Heaven: Pointing the Way


When it is said in Scripture the expression “heaven and earth” it means exactly what is means; all that exists in creation in its entirety.  This same phrase indicated the profound bond that it is in the heart of creation that ties both heaven and earth and at the same time distinguishes the one from the other:  The world of men, “the earth” while God’s own firmament (place – “our Father in heaven).  “Heaven” refers to the blessed and the dwelling of spiritual creatures that surround God – the angles.

As it is said:

“Heaven belongs to the LORD alone, but He gave the earth to us humans.” – Ps. 11516 (GNT)

And:

“Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the next.” – Ps. 192 (GNT)

Finally:

“In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in Heaven.” – Mt. 516 (GNT)

Those who die in the grace and friendship of God and are purified by Christ live forever.  They are eternal like God because they see Him as He is, face to face - facie ad faciem.

As it said:

“My dear friends, we are not God’s children, but it is not yet clear what we shall become.  But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is.” – 1 Jn. 32 (GNT)

“What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see dace-to-face.  What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete – as complete as God’s knowledge of me.” – 1 Cor. 1312 (GNT)

“They will see his face, and his name will he written on their foreheads.” – Rev. 224 (GNT)

This is the ideal and most perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity – the communion of life and perfect love with the Trinity, the Blessed Flock and the angels is called “heaven”.  In the deepest of human longing, wanting to be in a state of supreme and definitive happiness is the achievement and final goal on that human longing is called Heaven.

To be with Christ is to live in heaven with the elect finding their true name.

“I am pulled in two directions.  I want very much to leave this like and be with Christ, which is a far better thing.” – Phil 123 (GNT)

“And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.” – Jn. 143 (GNT)

“Then we are living at that time will be gathered up along with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air.  And so we will always be with the LORD.” – 1 Tess. 417 (GNT)

As one of the early Church Fathers named Ambrose said, “For life is to be with Christ; where Christ is, there is life, there is the kingdom.”

Heaven was “opened” to us though the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  What is the blessed life consists of? The full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by the Cross of Christ, the blessed are grafted into His glorification and brought into the blessed community to be just like Him, forever.

The mystery behind this Most Blessed of Communions with God that is beyond the mortal and finite understanding of man here on earth for Scripture speaks of it in images, life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father’s house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise:  “No one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 29 (GNT))

In His transcendence, God cannot be seen as He is, that is unless He Himself opens our eyes to glimpse a sliver of His Glory and gives man’s finite mind the capacity to understand what the eyes are opened to.  This contemplation of God’s Infinite Glory with man’s finite minds is traditionally referred to a “beatific vision.”

In the radiant glory of Heaven the blessed are fulfilling God’s will in the intention to spread God’s most perfect love and divine purpose to other men and to all of creation, both “heaven and earth” by reigning with Christ  “and they will rule as kings forever and ever.” (Rev. 225 (GNT))

Location: Hollywood, FL 33025, USA

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