TRAINING FOR ETERNITY

Paul Billheimer has an interesting view of prayer: It’s really on-the-job training to rule the universe with God.

In his book Destined for the Throne, Billheimer says God is preparing Christians to be the “bride of Christ” (Revelation 19:7) when Christ returns.  Our life on earth is our preparation time.

Jesus’ many references to prayer show how important it is that we work with God to bring about his purposes on earth, Billheimer says.

But Billheimer goes further. 

We are, in fact, united with Christ (Romans 6:5) and are already seated with him in a spiritual sense in heaven (Ephesians 2:6).  We are “destined for the throne” as Billheimer says. We have been given authority to enforce in the world around us Christ’s victory on the cross (Matthew 16:19). Prayer is the means for doing this.

In 1John 3:8, the apostle John writes: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”  Billheimer says it is our work, too.

“This world is a laboratory in which those destined for the throne are learning, by actual practice in the prayer closet, how to overcome Satan and his hierarchy,” the author says.

“God designed the program of prayer as an apprenticeship for eternal sovereignty with Christ.”

Billheimer’s book has become a modern classic, endorsed by such people as Billy Graham.

His book offers yet another powerful reason to pray.