Earth
Scripture Reading - Matthew 16:18-19 KJV
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The word “Earth” has two basic meanings according to God’s Word generally speaking and specifically speaking. Specifically speaking the “earth” is the dry land (separated from the wet Seas) for man and all land creatures to dwell upon.-Refer to Genesis 1:10, 24 and 26. Generally speaking many refer to “Earth” as a planet including the land and sea together. Since the “Earth” is the abiding place for all men and women it is known as fruitful ground for the salvation of all mankind according to God’s Plan. We notice that the “Earth” is scripturally tied to the first heaven according to today’s verse 19 in Matthew chapter 16. The previous verse 18 states that Jesus is the Rock that God built His church upon while He was here on the “earth”. Therefore, we can easily see the distinct dichotomies of forces. The primary force which we support is the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ which opens the gates of hell with the keys of knowledge spoken in the Name of Jesus. Although this battle is fierce we must go in through the gates of hell to rescue those that are lost to the message of God’s Salvation through the Blood (Love) of Jesus Christ. Yes, the “Earth” is where this temporary battle takes place for the eternity (destiny) of souls. While your physical body has life within it upon this “earth” it would behoove you to choose to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. This walk of faith while on the “earth” is the key way we overcome the lies, deceits and wickedness of the evil one. Yes, the Lord knew that the first heaven and the “earth” shared the common resources upon the earth so He wanted all His children (both Saints of old and Christians) to know that we have authority over the first heaven too. This is critical because this means you can use the good things in the heavens (not limited to the first heaven) to work good in the earth and it also means that evil things transpiring in the atmosphere of the first heaven or even the second heaven we can command to conform to our will (which is God’s Will too). Notice the progression is “earth” first, then heaven second because God’s people are on the earth so we receive our instructions from His Word then we use that divine information to instruct the activities in the first heaven. This is why we can speak to the weather the good will of God in the Name of Jesus and it must obey us if it was acting harmful.-Refer to Mark 4:39 We must remember as beloved Children of God that the “Earth” being ever beautiful was created for man’s ultimate purpose of living a good holy life to bring honor and glory unto their Creator. Thus, we must never forget that the “Earth” is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, and the precious souls of all men upon the “Earth” are an intricate part of that fullness that should be credited into God’s account when we are faithful to guide all men and women unto Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. When the “Earth” is not used to glorify God it can never be properly used to edify man. Amen!