God told Moses to build a place on
earth where the people could meet to have their sins covered and learn
to worship God. Moses was told to build this tabernacle like the
pattern. The pattern was, and is, the City of God. So Moses'
Tabernacle had a Most Holy Place within a Holy Place where the priests
would serve; and around these was a large area for common people.
God's presence was manifested by a cloud of glory in the Most Holy
Place.
So also as we approach God's abode in
the sky, we come first to the large outer environs, then to the Holy
Place, then to the Most Holy Place where God sits on His Throne.
In this visit we plan to see the
suburbs of Heaven where we'll answer some questions, including questions
about sweethearts in Heaven. Then we'll enter the eastern gate,
taste fruit from the Tree of Life, walk on golden streets and experience
the crystal River of Life. We plan to see the people there, how
they are dressed, and what they do. Then we'll tour a mansion and
attend a banquet where Jesus sits at the head of the table.
Next we plan to enter the Most Holy
Place where God sits upon His Throne with Jesus at His right hand.
In this sacred Most Holy Place the saints, their clothing, and their
chamber mansions are much brighter because they are closer to God on His
Throne.
There are many names for Heaven in the
Bible. Here are just a few: The Holy City of God -- New Jerusalem
-- The Kingdom of Heaven -- Our Father's House -- Jerusalem above --
Temple in the sky -- High and Holy Habitation.
We find from these names, and from
many other Scriptures, that the City of Heaven is, and always will be,
in the sky. But even on this planet God had fellowship with our
forefather Adam in Eden's Paradise. And Adam had fellowship with a
sweetheart whose name was Eve. And the three of them -- God and
Adam and Eve -- had a divine fellowship in that long ago peaceful
paradise that we know very little about.
But when disobedience entered that
beautiful picture, God removed His indwelling Spirit from Adam and Eve.
Then He took drastic measures to restore His creatures to His fellowship
-- He sent Jesus, His Divine Son, to pay our death penalty. Now
all who turn from disobedience (sin) and follow Jesus, will be restored
to fellowship with God; and God's Spirit will return again as a dove of
peace and love, to dwell in every believer.
Our relationship to the indwelling
Spirit of God is like the fellowship of two friends. One friend
says to the other, "Let's go to the park!" and the other friend replies,
"I'm all for it. Let's go!" God's Spirit is like the first
friend who knows what to do, and we are like the second friend who
caught the excitement of the action and the desire to go along.
Jesus said:
"You will be my friends
if you follow my instructions."
John 15:14
if you follow my instructions."
John 15:14
We should learn this loving obedience
on earth; if not, we learn it in the suburbs of Heaven where we are now
going.
Lois Hetrick