Jesus, the Bridegroom of All the Redeemed

Angels are superior to man while the latter is on earth, but once man is redeemed..he becomes superior to angels.The redeemed souls will be bride of Jesus, not the angels.

Genevive now stood to her feet in the chariot and leaning forward clasped her arms to my neck and said; "Oh, Gabriel, this man was my husband on earth and most sweetly were our earthly lives spent together.  But here we are joined in an eternal union."

At this the angel laughed and said; "Are you married again?"

"Oh, no, we are not married, for saints do not marry in heaven, nor do they wish to; but these bonds of highest friendship will be eternal, will they not?"

"Sure," said the angel.  "Your love and oneness will be far sweeter than ever it was on earth."

"But I would like to know," said Genevive, "and I know thou canst tell me, if the angels themselves were ever in love among themselves with a love similar to that of husband and wife?"

At that question, Gabriel slacked the speed of his chariot and turning his head to glance over his shoulder at Genevive, who stood with her arms still about my neck, he said; "Thou hast almost put me to blush for we are inferior to you, who have descendants and creations of your own.  We have no bride neither bridegroom.  But marriage was such a leading passion with the inhabitants of the earth that our Lord intends perpetuating it in eternity, only changed.  He is now and ever will be the bridegroom and all the saints, you, not us, will be His bride.  We were the working bees of the great family of man on earth and in heaven, neither drones nor queens, but we are all content with our sphere of action.  We know no sorrow nor any unfulfilled desire which cannot be fully met here in heaven or on earth.  We are your servants, and this trip to the gate of Benjamin and to paradise is my joyful service."  more on Chap 35, The Last Visit

Multitude of Saved Souls Gather Before God's Throne

Multitudes  of saved souls gather before God's throne for the convocation. There thousands of choristers
by the blessed bishop of all souls,
Our Lord Jesus, accompanied by Moses and Paul, took  His place beside the Father.

We widened the circle of our vision and behold we saw a vast number of seats both at the back and also at the right and left of the throne.  They rose in terrace form like a great am phi- theater.  These, we soon found, were filling up with the great chorister of heaven.  They filed in with beautiful order, each having a golden harp.  At last the seats were all filled with those who had been the most devoted leaders in the choirs of earth, with very many also who never sang in an earthly concert, but because of heavenly musical voices trained in the praises of God on earth, they were chosen by the blessed Bishop of all souls in heaven for these great occasions.the throne,

I looked again.  The elders had mostly taken their places, many of whom we had met.  They gave a lovely bow of welcome.  When all our anxieties were gone and we felt much at home.

I looked again, with adoring wonder, and lo, our blessed Lord Jesus Himself accompanied by Moses and Paul came to the throne.  Our Lord took His place beside His Father; Moses and Paul beside the elders.

Countless throngs were pouring in from all directions.  Chariots were bringing tens of thousands.  The robes of the high priest of ancient times could not compare to the beautiful flowing draperies of these millions of the blood-washed.  All seemed so happy and joyous.  Many of our friends whom we had known on earth so well, and who had come from remote parts of the city or paradise now came to greet us.  My own mother, Genevive and Mary were among them.  Dear old grandfather, now so young and beautiful, also stood with us.  Several comrades of my youth, who had passed on many years ago also came.  Among them was one whom I never expected to see in heaven, but who, like the thief on the cross, was saved in last days of his life, and although he had spent a long time in the remoter regions of paradise as he afterward told me, yet now he was here.  We had many congratulations and joyful unions, while the great concourse was filing in.

Go to Chap 32,  Fifteenth Visit for more

Trees Bearing 12 Kinds of Fruits in HEAVEN

The trees of life bear 12 kinds of delicious fruits which are  beyond compare  to earthly fruits. If you eat it, you will not grow old, nor get weary nor die.

Testimony of Rev Elwood Scott:

The elder again said to me, "Let us gather some of the fruit of these trees and then we will join that company yonder." I replied, "I would be quite glad to do so, for I have eaten nothing since leaving the body," and yet I felt no great sense of need.  My hunger seemed more like what I had often realized while in the flesh when I felt a longing to hear a good gospel sermon.  My guide now said, "What kind of fruit would you prefer?  You can have your choice of things here just as you used to in the earth.  If you feel faint or weary from your long abstinence from food, this kind (pointing to a certain pear- shaped and beautifully colored fruit) is what you need, for the tree has twelve kinds, as you see, upon it." I said with feelings of deepest praise, "Oh, how wonderfully God has provided for us!  Twelve kinds of fruit on each tree, ripening their fruit every month, and the leaves never withering!  Wonderful!"

"Here," said he, "pluck from the boughs on this side of the tree and eat." I did so, and much refreshing and enlightening grace as they imparted to me, it is beyond the comprehension of mortal man to know; it must be eaten to be understood.  The taste of the fruit was delicious indeed.  The earth never furnished anything like unto it for taste, not the orange, peach, nor melon.  Nor would the fragrance of the rose compare with it.  "When anyone eats of these trees," said the elder, "he can never die again, grow older nor feel weary; death hath no more dominion over him.  One of these trees grew in the Garden of Eden.  After our first parents had sinned against God, they thought to eat of the fruit of it also; but God said, "No," for had they eaten of it they would always have lived in that sinful, dying state.  So a flaming angel was sent to guard it, and so man never eats of it until he has passed the boundaries of his earthly life."  

Go to Chap 3, Further Introduction into Paradise for more

No Language Barrier in Spiritual Realm

You will read thoughts and understand it as it is spoken.Moreover, there is no language barrier in heaven.

It seemed most wonderful to me upon finding that I could converse with perfect ease and freedom with anyone I met, although we had been accustomed to different languages and tongues while on earth, and often had to speak through interpreters; but now I found, since I had laid aside the material for the spiritual, I could easily understand the thoughts of anyone.  As rapidly as he could think I could read his thoughts.  Matters of detailed explanation were not needed or required as I had been accustomed to while in the flesh, for if a subject was plain to any one with whom I was conversing, it seemed that at once it was just as clear to my own mind, so I was quite surprised to find how rapidly I could take in a knowledge of the spiritual realm, and yet a second surprise constantly met me: that of the great depth of divine truth.

For instance, many things I had learned from the Holy Scriptures, while in my flesh, were now opened with a depth of meaning I had never seen before.  I could compare it to nothing better than to great layer after layer and strata upon strata of precious mineral rock, so that the deeper down and the further on one went, the more precious became the ore and the finer the metal.  I said to the elder by my side, "How is this?" He quickly and smilingly replied, "God never gives the best He has to give; you will find later on, that truth is unfathomable." I now felt myself like a little fish just launching out from the mouth of a great river into a great and boundless ocean without a shore to be seen or depth that could be sounded.

Go to Chap 3, Further Introduction to Paradise for more

Even Sinners who Repented at the Time DEATH, will Merit HEAVEN.

Sinners who repented at the time death is forgiven by our merciful God.The sinner though has to be prepared before she could partake of the blessings in heaven.

Just at this moment I saw a woman step from a chariot.  She seemed to be so bewildered that she sank down as one of the attendants approached her.  She threw up her hands and cried out in amazement, "Oh, my God!  I am not worthy nor fit for this glory.  Oh, can I ever be made right with God?" She closed her eyes almost unconscious with bewilderment and it seemed she could not speak as her attendant kindly addressed her with most loving words.  At last she opened her eyes and looked about in wonder and amazement exclaiming, "Oh, these white garments, these golden goblets, trees of life and blooming flowers!  I am not worthy of them.  Have I really a right to be here and to all these beautiful trees loaded with such lovely fruit?  Oh, the mercy of God!  I was such a great sinner."

"Yes, indeed," replied her guide, "but your sins have all been forgiven.  The angels make no mistakes.  You have a right to these trees, for they are His on whom you have believed; yea they are yours, for you are His."

At this she arose to her feet and said: "But have I the wedding garment on?  I was earnestly trying when the chariot came for me.  I was in such deep distress and confusion of soul, knowing I had not been prepared for so great a change."

"You have been saved, my child." said her attendant, "so as by fire, you were not a faithful servant of God, you did not build with gold, silver and precious stones, but with wood, hay and stubble, which have been burnt.  God cannot reward you largely now.  These infinite blessings spread out before you in all directions may be obtained by and by, when you are prepared for them.  Be faithful to your present opportunities, for much is before you to be done.  Advancements which ought to have been made in the world will have to be made here, ere you can go on to the city gates, or see the shining glory of the Jasper wall.  Come with me and I will assist you in a further knowledge of Christ and His eternal salvation and kingdom."

I now said to the elder by my side, "Will you explain to me her great mistake?"

"Surely," he replied.  "She represents a very large class in the world who have not made good use of earthly opportunities, she was never deeply interested in her salvation till near the time of her death.  Do you not see how slim and lean she looks, and how little clothing she has, only a gown!  Her repentance has been genuine and her faith accepted the promises of eternal life in her Lord, and her forgiveness has been complete.  She has added but little grace and almost no growth to her soul.  She feels now, as all such souls do and must feel, her great loss.  She has no treasure laid up in heaven.  Paradise itself seems too good for her; but God in His great mercy will bring her on.  These trees are for her.  Their leaves are full of healing virtue.  No one who has not received the gift of eternal life and been born again will ever be carried by the angels to this glory.  Many, alas, perish from the earth in sight of the Redeemer’s outstretched arms of love and mercy, because they will not accept His gracious help; they love the pleasures of sin more than God or these everlasting joys and pleasures at His right hand here forevermore."

"Oh, blessed Christ," I cried, "filled with everlasting love and mercy for thy people, that even in the last moments of life, like the dying thief, may be snatched from the jaws of death!  But, oh, her great loss, how sad!"

GO to Chap 2, First Visit for more

Meet Adam and Eve, our First Parents

Adan and Eve were forgiven by God for their transgression. Hear their account of their life in paradise, and when they were driven out of paradise.

We were soon introduced to Adam and Eve, the first parents of the chosen race.  It seemed passingly strange for us to think we were side by side with those of such early date.  Abel, Enoch and Methuselah were also in the chariot.  Turning to Abel, I addressed him and said: "Oh, thou first-born son, born of those who never were born!"

"True," said Adam, who overheard the conversation, "we never were born, but created.  I remember so distinctly when first I opened my eyes to behold the creations about me.  I knew nothing, absolutely nothing at all.  I felt the breezes and saw the waving of the branches of the trees and heard the sweet voice of birds and the lowing of cattle.  God spoke intelligently to me about the fruit of the trees for food.  I quickly learned how to satisfy my hunger and thirst.  But I longed for a mate, for I found none among all the creations of the garden.  God gave me this woman as a helpmeet for me, so I found she was "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh," and I have loved her ever since."

At this Eve blushingly smiled and said: "You can guess our courtship was brief.  It was me or none.  But we soon learned life’s lesson stow, which all the world has repeated after us."

"Oh, Adam and Eve, tell us of your early experience in the world."

"Certainly," said Adam, "with pleasure," and Eve made a lovely bow of assent.

"Well to begin: The garden where we were first placed was a lovely home indeed.  No grander place could ever be found upon the earth.  I have had descriptions of all kinds of earthly gardens, but nothing equaled paradise.  Everything was perfectly delightful.  Fruits of all kinds were ripening and hanging ready to our hand.  Nothing forbidden to us but one tree.  But, oh, that sin I never can forget it!  What penalties followed our disobedience!  The shame, disgrace and alienation from God!

It was a sad day when God sent us out to till the ground and dig for ourselves.  After we heard our sentence, we were very reluctant to leave, so there came two of the angels with scourges in their hands and without parleying they drove us out.  Oh, the sorrow and tears of that day!  The angels had already told us of the tree of life, and its marvelous imparting virtues.  The whole garden was charged and filled with the aroma of this tree.  The very breezes and atmosphere were surcharged with life, but death was creeping upon us.  We felt the chill and pall of a terrible stroke.  We were simply out of harmony with our environments.  The curse of death was upon us, and God sent us out to till the ground which He had likewise cursed."

"Did not God show you mercy and kindness and give the promise of a Redeemer for you?"

"Surely, He did, and gave us proofs of His love toward us in the garments He gave us to cover our shame."

"Did this signify anything to you then as an offering made by blood for sin?"

"Indeed, it did," said Adam, "for God fully explained to us the conditions of pardon.  This we taught to our children and Cain knew it full well as did Abel, but Cain did not believe the details concerning the sin offering and this will explain to you why Abel brought a better sacrifice than Cain and by it though dead, yet he speaketh."

"How was it, Abel?" I said.

"Just as father has told you," replied Abel.

"What about Cain?" I asked.

"He was self-willed and despised God’s way.  Poor boy, he sowed his seeds of unbelief and reaped his harvest among the lost."

"Will you tell me more about the results of your early sin when God drove you from the garden?"

"A thousand times I have told the story, but will cheerfully tell it again to you.  Little did I comprehend before our sin the great depth and meaning of transgression.  I know all that Moses wrote concerning it, and much beside, and his words were true; so also were the words of the Apostle Paul, all of which I know, for they have been repeated to me many times over.  We had unbounded liberties in the garden and should have been content, but there stood the tree of knowledge very near the tree of life.  God has said, "Of every tree thou mayest freely eat except one." He threatened us with death should we disobey.  Why we did disobey has been the awful problem of our lives.  God let the penalty fall upon us.  We became mortal and subject to death.  The grant of immortality was withdrawn.  We were depraved, and alienated from God.  We lost His image and were without hope and without God.  Only through His infinite mercy were we saved, and have the privilege of these mansions of bliss."Go to this link
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The Elders' Creed in Brief

The Sacred Scroll with its clear statements of divine truth. However, it should not replace scripture, nullify it, nor change nor add to scripture.

1.  There is but one living and true God.

His Attributes

2.  The attributes of God are the qualities, elements and perfections which belong to Him.  They belong to Him and are parts of His divine nature — not that His whole being consists of a combination of the same, but because they are the forms and expressions of His being which He has revealed to man.

3.  These attributes are natural and moral.  The natural attributes reveal His existence as an infinite and rational spirit; that is self-existence, freedom, omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, wisdom.  The moral attributes are holiness, righteousness, justice, goodness, love, grace, mercy and truth.

4.  As known to men on earth God is an invisible spirit, whom no man hath seen nor can see.  He is eternal and self- existent.  He creates beings with immortality, but God alone possesses eternity.  He is infinite, filling all space in the entire universe, embracing all worlds.  He is omnipresent, i.e., infinite in power; shown by all His creations from the infinitely great to the infinitely small.  All His acts are done by the exercise of His volition, and are seen by man in the universality, variety and multitude of His works.  God’s omnipotence is limited only by His moral perfections.  God cannot lie nor do any bad act, although He has the power.

5.  God is omnipresent.  The creator, upholder, and governor of all things.  He is also omniscient, all things being open and naked before His eyes.  God’s wisdom is infinite, embracing all knowledge and is independent of all His creatures.  We can tell Him nothing which He does not know, but His intelligent, infinite intuition comprehends all things past, present or future.  This intelligence is perfect and absolute.  Man analyzes things to find out their nature.  God knows the nature without the analysis.

6.  The foreknowledge of God is also absolute.  How the foreknowledge of God is to be reconciled with man’s free agency and moral accountability is indeed to men in the world a dark problem, but in the Scriptures both are clearly taught, and faith accepts what reason cannot reconcile.  Some of the churches on earth have denied man’s moral freedom.  Others maintain that God in the exercise of His omniscience, like His omnipotence, abstains from knowing what His creatures will do under certain given circumstances, But the foreknowledge of God itself, unrevealed to men, does not impose nor even hint to me any course of conduct whatever; it in no degree affects His liberty of action.  Man neither sins nor follows holiness, as the result of God’s foreknowledge; so notwithstanding God’s foreknowledge, He has made man in His image, a free moral being.

7.  God is infinitely wise, always knows what is best, always adopts means which will best accomplish His purposes.  That is wisdom; for wisdom is the art of turning to best account our knowledge.  Both in creation and providence God’s wisdom is seen.  His wisdom and His works everywhere confirm each other as being of God.  No higher wisdom has ever been seen or known than God’s wisdom in the plan of human redemption.  It solves the problem of God’s justice in justifying the believer in Jesus Christ.

8.  The perfect goodness of God is seen in the benevolence which embraces all mankind and provides for their welfare.  His merciful dealings with men declare His goodness; it is also seen in His unmerited favor, drawing man to salvation and in the use of so many means to this end, also in the abundant provision which He has made for man’s present and eternal happiness.

Moral Evil

9.  How sin can exist in the world with all its terrible consequences in connection with God’s righteous government, is an awful and difficult problem, the complete solution of which is not possible to man in his earthly life.  But sin does exist, and God permits it for reasons of His own, not fully revealed to men.  In heaven it could not be so.  No taint of sin can ever enter the gates of this city.  If an angel should again sin God would instantly cast him down to hell.

10.  Righteousness and justice are divine perfections.  It is holiness exhibited in government.  Truth or faithfulness of God is much the same as His righteousness.  All He says and does is true.  His veracity is an element of His character.  God cannot lie.  As God is eternal His truth remains the same.  Whatever is out of harmony with His revealed truth, the same is a lie.  To the question, "What is truth?" this answer which we repeat in heaven is true: "To know God as He has revealed Himself to man is truth of the highest order." Our Lord declared: "I am the way, the truth and the life." All things taught or believed that are out of harmony with His clear revelations are both false and misleading.

The Triune God

11.  The eternal God has revealed Himself to men as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  The Son of God is and always was divine.  He is the express image of the Father.  There have been many errors and heresies in the church in past ages.  But we worship one Triune God neither confounding the persons, nor dividing the substances of the same.  For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost; but the Godhead of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is one God.

The Divinity of Jesus Christ

12.  He was the word of God from eternity.  In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God.  While on earth we always held Him to be divine and worshipped Him as God; and in heaven He is confessed by all, both saints and angels, to be God and equal to the Father.  All the hosts of heaven worship Him, He was God manifest in the flesh.

The Holy Spirit

13.  The Holy Ghost is one with the Father and with the Son.  Equal in eternity, power and glory.  In creation He moved upon the face of the waters and developed form and beauty out of disorder and confusion.  He proceeded from the Father and from the Son, and took up His abode with His church on earth.  He has ever been with them since His coming on Pentecost.  He is the comforter, guide and sanctifier of His people.  Man’s Original State and Fall

14.  God made man upright.  He was both material and spiritual and possessed of a divine life, and made in the image of God.  He could hold communion with God, with all that is divine, as well as with the material universe.  He was made but a little lower than the angels, and was crowned with glory and honor and had dominion over the works of God’s hands in the earth.  He was a companion of his Father and Creator, capable admiring, adoring and enjoying God.  While he was material and possessed an animal nature, as he came from the hands of God, yet he was an intellectual, moral, pure and holy being.  He was placed under law with life and death before him.  Adam rebelled; sin was born on earth.  The glory of the Lord departed from him.  Man fell, and felt his guilt and was alienated from God.  The stream of humanity was contaminated at its source.  The first pair became sinful.  Their descendants of necessity were in their image fallen and depraved.  So by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.  Our nature sinned in Adam and the stream became polluted at the fountain head.  This depravity became universal for all the faculties and powers of the soul and body were brought under the power of evil.

The Atonement

15.  We universally believe that the death of Christ was vicarious and propitiatory and that by it divine justice is satisfied, and God can be just and the justifier of all who believe in Christ Jesus, and that pardon and salvation is freely offered to all men, upon repentance and faith.

Election and Foreordination

16.  We believe God did foreordain and devise a plan from the foundation of the world by which He would save man, and further, He did foreordain from the beginning, all men throughout the ages who would accept and be willing to conform to this plan, should be saved; so that everyone in harmony with His power and liberty of choice who shall choose eternal life though God’s plan was foreordained to eternal salvation.

Repentance

17.  True repentance is a condition of soul before God wrought by the operations of the Spirit of God upon the heart and soul of man whereby he is made to see and feel the sinfulness of his sins, and also to forsake them utterly and with full purpose of heart to yield obedience to God in the future.

Justification

18.  Justification can only follow true repentance and is an act of God’s free grace wherein He pardoneth the sins of man, and accepteth him as righteous in His sight, only for the sake of Christ.

Faith

19.  True unfeigned faith in God believes all that God has said, commanded, promised or threatened.  It is dependent upon testimony, and is valuable to us as the truth itself.  We can believe in men.  We are responsible for our faith, for one may believe a lie as he does the truth.  The truth only can make him free.  True saving faith leads the soul to trust itself to the all- atoning merits of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Adoption

20.  Adoption is an act of God whereby the believing sinner is received into the family of God, with all the rights and privileges of His children in which he becomes an heir of God with a right and title to eternal life.

The New Birth

1.  The new birth of which our Lord spoke is that mighty change wrought of God in the soul of man when He imparts to him eternal life and renews him in the image of God.  This change is the work of the Holy Spirit wrought in man, convincing him of sin, and leading him to repentance and faith whereby he is born from above with eternal life as a gift from God.

Go chap 28, The Elders' Creed

Religion and Theology as Defined by Moses and Abraham

Moses and Abraham spoke about the differences between religion and theology.

You will find that the Blessed Virgin Mary is held in esteem in heaven.


Then Abraham spoke and said: "the theology which treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, His laws and government, the doctrines men are to believe, and the duties they are to practice, have been much neglected in recent years; and we are informed that in many branches of the church grave errors have crept in."

"Religion," said he, "is the life of man in personal communication with God.  It is the recognition of God in all of our duties.  It is the bond which unites man to God.  That faith that comprehends His presence, and invites Him into all the affairs of man’s life.  It is the life of God in the soul of man manifesting itself daily in practical morality."

"What then," I asked, "is the difference between religion and theology?"

"Religion," said Abraham, "has reference to God in the heart and life of man, which sows itself in obedience to all the divine will."

"Theology," said Moses, "is a scientific system, which treats of God and the laws by which man is saved.  Yet a man may be a theologian, as were many of the Scribes and Pharisees, without experimental religion.  The source of all true theology is God Himself in the revelations He has given to man."

Paul then spoke and said: "These revelations are both natural and supernatural.  Natural theology treats of God and His attributes as taught by nature.  Nearly nineteen hundred years ago I wrote: "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal Godhead," (Romans 1:20) so they are without excuse.  But the Scriptures," said he, "are the true source of correct theological teachings among men on the earth.  They are a divinely inspired revelation to men.  The careful interpretation of them reveals God to men as we have found Him after hundreds of years’ acquaintance with Him here.  They discover His true nature, attributes, relations to and dealings with man.  True theology treats also of man, his relations and duties to God and his fellowmen; of the future state, which we are all now enjoying, with its rewards, and also the punishments which are meted out to the impenitent."
At this, I spoke and said: "There has been much caviling and critical fault-finding of the Scriptures in the last few decades of time, so that I am glad of the privilege of asking you, who wrote so much of them, further concerning them, as to their authenticity, genuineness and authority as coming from God to man."

Moses was first to speak.  He said: "Many cavilers and fault-finders were in my own time.  No proof could satisfy them.  There are mysteries of revelation as well as in the outward creation.  I knew I was called and directly commissioned of God, and the books of the law were written by His express commandment.  Joshua was my successor and went forth to his responsible task by appointment of our divine Lord, and his messages and writings were prefaced by such words as, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel." Samuel, the prophet and seer of Israel, was early called of God and spake the word with authority from heaven.  All the books of the prophets are composed of direct messages from God.  Our Lord who sent us forth, fully recognized the whole body of our writings, included in the Old Testament Scriptures.  He paid the highest honors to those ancient records, as He has fully told me.  His seal being set to them they will stand forever.  You need have no fears of the Scriptures ever falling beneath the feet of the church, on account of the efforts of skeptical men.  God reserves to Himself the power to cause the earth to open its mouth again and swallow up the combinations of evil men, as in the days of Korah, Dathan and Abiram."

"Indeed," said Paul, "Our Lord put His full sanction to every jot and tittle of the law and the prophets; enforced the precepts written by Moses as binding upon all the Jewish people.  He quoted the writings of nearly every prophet, from Moses to Malachi, recognizing their full authority, as the word of God, and giving them the distinctive title of the Scriptures, as different from all other writings.  As the apostles and evangelists of our Lord, we always fully recognized their divine origin and quoted and wrote and preached from them appealing to them as authority on all questions of faith.  We ever declared they were the "oracles of God, and given as the Holy Ghost spake by the mouth of His ancient servants." This is expressly declared of David, of Isaiah, and of all the holy prophets."

Peter now spoke and said, "You will remember in one of my epistles I spoke of our Lord’s transfiguration on the holy mount and the voice that then spake from heaven attesting that this Jesus was the Son of God.  Our combined testimony should have been received by every Jew.  (I Peter 1:17-21) Yet, I then declared that the Scriptures were to them a more sure word of prophecy; and urged them to take heed to their revelations, for they fully spoke of Christ our Lord."

"Now," said Peter, "there are the positive assertions of inspiration and authority for all the writings of the New Testament.  What the four evangelists wrote was under the eye and inspection of our Lord, although not coming to public notice for years after His ascension to heaven.  A special promise of the presence and help of the Holy Spirit was given to all the apostles.  The spirit of truth thus promised was to bring to our remembrance whatever the Lord had taught us, and to teach us all things.  Old truths brought back to mind, and new truths brought from the fountains above, were His special delight.  On account of this endowment, our Lord placed an authority on our word as upon His own and the earlier prophets’.  The writers of the New Testament always identify their words as the words of the Holy Ghost, announcing their messages as in truth the word of God: the word of the Lord that should endure forever.  So from God they all came.  They breathe the pure spirit of His goodness and carry the stamp of His authority, and will stand forever."

The place seemed to contain a space somewhat equal to a ten or twelve acre field in the earth.  Circular seats ran the whole course round the spacious place of worship.  The orchestra occupied an elevated position in the center, and a thousand harps and voices were thrilling the vast audiences with the melodies of heaven.  David’s harp and voice never seemed so sweet as at that service.  Many fathers of the church of an early date were there, many who had suffered persecution and martyrdom were also there.  Their faces glowed with a peculiar joy as their words fell like fragrant oil upon that wonderful host.  At the suggestion of St. Bartholomew we all fell on our knees and faces and with one heart and voice gave God all the glory.  Many short sermonettes were preached to the thousands, many of whom like ourselves were newcomers into the city.  This seemed to be a preparatory service for the great coming convocation at the throne.  Isaiah, with his long flowing beard, spoke as with a silver trumpet, announcing the general order newly arranged for the great occasion.  Enoch’s face shone equal to the angels’ as he shouted the glory of his Lord.  John the Baptist also with his piercing voice stirred the congregation as to a flame of fire.  The blessed Virgin was also there and her sweet voice was like waves of light over all the people.  We found she was held in great esteem in heaven.  Priscilla and Aquilla both gave public utterances of great helpfulness.  Many others witnessed to the great goodness of God.  At last we all stood and sang a doxology and with one voice and as one  soul shouted the praises of Him who had redeemed us to God by His own blood.

Go to  Conference with the Elders for more
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Preachers Lorenzo Dow, Roland Hill, Adam Clark and others are in Heaven

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You'll meet noted preachers like Lorenzo Dow, Adam Clark and others when you are saved and go to heaven.

At this there came a group of happy men, precious souls, passing near us.  I said, "Who are they?" and they were quickly invited to tarry a moment for an introduction.  My friends, Edwin Ransome and Peter Fuggele, knew them well, and said:
"They are a group of ministers who were noted and well-known in the world, greatly beloved on earth and so they are in heaven."

I was soon introduced to Christmas Evans and Rowland Hill of England, Dr. Guthrie also. Robert Flockhart and John Wesley stood side by side.  Dr. Adam Clark and George Fox were also introduced, then there came Peter Cartwright and Lorenzo Dow, with many others.

"Oh," I cried and said, "I have heard and read of all you good men.  Glad indeed, very glad I am to meet you all here.  This must be the ‘preachers’ picnic party.’" I beckoned to mother, Genevive and Mary, who also came and were introduced, A number of seats were brought and placed beneath the broad, spreading branches of the tree and we all sat down, when we saw David coming toward us carrying his harp.  When he had come near, all these brethren arose and greeted him with a most heavenly welcome.  David made a most courteous bow and with a pleasant smile was seated with us.  Then standing and taking in the situation, he quickly introduced his chariot group again when they arose and gave us another welcome.  At this I arose and said: "Dear brethren, my soul is so overcome with the joy and gladness of heaven, I cannot Longer restrain my feelings."

GO to chap 24, The Return to the City for more

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Young People and Chlldren with Little Instruction about the True God

Young people, children, with little instruction about our true God,  and heathen children who have not reached accountability are saved. They are taken to a place for their enlightenment.

All the heathen infants are saved as well as those in civilized and Christian lands.  Their accountability is not reached in as early years as they are in more enlightened nations, hence a larger number die in childhood and youth, who have never known the law of God to bring them under condemnation; and being under the free gift with eternal life, they are gathered here in very great ignorance.  While heathen nations are responsible to God, yet their responsibility is not so great as those of Christian lands."

"But, mother," said Mary, "how is it that so many of the heathen children are saved and gathered here when so many of their parents are lost?"

"Their parents," said Genevive, "have reached an age of accountability through the measure of light they have.  They have likewise sinned and fallen under condemnation and following their superstitions have died in their sins, while their children have not reached the place of enlightenment to bring them under such responsibility."


 Go to Chap 23, Seneca's further visit with his Wife, Mother and Daughter for more

No Distinction of Races in HEAVEN

If you are black, brown, or yellow skinned on earth,  there is no distinction of races in heaven!

It makes no difference here as to the kind of body we had on earth.  All souls have a spotless whiteness here and their robes, the same.  Whatever the physical condition may have been on earth, we are all one family here.  Children of one Father.  Do you notice that group of singers yonder?"

"I do, mother."

"They were all colored people of America," she said "some of them suffered much, as slaves, by their old masters.  Let us go and speak to them a moment."

We did so, when to my great surprise I quickly recognized one of them.  We stood face to face, but for a moment I hesitated, and then said: "In the name of paradise, is this you, Rastus?"

"Oh," he said, "It’s me; but who be you?"

I said, "Look again."

He did so and began to smile.  "I do know you, Mr. Sodi, you preached to us colored folks once on board the vessel on de North Sea," and with that he gave me his hand.

I knew him in my earlier years having business with his old master in the South.  He was very black and very ignorant, but his face now shone with the brightness of heaven itself, and his garments were perfect whiteness.

"Well, I am glad to meet you," he said.

"Indeed, it is mutual," I replied; "but you are so changed.

Are there no black faces in heaven?" I inquired.

 
GO to Chap 21, No Race Prejudice in Heaven  for more

The Man who did not Make it to Heaven, Almost

 This man almost did not make it to heaven. He had his conversion on his dying bed, after hearing a "sermon". But what would happen if it is a sudden death?

"Think deeply of the weeds which have been growing in your heart so long and scattering their seed in other soil around you.  Think of the ripening harvest from your sowing, and that "whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.’ Think of the rich man in torment, remembering good only to lighten his sorrow, knowing it might have been otherwise with his soul, but now being tormented he could see ‘Lazarus afar off in Abraham’s bosom.’

"As these considerations are before you, haste with all speed to Him who alone is able to save you.  Oh, do not live longer as if there were neither a bed of death nor a bar of judgment.  Be wise; look your danger in the face.  Anticipate the day when you shall behold a God in judgment and a world in flames; and flee to your God from the wrath to come." 

With this the man bowed his head again and with sobs of emotion mingled with joy and grief, he arose and said: "Oh, thank God, I remember it all and was earnestly praying when the chariot called for me.  Oh, I did and do hate every sin of the past.  I do love God.  I am His forever.  Hallelujah to Jesus!"

Go to Chap 19, An Earthly Sermon Repeated in Heaven  for more

Don't Offend God by Oppressing Little Children

Don't ever oppress the little children, or you will answer to God., Testimony of Rev Elwood Scott:

As I glanced over the countless multitude of little ones, I was most forcibly reminded of the words of our Lord: "Suffer the children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Mark 10:14) I thought again that no longer was the warning needed that "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea." (Mark 9:42) "No," I thought, thank God, no more experiences of being cuffed about as many had been on earth.  No more little heartaches and sobs.  No more being falsely accused and blamed by irritated older ones!"

I thought as I looked over this wonderful gathering that every child had a history of its own.  I thought of little Mary and her sad story of whom we used to sing on earth.  A mother who was preparing some flour for baking into cakes left it for a few minutes when little Mary, with childish curiosity to see what it was, took hold of the dish which fell to the floor spilling the contents.  The mother struck the child a severe blow, saying, with anger, that she was always in the way.  A fortnight afterward little Mary’s sickness had increased to her death.  On her death bed while delirious she asked her mother if there would be any room for her among the angels.  "I was always in your way, mother, you had no room for me at times in your heart.  And shall I be in the angels’ way?" The broken-hearted mother then felt no sacrifice too great, could she have saved the child.

Go to Chap 17, The Children's Great Cathedral  for more.

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Meeting the Ancient Patriarchs: Job, Methuselah, Abel, Noah

Meeting the ancient patriarchs, Job,  Methuselah, Abel, Noah, and others, Rev Elwood Scott found them young with no signs of old age.

To some of these I was especially attracted.  Their great earnestness and enthusiasm and peculiar conduct, coupled with such Lovely faces and sweet tempers invited us to go and sit among them.  So I said to Bohemond, "Let us go and talk with them and find who they are."

They welcomed us to their company.  We soon found ourselves sitting in the presence of Job and Methuselah, Abel and Noah, with many of the earliest ancestors of the race.  They all seemed full of vigorous life with no marks of decrepit old age like we knew so much in the world.  I then quickly thought of the words of the angel to John: "Behold I make all things new," (Revelation 21:5) and sure enough, these were among the earliest of the race of man, made in God’s image, on whom this mighty renovating power had come.

We had a long but very pleasant visit with them asking them many questions concerning the early history of man on the earth.  Adam and Eve were the first creation of man in the image of God. Go to Chap 15, Visit with Ancient Patriarchs for more

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Heavenly Worship

There are some moments in our parish, our minds would wonder, thinking of other things right during our greatest worship, the Holy Mass. In heaven, there is great rejoicing during worship.

I had been so entranced at our situation and surroundings and so absorbed in the conversation that I had almost forgotten who or where I was; but turning to Bohemond, I said: "How blessed to be here, and then, just to think, we are with the old prophets of God of whom we have read so much!"

At this Bohemond again fell on his face in adoring praise to God, and poured forth such sweet strains of melodious thanksgiving, that David could not withhold his fingers from the strings of his harp, In a moment more, the whole chariot was sounding with the sweetest music of all the ages, for the sweet singer of Israel had greatly improved himself, he said, since he had been singing the songs of heaven.  While we were singing, Bohemond arose and joined, and sang so loud and lovely that all eyes were turned upon him.  As I scanned the faces I caught the glimpse of one which I soon recognized as that of Abraham, whom I had met back at the crystal river.  I stepped toward him.  He knew me and called my name, and shook my hand with a joyous fresh welcome and said: "Let me introduce to you my son Isaac, and Jacob as well, of whom you have often read." GO to Chap 14, Great Prayer Meeting in Heaven

image of King David from Wiki

The Tree of Life

If you follow God's precepts, you will be entitled to the tree of life, and therefore enter the Holy City.

God’s Word seemed further comfort where He says, "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14) We felt such a comfort in this assurance, that if we had a right to the tree of life, and the fruit given us was by an elder’s hand, and that Abraham himself had refreshed and immortalized us from the river of God which came from the throne itself, that the angel at the gate would not debar us entering now.  Just at this time my mother, who had been busily engaged in conversation with others, came to 

me and said:

"You need have no fears.  It gave me much joy when many years ago I was passing near where the angel was recording the names of those who had been born again, and seeing your name I at once asked the angel who it was.  He called another angel who had just come from the scenes of earthly conflict, where they were having great religious awakenings, and asked him if he could tell who these were whose names were just written.  "Oh," he said, "I have just been among them," and described everything so minutely that I had all assurance it was you.  Then other names which I saw registered were from the same place.  My old home, our old home.  Indeed the memory of it is dear to me as I think of it now.  We will talk over the details of it someday; as things have been since I left you all.  My soul was filled with exceeding great joy when I saw your name.  Then the angel told me when he found I was your mother, that he went with you and your cousin, whom I knew so well, one night as you went from the scenes of prayer and stood by your side late at night, while you solemnly made a vow and pledged faithfulness to God and to each other, that he went and woke your father who was sleeping in another room and led him out to witness your covenant.  Oh, you may know that not only I, but the angels rejoiced with me when they brought me the tidings.  He also told me of the conversion of other members of our family, and many more in the neighborhood.

GO to Chap IX Entering Through the Gates for more

Forever Young in Heaven

Once in Heaven, infirmities are lost, becomes youthful, full of vigor, no more pain or sorrow. Rev Elwood Scott's testimony:


Some that I had known in the earth as old men now seemed young and the very picture of health and enjoyment.  The angels also were clothed with youthful appearance and vigor.  I said to one of them: "How is it that lapse of years does not make its mark upon you here?" "Oh," said the angel, "one day here is as a thousand years of an earthly existence.  No one ever grows older in appearance or feelings in this world.  We are undying and un-decaying.  We are clothed only with immortality.  No one ever feels a pain or knows a sorrow here."


Go to Chap 8, Just Outside the City Walls for more

The Holy City and the Glory of God

You'll find gold and precious stones adorning the Holy City. The way God was described, I had a very strong emotion which brought me to tears.

By this time we were entering the massive Judean gateway.  Our hearts were all filled with joy in the expectation of so soon seeing Him whom our souls loved.  As we passed through the gateway the most beautiful scene met our gaze that we had ever witnessed before in heaven or on earth.  Human language cannot describe it.  To say the streets were pure gold or transparent glass would give the best idea by way of comparison of any object I know.  The great thoroughfares leading from the gate seemed to lead off toward the center of the Holy City.  On the right hand as we passed in were mighty, stupendous columns of precious stone shining with a brightness that heaven only knows.  Massive domes and great archways were overhead.  Nothing showed any signs of decay or age.  No rubbish or signs of wear.  The light toward the mansion was exceeding great.  Our Lord now came forward to meet and welcome us.  Twelve legions of happy souls had now filed in at the great gateway and stood before our King.  The glory and majesty of His being can never be described.  The beloved disciple on Patmos once tried to tell of His glorious appearance as He revealed Himself on earth; He was then clothed with a flowing garment down to His feet and girt about with a golden girdle; His head and hair seemed white as snow, and His eyes as a flame of tire; His feet were glowing like burnished brass; His countenance was like the sun at midday; a sharp two-edged sword was in his mouth and seven stars were in His right hand.  (Revelation 1:13-16) But when the disciples saw Him on the Mount of Transfiguration sixty-three years before, His garments then shone as the light and His face with the brilliancy of the sun.  On Earth He was called the fairest among ten thousand and altogether lovely.  But as He is now in His exaltation in heaven, the language is too tame to express His glory.  He bore the marks in His hands, and above His sandals the nail prints showed distinctly.  He was the very embodiment of light.  It was not dazzling to our eyes as was Moses’ face to Israel of old, for we were prepared for it; since the days of our conversion on earth until we passed through this gate we were being prepared for this vision of our Lord.  Oh, how forcibly were the words of Scripture as I looked upon His face and then glanced far into the city!  "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof." He was also the embodiment of love itself.  Every feature of His face spoke of love.  Indeed it was the reflection of His Father’s infinite love.  All the love in heaven or in the church on earth came from Him.  He bade us welcome to Him, and as we came, by one mighty impulse we all fell on our faces and began to worship Him with adoring praise, saying, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation." The angels and the saints who met us, also joined and sang some new songs which we had never heard before.  Our souls were in ecstasies of joy not to be described.

GO to Chap 9, 6th par, Entering Through the Gate for more