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 3:11 Ecclesiastes 3:11He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.
American King James Version×). 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 Revelation 4:11 Revelation 4:11You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.
American King James Version×; Isaiah 40:26 Isaiah 40:26Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who has created these things, that brings out their host by number: he calls them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one fails.
American King James Version×; 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 1:26 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 creeps on the earth.
American King James Version×-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 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.
American King James Version×, 1 Peter 3:18 1 Peter 3:18For Christ also has 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:
American King James Version×, and Romans 6:9-10 Romans 6:9-10 [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he lives, he lives to God.
American King James Version×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 24:30 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.
American King James Version×and Revelation 1:5-8 Revelation 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. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, [6] And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. [7] Behold, he comes 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, said the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
American King James Version×. Can you reign on the earth too, with Christ our Creator?

See Revelation 5:9-10 Revelation 5:9-10 [9] And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [10] And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
American King James Version×, Daniel 2:44 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.
American King James Version×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 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. [24] Then comes 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.
American King James Version×say? Doesn't even the Father Himself come down to live on this planet, where Christ has set up His Kingdom?

Revelation 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 9:7 Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
American King James Version×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 45:18 Isaiah 45:18For thus said the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
American King James Version×; 51:16.) Is such an expansion of His Kingdom part of what God wants to place under our care? (Note Hebrews 2:5-8 Hebrews 2:5-8 [5] For to the angels has 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 you are mindful of him? or the son of man that you visit him? [7] You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and did set him over the works of your hands: [8] You have 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.
American King James Version×and Romans 8:18-22 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 waits 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 has 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 groans and travails in pain together until now.
American King James Version×.)

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 13:43 Matthew 13:43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.
American King James Version×).

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 1:10 2 Peter 1:10Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
American King James Version×-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 8:18 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.
American King James Version×). 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