Understanding the realms of the ethereal world can show us that spirits are not necessarily confined to an afterlife far, far away or trapped in some other plane of existence. Consider this: Angels live all around us. They exist in spirit as enlightened beings in our midst.
Let's think more about the angelic presences in the here and now.
"...that which is to be has already been." (Ecclesiastes 3:15)
There is much that this quote from the Bible may reveal to us. We can draw some clues about the realms of angels, how angels live, based upon this old Hebrew passage. Allow us to first pose a question: What if the things we see with our eyes already exist in the unseen? If the world around us is only one plane of existence, who is to say there are not multiple planes or levels of higher consciousness that we cannot see? And if multiple planes of existence are possible, allow us to suggest that this world exists on at least two levels: One which we might call the Spirit (invisible) realm, and the other we call the earth (visible) realm. The passage from Ecclesiastes might suggest that the invisible is within us and everywhere, energizing all that is, indicating that everything must have existed first in the unseen world before the physical world, and anything in it, appeared. This, we might suppose, is where angels live - angels being a term we use for loving spirits who come from the light (a higher level or world). These angels live and interact with us daily. Allow us to clarify this supposition a bit further.
We would propose that when we are living our lives on the earth, we are also acting out our lives in the unseen, Spirit world (plane) at the same time. We interact within both worlds simultaneously. What we see here, must also be true, to some extent, in the world which we do not yet see. This is where enlightened beings, who some might dub "angels," live among us. They are spirits, benevolent guides and observers.
If our theory is true, then, how we view or perceive life can be elevated to a higher place of comprehension. Our understanding can change for the better. If we should raise our thinking in this world, then we consequently are elevating it in the spirit, or at a higher level of energy, it would appear. This unified energy comprises all that truly exists: people, animals, plants, things, etc. Can we even begin to grasp the implications of that idea in regards to eternity? Could our thoughts decide where we find ourselves within the various planes or levels of existence? It's been said that we walk with angels, meaning what?
"Neither can they die any more: for they areequal unto the angels and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection." (Luke 20:36)
This passage is talking about human beings being transformed, and when changed, equated with angels. When we awaken to the understanding of our eternal spirit, we are no longer dead to this truth but resurrected mentally. We are "equal unto the angels" (translated "angelic"), meaning we are enlightened and elevated, or raised, in consciousness - our awareness. Angels live...yes, around us; some are unseen and some seen.
In the diagram at left, we make what may be a feeble attempt to convey the earthly realm as being primarily in a state of darkness or lack of understanding when we consider the mind-set of those walking the earth. Many are unaware of their inner connection to everyone and everything. To correspond with this physical idea, the energy or spirit realm would have a place of darkness, also. We would call this state of mind "hell."
Let us view eternity as a spring, though such a picture is a bit limiting. We can see time as a series of events that unfold. What if the events wound 360 degrees and came back again, but only elevated with respect to the enlightenment of the whole of humanity? Could this also be the meaning behind "that which is to be has already been." The trips of time bring eternal understanding - knowledge of the truth of who we are!
In this scenario, life would come back again and in a sense repeat itself in order to accomplish a common goal: enlightenment of the mass of mankind. All of us, being on a journey, would be at different states of understanding, and some of us would be capable of reaching back and assisting those who were behind us on the path. Those who do so, angels would use their understanding to illuminate the road behind them for a higher consciousness of mankind. In a sense, the past is brought full-circle to the present. Life is about learning lessons. The angels live among us in order to help guide and teach.
As mankind progresses, there will come a time, when time itself will end. The lower levels of hell and darkness will no longer prevail within the mind of humanity. At that time, we will awaken to the truth that this short existence upon the earth were but a dream - at times, a nightmare compared to what we now know. Life is simply a journey. Our trips upon the earth, the lower levels, have a purpose. Embrace them.
The human journey is one of ever learning, ever perceiving the truth of our being and oneness with each other. This ever-ascending, ever-expanding whole of humanity - life, what some may call "God," reaches into the highest heavens of light and to no end. It is the light that is ever expanding.
The experience of shared love, joy and peace will only be magnified and expressed - shared. That is the purpose of the angels, truly our realm of which we are journeying upward. Those in spirit around us not only help us but learn from us, too. These angels in spirit live as part of us, experiencing what they need to see and hear in order to continue to elevate. There can be no separation; angels are a picture of the whole of humanity. Our journey of oneness, exploration and knowledge that will never cease. This is life. Where do angels live? Everywhere.
Think about this Bible passage in light of what you just read:
"...we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses." (Hebrews 12:1)