Suburbs of the Holy City
Excerpts from "Heaven and the Gracious King" by Joyful Star

Moses was admonished by Jehovah/God when he was about to make the tabernacle, to be sure to make all things according to the pattern he was shown on the mount (Exodus 26:30). The Tabernacle was designed with an OUTER COURT -- HOLY PLACE -- and MOST HOLY PLACE. Then Heaven, being the true Tabernacle (Heb 8:2) must be the pattern and have the same design. The Bible describes in Revelation 21:16 a foursquare City containing a HOLY PLACE with a MOST HOLY PLACE, or Temple (Rev 15:5-8), in the center. Then somewhere there should be an OUTER COURT.

Surrounding the foursquare City is a wide outer expanse called suburbs, or borderlands. John tells us in Revelation that he was taken to a great and high mountain and shown the holy City. All around the outer edge of this suburbs area are high mountains with many peaks. (Psalm 68:15). These suburgs are very huge, making Heaven appear large and round, about the size of a planet, bigger than earth. It has mountains, valleys, trees, flowers, River, animals, and is very much like earth. But unlike earth, it is perfect in beauty, and there is nothing here to corrupt (Matthew 6:19 & Revelation 21:4, 27).

Come with me now, into this outer court, also called suburbs, or borderlands, or countryside. These suburbs are the first place everyone comes after their time on earth is done. no one enters here who has not confessed and repented of sin and been washed in the blood of Yeshua/Jesus (Hebrews 9:12; 10:19 & Acts 4:12). When the angels bring them in, the people are placed within groups in different areas of these suburbs. This is where we are taught the basic principles of immortal life, and begin to experience our new existence, when corruptible has put on incorruption, and mortal has put on immortality.

Now look around and notice that the light seems to come from everywhere and it is like a soft, golden glow with no shadows. This light is the glory of Jehovah. (Revelation 21:23).

As you take a deep breath, you realize the air here is absolutely pure, and so invigorating. When you take a step, you almost feel like you are floating, because you no longer have a heavy body of clay nor gravity to deal with! Because our spirits have such freedom and our senses are much more acute, we feel so alive and full of energy. We can still see, hear, smell, taste, and touch because those senses belong to the soul, not the physical body. Therefore, they are not fully defined by the word physical. Read the parable Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31

Continuing to look around, you will notice that the landscape and colors all blend together in perfect beauty. The music, the birds singing, and the sounds from the river all join in harmonious song. Sometimes on earth we would sigh with the psalmist, who said, "O that I had wings like a dove then I would fly away and be at rest" (Psalm 55:6). Well, here we are in the land of perfect peace and rest! You are welcome to reach up anytime to pick and eat some fruit from the Tree of Life to strengthen your spirit.

As we receive instructions about our heavenly home in this place, we quickly realize that our mental capacity is increased. We learn that the Spirit controls and harmonizes everything that happens in Heaven. So if on the earth we haven't learned complete obedience to God's gracious and loving Spirit, we must learn it here. Even with full nental capacity, we don't suddenly know everything when we get to Heaven, but we will find it very easy to understand and gain knowledge. We do, however, know and recognize others, as they know and recognize us (I Corinthians 13:12).

But all of this beauty and peace is still just the lower level of glory in Heaven. There are many people who had no time for spiritual things while they were on the earth. They didn't think about where they would spend eternity or how to lay up treasure in Heaven till they were dying or near the end of their lives. Then they became interested in salvation. Yet the heavenly Father is so gracious that if they truly repent, He fully forgives and grants them everlasting life. But their souls have had no time to grow, and they have no treasure laid up in heaven. Arriving here, they realize their loss, and some even feel unworthy. But the atmosphere of love and peace that pervades heaven, eating fruit from the Tree of Life, and the time spent in the river, will all contritute to the strengthening of their spirits, and will in time, allow them to enter more fully into the joys of Heaven. The more we prepare ourselves on earth by seeking God's face and obeying His Word, the easier it will be to blend blend in with the atmosphere and activities when we arrive in Heaven.

What a wonderful time we will have when we all get to Heaven!!

SEE YOU THERE!!  

                                                                      used by permission of Bible Visuals Int                                                                                                                                                                     

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