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Foreword
Foreword
The inspired writings of Mary Kathryn Baxter are divinely
anointed by God, and they have blessed hundreds of thousands of people. I
believe it is of utmost importance to widely disseminate the message that God
has given to her. She shares these experiences in hundreds of churches each
year, and she has now put them down in book form.
As Mary Kathryn Baxter’s pastor for several years, I know
her personally, and I fully endorse her ministry. God has placed His approval
on her work by anointing her ministry and by giving this message such a wide
acceptance.
This book is the result of many prayers, tears, and hard
work. I pray that its wide distribution will be the cause of many souls coming
to know the Lord and making preparations to spend eternity in heaven!
-T. L. Lowery, Ph.D.
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Introduction
Introduction
This book is an account of a number of true experiences I
have had with God. It is not the work of an overactive imagination or the pipe
dream of someone who hopes for something better than this life has to offer.
Heaven is a reality, and the experiences I describe in
this book are told just as they happened to me. I did not see everything there
is to see in heaven-it will take eternity to do that. I do not relate
everything I saw in heaven; even Paul did not do that. (See 2 Corinthians
12:1-4.) But I am relating all that God has told me to share.
I want to give special honor and thanks to my pastor, the
Reverend Dr. T. L. Lowery, and to his beautiful wife, Mildred, for their
support, encouragement, and valuable contributions in this endeavor. I also
would like to express my sincere gratitude for the staff of the National Church
of God and for the Reverend Marcus V. Hand for his editorial guidance on this
book. Additionally, I gratefully recognize and credit all those at Whitaker
House in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, who have been instrumental in so many
ways in making both A Divine Revelation of Heaven and A Divine Revelation of Hell
available to the reading public.
I am grateful to God who has called me to share this
message. I thank you who have strengthened and encouraged me in my God- called
ministry. God bless you all!
-Mary Kathryn
Baxter
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TO KATHRYN FROM JESUS
For this purpose you were born
To write and tell
What I have shown and told you,
For these things are faithful and true.
Your call is to let the world know
That there is a heaven, and there is a hell,
and that I, Jesus, was sent by the Father
So save them from torment
And to prepare them a place in heaven.
TO KATHRYN FROM JESUS
For this purpose you were born
To write and tell
What I have shown and told you,
For these things are faithful and true.
Your call is to let the world know
That there is a heaven, and there is a hell,
and that I, Jesus, was sent by the Father
So save them from torment
And to prepare them a place in heaven.
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Inside the Gates
God, in His infinite mercy and grace, permitted me to go
to that beautiful place called heaven. The logistics of my trip to His home and
back to earth are unclear to me, but I cannot be mistaken about the reality of
it.
How were the incomparable wonders of heaven revealed to a
mere mortal like me? Let me start at the beginning.
One night the Lord appeared to me and told me I was chosen
for a special assignment. He said, “My child, I will manifest Myself to you to
bring people out of darkness into light. I have chosen you for a purpose: you
are to write and make a record of the things that I will show and tell
you."
I submitted myself to God completely, and astounding
things began to happen. I was taken from where I was at the time and
transported into hell itself. I was aware of all five of my senses: I could
see, feel, hear, smell, and taste. Yet, this was a supernatural happening. I
realized that the impact it made on me was for a purpose.
For days after I was taken by the Lord into hell, I was
very grieved in my heart. My heart was sad and burdened because of the horrors
I saw. I had viewed the judgment of God on sin and on the people who had gone
to hell. I prayed earnestly to God and sought His comfort.
On the thirty-first night after these events began, the
power of Almighty God fell on me again. At two o’clock in the morning, a mighty
angel stood beside my bed. Jesus Christ was standing behind the angel. As I
looked on the face of the Lord standing there, He smiled at me, but He did not
say anything.
The mighty messenger of God said, “God has given me a
special mission. I am sent here to take you to heaven and to show you parts of
it."
After a moment, he spoke again, “Come and see the glory of
God!"
At once, I was supernaturally transported from my home and
found myself standing out side one of the gates of heaven with the heavenly angel.
The overwhelming beauty of what I saw around me was
breathtaking! The clothing the heavenly being wore looked like a brilliant
garment of light. The angel had triangular-shaped wings that glistened with the
colors of the rain bow. Although I wasn’t surprised, I was amazed at the
indescribable beauty of God that was evident all around.
The next thing I knew, the angel repeated an exclamation
that I would hear many times:
“Behold, the glory of God!"
The magnificent gate that stood before me in splendor was
made of a solid pearl. In awe I took in everything I could of this most
beautiful sight. At this point, I could not see the Lord anywhere, but I was
totally enraptured by the glory of heaven.
ENTERING HEAVEN
When we arrived there, two very tall angels were standing
outside the gate. Both of them wore glistening robes and had swords in their
hands. Their hair was like spun gold, and their faces gleamed with light.
The angel accompanying me moved over to speak to the two
angels guarding the gate, and I was left standing alone. In amazement, I
thought, “Oh, how glorious are the gates of heaven! How wonderful it is to see
this one for myself!" Suddenly, I realized that I was actually going to
enter into heaven.
As I watched the angels of the Lord, I could hear some of
the conversation they were having. One of them went inside the gate and
returned almost immediately with a small volume. The book had a gold cover, and
the printing inside was also in gold. It seemed to be a book about my life’s
history. My name was stamped on the cover:
Mary Kathryn Baxter
A smile of approval came over the angels’ faces. They
opened the book. They looked at each other, then said in a voice I could hear,
“She may come inside the gate."
My guiding angel escorted me through the magnificent gate
and into heaven.
Suddenly, music filled the whole atmosphere. It was all
around me. It was above me. It seemed to penetrate my very being. Wave after
powerful wave of beautiful music and singing surged across the landscape and
seemed to envelop everything and everyone.
When I stepped inside the city, amazement again took my
breath. The landscape of that in comparable city was beyond description.
Surrounding me were the most beautiful, colorful flowers I had ever seen. There
was unbelievable greenery and vegetation everywhere. Even the blooms of the
flowers seemed to be alive to the music and the singing.
Music continued to swirl about me. I seemed to be a part
of it.
It is one thing to try to describe the wonders of this
city; it is quite another to know that you will share the joy of it.
I saw some of the exuberant citizens of heaven, and they
were all dressed in robes. This Scripture came to me:
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with
the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as
a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
(Isaiah 61:10)
(Isaiah 61:10)
The happiness and joy that beamed from their faces was
beyond compare.
Heaven is a real place. It is not a figment of someone’s
imagination. In the Bible it is re corded that Jesus said,
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told
you. I go to prepare a place for you.
(John 14:1-2)
(John 14:1-2)
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Since we
as children of God have been transformed and made new by the miracle of
regeneration, and since we are now new creations in Christ, it is a joy to know
that the place where we will spend eternity is prepared by the Savior who saved
us.
Heaven is a perfect place. Since our Savior is perfect,
omnipotent, and eternal, heaven has to be a perfect place. Because He is
preparing us a place there to live with Him for all eternity, our eternal home
will be perfect, too. Nothing will ever mar any part of that heavenly abode.
There will never be anything allowed to enter heaven to defile it or spoil it.
But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an
abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
(Revelation 21:27)
(Revelation 21:27)
Heaven is beyond the reach of sin and sinners of every
kind and description. Satan will be forever barred from that heavenly place:
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon
having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
His tail drew a third of the stars [ angelic hosts] of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.
war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
(Revelation 12:3-4, 7-10, 12-13)
His tail drew a third of the stars [ angelic hosts] of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.
war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
(Revelation 12:3-4, 7-10, 12-13)
That serpent, Satan, and his unholy cohorts will never
again rear their ugly heads in the pure and holy climate of heaven!
The demons cannot enter heaven. The fallen angels who
rebelled against God and “who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own
abode" (Jude
1:6) cannot return to heaven.
Nothing will be lacking in heaven. No de tail will be left
out to keep its environment from being perfect.
No matter where we go on earth, no matter where we live or
how expensive our homes may be, there are obvious faults and flaws to keep them
from being perfect. In contrast, God has made no mistakes in constructing the
place called heaven. Its glories, its beauties, its wonders are beyond human
powers of description. The indescribable splendor of that beautiful place is
wondrous to behold.
The combined brilliance of the light of the Son of God
reflecting on walls of jasper, gates of pearl, mansions unnumbered, and the
beautiful River of Life creates a scene no artist could ever adequately depict.
HOME OF REDEEMED SOULS
Heaven is a permanent place. No enemy will ever conquer
the paradise of God. There will be no crumbling of its buildings, no decay of
its materials, and no withering or dying of its vegetation. No smog or
radiation will ever pollute its holy atmosphere.
This permanent, abiding place is an eternal, continuing
city. We sing this song, written by Hattie Buell:
A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Tho’ exiled from Him, yet still I may sing;
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Tho’ exiled from Him, yet still I may sing;
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
In that incomparable place, saints will find sweet
deliverance from all disappointments, heartaches, tragedies, and disasters.
There will be no more sorrow or woe. There will be no more pain. There will be
no more crying:
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no
more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former
things have passed away.
(Revelation 21:4)
(Revelation 21:4)
The joyful citizens I saw in heaven seemed to have come
from many different ages and countries. Various nationalities seemed obvious to
me. Then I remembered another Scripture I had read:
And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were
slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue
and people and nation."
(Revelation 5:9)
(Revelation 5:9)
EMPLOYED IN PRAISING GOD
Excitedly, my soul praised the majesty of God! The sorrows
I experienced and the grief I suffered when I saw a revelation of hell now
seemed so far away. This was a revelation of heaven.
I saw entire families together. Everybody was happy, going
somewhere, doing something, smiling. A glow graced every face I saw.
All the saints in heaven seemed to be occupied. They were
constantly busy. They spent their time praising and magnifying God. Songs were
on everyone’s lips. The atmosphere of music was the dominant mood.
Eternity will not be spent in leisure and laziness, as
some have mistakenly pictured our final destination. We will do more than float
on a cloud, strum a harp, or wiggle our toes in the River of Life. Our time
will be occupied in service to God. Just what the nature of this service will
be, we cannot say, but there can be no doubt that His people will serve Him.
DIAMONDS FOR SOUL-WINNERS
I could see diamonds-glittering, glistening, exquisite
diamonds-diamonds everywhere! Some were are as large as blocks of concrete.
Some of these diamonds seemed to be for the mansions of those who were soul-winners on earth. It seemed that every time someone led a soul to Christ,
heaven provided a diamond for that faithful Christian. The Bible says,
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and
those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
(Daniel 12:3)
(Daniel 12:3)
As I stood drinking in the splendor and grandeur of that
glorious place, I saw an immense, beautiful angel coming down a path. In his
hands he held a scroll, which had gold edging on it.
The angel laid the scroll on a pedestal table, which was
made of a silvery material unlike anything I had ever seen before. The oblong
table literally glistened with light.
The scroll had a name written on it. One of the saints
picked it up and began to read it.
“Jesus is the Master Builder," a saint in heaven told
me. “He determines who deserves the diamonds and where they go. This scroll I
hold is a report from earth of a person who has led someone to Jesus, who fed
the poor, who clothed the naked-who did great things for God."
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with
Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom pre pared for you from the foundation of the world:
“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
“I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
“When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? “Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?"
the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
(Matthew 25:31-41, 46)
the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom pre pared for you from the foundation of the world:
“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
“I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
“When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? “Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?"
the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
(Matthew 25:31-41, 46)
ROOM FOR EVERYBODY
The angel repeated the welcome theme to me: “Come and see
the glory of your God."
At the Lord’s direction, I am recording this account of
heaven as I saw it. We need to under stand that the focus of our hopes and
desires should be to spend all eternity with our Lord. Heaven is the land of
dreams come true!
I’m excited about heaven because after our works and
labors on earth are finished, we will leave this earth and go there. God has
prepared the city, and Jesus is preparing a place there for those of us who
love Him.
PERFECT COMMUNION
Unbroken fellowship between God and man will be completely
restored in heaven.
When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, God paid
visits to this earth. After fellow ship with Him was broken by sin and
disobedience, God continued to show His desire for communion with mankind.
His ultimate expression of love for man kind was the
giving of His own Son to die a merciless death on a cruel cross. Through
Christ’s death and resurrection, fellowship between God and man again became a
possibility.
Even now, the circumstances of life can hinder our
intimate fellowship with God. But, in heaven there will be no more hindrances.
We will know perfect fellowship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Fellowship with Him will be complete.
Heaven is the abode of the living God. It is far above the
atmospheric heavens and beyond the planets and galaxies. It is the everlasting
home of “The Redeemed of the LORD" (Isaiah 62:12). It is the eternal
destination of all the children of God through faith in Christ.
You do not need to fear being crowded into a tiny cubicle
in heaven that has been labeled a “mansion." When the redeemed of the ages
are gathered home to glory, there will be sufficient room for all of them to
have one of the many mansions, the many dwelling places, which Jesus said He
was preparing for us in His Father’s house:
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
(John 14:1-4)
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.
(John 14:1-4)
Heaven definitely has room for everyone:
After these things I looked, and be hold, a great multitude which no one
could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the
throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in
their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to
our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.
(Revelation 7:9-11)
All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.
(Revelation 7:9-11)
TEARS IN HEAVEN
At one point I was taken to a particular place where the
angel stopped and said to me, “God wants me to show you the room of
tears."
Many times you may have read in several passages in the
Psalms about our tears and about how God cares for us. The angels catch our
tears and put them in bottles (Psalm 56:8). Many times I had wondered about
what this meant.
I know that many of you reading these words have cried
many tears for your loved ones, your children, your mate, or your family.
Especially if you’ve gone through a separation or a divorce, you have felt like
all hope was gone. You have grieved over your lost loved ones.
I want to tell you that God showed me a room of tears. It
was so beautiful. The angel took me to a grand entranceway that had no door.
Looking inside, I could see that the room itself wasn’t
large, but the holiness and power radiating from it amazed me. Lined with
crystal shelves, the inside walls glowed with light.
On the shelves were many bottles, some of which were in
clusters of three and looked like clear glass. Under each sparkling cluster of
glass-like bottles was a plaque with a name on it. There were many of these
bottles in the room.
Then inside the room I saw a man who appeared to have been
glorified. His deep purple robe was very beautiful and looked like velvet.
An elegant table, which was made of a rich-looking
material and glowed with majestic splendor, was just inside the door. The
lavish display I saw astonished me!
Books were lying on the table, and they looked as if they
were sewn in the most beautiful silk-like material I have ever seen. Some had
diamonds, pearls, and lace on them; others had green and purple stones on them.
All of them were intricately made.
I thought to myself, “Oh, God, how beautiful these books
are!" I love books. These books especially appealed to me. They were
stunning. As I gazed about, I was overcome with wonder.
At this point the man in the room said to me, “Come and
see. I want to show you this room, and I want to explain to you about tears.
This is only one of many rooms like it. I am in charge of this room."
As he talked, a large angel came through the entranceway.
The beauty and majesty of this heavenly being astounded me. I noticed that he
wore a white, glistening garment with gold-edged trim that went all the way
down the front. He seemed to be about twelve feet tall and had very large
wings.
The angel held a small bowl in his hands. The golden bowl
was filled (see Revelation 5:8) with a liquid. The man in the room told me,
"He has just brought me a bowl of tears from the earth. I want you to see
what we do with this."
The angel handed him the bowl, along with a piece of
paper. The note held the name of the person whose tears were in the bowl.
The man in the room read the note and then went over to
one of the places where the bottles were kept. He read the plaque under the
bottle, and I knew it matched the person from earth who was named in the note.
The man picked up the bottle that was nearly full and
brought it over to the bowl. He poured the tears from the golden bowl into the
bottle.
"I want to show you what we do here," the man
said to me. "Tell the people on earth about this." Then he took the
bottle over to the table, picked up one of the books, opened it, and said,
"Look!"
The pages in the book were completely blank. The keeper of
the room said to me, "These are tears from the saints of God on earth as
they cry to God. See what happens."
Then the man poured a drop from the bottle, one little
teardrop, on the first page of the book. When he did, words began to appear
immediately. Beautiful words, elegantly handwritten, started appearing on the
page. Each time a tear fell on a page, a whole page of writing appeared. He
continued doing this page after page, time and time again.
As he closed the book and spoke, he seemed to be saying to
all humanity as well as to me, "The most perfect prayers are those that
are bathed in tears that come from the hearts and souls of men and women on
earth."
Then the angel with rainbow wings said to me, "Come
and see the glory of God."
GOD OPENED THE BOOK
Immediately, we were transported to a huge place with
thousands and thousands of people and heavenly beings. Oh, it was beautiful!
In a little while the people seemed to fade away, and an
even greater display of God’s glory began to appear everywhere. The high
praises of God became thunderous.
The angelic messenger took me to the throne of God.
I saw a huge cloud, a mist, and I saw an image of the
Being in the cloud. I could not see God’s face, but I saw the glory of God and
a rainbow over the throne. I heard the voice of God, and it sounded to me just
as John de scribed it: "I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of
many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder" (Revelation 14:2). In
this mighty arena, I saw many horses with riders beside the throne.
Suddenly, I saw a book lying on the huge altar in front of
God’s throne. I saw angels bowing before Him. Standing in awe, I watched this
scene, and I saw what looked like a man’s hand come out of the cloud and open
up the book.
Somehow I knew it was the hand of God that opened the
book.
Amazed, I saw what looked like smoke ascending from the
book. Suddenly, the most beautiful perfume I ever smelled filled the whole area
where I stood. The angel told me that this book contains the prayers of the
saints and that God was sending His angels to earth to answer the prayers from
the cries of their hearts. Every body was praising and magnifying God.
As God opened up the book, pages began to come out of the
volume and fly into the hands of the angels on the horses. I could hear His
voice, "like the voice of loud thunder," shouting and saying,
"Go, answer her prayers! Go, answer his prayers!"
You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
In God (I will praise His word),
In the LORD (I will praise His word), ‘ In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
(Psalm 56:8-11)
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
In God (I will praise His word),
In the LORD (I will praise His word), ‘ In God I have put my trust;
I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
(Psalm 56:8-11)
The living Word of God explains to us what He does with
our tears. How beautiful it is to understand the glory and the wonder of our
God! How marvelous it is to be recipients of His compassion! He cares even
about our tears.
Many Scriptures speak to us about our tears, about our
sorrows, and about God’s com fort for us. Read these and rejoice:
Thus says the LORD, the God of David
your father: "I have heard your prayer,
I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you."
(2 Kings 20:5)
I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.
My eye wastes away because of grief, it grows old because of all my enemies.
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer.
(Psalm 6:6-9)
your father: "I have heard your prayer,
I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you."
(2 Kings 20:5)
I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears.
My eye wastes away because of grief, it grows old because of all my enemies.
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer.
(Psalm 6:6-9)
For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my
feet
from falling.
(Psalm 116:8)
from falling.
(Psalm 116:8)
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth
weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
(Psalm 126:5-6)
(Psalm 126:5-6)
He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears
from all faces.
(Isaiah 25:8)
(Isaiah 25:8)
Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work
shall be rewarded, says the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of
the enemy.
(Jeremiah 31:16)
the enemy.
(Jeremiah 31:16)
The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead
them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from
their eyes.
(Revelation 7:17)
(Revelation 7:17)
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more
death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former
things have passed away.
(Revelation 21:4)
(Revelation 21:4)
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with
singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and
gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
(Isaiah 35:10)
(Isaiah 35:10)
Glory to God, heaven is a real place! We will really be
going there. And, we will not be vapors of smoke floating on a cloud when we go
to heaven.
One of the wonderful things about heaven is that our tears
and sorrows will be replaced with eternal joy, as promised in the Word of God.
Yet, there is much more!
----------------------------------------------------------
The Throne Of God
The Throne Of God
Heaven is a real place. It is a literal destination. It is
not some ephemeral dream, some imagined vision. God has revealed to all of us
many of the realities of heaven through the Holy Scriptures.
THE FIRST HEAVEN
First, there is an atmospheric heaven. This is the
atmosphere around the earth. It is where the birds fly and the winds blow. This
is where showers, storms, mists, vapors, and clouds are formed. The sky is the
place the angel was referring to in Acts 1:11 when he asked the disciples why
they were "gazing up into heaven." Jesus, when He was talking to His
Father, "lifted up His eyes to heaven" (John 17:1), or toward the
sky.
THE SECOND HEAVEN
Then, there is the heaven of space. This is the region of
the sun, the moon, and the stars. It is mentioned in the Bible in many places,
a few of which are given here:
Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your
descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the
seashore.
(Genesis 22:17)
(Genesis 22:17)
And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the
sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to
worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the
peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.
(Deuteronomy 4:19)
(Deuteronomy 4:19)
Can you bind the cluster of the Pieiades, or loose the belt of Orion?
Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?
Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?
(Job 38:31-33)
Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?
Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?
(Job 38:31-33)
For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their
light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause
its light to shine.
(Isaiah 13:10)
(Isaiah 13:10)
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from
heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
(Matthew 24:29)
(Matthew 24:29)
THE THIRD HEAVEN
The destination of the righteous, however, is beyond the
atmosphere and the starry skies. This place is what the apostle Paul referred
to when he wrote, "I know a man in Christ who
fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven" (2
Corinthians 12:2 NIV).
Heaven, as I am using the term throughout this book, is
the region often spoken of as the immediate presence of God:
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are
copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
God for us.
(Hebrews 9:24)
(Hebrews 9:24)
Heaven is where God lives. When Jesus taught us to pray,
He said to pray to "our Father in heaven"
(Matthew
6:9).
In 1
Kings 8:30, heaven is called the dwelling place of God. In Psalm
11:4, it is called God’s holy temple and the place where His throne is.
There, in the temple of God’s divine majesty, His
excellent glory is revealed in the most conspicuous manner. It is a sacred
place of light, joy, and glory. We don’t know exactly where the location is,
but often in the Bible heaven is indicated as being "up."
We know that God Almighty is in heaven. There He and Jesus
Christ are the central focus of saints, angels, and all worshipping beings.
What glorious company there is in heaven! Angels are
there, because Jesus said, "In heaven angels
always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew
18:10).
The saints are there because Jesus promised us, "Where I am, there you may be also" (John
14:3). We are told in 1 Peter 1:4 that an inheritance has been reserved for
us in heaven- an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that will
not fade away.
Saints, it excites me to testify of my beautiful visit to
heaven. I am thrilled to tell you of the things I saw and the people I saw.
THE PRAISE OF HEAVEN
After the angel of God had shown me the room of tears, he
repeated the litany I heard so often throughout my visits to heaven: "Come
and see the glory of your God!"
The radiant, magnificent, celestial splendor of heaven
overwhelmed me. The blazes of glory that seemed to shoot from everything I saw
filled me with awe. The beauty and bliss of that fair land cannot accurately be
pictured by the mind’s eye unless a person has seen it for him self.
At that moment, I thought of the words I once heard
someone quote:
The light of heaven
Is the face of Jesus.
The joy of heaven
Is the presence of Jesus.
The harmony of heaven
Is the praise of Jesus.
The theme of heaven
Is the work of Jesus.
The employment of heaven
Is the service of Jesus.
The fullness of heaven
Is Jesus Himself.
Is the face of Jesus.
The joy of heaven
Is the presence of Jesus.
The harmony of heaven
Is the praise of Jesus.
The theme of heaven
Is the work of Jesus.
The employment of heaven
Is the service of Jesus.
The fullness of heaven
Is Jesus Himself.
As I went with the angel, I could feel joy, peace, and
happiness everywhere. My thoughts went to my family on earth, and it seemed the
angel knew my thoughts. He said to me, "You have a mission to fulfill for
God. You are to tell the people on earth what is up here. God is showing you
some of heaven, but not all of it. Come and see the glory of your God."
When we reached our destination, I could hear many, many
voices singing praises to God.
The magnificent music of the worshipers of heaven
thrilled my soul. Honor and glory echoed and reechoed across the wide expanse
of heaven as seraphim and saints sang endless anthems of praise with
exuberance.
APPROACHING THE THRONE
My soul was exhilarated and transported with joy. Somehow
I knew we were nearing the throne of God.
The angel who guided me stopped a long way off, far back
from the throne of God. I could see a panoramic view of events that were taking
place. I saw the same scene that John saw in his vision that he described in
Revelation:
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne,
the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand
times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.
(Revelation 5:11)
(Revelation 5:11)
Oh, people of earth, if you can only realize what God has
in store for us who love Him!
As I gazed in rapture at the scene before me, something
even more wonderful happened. I could hear louder than ever these thousands
upon thousands of voices praising God. Then- wonder of all wonders!-the angel
permitted me to see what I had always longed to see, the throne of God.
THE GLORIOUS THRONE OF GOD
God’s throne was "high and lifted up" (Isaiah
6:1). Coming out from under the base, the River of Life flowed in its beauty
and purity. The glory of God overshadowed the throne. It seemed that lightning,
thunder, and voices were all around the throne. John, in describing a vision he
had of heaven, said,
And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven
lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of
God.
(Revelation 4:5)
(Revelation 4:5)
I saw a rainbow arching above and around the throne,
"in appearance like an emerald" (Revelation
4:3). The brilliant, glorious hues of the rainbow were mixed with light,
producing dazzlingly intense colors.
It was unlike anything I have ever seen on earth. Varied
colors of radiant light signified glory and power. Blazes of splendor flashed
from the throne. Beams of glory radiated from it. So much of heaven seems
transparent, and those illustrious beams that come forth from the throne are
filled with light that is reflected in every part of paradise!
How long I stayed in this heavenly arena, I do not know,
but I was overwhelmed with awe. I thought of the thousands who have gone on to
heaven and of the many thousands who will yet come. I thought of the holiness
of God, the purity of His majesty, and the perfection of His Word. I shouted
aloud, "Oh, God! How wonderful it is to behold Your glory and Your majesty
and Your power!"
As before, the angel of the Lord said to me, "Come
with me. There are many other things in heaven that I want to show you."
THE ROOM OF RECORDS
I was amazed to see a room of records in which meticulous
records were being kept. The angel said that God has His angels keep records of
every church service on earth and every service in a home where He is lifted up
and praised.
God also keeps records on those who are out of His will.
He showed me how God’s angels keep records of the money that is given in church
services, along with a record of the attitudes with which people contribute. He
told me of people who have money but won’t give to the work of the Lord.
I thought of how Jesus carefully watched the offering and
the treasury when He went to the temple of the Lord:
Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money
into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.
Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans [ than a penny].
So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
"for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
(Mark 12:41-44)
Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans [ than a penny].
So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
"for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
(Mark 12:41-44)
As the many things were revealed to me, including the room
where the record books are kept, the angel reminded me that I was to re member
to make a record of these things. He said there were many things that were
mysteries to me, as I was only seeing dimly (1
Corinthians 13:12). But the angel emphasized that I was to tell the people
on earth about the things I saw.
As we reached another part of heaven, I looked down a very
long corridor. Its walls were high, and they seemed to be made of platinum. I
could hear the high praises of God ringing out continually. I was amazed at the
brilliancy of light and glory that reflected from the walls. Puzzled, I asked,
"What is this?" It seemed like the walls were miles long; I couldn’t
see the end of them.
THE STOREHOUSE OF GOD
The angel who was showing me these things said, "Look
at the top of this wall." There on the top of it was etched the word,
Storehouse. When I asked, "What are these rooms?", the angel told me
these rooms contained blessings that are stored up for God’s people!
Heaven is perfect purity, and God wants to purify His
saints on earth so they will enjoy heaven’s atmosphere. Heaven is fullness of
joy, and God desires to give joy to His people on earth. Heaven is everlasting
freedom, and God longs for His people to have deliverance while on earth.
Heaven is perfect wholeness, and God wants to heal His people here on earth.
Heaven is complete security, and God wants His people to feel confident and
secure here on earth. Heaven is fruition and fulfillment, and God de sires that
His people be fulfilled on earth.
When Jesus instructed us to pray that God’s "will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew
6:10), He revealed that God wants us to have a taste of heaven here on
earth!
Saints, the Lord has storehouses of blessings just for
you. They are waiting in heaven for you to claim them and to receive them now,
here on earth. God wants to save you. He wants to deliver you. He wants to heal
you. He wants you to know "the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding" (Philippians
4:7). He wants you to experience a lasting "joy
inexpressible and full of glory" (1
Peter 1:8).
THE HEALING JESUS
"See the glory of your God," the angel pro
claimed. When he disappeared, Jesus stood be side me.
I looked at Jesus. He seemed to be taller now than I had
perceived Him to be before. The brilliant robe He wore hung on Him elegantly
and gracefully. Sandals graced His scarred feet, and His face and hair were
glorious and beautiful.
As I gazed at Him, I asked, "Jesus, what are these
rooms?"
The Lord didn’t speak to me, but He put out His hand and
moved it toward the wall. At that moment, a large opening appeared in the wall.
All around the edges of the opening I saw glory and power and light. Like every
other object, this seemed to give glory to God. I cried out, "Oh, Lord,
what is this?"
He said to me, "My child, these are for My people.
They are for sinners on the earth, if they will only believe. I died to make
them whole."
As I looked into His eyes, I knew that He wanted people to
believe that He, Jesus Christ, had died so that we could be made whole. He
said, "Healings are waiting for people on earth. The day will come when
there will be an avalanche of miracles and healings on the earth."
Continuing, He said, "Child, as far as you can see,
these are supply buildings, or store houses. The blessings contained here await
the belief of those on earth. All they have to do is believe and
receive-believe that I am the Lord Jesus Christ and that I am able to do these
things, and receive My gifts."
"When you go back to the earth," He emphasized,
"remember that it is not you who does the healing. It is not the vessel
that heals; it is I. Just speak my Word and pray, and I will do the healing.
Believe that I can do it."
I shouted, "Glory to God! Hallelujah! Thank You,
Jesus!" Jesus put His hand down, and the opening in the wall closed.
Then the angel and I traveled at a very fast speed to
another place. Here, too, I could hear the music and the glorious shouts of the
people of God. The angel said, "Child, I’ve been commanded by the Lord to
show you several things. Tell the people about these things."
----------------------------------------------------------
Before, Now, and After
Before, Now, and After
At this point in my vision, the angel of the Lord began to
reveal things to me that I had often wondered about previously. He began to
tell me about a great mystery.
He said, "God has spoken, and I am to show you
before, now, and after. The things I am going to show will give you great
excitement. I am going to reveal to you what happens when a person is born
again. I will show you how a person’s sins are washed away by the blood of the
Lamb in the record rooms.
"I am going to show you what happens when a
born-again individual dies on earth and his soul comes to heaven. Come and see
the glory of your God."
We traveled from heaven at a fast rate of speed, and soon
we were back over the earth. I could see the earth as in a vision, and the
angel said to me, "Look and behold."
As the angel allowed the vision to pass be fore me, I saw
a beautiful little church in the country. Now, I don’t know where the church
was located geographically, but it was a rural church, way out in the country.
With the assistance of the angel of God, I was allowed to
look into the building. I could see about thirty people seated in the pews. The
pastor in the pulpit preached on this passage:
Seek the LORD while He may be found.
Call upon Him while He is near.
the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts; let him
return to the LORD, and He will have
mercy on him; and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon.
(Isaiah 55:6-7)
Call upon Him while He is near.
the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts; let him
return to the LORD, and He will have
mercy on him; and to our God, for He
will abundantly pardon.
(Isaiah 55:6-7)
As I gazed on this scene, I saw a mighty angel standing
over the church. The guiding an gel beside me said, "A large angel is
stationed at every church. This angel is in charge of all the other angels of
that church."
ANGELS AT CHURCH
Two angels with books stood outside the door of the
church. I could see people going in and out of the church. Then my angel guide
signaled with his hand, and it seemed as if the roof rolled back, and I could
see inside the church.
An angel stood on each side of the pastor at the pulpit.
Beyond those two were two more an gels. This made four angels around the
pulpit.
Two angels stood at the back of the church, behind the
congregation. Two more stood about halfway up the aisle, and up near the altar
stood two more angels. So there were quite a few an gels in the church, and
several of them had scrolls and pens in their hands. The angel said to me, "I
want to show you what happens."
The pastor began to speak, and the ushers started to take
up the offering. As the offering was received, the angels recorded the people’s
attitudes in giving. They recorded the contributors’ thoughts-whether they
begrudged giving to the work of the Lord, or if they enjoyed giving the
offering and viewed it as an act of worship. The angels logged it all in their
record books.
Then the two big angels in the front of the pulpit nodded
their heads at the other angels.
These activities of the angels were invisible to the
people in the church, but I could see it all clearly. Then my guide said to me,
"I want to show you something else. Watch closely, and you will be
blessed."
Suddenly, it seemed as if I had been moved behind the pastor.
As he was preaching on the sixth verse-"Seek
the LORD while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near"-I
could see a host of heavenly beings inside the church. All the time the service
was going on, the angels were rejoicing. The minister was anointed as he
preached that message. One of the angels was pouring what looked like fire on
his head. The glories of God were coming from the preacher’s mouth.
At the back of the church, a door opened, and a man who
was very drunk staggered in. He came down the aisle, saying, "I am the one
you are talking to, preacher. I need the Lord. I need to be saved. I am an
alcoholic." The man dropped to his knees at the front altar and began to
cry out to God.
Two of the deacons went to the altar to minister to him.
Putting their arms around him, they asked him, "Do you mean business with
God? Do you really want to be saved?"
"Yes, I want to be saved," the man said.
"I’m an alcoholic. I need to be set free."
A SOUL IS SAVED
Two more angels suddenly appeared. They had scrolls in
their hands, and they began to write down what the man said. Then the deacons
began to lead him through the process of salvation. I saw that this man was
filled with sin. However, as the deacons prayed with him, one of the angels
touched his heart, and smoke as dark as a rain cloud came spewing out of his
chest.
When I saw this, I recalled some of the Scriptures that
talk about the vile sins that come out of the heart:
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good
things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
(Matthew 12:35)
(Matthew 12:35)
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these
make a man "unclean."
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
(Matthew 15:18-19 NIV)
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
(Matthew 15:18-19 NIV)
As the man began to pray to God with up raised hands, I
saw wide, black bands that were wrapped all around him. He was in bondage to
all kinds of sin, but especially to alcohol addiction and drunkenness. A deacon
said to him, "You must confess these sins to God, so that He can forgive
you, and so you can be washed in the blood of the Lamb."
As he began to confess his sins, an angel touched him. I
could see fire come from the an gel’s hands. The bands started to break and
burst off of him.
This gave the man tremendous liberty. He raised his hands
and praised the Lord. He stood up, and I saw the glory of God come down on him.
I know the Lord sobered him up, because he began to shout praises to the Lord.
Then the two mighty angels looked at each other and nodded
their heads. They came back through the air to where we were and said,
"Come and see the glory of God."
IN THE RECORD ROOMS AGAIN
We traveled back to heaven with the other two angels very
rapidly. After we entered through the gate, we went down a beautiful pathway
that appeared to be made of gold. Quickly we were transported to a lovely room.
The angel said, "Come and see what we do here."
The long corridor we were in led to many other rooms similar to the one we were
entering. The angel said, "There are many of these rooms in heaven. These
are called rooms of records. You will see what goes on in these rooms."
The angel said, "We are going to the room that
contains the name of the man who was just converted on earth."
In the room I saw the angels from earth go quickly and
give the report written on a scroll to another angel.
Several ladders were positioned along the walls in the
rectangular room. Shelves covered the walls, and all the books were on the
shelves. The scene reminded me of a library on earth.
Other angels, singing and praising God, stood in a line in
front of a large desk. It was about eight feet across and four feet wide. A
square cutout was in the center of the desk, which was overlaid with solid
gold. It was so beautiful. It was carved with leaves and fruit.
It was the most beautiful desk one could ever imagine. I
have never seen anything like it-or even a picture like it-on the earth. I was
caught up with the glory and the majesty of God in this room.
Angels were going up and down ladders. They were
continuously pulling books down from the shelves and returning them to the
correct places. Several angels were standing nearby with reports from other
parts of the earth.
I noticed that some of the books in the wall were
different shades of color. Then I saw two of the angels from the church
standing in a line with a book they had pulled from the shelf. It contained the
record of the very man I had just witnessed being born again on earth.
The angel with me said, "Do you see the two angels
from the church service?"
"Yes."
"Do you see the book in their hands?"
"Yes."
"That is the record book of the man who just got
saved. They have retrieved it from the shelves. Now they must go to the angel
in charge."
My guide explained that in every record room, there is an
angel in charge. Everything that goes in or out of the room goes past that
angel. All is done in order to the glory of God.
I was amazed to see all these things going on. The angel
in charge wore a brilliant head dress that is beyond my capacity to describe.
He had golden hair and a glistening, white robe with a lot of gold on it. This
gorgeous angel had a wingspread of about twelve feet. He was the most beautiful
angel I had ever seen. The angel was the main record keeper of that room.
The angel in charge looked at me and motioned for me to
come to his side. The power of God moved me, and I was quickly standing by the
angel’s right side.
He said to me, "You are allowed to be here so that we
can show you what happens when someone on earth is born again. You are to tell
the people on earth."
The wonder of it thrilled me beyond words!
KEEPING RECORDS
As I looked out in front of me, the high praises of God
were going up all around. I could hear bells ringing, although I could not see
them. Delightful, laughing, glorious, happy an gels stood with books in their
hands, waiting to talk to the angel in charge.
I started to praise and magnify God anew for His wondrous
power and His glorious acts.
"Do you see the two angels in front of the
desk?" my angel guide asked me.
"Yes," I replied.
"They were present when this man was born
again."
He pulled a message out of the scroll; it was like a
marker in the book. I couldn’t see what was written on the paper or the scroll.
Then the angel said, "Look at what is written here," as he showed it
to me.
The message was written in an orderly fashion, and it was
beautiful. I saw the name of the country, the name of the state, the name of
the county, the name of the city, and the name of the church.
The angel showed me the name of the pastor and how many
people were in the church. He showed me the order of the service. The entire
record was written down. He showed me the people who participated in the church
service and the details of the offering that was taken.
The name of the man whose salvation I had seen on earth
was recorded on the paper. The message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
that was preached to save his soul and the exact time to the very second he was
born again-it was all written there. I shouted, "Glory to God!"
When the written account got to the point where the man
prayed the sinner’s prayer and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the
angel looked at the two messenger angels and asked, "Were you witnesses
that this man was born again at this hour and this time?"
They said, "Yes, we were witnesses. We were there. He
received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We saw it happen."
The noise of the glory, the praises, and the shouts that
went up at that moment was astounding. All of heaven was magnifying God.
Then the angel wrote something in the book he kept and
closed the pages. The book was very thick. He said to me, "Look behind
you." I saw many people, redeemed saints, dressed in white robes and
arrayed in splendor.
THE BLOOD OF JESUS
These redeemed saints of the Most High God were singing
this song:
Oh, nothing but the blood of Jesus Can wash my sins
away.
Oh, nothing but the blood of Jesus Can make me whole today.
Oh, nothing but the blood of Jesus Can cleanse me today.
I’ve been redeemed
By the blood of the Lamb.
Oh, nothing but the blood of Jesus Can make me whole today.
Oh, nothing but the blood of Jesus Can cleanse me today.
I’ve been redeemed
By the blood of the Lamb.
As I observed, the man’s book was handed to one of the rejoicing saints.
Page after page of the old writings were washed away. They lifted up the pages
one by one, and I could see that every page had been washed in the blood of
Jesus. Nothing of this person’s sins remained. And this Scripture came to me
from Isaiah:
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and
remembers your sins no more.
(Isaiah 43:25)
(Isaiah 43:25)
I thought, "Oh, God, how beautiful it is that Your
Word still marches on. That man’s sins were washed away by the blood of the
Lamb."
As I watched, the book was handed to an other angel. This
heavenly being had long, beautiful hair. The book was laid on a tray that the
angel carried. The angels saluted each other, and shouts of glory went up.
The angel who accompanied me said, "Come and see the
glory of your God." I began traveling with him at a very fast pace through
the corridors of heaven.
THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE
Again I stood before the throne of God. Dear ones, there
were horns blowing, and the sound of trumpets blared. A cloud of glory, the
Shekinah glory, illuminated the entire area around the throne.
There was much thunder and lightning. I could hear a
multitude of voices saying, "Glory to God! Hallelujah!"
I watched this mighty scene, and I saw the angel lay the
book on the altar of God and bow down low. The voice of God resonated loudly
through the air, yet I understood every word. God said, "Another soul has
been redeemed by My Son’s blood. Another person has received eternal salvation
through the blood of My Son."
All the bells of heaven were ringing! All of heaven’s
populace was shouting! I bowed down and began to praise God.
I saw the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation
21:27) on the altar of God, and I saw a hand come out of that cloud and
open up the book that was laid there by the angel. Then the man’s name was
written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Glory to God! Saints, our names are
surely written down in the Book of Life, also.
As I watched this mighty scene, the angel of God said,
"Come and see the glory of God." Immediately, I was taken out of
heaven again at the speed of light. As I went with the angel, I thought of this
passage from Isaiah:
I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret
places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the
God of Israel. For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even
called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.
(Isaiah 45:3-4)
(Isaiah 45:3-4)
RIVER OF LIFE
In the next scene of my vision, I watched as the Lord took
the saints of the living God through the River of Life. Oh, the River of Life
flows from the throne of God and the Lamb (Revelation
22:1). As the saints passed through the River of Life, I could hear them
shouting, "Glory to God!"
Then I saw a countless company of saints who were being
clothed in the whitest, most gorgeous robes anyone could ever see. I remembered
that John wrote this:
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these
arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" And I said to him,
"Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come
out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb."
(Revelation 7:13-14)
(Revelation 7:13-14)
BEFORE THE THRONE
I was allowed to go again before the throne of God and witness
an awesome, exciting scene. I could hear the sound of trumpets as I stood
before the throne of God. Words fail me to de scribe adequately the thrill and
awe I felt.
Twelve angels stood ministering before the throne, arrayed
in garments beyond any worthy description. The best I can tell you is that on
the breastplates of their apparel, they had jewels embedded in their garments.
Atop their heads they had some kind of heavenly material of glorious colors.
Gold edging adorned their long robes.
The blare of trumpets announced the saints as they came,
one by one, to stand before God. An inestimable number of saints, angels, and
heavenly beings made up a huge gallery. All of them were glorifying God.
REDEEMED ONES
The redeemed of all ages were glorious and beautiful. They
were real people-not puffs of smoke or clouds floating in space.
Everywhere I looked, I saw the angels of God praising His
majesty continuously.
Standing before the throne, I heard a great voice saying:
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them,
and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
(Revelation 21:3)
(Revelation 21:3)
Then I saw a cloud of glory filled with lightning,
thunder, and voices. As I looked, I saw the hand of God come out of the cloud
and begin to wipe the tears of the saints from their eyes. The Word says that
"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 2 1:4).
I heard God say,
There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no
more pain, for the former things have passed away. …Behold, I make all things
new.
(Revelation 21:4-5)
(Revelation 21:4-5)
God said to the assembled saints, "I see that your
names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Welcome into the joy of the
Lord." Once again, another Scripture came to my mind
Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things,
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.
(Matthew 25:21)
(Matthew 25:21)
With that the Lord placed magnificent golden crowns on the
heads of all of His sanctified ones.
I knew that the blessings of God would continue to flow
for all of the redeemed. I knew they would never end!
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Storehouses of
Heaven
I believe Jesus Christ revealed heaven to me as He did in
order to give me balance. He knew that I had been through many visits to hell,
and experiencing hell was so horrible that He gave me the blessing of seeing
heaven.
On one of my visits to heaven, I was shown God’s
storehouses. The angel of the Lord said to me, "Come and see the glory of
your God."
The angel was very beautiful and tall. His rainbow-colored
wings were shaped like triangles. He told me that God had given him
instructions, and he was to show me parts of heaven.
We began to go up higher through the atmosphere and went
through the entrance to heaven again. I saw fruit trees loaded with beautiful
fruit. I saw families dressed in beautiful robes, walking up and down the
hillside, praising God.
The environment was saturated with the most beautiful
music you would ever want to hear. Heavenly music is a manifestation of joy. It
is an evidence of happiness, a proof of joy.
I have heard magnificent choirs and grand ensembles that
created and performed beautiful music here on earth. But, saints, nothing down
here can compare with the splendor and beauty of the music and singing there.
Heaven was a symphony of music. Imagine, if you can,
millions of perfectly pitched voices, sweetly singing the melodies of heaven!
Not a single one was off-key. Everything was in perfect harmony.
Stringed instruments provided beautiful accompaniment,
along with trumpets and other kinds of musical instruments. They all blended
with the voices of the redeemed saints who were praising God with rapturous
joy. The tones of the instruments, like the singing voices, had been purified
and made perfect by the power of Almighty God.
Oh, it was glorious to hear the wonderful praises to God.
Voices that are without quality of tone or pitch on earth will sing in
beautiful harmony in heaven. We will all be happy over there. Even a
ten-thousand-voice choir here would pale in comparison with the grand and
eloquent music of God’s celestial city!
Wave after wave of unbelievable anthems of praise billowed
over the landscape and through the streets of heaven. It was so all-
encompassing that I could hear or think of nothing else for some time.
Finally, the angel said, "Come and see the glory of
God."
I remember going with him through an area that had the
greenest grass imaginable.
There were huge clusters of flowers in certain parts of
the grass. The flowers were splendid and looked somewhat like roses. Each plant
had at least one bloom consisting of beautiful petals. And, saints, the flowers
looked like they were singing!
HORSES OF HEAVEN
Traveling on with the angel, we passed a place where there
were beautiful, white horses. I remembered reading in Revelation about horses
and how Jesus will one day be astride a white horse, leading the armies of
heaven, who will also be riding white horses:
Now I saw heaven opened, and be hold, a white horse. And He who sat on
him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
(Revelation 19:11-14)
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
(Revelation 19:11-14)
These horses looked as noble as marble chess pieces. They
looked as if they were huge statues that had been chiseled out of boulders, but
they were real and alive. Their hooves were gigantic. They were pure white and
very regal.
A woman dressed in a beautiful robe was smiling and
talking to the horses, directing them to bow their knees in praise to God. All
of them, at the same time, bowed their right knees and praised the Lord!
I thought, "Oh, how beautiful!" And I remembered
reading in the Bible that every creature in heaven and on earth would honor and
praise God:
I have sworn by Myself the word has gone out of My mouth in
righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every
tongue shall take an oath.
(Isaiah 45:23)
(Isaiah 45:23)
" For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee
shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
(Romans 14:11)
(Romans 14:11)
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which
is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those
in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11)
(Philippians 2:9-11)
Every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth
and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
"Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
(Revelation 5:13)
(Revelation 5:13)
Peace, joy, and happiness were everywhere. I could hear
people praising God.
Suddenly, I could no longer see the angel with me, but
there stood Jesus. He seemed to me to be very tall in stature, and He wore a
robe that was distinctive from the robes of others.
His piercing eyes were beautiful. He had what looked like
a neatly-trimmed beard and very thick hair. I remember looking at Him and
thinking that the tenderness in His eyes is be yond a writer’s description. The
loveliness of the Blessed Savior was awe-inspiring and wonderful.
Everything within me wanted to praise Him, to worship and
bow before Him, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Glory and
power billowed all around Him.
STOREHOUSES OF HEALING
I noticed that Jesus’ eyes had taken on a troubled look. I
asked, "Jesus, what is it?"
"Child, look!"
He waved His hand toward a building where I saw a large
opening. From the opening, glory and power-billows and billows of power- came
streaming out.
I asked Him again, "Jesus, what is this?"
"Child, do you see the healings in these
storehouses?"
"Yes, Lord."
"All of these blessings await the people of
God."
The sufferings in this life are indeed tragic. How much
sickness, disease, physical affliction, deformity, and similar ills people
suffer here!
You see it everywhere. Just walk up and down the corridors
of any hospital or major medical center. Visit the contagious disease wards,
the mental health wings, the intensive care facilities, the emergency rooms,
and other places that take care of people in terrible pain and unbearable
physical and mental anguish.
Sickness is a result of the fall of Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden. It is one of sin’s con sequences. Some see sickness as a
nuisance, a tragedy of the human condition, or just a part of normal existence.
In reality, it is a curse of Satan.
HEALING IN HEAVEN
The need for healing is overwhelming.
Sickness is a corruption of God’s will. It is an unnatural
element in the economy of God. It does not originate with God; it does not come
from heaven. Sin is from an evil source, not a good source.
When we get to heaven, all sickness, disease, and
suffering will be gone forever. Paul wrote of the ultimate redemption of our
bodies:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
(Romans 8:18-19)
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
(Romans 8:18-19)
The worst physical suffering possible in this life is not
worthy of comparison with the exceedingly wonderful glory that will be
hereafter. In heaven with perfect bodies, we will rest in Christ with no more
pain or physical affliction. Still, He also wants us to be healed now.
One of the names of God in the Bible is Jehovah-Rapha,
which means "the Lord, our Healer." God made a special covenant of
healing with His people. He promised Israel:
If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is
right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I
will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For
I am the LORD who heals you.
(Exodus 15:26)
(Exodus 15:26)
Although sickness is part of the curse of sin, Jesus has
lifted the curse for believers through His atonement for sin. The wounds and
bruises Christ suffered paid the price for sin. He became our Savior. Yet, His
suffering did more than just pay for sin: it established and authenticated
Jesus as Healer!
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we
are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)
(Isaiah 53:5)
[Jesus] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live for righteous ness; by whose stripes you were
healed.
(1 Peter 2:24)
(1 Peter 2:24)
HEALING IS FOR TODAY
The healing ministry of Christ did not cease when He was
taken up from the disciples into heaven. The Acts of the Apostles is a
continuation "of all that Jesus began both to do and teach" (Acts
1:1).
Jesus modeled a healing ministry on earth and taught that
healing is a part of the kingdom benefits. Before He returned to His Father,
Jesus instructed believers to go and heal the sick. He said,
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast
out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
(Mark 16:17-18)
will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
(Mark 16:17-18)
Jesus also told us:
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be
glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments.
(John 14: 13-15)
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments.
(John 14: 13-15)
Christ seemed to have disappeared, and I was walking with
the angel among the store houses. I thought, "So many storehouses,
Lord."
Jesus spoke to my spirit: "Child, when you pray for
somebody on the earth, pray for them in My name. Remember that you don’t do the
healing-I do. Ask Me to heal an eye or leg, and I will do it. Ask Me to
straighten crooked limbs or heal sick bodies, and I will heal them.
"Whatever you want Me to do, ask in My name, and I
will do it. I have the answers wait ing in these storehouses."
Jesus emphasized that the blessings in these storehouses
were for His people and for the sinners on the earth. I remembered that He had
said that very soon there will be an avalanche of healings in the world.
I thought of the healings that are already occurring on
the earth, and I thought, "Lord, how wonderful You are to repair our
bodies!"
As we grow older, our bodies begin to wear out or
deteriorate. That is a natural effect of sin, and we will never be entirely
free from these consequences. But God doesn’t desire that we spend our later
years bedridden and ineffective. He wants to keep us active and productive.
Jesus died so we could be made whole.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shed His blood so that we
could be saved from hell. If we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we
have hope. The hope for our souls is in Jesus.
Jesus Christ suffered for the healing of our bodies. Our
privilege, our blessing, and our hope for wholeness and wellness are in Jesus.
He is the hope for our physical well-being.
Saints, there are storehouses of unclaimed blessings in
heaven. They are ready to be claimed by God’s people who ask in faith-and in
the name of Jesus!
When He was on earth, the Lord once said, "I go [ to
prepare a place for you" (John
14:2). The place He is preparing is in heaven. It is a beautiful place of
many beautiful things.
As I give my testimony in this book and as I speak about
heaven, the thoughts of that place thrill my soul. Thank God for the beautiful
Word that He has given unto us, His children!
----------------------------------------------------------
Order in Heaven
Order in Heaven
Heaven is a busy place. It is filled with activities and
excitement. Angels are always doing things; they are always engaged in useful,
industrious enterprises.
One purpose of this book is to tell you how I saw the
angels working in heaven. They are happy and joyful-never tired, never sad.
They are always praising God.
Redeemed saints are busy in heaven, too. They always have
work to do. Exactly what kind of work all the saints are engaged in, I do not
know. But you can be sure that no one is idle in that fair land. Saints are
busy in kinds of work that no one on earth has ever experienced. They are
engaged in stimulating, exhilarating, fulfilling tasks. They are continually
glorifying God and doing the things God ordained for them to do.
When I saw the angels who flew from the earth with
reports, they were coming into heaven from all over the world. They had been to
many church services and many prayer meetings.
While observing the things on the earth, they always held
in their hands white pieces of paper that looked like scrolls, which had gold
edges. Then they would return to certain areas of heaven and share their
reports with other angels.
HEAVEN’S POPULATION
In one area of heaven I saw saintly men who wore
beautiful, glorious, white robes. immediately, I thought of this Scripture:
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with
the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as
a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
(Isaiah 61:10)
(Isaiah 61:10)
The people I saw in heaven had distinctive features and
were from all nations of the earth. The Holy Scriptures say:
After these things I looked, and be hold, a great multitude which no one
could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the
throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in
their hands.
(Revelation 7:9)
(Revelation 7:9)
Another thing that made a lasting impression on me was the
fact that heaven is such an orderly place. Everything that was done was a ways
done thoroughly, properly, and with the highest degree of excellence. No work
was shoddy; no product poor; no activity mediocre.
When I saw families walking on the holy hills of heaven
and praising God, it was such a beautiful sight. Their joy and happiness were
uninhibited and without restraint. They seemed to be always going and doing
marvelous deeds in the Lord’s presence.
Everything, whether done individually or in groups, was
done in an orderly fashion. Heaven is completely free of impurities and
imperfections. It is perfect in every sense of the word. All of the alterations
and changes we are familiar with here on earth are unknown in the paradise of
God. Perfect joy and peace fill the hearts, souls, and bodies of all who are
there.
PERFECT ORDER
Divine, perfect order and purpose characterize everything
that happens in heaven.
Both angels and saints are continuously engaged in
excellent, joyful service. No one is idle. No one is ever bored. God’s
children, as well as the angels and all the heavenly creatures, serve Him day
and night forever.
When we receive new heavenly bodies after the resurrection
of the saints, we will never grow tired or become weak. We will never know
fatigue. Our supernatural, glorified bodies will never lose their strength. In
eternity, time is suspended and circumstances do not ravage the mind, the will,
or the body.
To engage in the employments and enjoyments of heaven, we
must have a heavenly nature. And this is what happens when we are born again-we
become "partakers of the divine nature"
(2
Peter 1:4), as Peter explained:
His divine power has given us every thing we need for life and godliness
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption
in the world caused by evil desires.
(2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV)
(2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV)
The architecture of heaven was designed and built in
eternity past by the eternal God. In one part I saw what looked like an entire
block of the city of heaven. The buildings were very large, and across the top
of each was a huge, impressive crown made of many jewels. I don’t know how many
people occupied those grand buildings because I didn’t go inside any of them.
But they were all stately and spacious, far beyond anything you have ever seen
on earth.
I thought of how the Scriptures say that when we are
laboring on earth for Jesus, we are laying up treasures in heaven (Luke
18:22). I remembered these verses:
And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on
their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God
Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken
Your great power and reigned.
"The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth."
(Revelation 11:16-18)
"The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth."
(Revelation 11:16-18)
And behold, I [ am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to
every one according to his work.
(Revelation 22:12)
(Revelation 22:12)
To be continued ……
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