The Heavenly House
The heavenly house is a marvel and glorious above all, by His marvelous work. The inexpressible work of God, the heavenly Jerusalem revealed in it, is built like a temple. It has twelve gates and is surrounded by light; its pillars are of light, its covering of light, its threshold of light.
It is surrounded by seven curtains of fire and seven walls of fire, and is called “House” or “City” because the kingdom of heaven is the dwelling place of the righteous. (Aximarus Zehud) The Heavenly Jerusalem, which our God called the everlasting house, was first place where Samael lived when he was in his glory. But later, when he was cast down to the earth with his counterparts, cursed by the Lord for his lies and arrogance, it was given to the descendants of Adam who inherit the kingdom of heaven by works of righteousness instead of him and the fallen angels. As it written “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 14:2)
Saint Paul says, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of Angels, to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)
Let us strive to be worthy to live in our heavenly house for eternity of righteousness and holiness, as it is written in Saint Matthews’ Gospel “come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
The word says that when the world passes away at the end of time and all creation is brought before God, our Lord will come in His glorious kingdom to judge, the righteous and put them at His right and the sinners at His left, in delivering those who have done good to eternal happiness and those who have done evil to eternal fire. The Lord said, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12)
Then they will be subject to the law, please their creator, and be worthy to inherit the kingdom of the righteous. All the Saints who have tasted the joy of paradise will live together in the kingdom of heaven in perfect peace, perfect love and perfect joy in the world of light.
The bible tells us that the hope of the kingdom of heaven is given to all: “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8:11)
The righteous who borne the cross of suffering on earth will inherit the kingdom of heaven, and their hope is to live in the heavenly world. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven…Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3-10)
We need to live in the kingdom of our God while we are on earth, which is a kingdom of righteousness, peace, love and spirituality, in order to have the hope of the kingdom of heaven, walk on the true path, bear the fruits of religion and enter into eternal happiness. Since all the good works of righteousness of us in our Christian life will lead to that, we should prepare for inheriting the Kingdom by desiring, thinking, and practicing the law of everlasting life now!
May God’s benevolence be with us in inheriting Kingdom of heaven; Amen!