A Long Time From Now in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Science fiction movies portray intelligent life already living on other planets and in other galaxies. Could it be true? If not, then why did God create such a vast universe?

Do you recognize the title above? If you've seen any of the Star Wars episodes there are scrolling words at the beginning of the movie. But they aren't the same as the words above! The movie's introduction actually says, "A long time ago , in a galaxy far, far away..." But think about those words for a minute. Have you ever wondered if something is going on in some distant galaxy? Could there really be people (or aliens) living out there, as suggested by science fiction? If so, did they already have advanced civilizations a long time ago, before we human beings on earth did?

Exploring the unknown

There is something in us that makes us wonder what might be on other worlds far from our earthly home. People want to explore things that are unknown, distant and mysterious. Did you know that the desire to search out the unknown and to live into the future is something God actually put into the hearts of human beings?

"Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end" (Ecclesiastes 3:11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
See All...). God's creation is so immense and awesome, and man wants to learn its deepest secrets, but he cannot.

Even what he does know through modern technology is still miniscule compared to what is unknown.

There is an old saying, "Truth is stranger than fiction." And the truth about the purpose for this vast universe—as well as what really will happen far in the future—is more fantastic than any science fiction plot! Can you imagine a long, long time from now—let's say a billion years—in a galaxy far, far away... and you being there? You should! Because you could be there at that time! Let's look at some facts that the very Creator of all these galaxies has revealed to us earthlings.

According to plan

God created the whole universe—every galaxy, star, planet, moon and atom. And He created it all with a fantastic plan in mind. It did not evolve of its own accord, and neither did the life-forms within it (see RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 4:11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
See All... ; Isaiah 40:26Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
See All...; 42:5; Genesis 1).

This planet—this earth—is where God roughly 6,000 years ago created very special life-forms now called human beings. And of all the creatures God made, He fashioned them in His own form and image (Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
See All... -27). God made human beings with the ability to have children, who would naturally be born in the same form and image as their parents.

So why did God create people in His own image? He did so because He planned for them to one day become members of His own divine God family!

About 2,000 years ago the Creator Himself came down to the earth to live as a man. He did so in order to be killed, to pay for human sins, to make it possible for people to become immortal and live with God as a member of His family forever. But did this same great sacrifice happen again, somewhere else?

Or did it happen only once , and for all? Read Hebrews 9:11-12 [11] But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
[12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

See All..., 1 Peter 3:18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
See All..., and Romans 6:9-10 [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
[10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

See All... for the answer. Didn't it therefore happen only on this unique planet?

Of all the countless billions of planets God has made, to which of them is the Creator returning to set up His Kingdom, and to live upon and reign forever? Read Matthew 24:30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
See All... and RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 1:5-8 [5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
[6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
[7] Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
[8] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

See All.... Can you reign on the earth too, with Christ our Creator?

See RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 5:9-10 [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

See All..., Daniel 2:44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
See All... and 7:14, 18, 22, 27.

But what about God the Father? Will He remain up in heaven forever? What does 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
[24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

See All... say? Doesn't even the Father Himself come down to live on this planet, where Christ has set up His Kingdom?

RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 21–22 shows that God will one day make the earth a "new earth" and then an enormous new city will descend upon it. And what is the name of the city? It is a capital city.

Originally a capital in ancient history, it still is today—and it will be the world capital during the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of Christ. But notice what is described in these chapters about the incredible size of this city after the Millennium, when its new form is set upon the new earth.

Think bigger

So the earth will become and remain the capital or headquarters of God's Kingdom. But does all life then remain only on the earth for all eternity? Speaking of this Kingdom, Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical., and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
See All... says, "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." This passage allows for the expansion of God's Kingdom to other planets, star systems and galaxies!

Could it be that God intends to plant life out there beyond the earth, like planting seeds in a vast garden? (See Isaiah 45:18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
See All...; 51:16.) Is such an expansion of His Kingdom part of what God wants to place under our care? (Note Hebrews 2:5-8 [5] For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
[6] But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
[7] Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
[8] Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

See All... and Romans 8:18-22 [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
[19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
[20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
[21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
[22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

See All....)

If so, there is certainly plenty of room to grow. Astronomers estimate that there are more galaxies than the number of people who have ever lived and died through all human history! That would mean—in terms of numbers—perhaps a galaxy per person!

As spirit beings capable of instantaneous travel from any point to another, it would not be difficult for us to oversee other galaxies where God's Kingdom could be planted—even though our home base will always be this earth. By then you and I will be spirit beings in the family of God and will shine as brightly as the sun (Matthew 13:43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
See All...).

Although we don't know the exact details of how God's Kingdom will continue to expand, we do know that His Kingdom is sure to come. It will happen!

In the meantime, what can you do besides dream? If you have grown up in the truth of God or are now beginning to understand the scriptural teachings presented in Vertical Thought, it is likely that you are one of the few people in this world being called by God at this time to prepare for the return of Christ and the beginning of His Kingdom. And God's directive in this case is that you "make your own calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
See All... -11). God will give those of us who respond to Him now the opportunity to teach and serve others in the future. Imagine teaching your classmates, cousins or even ancestors God's truth!

What else can you do? You should start thinking bigger! Being different from your peers now is nothing compared to what your future holds! (Romans 8:18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
See All...). Do everything now with pleasing God in mind. He is the One whose plans include you—and perhaps seeing you one day actually going to that galaxy far, far away... VT