Do believers go up to heaven after the earth passes away, or does heaven come down to earth?
Scripture teaches that the common idea of believers going up to heaven after the earth passes away is incorrect. Instead, heaven is going to come down on earth. The promised Kingdom, over which Christ will rule, will be here on the earth, as requested in the Lord's prayer: 'Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.'
Les explains that the average church goer or believer voices the words 'Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven' without fully understanding what they are requesting. He points out that this Kingdom, promised ever since Abraham, is the Kingdom over which Christ is offering Himself as King, and it will be here on the earth. The common idea that when the earth passes away we go up to heaven to spend eternity flies in the face of Scripture. Instead, heaven is going to come down on earth. Les directs us to Isaiah chapter 11 for graphic descriptions of this Kingdom on earth, which the twelve were instructed to pray for, and over which Christ will one day rule and reign. Isaiah 11:1 speaks of a rod coming forth out of the stem of Jesse, and out of David comes this Branch, a reference to the Messiah.