After The Fall Ministries
The Kingdom of Heaven
Natural vs. Spiritual
Created by Bishop A. Johnson
The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, focuses on the plan of salvation for God's children.
It’s a spiritual book written in a natural dialogue. We will study what is written in the natural while discerning its spiritual interpretations.
The focus of this study is on the kingdom of heaven. It’s divided into three parts.
The first study which we will begin with is subtitled: Natural vs. Spiritual;
The second: Responsibility;
The third: Divine Rulership.
“But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Let’s start this study with a short story.
Tom was born and raised in this world called earth. He had never been to Heaven but growing up he often heard about it. Because he had never experienced Heaven, little was factually known. As a child his parents took him to church and told him about this spiritual place called Heaven and about the God that created all that is seen and unseen. The spiritual seed of God’s Word was being planted. However, due to his environment and natural tendencies, his attention was primarily directed toward his immediate surroundings.
During Tom’s young adulthood, he experienced an adverse incident. His life took a turn for the worse. During this time, he begins to reflect on the spiritual teachings he had received in his youth. He was moved in his spirit to pray about his situation and seek guidance from the Lord. He discussed his recent experience with a close friend. His friend encouraged him and told him simply that God can do all things. That Jesus is our help in times of trouble. The friend invited Tom to attend church with him. The invitation was accepted.
While at church the alter call was given. Tom was moved in his heart to answer the call. After he accepted the call, the doors to the kingdom of heaven opened for him, marking the start of Tom’s spiritual journey.
The world, which is not a spiritual home to us, acknowledges only the physical aspects that belong to it. We all live in our physical bodies, and we are subject to engage in activities driven by our physical desires because of the sinful nature we were born with. However, humanity was not created to engage in selfish, sinful activities.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. .”
As humans we were created as spiritual/human beings. Man didn’t become a living soul until God, who is Spirit, breathe “into man” the breath of life. We are spiritual beings. However, because Adam & Eve chose death over life, the flesh (natural) over the spirit (Spiritual), humanity can only identify with the natural world ruled by sin and death.
“But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ died for us even though we were sinful.”
Our Heavenly Father never gave up on his creation. Jesus the Christ, God manifested in the flesh, was born into this world to save humanity from their sins. However, there are two scriptures that must be understood about salvation.
First. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourself it is the gift of God. Not by work so that no one can boast.
You play no role in your salvation. God’s Spirit calls you according to John 6:44; Romans 8:29. You do have the responsibility of answering the call.
Secondly. “Workout your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Once saved we have a responsibility to walk in our spiritual nature and deny the lust of our natural fleshly nature, which is also called the carnal. Once we have been saved adjustments must start to take place. We are now in the kingdom of heaven. Let’s now begin to discern the spiritual from the natural.
The first time we are introduced to this new kingdom is by John the Baptist.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
All born-again believers belong to a spiritual inward kingdom.
John the Baptist is not just speaking of repentance from our sinful nature, but from the old mindset that we were born with. That which we had learned in the natural by our five senses. In the above verse John, the Baptist is telling the Children of Israel that a new kingdom is coming on the scene. One that they are not familiar with. They're not familiar with it because it's not a natural kingdom but a spiritual one.
The people of Israel, who were God’s chosen people, had become religiously and politically minded by adding religious traditions to the Mosaic law. God’s mercy and kindness towards the people was not seen among the Pharisees and Sadducees who were the two major religious groups in Israel at that time. Pharisees were more religious minded (keeping the rituals and the traditions of the mosaic law) while the Sadducees were more politically minded and did not believe in the resurrection. Both were high-minded. Thinking more highly of their positions than their purpose. Both groups were focusing on the natural instead of the spiritual. They were divided in their religious thoughts and didn’t get along very well.
Scriptural references:
1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV; 1 John 2:15,16; Romans 5:8;
Ephesians. 2:8,9; Romans 10:9 Philippians 2:12.
Other reference:
2 Timothy 2:15; Refer. Matthews 3:1
Refer. Mark 7:7-9.
Refer. Matthew 3:4-9; Luke 20:27.
Insights
Without spiritual understanding, the Bible will always look like a natural history book. But when studied with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Scripture becomes a living revelation that reshapes our thinking, our decisions, and our entire walk with God.
You Must be Born Again
Turn to John 3:3,5,6 – Reading from the New International Version (NIV).
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish council, came to Jesus at night and said.
V.3 I know you are a teacher come from God and the miracles you do God must be with you.
Yahshua which is Hebrew for Jesus which is Latin and means the Savior. He is mentioned as a prophesied figure in the Old Testament to the Jewish people.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Isiash 9:6,7
Nicodemus knew the kingdom would be rule by God. He thought it would be restored on earth and incorporated by God’s people the children of Israel. However, he as well as all the religious rulers and the people of Israel were looking for a natural (earthly) kingdom to be restored. The earthly nation of Israel would not be declared a nation until 1948.
Introduction of the spiritual
V.5 Jesus answered, “I tell you; no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to the flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the spirit.
Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom he is speaking of is not an earthly or fleshly kingdom. You must be born again by the Spirit of God. During natural birth, humans give birth to human offspring. This isn’t the case in spiritual birth. Only the Spirit can give birth to God spiritual offspring.
V.6. The thing that has been born from the physical body is a physical body, and the thing that has been born from the Spirit is a spirit.
Jesus is letting Nicodemus know that this is a spiritual kingdom not an earthly one. In Luke 17:20-21, some Pharisees approached Jesus to inquire about the arrival of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told them they were looking for an earthly kingdom and would not find it because God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and dwells within.
This is where the spiritual and the natural man gets entangled. Once again Man was created a spiritual/human being. Once humanity fell into sin and death, the mind of humanity was plunged into the darkness of sin. The natural man could not receive the things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual mind of man was hidden in the voidness of darkness.
Refer. 1 Corinthians 2:14
“As it is written, No one is acceptable to God! Not one of them understands or even searches for God. They have all turned away and are worthless. There is no person who does right. Their words are like an open pit and their tongues are good only for telling lies. Each word is as deadly as the fangs of a snake. Their mouths are filled with nothing but cursing and bitterness. These people quickly become violent. Wherever they go they leave ruin and destruction. They don't know how to live in peace. They don't even fear God.”
Romans 3:10-18
Humans originate in a physical environment, perceiving the material world primarily through mental faculties and sensory experience. We are born into a world filled with those things that are contrary to spiritual truth, God’s Word. We are unable to comprehend God’s Word because our five senses naturally gravitate to what is seen and not to that which is unseen. The spirit of this world, evil spirits, control our five senses through the lust of the flush, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
As born-again believers: “What we have received is not from the spirit of this world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
1 Corinthians 2:12-14 BBKJV
Jesus, the Son of God died to free us from the spirit of death. To resurrect us out of darkness back into his marvelous light. To free our minds so that we may know what his good and perfect will is. To walk once again in the spiritual image and likeness that he created us in. Through grace, we have entered his Spiritual kingdom where the children of Light reside. If we believe in Jesus, who is the Word of God, the Holy Spirit will open our eyes once again to his spiritual truth.
“This is what we speak, not in the words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.”
1 Corinthians 2:13 Refer - Gal 5:16,17: Eph 2:8,9
Nicodemus, the Pharisee could not understand the spiritual kingdom of heaven that John the Baptist spoke of because he was still focused on the natural earthly kingdom. Jesus says that to receive the Spirit and understand God's Word, one must be born again.
This applies to us today. To understand the Bible's spiritual meaning, we must be born again. Our language and focus have changed. We have entered a new spiritual dimension. We no longer focus on the things of this world but on spiritual heavenly things. The Holy Spirit is our teacher. He guides us daily to understand the kingdom.
Refer - Col 3:2; John 14:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:15-17
You must be born again of the Spirit. We are now individuals capable of viewing life from a more comprehensive spiritual perspective, extending beyond its natural or material dimensions. Our five senses are not the primary means of navigation through life anymore. We are now discerners of spiritual things that dwell in the kingdom of heaven. We must never forget and continue to remember that the kingdom of heaven now once again lives within you if you’ve been born again.
Refer – Luke 17:21; 1 Cor 6:19,20
Insights
Without spiritual understanding, the Bible will always look like a natural history book. But when studied with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Scripture becomes a living revelation that reshapes our thinking, our decisions, and our entire walk with God.
Let’s review.
We were created spiritual human beings.
Genesis 1:26,27
Because of disobedience to God’s Word, humanity lost the power (authority, dominion) on the earth. The spirit of eternal life was removed, and death entered the heart and mind of humanity. The earth is now ruled by evil spirits.
Genesis 2:15,16; Romans 3:10; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12
God had a plan to redeem humanity back to himself. Grace would replace the law, and faith would be the prerequisite needed to enter God’s calling.
Ephesians. 2:8,9
To enter God's kingdom, one must be born of the Spirit.
John 3:5
Once we are born again of the Spirit, we must free our minds from the natural lifestyle that we once lived in. Our minds must be transformed into a spiritual mindset.
Romans 12:1,2; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 2:12
Insights
Without spiritual understanding, the Bible will always look like a natural history book. But when studied with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Scripture becomes a living revelation that reshapes our thinking, our decisions, and our entire walk with God.
Our next study will be “Responsibility” in the kingdom of heaven.
Sermons / Teachings
FAQ
What is After The Fall Ministries?
After The Fall Ministries is a Christ-centered life coaching ministry dedicated to encouraging, uplifting, and guiding individuals through life’s challenges. Our goal is to help you restore hope, deepen your faith, and walk confidently in God’s purpose for your life.
What types of coaching do you offer?
We provide:
- One-on-One Coaching – Personalized sessions tailored to your spiritual and personal journey.
- Group Coaching – Supportive group sessions for encouragement and shared growth.
- Prayer & Spiritual Guidance – Sessions focused on connecting with God, overcoming obstacles, and building faith.
Who can benefit from your services?
Anyone seeking encouragement, spiritual guidance, or a fresh start in life can benefit. Our ministry is especially helpful for those experiencing:
- Life transitions or setbacks
- Loss or grief
- Low confidence or self-doubt
A desire to grow spiritually and personally
Are your sessions faith-based?
Yes. All our coaching is rooted in biblical principles and guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ. We integrate scripture, prayer, and spiritual encouragement into each session to help you grow holistically.
How do I schedule a session?
You can schedule a session by:
- Filling out the contact form on our website
- Sending an email to [your email]
- Calling us at [your phone number]
- We also offer virtual sessions if you are unable to attend in person.
How long is a typical coaching session?
Sessions typically last 45–60 minutes, depending on your needs. We also offer flexible options for follow-up or extended sessions.
Do you provide confidential support?
Absolutely. All coaching sessions are confidential, providing a safe and trusting environment for you to share openly.
What is your approach to life coaching?
Our approach combines:
- Biblical guidance – Using scripture and prayer to inspire and guide
- Practical strategies – Actionable steps to overcome challenges
- Encouragement and accountability – Supporting your growth and transformation
Is there a cost for your services?
Costs vary depending on the type of coaching session. Contact us to discuss your needs, and we will work with you to find a plan that fits your situation. Some spiritual guidance and prayer support are offered at no charge.
Can I attend if I’m not currently a Christian?
Yes. While our coaching is Christ-centered, we welcome anyone seeking encouragement, guidance, and personal growth, regardless of faith background.
“After The Fall Ministries helped me find hope when I felt completely lost. The coaching and encouragement I received gave me the strength to move forward and trust God’s plan for my life.”
— Angela M.
“I never realized how much I needed guidance until I connected with After The Fall Ministries. Their Christ-centered approach helped me rebuild my confidence and faith.”
— James T.
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