The word “invasion” seems to be doing a lot of heavy lifting at the moment. It features heavily in the rhetoric about asylum seekers. It also shows up in the titles of a few books connected to Bethel and the New Apostolic Reformation. One book is titled “Invading Babylon” whilst another is called “When Heaven invades earth”. The leading lights of NAR see our engagement as believers not just as spiritual warfare but as a spiritual invasion. This is how we bring in God’s kingdom.
One foundational texts for this are first Jesus’ words “I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it”, then second the bit of the Lord’s prayer which says “your will be done on earth as in Heaven.”
With regards to “the gates of Hell”, Bill Johnson says:
“I was not left on planet earth to be in hiding waiting for Jesus’ return. I am here as a military representative of heaven. The Church is on the attack. That’s why it’s the gates of hell, the place of demonic government and strength, WILL NOT PREVAIL against the Church.”[1]
The theme of taking the battle to the Gates of Hell is picked up significantly in the book, Invading Babylon. Take for example this quote from Lance Wallnau.
The Church must be represented in each sphere if the power of darkness is to be broken. It is the Church alone that has spiritual authority to come against the gates of hell.[2]
The assumption seems to be that because the gates of Hell are described, in Jesus’ words this must indicate an attacking posture. The battle is at the gates, so if it’s Hell’s gates, then that’s where we are laying siege. However, there is a problem with this thinking. You see, Jesus first talks about building his church on a rock. If the imagery of gates leads us to think of Hell as a city with walls, so too might the foundation and building imagery, coupled to Revelations portrayal of the Church as “The New Jerusalem” lead us to think of the Churhc as a city. The point is not to second guess who is invading who but to recognise that if the Church is founded on the Gospel of Christ then it will be faithful and secure, ultimately, even in the face of the fiercest attacks it will not be overcome. We should not attempt to over interpret and apply picture language.
The second foundation comes from Jesus’ teaching on prayer. What does it mean when Jesus teaches us to say “your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”? Johnson says:
“This is the primary focus for all prayer—if it exists in heaven, it is to be loosed on earth. It’s the praying Christian who looses heaven’s expression here. When the believer prays according to the revealed will of God, faith is specific and focused. Faith grabs hold of that reality. Enduring faith doesn’t let go. Such an invasion causes the circumstances here to line up with heaven. The critics of this view sarcastically say, So I guess we’re supposed to pray for streets of gold. No! But our streets should be known for the same purity and blessing as heaven—“Let our cattle bear without mishap and without loss, let there be no outcry in our streets!”7 Everything that happens here is supposed to be a shadow of heaven. In turn, every revelation that God gives us of heaven is to equip us with a prayer focus.”[3]
Johnson’s understanding is that Heaven on Earth is about moments when there is a substantial and significant experience of God’s supernatural powers here on earth through signs and wonders such as healing. Later in the book, talking about miraculous signs in Capernaum during Jesus’ ministry, he writes:
“The anointing in Capernaum was so great that some translations say they were exalted to heaven. Could He be saying that the miracle realm around them was so great that it made their city the most like heaven of any city on earth? If so, Capernaum became, for a brief season, the example of——on earth as it is in heaven. They made room for His great work, but never made the adjustment in their lives to make it their main focus.[4]
It is worth getting the fuller context of that phrase, “exalted to heaven” to understand what is actually going on. It’s from the bit where Jesus declares woes on the cities of Galilee. Luke 10:15 says:
15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades!
Whilst some versions such as the KJV have it as a statement that Capernaum is exalted, most take it as a question, as with the Christian Standard Bible cited above. Note, though, however interpreted, that this has nothing whatsoever to do with experience of the supernatural in a place, it isn’t to do with feelings and atmosphere. Rather, as the language of exaltation v descent suggests, this is to do with status. Capernaum may be proud, whether because of its own perceived status or because of Jesus making the town his headquarters but it is not going to be exalted to the status oi a heavenly city, it is going to be demoted from life and blessing to death and curse.
Returning to the Lord’s prayer, it is worth paying attention to the point that at no point does Jesus talk in terms of “Heaven” coming to earth. Indeed, the closest we come to such a suggestion is the description of the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem coming down at the end of Revelation. The point rather is that heaven is the seat of God’s throne, his rule and reign. So, there is where God’s rule and law are established. The prayer is that his rule will be extended throughout the earth, in other words that people will turn from their sin in obedience to God. This happens as the Great Commission mandate is fulfilled, disciples are made and baptised who are taught to obey everything Jesus has commended.
Bethel theology is based on shaky foundations. It requires the taking of a few verses out of context and misapplying them.
[1] Johnson, Bill. When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles (p. 182). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition.
[2] Wallnau, Lance; Johnson, Bill. Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate (p. 67). Destiny Image, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
[3] Johnson, Bill. When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles (p. 64). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition.
[4] Johnson, Bill. When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles (p. 142). Destiny Image. Kindle Edition.
Faithroots 