In the realm of the spirit, there are three planes of existence. This is vital to understand. There are three levels in the realm of every human and spiritual experience.
1. The Valley – The Valley of the Shadow of Death
The first level is the valley level. Scripture calls it “the valley of the shadow of death.” This is the plane where humanity dwells by default. It is the condition man was born into after the fall.
Man fell.
The fall of man was not just moral failure. It was a fall in dimension. He fell from a higher plane into the valley. Scripture speaks of deliverance from “going down to the pit,” and declares, “I have found a ransom.” That ransom is Christ.
The valley is where the consequences of sin operate:
Bondage, Addiction, Sickness, Poverty, Fear, Depression, Death…
All negative human experiences trace back to this fallen plane. Sin dragged man into the valley, and in that valley, humanity began to experience everything contrary to God’s original design.
But the valley is not the end of the story.
2. The Plane of Creation – The Ground Level
The second level is what I call the plane of creation — the ground floor, ground zero.
Before the fall, man existed on this plane. In Genesis, after creation, God declared everything good. There was no sickness, no poverty, no corruption. Nothing negative existed in what God created.
This was the plane from which man fell.
If one were restored merely to this level, many valley experiences would disappear. Yet…and this is critical…Jesus did not come simply to return us to the original plane of creation.
He came to do something greater.
That is why Scripture speaks not just of creation, but of new creation.
When Christ redeemed man, He did not simply lift us from the valley back to ground level. He seated us “together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” That is the mountaintop experience.
3. The Mountain of the Lord – The Elevated Plane
The third level is the mountain of the Lord.
Throughout Scripture, mountains symbolise elevation, authority, and divine encounter. The Psalmist asks:
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place?”
The answer:
“He that has clean hands and a pure heart.”
This is the dimension of righteousness.
The mountain is not merely restoration — it is exaltation.
When Christ redeemed man, He did not simply lift us from the valley back to ground level. He seated us “together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” That is the mountaintop experience.
On the mountain:
There is authority.
There is deliverance.
There is dominion.
There is perspective.
There is righteousness.
Upon Mount Zion, Scripture says, there is deliverance and holiness…
Those on the plane of creation may not experience the corruption of sin, but those on the mountain are given authority over it. They are not merely free from sickness — they carry authority to heal. They are not merely free from bondage — they carry authority to deliver.
The mountain is the realm of spiritual authority.
Righteousness: The Ascent
Righteousness is the pathway up the mountain.
Sin pulls man into the valley.
Righteousness elevates man to the mountain.
“Righteousness exalts a nation.”
“The Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.”
Notice the language — arise. Elevation. Ascension.
Through Christ, we are given:
The abundance of grace
The gift of righteousness
Grace empowers the climb.
Righteousness establishes the position.
The Problem of Ignorance
Many believers still live like valley dwellers — not because they belong there, but because they do not know where they are seated.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
If you are in Christ, you have been delivered from the pit and seated in heavenly places. Yet ignorance keeps many striving to live as ordinary men.
You were not called to live like fallen Adam.
You were called to live like Christ.
Buried with Him.
Raised with Him.
Seated with Him.
This is an elevated plane of existence.
Holiness and Wholeness
Holiness is not merely moral purity — it is wholeness through oneness with God.
To be holy is to be aligned.
To be one with Him.
To share His perspective.
Whatever cannot be found in Christ should not define the believer’s identity.
On the mountain:
You think differently.
You see differently.
You respond differently.
“For we have the mind of Christ.”
You have changed planes.
You are no longer living from the valley.
You are no longer merely restored to creation.
You are positioned on the mountain of the Lord.
This is the elevated life.
This is the new creation experience.
This is the authority of the believer.
And the striving of the believer should not be to survive in the valley —
but to walk consciously in the mountain reality that Christ has already secured.