“But brother Roberts, these things are not in the church that I go to!”

Then you’re not in a church, my friend, you’re in a club!

Notice the rest of this verse: “And God hath set… in the church… gifts of healings, helps, governments and DIVERSITIES OF TONGUES.”

Roberts Liardon tells us that the word “diversities” here means: different kinds of tongues. There are different types of tongues that do different things.

Roberts Liardon tells us that one guy said to me, “We have diversity of tongues in our church. We’ve got some Russians that speak in Russian. We’ve got some French and they speak some French and we’ve got some Hispanics and they speak in Spanish.”

That’s not what this verse is talking about at all! The term “diversities of tongues” here is referring to the various kinds of utterances that bubble up from within your spirit by the supernatural power of God.

Roberts Liardon tells us when a public tongue comes like that, there is to be an interpretation every time so that everyone in the room can understand. (1 Cor 14:27-28) When you have a nice, marijuana smoking sinner in the church, he should not be left saying to himself, “What in the world was that?”

“But Pastor Roberts, if an unbeliever comes into the church and they hear someone speaking in tongues, won’t they think you’re crazy?”

No. Tongues is a sign to those who aren’t saved, as well as to those who haven’t received the fullness of Holy Spirit yet. First Corinthians 14:22 says:

‘Wherefore tongues are a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.” 1 Cor 14:22 (KJV)

Roberts Liardon tells us that some churches are embarrassed about the gift of tongues and the gift of the interpretation of tongues so they push them over into a corner. Don’t ever be afraid that tongues and interpretation will spook your visitors. Tongues is a sign to them. Usually, the people that get upset about tongues in the assembly are Christians, not sinners! It’s true that there are times when tongues should not be the forefront activity in a service, but you should never be embarrassed about it either. In 1 Cor 14:39 Paul said, “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.” Paul also said, “I thank God I pray in tongues more than you all…” (1 Cor 14:18) That means Paul prayed in tongues a whole lot and he was not ashamed of it.

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. “And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

Roberts Liardon tells us that when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6 (NKJ)

Sometimes, when I read about the way Paul lived in the book of Acts, I think, “Lord, that sounds so exciting.” Paul found this group of disciples, which means he didn’t know they were there.

Roberts Liardon tells us that because these men believed in John’s preaching, they easily received what Paul had to say about the Holy Spirit. Notice that it was important to Paul to make sure that these disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t an afterthought, the first thing he said to them was, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you have believed?” (Acts 19:2)

 “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the did rent;” (Matt. 27:51)

Roberts Liardon tells us that we are all familiar with the veil that hung in the Old Testament temple as a separation between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The veil of separation alienated man from the very presence of God. Why was there a veil? It was there because the Old Testament person could not stand in the glory of God. Only the High Priest could enter beyond the veil and he could only do it once a year. The High Priest would go through rites of cleansing and purification as he prepared himself to enter into the holy of holies. This day on the Jewish calendar was the most important day of the year as the High Priest offered sacrifices on behalf of the Jewish people.  

Roberts Liardon tells us that the Most Holy Place was the place where one man had access to the glory of God. That one man had to prepare himself in a very special way as he entered into this holy place. If not, he would die. When Christ died that veil was rent in two symbolizing that there is now free and total access into the presence of God for all irregardless of their condition. No longer are there secret processes for a single man to get into the glory. 

I realized something that when I taught about being in the glory and being in the Spirit, that there was something that I missed in my teaching. As preachers we often give the impression that in order to be in the Spirit and to experience the glory, we must discover the secret staircase to the presence of God. We give the impression that the glory of God is for only certain people who have reached that special place and they are the ones that hold the keys. Through our preaching we have made it a difficult process for people to experience God. Some of this we get from the Catholic mystics. In Madame Guyon’s writing on experiencing the presence of God she lays out a whole process that one has to go through in order to experience God in the way that she has.

Roberts Liardon tells us that someone she had known on earth as old and gray-headed approached Marietta, but was now transformed into a strong, vigorous youth. This pilgrim described the power of God’s grace that had transformed him from one who struggled with sin and lived in a frail, mortal body to one who was redeemed from sin and death. He loudly proclaimed the worthiness of God and of Jesus when a group of tiny children joined him, holding hands and raising their voices with him in praise.

The Cross

As this song drew to an end, Marietta saw the dome above her open and a bright light descended, filled with beings even more glorious than those she had seen. Although she wanted to run from this light, her angel spoke to her, revealing that this was the glory of the cross that was descending upon her.

A cross appeared with the words “Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles” written upon it. Above the cross appeared the words “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” At the foot of the cross bowed an adoring spirit dressed in white garments. The angel then told Marietta that Jesus had allowed her to be admitted there even though she would soon have to return to earth, bearing a message of God’s love. The angel further revealed that Marietta would have a message for a young man who was still on earth and wandering in darkness.

The angel began to tell Marietta that though she felt sorrow at leaving Heaven, she would carry great riches of truth back to earth. Marietta would be able to tell others that the cross is honored in Heaven, that all humans do indeed have guardian angels who watch constantly for them, and that as Jesus’ return approached, all mankind would begin to be aware of the reality of Heaven.

Roberts Liardon tells us that after leading a hymn of praise that was beyond human comprehension, the spirit reminded Marietta that only through Christ the Redeemer could any person have the hope of Heaven. Marietta once again remembered her sins and doubts, and her spirit was saddened. She cried out that she would give everything to be able to live forever in this place of eternal peace and love.

The spirit encouraged her to be faithful to the truth she had been shown and that she, too, would know the joy of Heaven forever.

Roberts Liardon tells us that Jesus stopped, faced me, and took both my hands in one of His, placing His other hand on top of my head. He said to me, “Roberts, I am calling you to a great work. I am ordaining you to a great work. You will have to run like no one else and preach like no one else. You will have to be different from everyone else.” 

In other words, He was telling me not to copy others, not to try to fit into religious attitudes and patterns, but simply to do and be only what He wanted.

“Hard times will come,” He warned me, “but take them as stepping stones, not as stumbling blocks. Go with power and with faith. I will be beside you wherever you go. Go, Go, Go Go and do as I have done.”

Roberts Liardon tells us that the first time Jesus said, “Go,” the anointing and the fire of God began to flow from Him into me. It felt as if I were burning. Now, every time I talk about God, whether it is to one or three thousand, I am set afire all over again, just as Luke 3:16 says:

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (NIV).

God’s people, the Church, need to experience the “fire” of God, which is what burns out all the “chaff,” the impurities, in your life. Hebrews 12:29 tells us:

For our God is a consuming fire (NIV).

I cannot tell all that He said to me that day for it is too personal. However, I can say this—if you will let the fire of the Holy Spirit shoot through your being and make you pure, you will be able to walk boldly before God with a clean heart and a clear mind. You will know you can walk into His presence where you belong without being destroyed by His glory.

After praying for me and ordaining me to His work, Jesus took a step backward. I then looked down at the palms of my hands. Their appearance seemed almost as red as blood.

Roberts Liardon tells us that he said repeatedly, “I love My people so much. Why do people not take Me at My word? Do they not know that I have all power in Heaven and on earth to back up what I said? It is so easy. I made it so simple. If people will just take Me at My word, I will do what I said.” 

Then He wept even more and said, “I do not understand why people say they believe I will do something, but when it does not happen in their time, they begin to doubt My word. If they will just believe and say with confidence that I will do it, I will do it at the correct time.”

Roberts Liardon tells us that he knew that Jesus was crying because of our unbelief and lack of faith. Even though he was only eight years old, he knew what unbelief was and how it hurt Him. he made a covenant, an agreement and solemn commitment, with Jesus right then never to doubt His words, and to let God be God. Now, when he am about to think or say something filled with doubt, he remember the tears of intercession that fell from Jesus’ eyes, and I rid myself of doubt and unbelief. Unbelief slaps Jesus in the face; it is a rejection of Him. He wants us to be filled with faith—strong faith!

Jesus and I continued on together and came to a branch of the river of life. I assume there is only one river in Heaven, although there may be more; I saw only one. The river of life is described in Revelation 22:1 as being crystal bright, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. In Revelation 22:17, Jesus says that He gives the pure water from it freely to the thirsty. It purifies you and cleanses you of the contamination of the earth life and gives you strength from its source, that place where God sits and rules as King of the universe.

Roberts Liardon tells us that Jesus and he continued walking, and as we crossed some hills, he noticed other things. he saw all kinds of animals, every kind you can think of, from A to Z. Often, people have questioned the subject of animals in Heaven, but if you think about it, why should there not be animals in Heaven? The Bible talks about horses in Heaven—and why would God have only one kind of animal? The most well-known reference, of course, is regarding Jesus returning to earth on a white horse, found in Revelation 19:11. When the prophet Elijah was taken up into Heaven, a fiery horse and chariot were sent down after him.

While I was in Heaven, I saw a dog, a baby goat, and a lion of great strength. There were birds singing in the trees, all sizes of birds, and they seemed to be singing the same song. And I could understand what they were singing—there was no “communication gap.” When they stopped singing, it seemed as if they began to talk among themselves.

Roberts Liardon tells us that he receive letters from people, asking if their pets will be in Heaven? He don’t know the answer to that. You’ll have to wait and see. He will say this—if everyone’s dog, cat, parakeet, ferret, hamster, and gerbil show up, we’re going to have a lot of animals in Heaven!

There were other animals I saw at a distance, but I could not identify them. They neither ran from people nor tried to attack them. All were calm and peaceful, because fear cannot be found in Heaven. God’s presence is so strong that there is no confusion, doubt, sickness, or worry there.

Roberts Liardon tells us that “These streets were made for those who have accepted Me into their hearts. They are made for My younger brothers and sisters. You are one of My younger brothers, so enjoy them.” Jesus spoke to me on my eight-year-old level.

Along the curbs, the grass was a green that I cannot express, except to say it was the original essence and very fullness of that color. In fact, all the colors there were of such a nature that the colors here on earth seem faded in comparison to the vibrancy of Heaven. The curbs were also lined with flowers in all the colors of the rainbow, and they hummed.

No, they weren’t little Walt Disney flowers with tiny faces humming little songs! A “hum” emanated from them as they vibrated and surged with the life of God that fills Heaven. While I was looking at them, I noticed a woman coming down the street, and she practically bounced as she went along. This is because the atmosphere in Heaven has no resistance in it. There’s “no sweat” to our existence in Heaven. The closest thing that people here on earth can come to this experience is in the spirit of prayer in the spiritual realm, where they get to a place that is carefree, where the pressures of life neither control nor dominate them. There is no devil and no temptation there but a light, free, and joyful atmosphere. I found no sense of hurry in Heaven.

Roberts Liardon tells us that as we walked along, he became aware that the atmosphere of Heaven is wonderful because the fruit of the Holy Spirit energizes it. The very breezes are filled with the presence of God. Often on earth, in the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit, there is a feeling of inner warmth, of being wrapped in a blanket of God’s love. That is the way Heaven felt, only more so.

Roberts Liardon tells us that not only does the Bible promise that people will see visions, but it is filled with the testimonies of those who have had visions themselves. In Isaiah 6:1, the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. The prophets Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Zechariah, who spoke God’s Word to His exiled children, each had several visions. In Second Kings 2:11, Elisha literally saw the older prophet Elijah taken up bodily into Heaven by a chariot of fire.

Roberts Liardon tells us that the apostle John, while he was in exile upon the Island of Patmos, saw a number of spiritual visions, which have been recorded for us in the Book of Revelation. In Acts 10:9-16, the apostle Peter fell into a trance and had a vision of clean and unclean beasts. This vision came to him three times, and the Lord gave him the interpretation of it—both the Jews (the “clean”) and the Gentiles (the “unclean”) were included in God’s plan of salvation through His Son.

I believe that as time moves toward the return of Jesus, we’ll see more and more dreams, visions, and other works of the Holy Spirit. It will become even more important to know God’s Word concerning these supernatural manifestations as well as have the discernment by the Holy Spirit as to what is truly of God. The Bible speaks of the devil or satan, who always tries to produce a counterfeit of what God does. When he sees the Holy Spirit moving in a certain way, he comes up with a similar move. Much of what is called “new age” is nothing more than satan’s imitation of God’s signs, wonders, and miracles.