Penthouse or Basement? The Spiritual Realm is Topsy-Turvy

Am I dreaming? The sign outside the skyscraper reads: "Spiritual Realm." I hurry straight to the elevator. "Up, please," I tell the operator.

She looks confused? "Up? You want to go up?"

"Certainly!" I swallow my annoyance. "To the top." The elevator starts ascending rapidly. I fidget.

"Isn't it getting stuffy in here?" I remark.

She shrugs. "Yeah. A/C cuts off past the 30th floor." Ding! "Penthouse." As the doors open, a rush of heat invades the elevator.

I scream, "Shut it, quick!" Just before the doors close, I notice the sign: SATAN CORPORATION--and just below it: HERE YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE.

We fall rapidly. In moments the A/C kicks back on.

"I don't understand. I thought God would be at the top, but it's Satan. What gives?"

"Didn't you check the directory in the lobby?" the operator answers. "God's offices are in the basement."

"The basement?"

"Yup. Offices here are assigned according to hubris."

"Hubris? I'm not familiar with the term."

"It means 'wanton arrogance resulting from excessive pride.'"

"I see. So because God and His associates are low in hubris..."

"...they're in the basement."

"I get it. If you want to go up--really up..."

"You gotta to go down, but anyone unwilling to go down--well, then there's no place but up. Here we are: bottom floor."

The opening doors admit a cool, fragrant breeze. The sign on the opposite wall reads, GOD & SON, UNLIMITED, and the line below: HERE YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED. I step out of the elevator, hoping I never wake up.

Copyright ©2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

---

Miracles

It is my personal view that the reason we call... Read More

A Crash Course In Tarot For Newbies #1 - All About the Cards

The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool, but it... Read More

Creating Our Own Emotional Chaos

It's amazing how - even when we're working from a... Read More

How To Unleash The Power Of Prayer

But my God shall supply all your need according to... Read More

Attachment - Bondage or Moha - Their Role in Gaining Enlightenment

Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More

Soulstretch: Raising the Bar on Nobility and Nicety

In the make-believe world, too, fiction and films are filled... Read More

Unfinished Business (Part 1)

Most of life can be said to be bad, or... Read More

Lucky Charms and Talismans

Many of you already own several lucky charms or talismans.... Read More

The Abundant Life!

Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in... Read More

Whatd We Miss?

Did we just overlook the amount of love that God... Read More

It Took a Banker to Show Me What Jesus Was Talking About

On January 13th 1982 an Air Florida flight crashed off... Read More

The Meaning of Life

Recently I was watching a re-run of "Everybody Loves Raymond".... Read More

Who Are You Really?

You are a spiritual being. You recognize something in you... Read More

Christening and Baptism Favor Ideas

Baptism and christening ceremonies are an important event that signifies... Read More

Terrorists Again - 14 Prayers to Protect Your Family

In the last 2 weeks or so, I have been... Read More

Spiritual Prosperity

You will become as great as your dominant aspiration...If you... Read More

Salvation: The Divine Imperative

Of the many individuals who were touched through the ministry... Read More

Beware of the Lobby Lizards

Our church is infested with lobby lizards. They crawl around... Read More

God Is Waiting To Bless Me

In the year 2000, I went on a mission trip... Read More

Anamchara - Living The Real Life

"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught... Read More

Universal Meaning of Celtic Knotwork

In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More

A Meaningful Relationship That is Not Yukky

Good morning Roy, good morning JosethWhat about me, were do... Read More

I Helped Exorcize a Spirit

Actually I have 'helped' exorcize spirits more than once but... Read More

How Shall We Then Live?

Qohelet had grown old with time when he delivered his... Read More

Releasing the Yoke

When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More

De-Materialization #2

My lady Lydia was a Hawkins of the ancestry of... Read More

Pray Without Ceasing

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More

What The Bleep is All This Quantum Physics Stuff About?

"Quantum Physics is the science of gods? Newtonian Physics is... Read More

The Winds of Change

Humanity is entering a very critical time in its path... Read More

Be Aware of the Supreme Deceiver (Part 1)

One cannot read the account of Benhadad and Hazael in... Read More

Faith and Repentance Basics

As I listen with pastors and preachers in the body... Read More

A Dozen Facts of Life

1. Life is a precious gift given to us by... Read More

Be Still - You?ve Got To Be Kidding?

Be still, and know that I am God; I will... Read More