"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ....."
Rom 1:20
Physicists and cosmologists have been exploring the world of the atom for over a century, within a scientific field known as quantum mechanics. In the 1980's this field opened up to great discoveries because of the emergence of new and sophisticated equipment. With this equipment and along with advances in mathematics it had now become possible to plot the nature and characteristics of the sub particles that made up the atom. To everyone's surprise these smallest of particles of the material world were discovered to take on the characteristic of waves of energy rather than inert material. These subatomic particles also behaved in very strange and unexpected ways. The strangest phenomenon with these most minute of particles was that their behaviour was actually effected by the action of one passively viewing them. The introduction of a human's gaze caused unexpected results and thus the desired objectivity of these experiment were a wash. The presence of the experimenter now had to be thrown into the mix of data. Whoa! this threw a whole new plane of immeasurable data into the equation. Thus the physicists were left scratching their heads. I ask, "were the creative and dominion forces in man effecting the nature of matter?" It seems many and varying experiments conducted since, have clearly illustrated such.
With these new discoveries came also the many theories of multiple or parallel universes. To date there seems to be scientific evidence of at least eleven multi-verses. There are also some theorists that believe with further study the number of multi-verses or parallel worlds will be shown to be infinite. Even with as little knowledge as I possess, as evidenced by my shoddy scientific explanations (lol) I, for what it's worth, would tend to side with the "infinite" prognosis.
Any way, stumbling and bumbling along, it was the arrival of "super string theory" that actually gave evidence that the sub-atomic particles were more like waves or vibrations on very tiny strings. The example of a violin string being played to produce a range of notes was given as an example. And of course one violin can play many different tunes. With advancements in string theory, then came membrane theory bringing forth an added dimension. This was an enhancement where the stings or waves were believed to be attached to a stretchable membrane.
How all this points to evidence of many worlds I haven't a clue but that's what the brights ones say. Anyway being the imaginative simpleton with a bag of hammers for a brain I thought of the "membrane" mentioned above as the sphere of the Kingdom of God and the strings that make up the many worlds, as each of us; each person a world. Each string or world touches and effects another world with the result being that every world is interactive one with the other. It is God as the attached membrane that stretches and pulls taunt each string which in turn causes sympathetic resonance effecting all the other strings/worlds. The sum of this idea, is that every action ordained by our sovereign God, no matter how minute, effects to some degree everything that makes up the Kingdom, of which heaven and earth are part. In my minds eye, I can picture every action of God bringing forth a new world-form each distinct from another. God is, as the great conductor with a gazillion violins with a gazillion strings producing an unbelievable symphony which can only be appreciated and experienced in increasing measure as one gets closer to the fullness of time and the full stature of His likeness.
We must remember the scientist are looking at that which is really invisible but that which gives evidence by effects (IE. gravity, magnetism etc.), thus they use terms like strings, waves and membrane to describe such. Also, although quantum theory deals much with the micro or smallest of entities the same actions and characteristics are seen in the macro such as the astronomical heavens. For example information about "black holes" is garnered by experiments done with the atom. Lastly if there be any credence or validity to my dreamy analogy, of tying all this multi-verse stuff to the Kingdom of God, I can but point to this scripture:
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ....." Rom 1:20
As far as my world or your world being effected by each other's world, this is a pretty good example of such interaction. This also from the Written Word:
And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1Cor 12:26
Seems my friend Clay asked a question and then answered it, in a forum message the other day. Speaking to the subject at hand, I believe he is right on with this:
"The question is what is 'our world'? I see it as each person. Each person is a world and there are a myriad of worlds within even these worlds."
And so, with such a viewpoint of interconnectedness, maybe we should be encouraged, as we tread this earth, to speak, act and pray life and healing into the worlds of those around us. Our words, thoughts and actions all make a difference. God help us. Help us to realize that all that we do resonates into places and realms we have never even dreamed of. With that, the lyrics of this Torango song beautifully remind us that we are indeed creators and healers to the nations or maybe even better said " the worlds."
"Stretch forth your hands, and heal the nations
Speak forth the Word, and give them life.
This is the day, that God has chosen;
And as He is, so are we, in this world!"
CAUGHT UP
Some years ago, while praying and fully awake, God came and caught me up and allowed me to have a touch of that symphonic experience I mentioned above. It was the experiencing of the worlds within worlds and the circles within circles of God's wondrous Kingdom. This was, I believe, a vision of God's throne and what I like to call the Merkabah, "God's flaming chariot". I also would like to believe that this which I experienced was a foretaste of that which took Enoch and Elijah away from this world. The prophet Ezekiel saw and described this supernal vehicle being as being filled with wheels within a wheel. Of all the experiences, dreams, visions, or anything else of a spiritual nature that I have enjoyed in my walk with God, that night's prayer visitation of the Merkabah was by far, the most glorious and exhilarating. It was so much so, that I wanted to remain in this realm of incredible ecstasy. I had no desire to come back. But alas, I was bid by the Master to return. My Lord solemnly, also told me to never seek to experience this realm on my own. With this stern warning, I felt like He was saying there is a counterfeit. Possibly, this counterfeit is that which the New Agers experience. I have actually been told by one New Age practitioner, that had been set free for a while, that is indeed the truth. Like all else that is real in the Christ, there is along side it a soulish counterfeit.
I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; how that he was caught up into paradise ..... 2Cr 12
The word “caught up” in the Greek is "harpazo" which means to take something of someone firmly, quickly or rapaciously. It comes from the root word "haireomai" meaning to take for oneself, usually quickly with great skill and strength, to seize. In the Scriptures "caught up" then refers to us not so much ascending, as it does for us to be caught up, seized, snatched and laid hold upon by a power beyond ourselves.
I believe the experiences of being "caught up" is part of the process of transformation, where we are taken from corruption to incorruption, from disrespect to esteem, from weakness to power, and finally from a natural body to a spiritual body. And yes, surely God give us foretastes of such glory, as he did Paul on the Damascus Road and John with his Revelation.
So in closing, I feel led to share an old blog that I believe speaks to many of the things we have been discussing of late. In this message, which has always been a favorite of mine, there is, I believe an example of a real life experience of being "caught up" and yes, it was strong and so quick and it took the very skill that only our Lord possesses. This is a story of how in the midst of futility a last crying prayer is answered. Later, in in the span of 1/1000's of a second, four years of another world is lived out and indelibly ingrained on an exceedingly appreciative soul. This story is about the "many worlds" and the "changing of times." It's about Jesus and His "harpazo". I pray it will encourage you and maybe even wash you afresh in tears.
INTO A DAUGHTER'S HEART
If you have ever laid in bed and wept because of a person you will forever miss or occasions and enjoyments you have been deprived of because of one hard circumstance or another, I pray this story will soften your pain. I wrote this account a couple years ago and even today it is one of my favorite writings ever. It seems even the original emotions, once so deeply felt as I typed this story out, have been made afresh as I read through it once again this evening.
I want to share a most extraordinary experience I had a couple years ago where God for one second took me out side the parameters of this world and deep into the heart of my daughter.
My daughter Erin, upon entering the University of Kansas received a letter from the Athletics Dept. inviting any interested freshmen women to try out for the KU Women's Rowing Team. Having been a recreational runner through out high school and being bold of spirit she decided to give it a try. After many challenging hours and much pain she was accepted onto the Novice Rowing Team. For a year's hard work Erin, was then elevated to the Varsity squad her sophomore year and awarded a full four year athletic scholarship.
It seems almost four years had gone by and because of the distance and my lack of funds I was never able to visit my daughter on campus nor see any of her races. I knew that it was a "must" that I at least attend the last home race of her senior year. This is an event, where besides the race, the KU Athletics Dept. puts on a big BBQ for all the fans and also included is a ceremony honoring the parents of the graduating senior crew members, along with their daughters.
My ex-wife and Erin's mother not being able to attend this event, just raised the stakes higher for me to be there. Three weeks away and after much prayer I still saw no way that I was going to be able to afford a flight to Kansas for the race. I was just heart broken and I was letting God know in prayer how much this hurt, when in the midst of my petitions I received a phone call from my sister offering to fly me out to the race. She, her mate and two of my other sisters were all going to be flying in for Erin's celebratory weekend and they wanted me there for sure.
Lest I take from my dramatic event, I will tell you now that we ended up with about fifteen Erin supporters in our crowd and when we left Lawrence Kansas after that weekend we were the talk of all the girls and their parents as they marveled at the fun and exuberance we had in loving and rooting for our girl. All of us in the group were stone sober during our whole stay but because of our joy we were often asked what we were drinking. LOL
One other exceptional event I want to share that lends undeniable support to God's miraculous ways, concerns an oversight of mine that became apparent at the Kansas airport. I found myself in a terrible dilemma when upon securing my reserved rental car it was noticed my drivers license was expired thus negating any use of a rental car. My daughter's apartment was forty minutes away, and as I was standing out on the curb contemplating how I was going to complete my journey, a woman in a van drove up. She asked me if I had seen some people waiting for a shuttle. I said no and asked her where she was going and she told me Lawrence, which is where my daughter lived and where the university is located. She then told me to hop in when I told her of my destination. Now that's God's curb side service and how did He know I would never once be in need of an automobile the whole time I was there?
I spent five days in my daughter extra bedroom that week and I would accompany her each afternoon to the river for rowing practice. In those five days I was blessed to enjoy all of her day to day activities, meet all her friends and visit all her haunts. It could not have been a more enjoyable and precious time, even without my miraculous experience which was soon to come.
So the big day of the race and celebration has arrived and it is an absolutely stupendous day to spend on the river; warm, still and not a cloud to be seen. We watched all the early races with Erin in our company, while anxiously awaiting the final and most important race of the day. I am weeping right now as I begin my account of what shall take place during this; Erin's last ever home race of her rowing career.
Being an ex-professional photographer I had brought my 35MM camera with all the lenses so I might capture the events of that day. I was set up on the shore about fifty yards in front of the finish markers in anticipation of getting that magic shot where Erin and the girls will absolutely be giving it their all during the final sprint. It was so amazing to feel the heightened anticipation within the crowd and myself as the boats came into site a mile away. The closer they came the louder the crowd cheered and as the boats closed in to where I was standing every one was hollering and clapping as loud and as hard as they could. Just as the Kansas boat, which was in a narrow lead, barely passed where I was standing I readied my camera with it's long telephoto lens on Erin for that perfect shot. Looking through that lens it was hard to comprehend the beauty and perfect rhythm of eight girls rowing together while exerting every last ounce of their energy and strength for the last few meters of the race.
I tightened in my focus and moved from the whole of the boat to where I could just view Erin filling up the frame. I fine focused and as I hit the shutter button it happened! In one single, incredible mind altering second God took me deep into Erin's precious heart and I experienced every moment she had given to rowing in the last four years. I felt every ache and blister she had ever suffered during those years. I gloriously experienced all the joy she had received and also the whole of the disappointment she had ever endured during her four long rowing seasons. I tasted deeply the spirit of camaraderie she shared with her many boat-mates along with the encouragement, sisterhood, and closeness that had grown strong between them. Incredibly I also was given understanding of all the days Erin had gotten up at five in the morning to train in the cold and rain plus all the evenings she dragged herself home after a second evening practice to do piles of homework. Piercing my heart was also the pure pleasure she enjoyed knowing how very proud her Dad and everyone was of her this day. I could truly go on page after page describing what I experienced and saw in that smallest increment of time when my camera shutter opened and closed during that perfect shot.
I believe I was the only parent that day that had tears in their eyes at the finish of that race. My sisters and our group of friends sure gave me hell when they noticed this. If only God would have allowed me tell them the reason. It seemed it was just too precious for Him also.
Until I have left this earth, I shall never forget how God took me beyond time and space that wonderful and amazing day and allowed me to enter into my daughter's heart and experience all that I thought I had missed. I can't help but believe this most precious experience was a foretaste of what we will all know one day when we are made complete in Him. I have been assured many times in payer that I need never feel sad that I have missed anything of this world because it is all being kept in store to be enjoyed throughout eternity.
And people wonder why I cry sometimes when I tell them how much I love Him. Who could ever give you a gift like that!
Jack
PS. There is a rain storm taking place over my key board right now, but I want to also tell you that Erin went from a walk-on, never having seen a rowing shell or an oar to be captain of the team and "Oars Woman of the Year. " She will also, forever be my "little girl". 
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