BEAM ME UP, SCOTTIE

Almost everyone at some time has either watched Star Trek, or has seen pictures or articles about this program that first came to the television screen in 1966.  It has held its popularity for thirty years.

Why?  It looks toward a future in which humankind has achieved world peace and equality for all.  Captain James Kirk of the Enterprise made the statement, “There are always possibilities.” 

A statement like that may be the reason the program has held such an appeal for people all these years.

One of several technical items used on the early programs was similar to our cellular flip phones.  In 1966 this was a possibility; today it is a fact.  The one thing that still holds fascination for today’s “Trekkies” was the transport room where Captain Kirk, or Spock’s voice was heard from the surface of a planet saying, “Beam me up, Scottie”.  Then we would first see the beams of light that transformed into the actual person.  People in their living rooms across the country would breathe a sigh of relief, “Whew, they made it," as the outline, then the body of a crew member appeared out of the light.

For a Christian, this is not just “possibilities”, but is an absolute.  When we are obedient to God, we are constantly being transformed into God’s likeness. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  (2 Cor. 3:18)

 It is not in the realm of science fiction that we are being transformed from the darkness of the unknown, into the light of God.  We are chosen and belong to God and it is the realm of spiritual reality that we are changed into the whole person. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”  (I Pet. 2: 9)   He called us out of the darkness, much like the crew of the Enterprise.  They would leave the dark of the unknown planet and suddenly find themselves in the wonderful light and safety of their ship.

In the book of Psalms, we find the writers (sons of Korah) calling out to God to send the light to them so they could be transported to the place where He dwells.  “Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.”  (Ps. 43:3)  The light of God shines out like a beacon and the truth is revealed to those who are calling out to him.  Once the Truth is revealed, there is a deep longing to draw closer to God; to know him better.

Once we are transformed by the light, we must let others see it in us, so they will also long to know our heavenly Father.  Matt. 5:16 explains this.  “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  There is a light that shines from the born again believer who communes with the Lord and walks in obedience.  Like Moses, as he came down from the mountain, or when he was in God’s presence, his face shone with the Glory of God.  He wore a veil, for the people unable to look at him.  “But whenever he entered the Lord's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.” (Ex. 34: 34-35) 

Many of the things we see on television that seem to be beyond our human capabilities, are as nothing to God.  “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  (I Cor. 2: 9)  Time travel will definitely be at “warp speed”; strange and wonderful sights will await the believer and the “Glory of God” will light the Celestial City. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.  On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.  For that will be our eternal dwelling place.” (Rev. 21:23-25)    This makes Star Trek look like child’s play.

There are two ways for a Christian to gain access to this Celestial City.  The first is for these mortal bodies to die.  Now I want to tell you, that over the years, I have grown rather fond of this worn out, aging body. That’s how I feel about my body.  We’ve been through a lot together; I’m not ready to give it up yet. 

 It may come as a surprise for you to know that you are wearing a space suit; we just call them ‘bodies’.  The Bible is quite clear that we are aliens, or strangers, here on earth.  “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Heb. 1:13)

Even the Old Testament Psalmist believed that all were but visitors on earth. “Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry!  Don’t sit back, unmindful of my tears.  For I am your guest.  I am a traveler passing through the earth, as all my fathers were.” (Ps. 39:12 TLB)  It then makes sense that these ‘suits’ that allow us to live on the earth, are not fit for the kingdom of God.  Therefore, the old must pass away.

The second way to get into the Celestial City is to be taken up in the “Rapture” (meaning: a snatching away).  Even then, we must take off this earth suit and put on a new type of body.  This will happen much like you see the crew of the Enterprise transported from one place to another. However, it will be an even greater wonder, in that we will be changed into something better. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed”. (I Cor. 15:52) 

            You may wonder what your new body will be like.  As we see in the above scripture, it will be incorruptible, meaning free from physical decay.  It will also be just like the risen Savior’s, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20-21)  This means several things will happen; we’ll be able to be visible or invisible, eat food (Luke 24:36-43), pass through solid material, (John 20:26) and alter our appearance (Luke 24:13-31). 

Given a choice, most Christians would choose to be changed in “a twinkling of an eye”.  Friends, the best is yet to come; it may happen today.  “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thess. 4:16-17).  Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air, or will you be left behind?  Let us with all faith be ready to call out to him, “Beam me up, Jesus!”