When Heaven Invades Earth

– A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles

Bill Johnson

Published 2003 Treasure House

Reviewed by David Collins

Bill Johnson has become a significant voice in contemporary Christendom, particularly among those whose hope and vision is for a miracle working Church in these last days. Bill is now a regular visitor to New Zealand, and has influenced pastors and leaders to “realign” their churches to become expressions of ‘the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven’.

In the opening chapter of When Heaven Invades Earth, Bill writes that the company of people who have joined this quest for an authentic gospel – the gospel of the kingdom – is increasing. Our mandate is simple: raise up a generation that can openly display the raw power of God. So with such statements, Bill Johnson sets the tone of his book.

Throughout, Bill tells stories of miracles and the ordinary people God has used . . . these are ‘today’ stories, mostly of people from his home congregation in California, and lend considerable credibility to a book that could well have been written by any biblical theorist. However, theory is definitely not what this pastor and author is about!

The first few chapters present the argument for miracles in the 21st century Church. Among my favourite quotes from these early chapters:

Jesus became the model for all who would embrace the invitation to invade the impossible in his name . . . he chose to live with the same limitations than man would face once he was redeemed.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” . . . Repentance means you change your way of thinking – it is not complete until it envisions his kingdom. To change our way of thinking until the presence of the kingdom fills our consciousness.

 Faith is a type of sight – the ability to see from the heart a realm the natural eye can’t see – the realm of the kingdom . . . “Faith comes from hearing” (NB not ‘Faith comes from having heard’). That is, a present, now exercise of our senses – a relationship.

 Jesus’ model prayer reveals the only two real priorities of prayer: first, intimacy with God that is expressed in worship – “holy is your name”. And second, to bring his kingdom to earth, establishing his dominion over the needs of mankind – “Your kingdom come”.

The latter chapters challenge the church in power (chapter 10) do not make excuses for powerlessness, anointing (chapter 12) supernatural things happen when we walk in the anointing, identity (chapter 13) while most of the Church is still trying to become as Jesus was, the Bible declares, “As he is, so are we in this world.”, attitude (chapter 14) I don’t care what the devil plans to do. The Great Commission puts me on the offensive, and position (chapter 15) being in a place of great need enables a person to detect when God is doing something new – every Christian is supposed to maintain a desperate heart for God.

In the final chapter of When Heaven Invades Earth, Bill Johnson gives us a partial list of things . . . yet to be fulfilled. Ten promises or purposes of God to which the Church is still coming. It’s an exciting future that is painted for us here, however, Bill’s king-hit in this concluding chapter is to tell us the following. It’s important to understand God’s promise and purpose for the Church so that we might become dissatisfied – so we will become desperate. Intercession from insatiable hunger moves the heart of God as nothing else can.