The article uniquely contrasts quantifiable modern church metrics (Barna's specific 5 indicators) with the supernatural positioning described in Ephesians 2:6-7. This unprecedented data shows how contemporary church leadership has completely inverted the biblical priority system, focusing entirely on measurable earthly metrics while ignoring eternal positioning.
Heaven's Blueprint: Church's Eternal Position Above Jerusalem Revealed
📰 What Happened
A Bible study by Jack Kelley examines the stark contrast between current church success metrics and eternal destiny. Recent Barna Group research reveals pastors' top 5 success indicators are purely earthly: attendance, giving, programs, staff size, and facility square footage. Kelley argues this earthly focus contradicts Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians 4:18 about prioritizing eternal perspectives over temporary concerns.
📖 Prophetic Significance
The 'heavenly realms' referenced in Ephesians 2:6-7 specifically indicates a position above Jerusalem, the city God chose for His name. The Barna survey's five earthly metrics demonstrate how modern church leadership has lost sight of this geographic and spiritual reality. This positioning above Jerusalem is significant because it places the glorified Church in a strategic location for Christ's millennial reign, where we will serve as co-regents over the restored capital of the Messianic Kingdom.