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Read the Book:
Inside the Gates of Heaven by Oden Hetrick

Chapter 6

A BEAUTIFUL SECRET OF HEAVEN

And now I have saved this next part till the last thing before we come to the eastern gate, because I know that when you hear this beautiful secret about Heaven, you will do all within your power to make your final abode in that land of endless day.

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. — Psalms 25:14

The secret covenant of God simply stated is eternal companionship. Consider that when God created this earth, He put two sinless companions in a perfect paradise and had divine fellowship with them. Companions in paradise with the fellowship of their Creator is therefore God’s perfect will, because God called this creation good and then He blessed it.

Yes, Adam and Eve sinned and lost their covering of light, but an animal was slain so that its skins could cover their bodies. This slain animal also temporarily paid their death penalty by the shedding of its blood, until Jesus became the supreme Sacrifice for sins. Adam and Eve are now companions in Heaven by an eternal covenant.

Notice also that Jesus calls Himself the Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15) and that He came to earth to purchase for Himself an eternal companion by giving His life and His blood. (Ephesians 5:25)

There are some remarkable comparisons between Adam and Jesus:

  1. Adam is a representation of Christ. Eve is representative of the Church, the Bride of Christ.
  2. God’s design was for them to live in paradise and commune with Him. Jesus and His Bride the Church, will live in Heaven’s paradise forever in God’s presence.
  3. When Adam saw that Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, he chose to partake also. His deep love for her, made him willing to suffer the consequences with her, rather than to be separated from her. Jesus chose to become sin for us, and suffer the consequences of death, so that His Bride could be with Him.
  4. Adam was put to sleep and Eve was formed out of a rib from his side. Jesus fell asleep (died) on the cross, and from His side flowed the blood that cleanses the sin from those who will be the Bride of Christ.

Chapter 7

COMPANIONSHIP IN HEAVEN

Adam and Jesus are not the only ones who will have eternal companions in Heaven, because fellowship and companionship is the purpose of this creation. You see, when God made Eve for Adam, it was not as though He made another apple. It was as though He cut one apple in half (sex means to divide). Adam was divided into two beings — one masculine, and one feminine. This division was not just in the physical realm; it was also in the spiritual, mental and emotional realms. That’s why a strictly physical relationship on earth does not fully satisfy the desire of men and women for companionship. There must be a relationship not affected by time or space or death — a relationship that unites two souls, two minds and two hearts.

Now let’s consider further.

Jesus said unto them, the children of this world marry, and are given in marriage; But those who shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die anymore; for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. — Luke 20:34-38
THE CHILDREN (men and women) OF THIS WORLD MARRY and are given in marriage… — Luke 20:34

God told Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. That is one God-given purpose for marriage here on earth where physical bodies grow old and die. In fact, a passage in Galatians indicates that there will not be male and female, (or the ability to reproduce), in the next world.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus — Galatians 3:28

In Heaven we are all one in Christ, we are immortal and do not die. Although these passages clearly indicate that the relationship between men and women will be different in the eternal world from what it is now, the fact that a man and a woman are united in God is plainly stated in I Corinthians 11:1-15 where we have the Divine order of headship.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God….Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. — I Corinthians 11:3, 9, 10

In other words, the divine order of headship is this: God ~ Christ ~ Man ~ Woman ~ Angels. This order is not always in effect in this world because angels are not always acknowledged, and Christ is not the head of all homes and men. Therefore we conclude that since God, Christ, Men, Women and Angels are eternal beings, that this divine order of headship will be fully in effect in God’s eternity. And, lest the union of man and woman be not clear the Scripture continues:

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. — I Corinthians 11:11
But THE CHIIDREN (men and women) OF THE RESURRECTION… DO NOT DIE. — Luke 20:36

They are eternal, spiritual beings like angels. Only they are more than angels. They are sons and daughters of God. Jesus did not cancel companionship in Heaven, He is simply explaining that resurrected beings who do not die, do not reproduce. And just like the tabernacle was a copy of the true, so earthly marriage foreshadows a future, permanent, greater union in Heaven between spiritual beings, masculine and feminine.

Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it… that He might present it to Himself a glorious church… For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones… This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. — Ephesians 5:25-32

On this earth, a feminine being lives in a female body which is flesh and blood and physical and temporary. In Heaven she lives in an eternal spiritual body. She is still feminine and looks like a lady, but she is no longer female. Spiritual glorified bodies do not have reproductive organs, because flesh and blood do not enter Heaven. The same is true for a man. In Heaven he lives in a spiritual body. He still looks like a man, and he is still masculine, but he is no longer male.

Yes, there are relationships between a man and a lady in Heaven, but there we live in glorified bodies, not physical bodies. And only in God’s house will companions finally be together forever. I Corinthians tells us that the woman originally came from man. [I Corinthians 11:8] (as Eve from Adam)

This is what the Lord says…In My House, and within My walls, a place and a name … of sons, and of daughters. — Isaiah 56:4-5
In the Lord, the man and the woman are not independent of each other. — I Corinthians 11:11
I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty… — II Corinthians 6:18

Now consider these six facts:

1. Jesus paid the supreme price to obtain a bride.

2. When God made Eve for Adam, He instituted eternal companionship, because there was no death at that time.

3. The masculine is not complete without the feminine, because in Adam they were created as one.

4. Every child born to Adam’s race is only half of a perfect one.

5. Love is eternal.

6. Everyone of us, just like Jesus, desires an eternal companion.

Therefore, just as God made food for hungry bodies, and air for birds to fly in, so He has made Paradise for sweethearts.

BUT THE ONLY WAY TO THAT PARADISE IS JESUS — THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. — John 14:6
jesus yeshua
 

This vision of Jesus was photographed by Prince Adolph Frederick Wilhelm Von Hapsburg, the 15-year old grandson of the late Emperor of Austria. It was taken June 1, 1960 as the LORD appeared to all in the hall of Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Mission of Mexico.

I AM with you always… — Matthew 28:20
I AM come in My Father’s Name… — John 5:43
I AM the Living Bread from Heaven… — John 6:51
I AM from Him (the Father)… — John 7:29
I AM the Light of the World… — John 8:12
I AM from above… — John 8:23
I AM not of this world… — John 8:23
I AM the Good Shepherd… — John 10:14
I AM the Resurrection and the Life… — John 11:25
I AM Alpha and Omega… — Revelation 1:8
I AM alive for evermore… — Revelation 1:18
I AM He who searches minds and hearts… — Revelation 2:23

Chapter 8

Some Questions Answered

Now your questions:

Q/ Will a person who remained single on earth have a companion in Heaven?

A/ Yes. Just as God chose Eve for Adam, so He will choose companions in Heaven. Jesus was not married on earth, but Rev 19:1-9 records His marriage in Heaven.

Q/ Will my spouse on earth be my companion in Heaven?

A/ Many married Christians have a companionship that includes mental, emotional and spiritual satisfaction. They share a love that distance cannot hinder, time cannot diminish, and death cannot finish. And since their life on earth is a happy one, they desire to be together in Heaven, and I believe God will grant their desire. On the other hand, many marriages are unhappy, but don’t let an unhappy marriage turn you against the covenant companion concept. God made for Adam a companion he would not part with; and He knows how to choose the perfectly satisfying companion in Heaven for every saved child of Adam’s race. If we keep His rules here, He will keep His promises there.

The earthly covenant of marriage is till death do us part.  If a partner dies, the spouse is free both legally by man’s law, and God’s law to marry again.  If a person on earth can have more than one spouse because of death,  then surely after death when we get to Heaven, God knows who the perfect companion is for us, because He is the one who created you to be one.  So everyone who is married on earth is not necessarily married to their covenant companion.   Many people remarry after the death of a spouse, meaning they have had two spouses,  but in Heaven they only have one companion.  God created you and knows you best, and knows who He created to be your perfect companion.  In Heaven all will be made right.

Q/ If there is no marriage in Heaven, how do companions express love?

A/ A biological response is not love; it is only an expression of love, as your question has said. But God had to make it one of the physical intimacies on earth, or the race would not continue. In Heaven there are seven intimacies, but they are spiritual, and any one of them would make the earthly relationship seem like a bad dream by comparison. Eternal intimacies will be explained in the Holy City where we will soon be going. But following is a brief introduction.

Spirits look like people, but two of them can occupy the same space at the same time and appear as one. This is why a soul and a spirit can both live in the same body; they are being intimate with each other and with that body. The fear of death is proof that souls and spirits are very delighted with life in a body.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. — James 2:26

Covenant companions in Heaven (those united by God) will live in spiritual glorified bodies and so will also be able to occupy the same space at the same time, the masculine and the feminine appearing as one glorified being, united as two voices singing one duet. There is nothing on earth that even compares to the lasting ecstasy of this intimacy.

God’s Spirit and my spirit are also delighted to be together as one in my body, because when I dedicated my life to God, I was so happy that for hours I could not speak for laughing. And this spiritual intimacy will continue forever in my glorified body in Heaven.

The Lord is intimate with the upright. — Proverbs 3:32
If anyone loves Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and we will come and dwell (remain) with him — John 14:23

A happy relationship with God’s indwelling Spirit is required before anyone enters the gate of the Holy City.

And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit that he hath given us. — I John 3:24

Chapter 9

THROUGH THE GATES

We are ready now to approach the eternal City of God. And we will be seeing things that are very large and very different, things that are very intricate, detailed and beautiful, and hard to describe. But I will do my best, with the Lord’s help, to describe these things for you, as did St. John in Revelation 21 and 22.

This City built by God is our Father’s House, a very moving sight for the redeemed to behold, not only because of its bright beauty, but because of its emotional effect on those who are sincere about their relationship to Jesus, and who want to be with Him in this, His Father’s House.

(Many of us have loved ones there whose love beckons us to come Home. It’s my eternal Home. I have loved ones, mansions and treasures there, and I would like to stay there, but God has asked me to tell you about it.)

St. John described the wall of this City as great and high, and because we are near, it appears to reach up out of sight. In the eastern wall, facing us, there are three gates. Each one is surrounded by huge multicolored arches having the appearance of stained glass windows. The twelve foundations are covered with precious stones of twelve different colors — one color of gem for each foundation. The colors are so arranged that the City appears sometimes to be sitting on a rainbow and sometimes to be surrounded by it.

When we talk and sing about the eastern gate, we are referring to the center gate in this eastern wall of the City of God. This gate is important because as God and Jesus sit upon the Throne of Heaven, they face the inside of this eastern gate It is also through this eastern gate that Jesus will lead the raptured saints into the Holy City to eat from the Tree of Life, to feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb, and to spend eternity ruling and reigning with Him.

When the raptured saints come in sight of this magnificent City and that beckoning eastern gate, and when the glorious spiritual reality of our eternal Home dawns upon our glorified sight, we will be so filled with divine ecstasy that we will shout hallelujahs and praises to God like we never knew could come from our innermost being.

It will be the heavenly fulfillment of what happened when Jesus rode triumphantly into the earthly city of Jerusalem. On earth He was rejected, but in Heaven we will all be received.

St. John said each gate was a pearl and all twelve gates are never shut. A pearl is milk-white and translucent; we can see into a pearl, but we cannot see through it. The heavenly Throne of God and of Jesus has also a bright white semi-transparent appearance like a pearl. The gates are like pearls because they are concentrated white light. [Revelation 21:21] We can see into this light but we cannot see through it. We can, however, pass through this gate of pearly light. That’s why it is said to be never shut. But it does not stand open as a door on earth stands open. (Jesus on earth passed through closed doors in His glorified body.)

After we enter through the gate of pearly-white light, we see a huge hallway. With its high vaulted ceilings and wide corridor, it is about 216 feet long, because the wall of this City is 216 feet thick. There are no lighting fixtures here. The light comes from the Throne of God and begins as very bright white light.

The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to thee; but Yahweh shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. — Isaiah 60:19
And the City had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine it it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. — Revelation 21:23

Then, as this light is diffused through, and reflected from, the gem-like structure of this City, there emerges a rainbow spectrum which is the blending of five major colors: gold, blue, purple, red and green.

So we see that the rainbow effect is not only in the twelve foundations, but throughout the entire City, with the first color, gold, being predominant much of the time.

And above the firmament that was over their (four living beings) heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it… and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. — Ezekiel 1:26-28

The arches to your left and right, shaped like one-third of a circle, or like a rainbow, lead to rooms that on earth would be called business offices. Here the angel who keeps the gate has on record the name, the spiritual status and the works of every saint of God. In this hallway we are greeted by the angel of the gate with a joyful welcome because he knows who we are and because the angels bring only those who are worthy to enter this City. Inside this gate is one of the places where Jesus welcomes His people.

Chapter 10

INTO THE CITY

In front of us now is the area of the City called Paradise at the Father’s right hand, the Holy Place and the Outer Court. Here we see the golden streets, the Tree of Life and the River of Life. The Tree of Life is a row of trees on both sides of the river and these trees produce twelve kinds of fruit, one for each month of the year [Revelation 22:2]. But there is more than one kind of fruit ripe at one time. One fruit given to visitors to taste, is shaped like a pear, tastes like a soft ripe peach and is so juicy that its juice will run down your arms and drip off your elbows. (Before an Old Testament priest entered the Tabernacle to serve the Lord, he had to wash his hands; and, to make sure he used enough water, it had to run down his arms and drip off his elbows.) But don’t worry, the juice from heavenly fruit dries quickly and does not stain your beautiful garments.

The rows of the Tree of Life are always filled with fruit. The faster it is used, the faster it reappears; and what is left of the core then disappears. The trees are always filled with blossoms and fruit at the same time. These blossoms have a delightful fragrance that fills the air and blesses the saints who gather there.

Companions in Heaven spend many happy hours in this park talking, singing and laughing. In fact, there is always someone nearby who is laughing heartily. We each take our turn expressing our love and delight with laughter as we enjoy the tasty fruit and the colorful fragrant flowers, or as we wade, walk and play in the mile-wide river.

One day my angel guide said, Today we’re going to step into the crystal River of Life.

I said, But I have shoes on.

Then I looked at my feet and they had no shoes on. My feet never came to my attention before in my heavenly visits; I just supposed I had shoes on. Perhaps it is because we wear them all the time on earth, or perhaps it is because of an old song about people putting on shoes and walking all over God’s Heaven. I don’t think we wear shoes in Heaven and I know we don’t walk — we move gracefully as on roller skates without bouncing up and down.

So we stepped into the river and the experience was very stimulating and exciting. It was my first experience in touching the water of the River of Heaven.

This crystal River of Life is not cold and wet like earthly water. We can breathe under the surface because this water is a manifestation or appearing of the Spirit of God. Walking in this river is walking in the Spirit, and these waters remove the scars and memories of sin from the souls and minds of the saints whose home is in Heaven. The sins themselves, of course, must be removed on earth by the blood Jesus shed on earth.

(God’s Son) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. — Colossians 1:14
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will… — Hebrews 13:20-21
…Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. — Revelation 1:5

The golden streets are on both sides of the river. Close to the water, they begin to slope downward and continue under the water forming the river bed. The golden streets are clear, but they look golden because they reflect the predominant gold color of the City. Here again the effect is like pearl — we can see into the street but we cannot see through it. The river also is clear but it sparkles more like silver. The streets are on both sides of the river and are each about 90 feet wide. In the center of each street is a 30-foot wide green lawn with a row of trees, something like a boulevard. The trees are called the Tree of Life with twelve different fruits, one for each month. The lawn is made of short thick grass growing up out of white sand. There are also beds of fragrant colorful flowers artistically designed and arranged. This park of trees, streets and river makes twelve spirals around and from the center of the City outward to the eastern gate. This park is about 26,000 miles long and could easily accommodate 144 million people. But in all my visits to this place, there appear to be very few people here.

Some have wondered about family circles in Heaven. Togetherness here is different than it was on earth, because, even those who had no family on earth have a companion here, from whom they never part. We do at times have a banquet in our mansion for friends and relatives but they all bring their companions. And when we attend other banquets, we go as companions. For as Eden was made an eternal paradise for Adam and Eve until they fell, so Heaven was made for companions who are restored from the fall by Jesus, to be eternal sweethearts.

There are no families here as there are on earth. But in a spiritual sense, those who are here are all one family in our Heavenly Father’s big House. We can communicate by thought; but since we can’t listen and talk to everybody at once, most human fellowship in Heaven is between companions.

There are also small groups of companions talking, you could say, all at once. And there are larger groups listening to an interesting person, and there are also congregations listening to platform presentations or watching video scenes.

This book is copyrighted with all rights reserved and part two is not to be put on Internet. So to read the rest of the book please see the order blank.

©2009 All rights reserved

This book is protected by copyright laws of the USA. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical — including photocopying or putting on anyone else’s website — without written permission from the authors.

Next: read  Chapters 11-15

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