in the Bible. In addition to experiencing the glory of God, it turns out you might also get to be active. And you just might be drawn into a large-scale project that involves the entire universe.
This is a project that’s open to every person on Earth. God intended it that way. And while it sounds great (“He will transform our lowly body to be like his glory body” Phil. 3:20) it will require a bit of preparation while we’re here on Earth.
Dallas Willard explored this concept in his writing and teaching. Willard was an American theologian who wrote a lot about spiritual formation. His concept was that our present existence is a training ground, and the afterlife is a creative opportunity to “actively participate in the future governance of the universe.”
Say what? Isn’t that God’s job? Won’t we be playing harps and visiting relatives for eternity? Willard makes a compelling argument based on scripture, that God’s plan “is for us to develop, as apprentices to Jesus, to the point where we can take our place in the ongoing creativity of the universe.”
This development begins while we’re resident on Earth. You could say it’s an internship– preparation for eternity. It makes sense that those who are adequately prepared will be more engaged in the cosmic activity. An example of this appears in Jesus’s parable in Luke 19:17: “Well done, my good servant! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.”
Ten cities is a lot. What about an entire planet? There are literally trillions of planets out there, and God oversees all of them. Willard puts forth the concept that we will be involved in a team effort. I guess you could call this team the Saints. In this reality, disciples of Christ will be engaged in the ongoing work that God has planned for his universe.
“…we should not think of ourselves as destined to be celestial bureaucrats,” Willard stresses, “involved eternally in celestial ‘administrivia’. That would be only slightly better than being caught in an everlasting church service.” And don’t worry, you’ll have the best support imaginable.
“Those who overcome will be welcomed to sit with me on my throne, as I too overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Those capable of hearing should listen to what the Spirit is saying to my people.” (Revelation 3:21-22)
**Willard describes these concepts in his book The Divine Conspiracy. It’s worth reading for far more than a description of an active afterlife. In it he focuses on the true meaning of Christian discipleship**
PM 