darkness, there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth."
When death and hell shall give up their dead (for the souls of the
wicked--who are dead in trespasses and in sin--are still enduring that
death that never dies), and all appear before the Judgment seat of
Christ, where "every one shall receive according to the deeds done in
the body," and the wicked are "driven from God, and from the glory of
His power," to reach again their eternal destiny, they will doubtless
pass through that dark void, even that "great gulph fixed between,"
and there _will_ be weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
* * * * *
Although we believe the evidence furnished is conclusive beyond cavil
or doubt to every intelligent mind, yet we will still add more
affirmative arguments which we desire that all should consider.
First, Let us refer again to the declarations--we have several times
repeated--of the Prophets and Apostles. That heaven, and the Holy City
in it, hath no need of the light of the _Sun_. That the "glory of God
doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." That there is no
night there, but one eternal day.
Now let us call to your mind the _extent_ of that empire wherein _the
Sun does not shine_. From astronomical measurement, we may form in our
minds an approximation of its dimensions. To fix for it a low
estimate, we may safely conclude that the domain proper, is at least
_five hundred thousand miles_ in diameter, and _one million five
hundred thousand miles around it_. The empire is vast indeed, so great
that, by comparison, we can form no correct idea of it. We can only
approximate by saying that it would require about _one million of
earths_, the size of this, to make a globe of equal magnitude.
In order to bring all home to your own reason and comprehension, let
us ask, Where else is it feasible for so large a place to _be_
whereon, or into which the _Sun_, or _suns_, do not or _cannot shine_?
We have shown you that suns (the surrounding volumes of photospheric
ethereal fire) are--so far as we can comprehend--the natural sources
of light throughout the Universe of Jehovah's empire. They seem as
God's own _eternal lamps_, scattered and placed at His will in
different regions of illimitable space, to illumine the universe
without, and give _light everywhere_, as also life and animation to
all their surrounding worlds. Each perhaps to its own, even as our Sun
does to its own planet-worlds. Now when we consider that the fact is
well established by all leading Astronomers that this outside flame or
volume of fire is _far out_ from that INNER GLOBE, or world, and that
between them _there is a void_, possibly thousands of miles in depth;
that the fires and light of the _Sun_ have no perceptible effect upon
this non-luminous void--and, indeed, the void shields the globe within
from the light and heat of the Sun--we can readily imagine the wise
arrangement of the Great Architect, and also comprehend the truth of
His own declarations, that heaven is a place where neither the Sun nor
its heat shall light upon its inhabitants.
Now the nature of the _element_ of this intervening void or space,
whether _it_ is _ethereal_ or not, we cannot now comprehend. That it
is a safe covering or shield to the world within, we can readily
suppose. For Sir John Herschel says that it seems as "an awning or
screen, protecting the body," or world within, from the Sun's heat.
But we are not left to conjecture alone, without philosophical reason
in this matter. We know the laws of gravitation and attraction are
fixed and sure, and upon these universal laws we can base correct
conclusions.
The tendency of fire or heat is _outward_ and _upward_. The sense in
which we use the term "upward" is that of space far out from the
earth, or like solid bodies. We have shown, in our explanation of the
law of gravitation, that _upward_ is simply away from the earth. Thus,
we ignite material with fire and produce combustion here, and we see
the flame _rise_, and feel and know the heat ascends _upward_. So also
may the Chinaman do the same, at the same moment, on the opposite side
of the globe--while his position is directly under us, as we construe
downward--and yet the flame and heat of his fire ascends _upward_ from
the earth where he stands, which is in a directly opposite direction
from the course ours pursues. Thus, to us, outward from the earth is
_upward_, no matter where our position on it.
This tendency of heat upward, or away from the base of the fire, is
plainly evident by the fact that heat will not penetrate to any
considerable depth _downward_, neither when on the earth, or on a
solid non-combustible foundation; nor yet when on an elevated
platform, for its tendency, as we have shown, is always outward or
upward. So also with the fires of the _Sun_; whatever the base of its
fires may be, we see by the fixed laws of Nature that the tendency of
its heat is _outward_, no matter from what portion of that base it may
emanate. We cannot now comprehend the _nature_ of the base of the
Sun's fires, but we know that the great Jehovah has provided it, and
that it is founded in His wisdom, and is fixed and sure, and we have
reasoned conclusively that it cannot be of combustible material.
Hence, the only rational conclusion we can arrive at--from a thorough
investigation of Divine revelations; from all the lights afforded by
the science of astronomy; from the true philosophy of Nature, as well
as from all that is visible and perceptible--is, that far within the
circling photosphere of ethereal fire which we see and realize as the
_Sun_, there is a solid body, a globe, a VAST WORLD, and that world is
the heaven for all the righteous from this earth; that it is the
Saviour's allotted empire, and that He is there the ruler of His
people.
_THE NATURE OF THE LIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY WORLD._
"_The glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light
thereof._"
We have given the above Scripture quotation repeatedly in these pages,
in order to forcibly impress the minds of all with the fact that the
light of the heavenly world is _different_ from the light of the Sun;
that it far transcends it in _brightness_. For we are told that it "is
far above the brightness of the Sun shining in its strength," even
"_seven-fold brighter than the Sun_."
Let us contemplate what has been revealed of this "glory light."
First. No _mortal_ ever has beheld the full radiance of the face, or
glory of God. For He hath said that no one should see His face and
live. In evidence of this, when Moses, who was so near Him, and
desired so much to behold His face unveiled, prayed to Him saying: "I
_beseech thee_, show me thy glory." There came an answer unto him.
"_Thou canst not see my face, for there shall no man see me and
live._" And in order to preserve the life of Moses, God placed him in
the "cleft of a rock" and covered him with His hand while His glory
was passing by.
Others have desired to see God, and the brightness of His glory, yet
such desire, while in mortality, is wrong, for none could behold it
and live.
It is recorded of Trajan, the Emperor of Rome, that he accosted Rabbi
Joshua, saying: "You teach that your God is everywhere, now I should
like to see Him." Joshua replied, "He cannot be seen, no mortal eye
can behold His glory." The Emperor, however, persisted, contending
that if He was everywhere, He could surely be seen, and thus derided
the doctrine taught by Joshua. "Well," said the Rabbi, "let us try
first to look at one of His ambassadors." To this Trajan consented.
Joshua then led him forth into the open air at noon-day, and bade him
"look at the _Sun_." The Emperor replied: "I cannot, for its light
dazzles, and will _blind me_." Then replied Joshua, "If thou art
unable to endure the light of one of His creatures, how canst thou
expect to be able to behold the resplendent glory of the Creator? _The
sight would annihilate thee._"
Thus we find that in every representation of the "glory of God," its
light is beyond our comprehension, and so overpowering that no mortal
could behold it and live.
We have, however, a feeble representation of this glory manifested by
His Son. When Saul, of Tarsus, was on his way to Damascus, to
persecute the disciples and followers of Christ, behold, at mid-day, a
light, _above the brightness of the Sun_, shone around him and his
band, and they all fell to the earth, and their leader was smitten
with blindness, which continued for three days, and was only then
relieved by the agencies which the Saviour appointed. When first
smitten, hearing a voice that was not of Earth, he exclaimed, "Lord,
who art thou?" The answer was, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest."
When the beloved disciple John beheld the Son of Man, walking in the
midst of the golden candlesticks, the light and influence was so
overpowering, that he "_fell at His feet as dead_." Thus we have a
faint prelude of the light of the glory of God. Yet no one in
mortality can behold it, even in a veiled form. But the strength of
the _spirit-eye_ will enable us to behold the King in all His glory,
"for we shall see Him as He is."
_THAT HEAVENLY WORLD._
We need not stand on Pisgah's height, nor climb to the summit of the
Andes, to catch a glimpse of that "HEAVENLY WORLD." But, grasping the
telescope of _Faith_, and looking through _Revelations_, the humblest
Christian, "low down in the valley," may see through the storm-clouds
and tempests of life--yea, even through the "shadow of death"--and
gaze with rapture upon the enchanting scene. The light of the _Sun_
pales without, as the flood-light of that _inner world_ breaks upon
the eye. There is the resplendent "glory of God," shining with
unequalled radiance and beauty. To the spirit-eye it is not blinding,
neither will it even dim the sight. Fear not, ye feeble followers of
the blessed Redeemer, to approach--even now--by faith and
contemplation, the confines of that bright world; even though it is
within that encircling photosphere of _ethereal fire_. There is no
danger, for by-and-by that bright world will be your place of
habitation. When the winged messenger comes and escorts you away from
your earthly "prison-house," he will conduct you to that bright
world, where "an abundant entrance shall be administered unto you" by
your blessed Saviour. Remember it is written in the "Sacred Volume":
"_The voice of God divideth the flame;_" and He hath said: "_I will be
as a wall of fire._" "_When thou goest through the fire, thou shalt
not be burned; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee._" "_Enter
thou into the joys of thy Lord._" No such flames within. "_The Sun
shall not light on thee; nor any heat;_" and yet there is a
resplendent light, even the "glory of God," which illumines the Great
City and all the vast realm. "_There is no night there_," but one
eternal day; and when thou hast entered, "_The days of thy mourning
shall be ended._"
But hold heavenward the telescope of _faith_; let us, through the
lights of revelation, endeavor to get a slight panoramic view. The
inspired poet caught a glimpse before us. Hear him exclaim:
"There, on those wide extended plains,
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away."
Behold! Spread out before us is the wide expanse of a glorious
universe. See in the distance those hills and towering mountains;
those beautiful valleys and wide-extending plains. See the innumerable
"set thrones," and, in the midst of all, "THE GREAT WHITE THRONE!"
and He who sits thereon is the SON OF GOD, who reigns, and is the
ruler of this vast empire. See "before the throne a sea of glass like
unto crystal," and around about the throne "four-and-twenty elders in
raiment of white, with crowns of gold," while all around is "a
rainbow, in sight like unto an emerald," or grand _empyrean_ covering
resplendent with the light of the "glory of God." See that fountain of
the "river of life" gushing from beneath the throne, and flowing on
and on, meandering amidst mountains and hills, and through vast plains
and beautiful valleys. See the crystal fountains playing on every
hand, and whose waters are forever sparkling in the light of eternal
day. See the towering forest trees and shady "groves of heaven,"
placed there by the "Word" of the Creator, during past cycles of
eternity, and long before time commenced, their rich foliage
presenting every variegated hue, their boughs laden with all manner of
precious fruit suited for spiritual food, and their seasons for
bearing are now and forever. But see yonder, near the base of that
towering mountain,--whose summit seems to mount up a thousand miles
high, and whose towering forests are waving in the gentle breezes of
heaven, and, with all things else, seem but to reflect the light of
the "glory of God;"--that vast plain spreading out from its base is
the "GARDEN OF THE LORD." Its extent is even greater than that of our
whole Earth. It is filled with trees bearing fruits; with shrubbery,
and ten thousand times ten thousand various and variegated flowers
perennially blooming. See the vast multitude of saints, attended by
angels, as they meander through its labyrinths, culling choicest
flowers, or lingering under "native bowers" or amid shady groves. No
old age or decrepitude; no gray hairs to distinguish ages. The old
seers and prophets; neither are Adam nor Methuselah, who dwelt on the
earth nearly a thousand years, known here by age; neither do our own
aged fathers and mothers show here any signs of decrepitude or
advanced years, but, even as their own children--our brothers, our
sisters, our husbands, our wives, and _our own children_, who have
found an inheritance here--all are as in the bloom of youth and
maturity, and will thus remain forever through succeeding cycles of
eternity. Ah! methinks, amid that vast multitude you espy a father, a
mother, a sister, a brother, companion or child, or some dear, loved
friends from earth, who are now _radiant with beauty_ in that
"Paradise of God," and that you would fain drop mortality, and, on
_spirit-wings_ of love, go and join them and be forever at rest. Wait,
_not now_; but if you have sought and found the "pearl of price," and
are abiding in the "_love of God_," you, too, will get there
by-and-by. Remember afflicted Job, who "knew his record was in
heaven," yet with all this perceptive knowledge, hear him meekly say:
"_All my appointed time will I wait, until my change cometh_," and
"_though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him_."
But while we have in hand the "telescope of faith" and the revelations
of God as our light, let us change its direction a little, and add a
new grasping power.
See! Behold the "City of God" of which "glorious things were
spoken,"--even the city of which John had a panoramic view while "in
the spirit" on the Isle of Patmos. See its glittering "_jasper_ walls"
as they loom up in the glory-light _fifteen hundred miles high_; and
whose foundations are _fifteen hundred miles square_, covering a
superficial extent of _two millions two hundred and fifty thousand
square miles_. See! "Its foundations are garnished with all manner of
precious stones," and there are "twelve vast gates of entrance, and
the twelve gates are twelve pearls: every several gate is one pearl."
Those gates are now thrown wide open, never to be shut again, for it
is the "city of habitation" for the redeemed from Earth, and hundreds
are arriving from our world every minute of time. See! "its walls are
of pure gold--even as jasper," while "its streets are paved with gold
transparent as glass." See its vast arches, minarets and towers, and
its palatial mansions. Remember the blessed Saviour said, when about
to leave our Earth, "_In my Father's house are many mansions_;" and
added, "_I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there ye
may be also_." Some of our friends have homes in those beautiful
mansions. * * * * * It is enough. Our vision of these enchanting
scenes is ended, and we are left to contemplate them in mind until our
"appointed time" shall come, and then if we are ready when our "Lord
and master calls," we, too, shall find a permanent home with the
"redeemed of the Lord" in that "_heavenly world_," and then with St.
Paul, we may see "the glory which shall be revealed."
_THE DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITY OF THE CITY--THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL, AND
TO SPARE._
"_And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the
breadth; and he measured the city with a reed, twelve thousand
furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal._"
Rev. xxi.
Twelve thousand furlongs constitutes, by our measurement, 1,500 miles.
Thus we see that the city lieth four-square, and its height is equal
to its length or breadth of foundation. The base surface covers a
superficial extent of 2,250,000 square miles. The extent of the city
will give us over 3,375,000,000 cubic miles. One cubic mile alone will
afford measurement of space for over 15,000,000 rooms 20 feet square, and
the entire square of the city would afford about 50,625,000,000,000,000
rooms of similar dimensions.
But we are not justifiable in the belief other than that it is a city
of vast proportions, and one of grandeur and beauty. We are told that
it is a "city of many mansions." Let us therefore contemplate it in
this light, and estimate that only _one-fiftieth_ portion of its vast
space is occupied by mansions; the balance open space, streets,
avenues, and courts. Such mansions would thus afford over
1,000,000,000,000,000 rooms 20 feet square.
We will now compute the number of inhabitants who have lived and died
on the earth for 6,000 years past; the number living on it at present,
and estimate how long of future time would be required to furnish one
soul to occupy each room. It is estimated that there are at present
1,000,000,000, and that this number die during each period of thirty
years. Now if all should find a home there, it would require more than
_thirty millions of years_, at the same ratio, to furnish one soul for
each room thus computed in those mansions. And if we estimate that
only _one-hundredth_ part of the space is occupied by mansions, it
would even then require 15,000,000 of years to thus people them.
But we are assured that the wicked shall not enter there. That "wide
is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in thereat." We are therefore led to the
inevitable conclusion, that by far the larger number of those who have
lived and died on this earth, have failed to find their home in that
"city of which glorious things are spoken."
Contemplating, as we have, the vast magnitude of that city, we are
justifiable in the conclusion that there is ample provision of
mansions there, as the dwelling-place for other intelligences beside
those from this earth; probably the home and abode of the angels;
possibly, for inhabitants of the other planets belonging to the same
solar system with our own earth, as all receive light and animation
from the same sun, and all are governed and controlled by the
load-stone power of attraction of that vast globe.
Again, may it not be that all that has been revealed to us, is simply
that which relates to _our_ future habitation, and that the city we
have been contemplating is for the abode of the righteous from this
earth? May there not be many other cities of equal, or even greater
magnitude within that vast empire--even one such allotted to the
inhabitants of _each separate planet_, and that each may have a king
and ruler provided by the Creator of all? For all that we can
comprehend of _our_ Saviour--who is to be our king and ruler--is, that
he came from God the Father to ransom the inhabitants of this earth,
and offer life and salvation to all who should believe in Him "with a
heart unto righteousness." Remember, he said, "_In my Father's house
are many mansions._" And added, "_I go to prepare a place for_ YOU,
_that where I am there ye may be also._"
The New Testament Scriptures teach the sublime truth that the great
interest of our blessed Saviour is the salvation and happiness of
those whom He denominates his children from this earth; those for
whom He died, and who shall believe in Him "unto everlasting life."
Hence, from all his teachings we believe this suggested hypothesis
correct. The Psalmist says, "_There are set thrones of Judgment_,"
while the Apostles speak of "_thrones and dominions; principalities
and powers_." There is ample room in that "Heaven" for all.
_THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THAT HEAVENLY WORLD._
"The Angels of God."--Heb. 1. 6.
So far as revealed to us by record of the Bible, the original or
native inhabitants of Heaven are called "Angels." These are also
called "messengers of God," and from all the lights we have, it would
seem that their principal occupation and employment is to act as
messengers; execute the commands of Jehovah, and to worship, and
magnify the name of their Creator. Their perpetual residence, it
seems, is in Heaven, yet from the manifestations of repeated visits to
our earth, we can but suppose they are God's messengers, oft sent to
_other_ worlds to do His pleasure.
It would seem that they are possessed of intellectuality next to
Jehovah himself, yet all knowledge is not given unto them. It also
appears that there is a vast difference in their grades and positions.
We read of Archangels, of Michael, and Gabriel, of the Sons of God.
They are sometimes called "Stars." Thus, we read of "the morning stars
which sang together." We also read of Cherubim and Seraphim. And it
may be that some of the most exalted among them occupy thrones, and
have control of "dominions," "principalities," and "powers." We are
told that "Michael and _his_ angels" fought the "Great Dragon and his
angels." Thus we see that they were the leaders, or had command over
many angels.
We are also justified in the belief that they are princes and peers,
and belong to the Court; possibly form the ministerial cabinet, and
are attendants in the council chambers of heaven.
We have seen, through revelations, how oft--under the earlier
dispensation--they visited our earth, to bear messages from God to the
prophets, and to His people; to warn or announce His threatenings, or
execute His commands in judgments upon the wicked. As angels they are
"_Spirits_," and as commissioned "ministers" oft appeared as "_flames
of fire_."
From the revelations made to us, we know they are spiritual creatures
of God, and that their nature is _immaterial_, or that they have
existence in highly _etherealized_ bodies, which can be transported at
pleasure to any remote or distant region of Jehovah's empire, with a
celerity surpassing--possibly--the flight of electricity itself.
Angels, as "_spirits_," are immortal, and hence will live forever. And
thus also our own spirits must live forever, because derived from the
_spirit-life_ of God. Revelations furnish us abundant evidence of the
_spirit_ nature of angels. They were oft present and speaking with the
prophets, and were yet _invisible_, as also within doors where locks
and bars precluded the possibility of substance, or of earth-life
animation entering. And yet again, we have evidence of their appearing
in tangible form, and could be seen, and felt, and we read of their
being "entertained as men unawares." When, however, they appeared as
_angels_, we learn that their bodily aspect was that of transcendent
beauty; their face and form resplendent with light, and a halo, as of
Divinity itself, shone around them.