As in Heaven So Also On Earth

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as in heaven“

What I find intriguing is that the English translations of this prayer reverse heaven and earth. What I mean is that in the Greek, it reads, “As in heaven so also on earth.” The entire phrase reads, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done as in heaven so also on earth.”

Is there a difference between saying “on earth as in heaven” compared to “as in heaven so on earth”? I’m not sure. But I kinda like sticking with the original language. I like the idea that we start with heaven as the baseline, and all that is wrong in our world is being transformed by the power of God into becoming what God intended the world to be.

This is a restoration project. This is a revolution.

When God created the heavens and the earth, it was good. But sinned marred God’s creation. The kingdom Jesus ushers in launches the restoration project. The cross of Jesus marks the beginning of the revolution. One day, everything as in heaven will also be on earth. All that is possible because of what God does through his Son Jesus Christ.

Karl Barth said that heaven is the place where God’s will is perfectly done.

That will be reality one day.

For now, every time you and I trust and obey we establish a little more of heaven here on earth. Heaven is not something we have to wait until we die to experience. We get to experience and taste heaven each time we trust and obey. Trust and obedience lays down another brick in the kingdom establishment project.

When we pray “As in heaven so also on earth,” we are asking God to turn everything upside down and inside out, including us until this earth mirrors heaven.

That is a revolutionary prayer.

Yes, God. “As in heaven, so also on earth.”

Amen.