SUBURBS OF THE holy CITY
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Surrounding the foursquare City is a wide outer expanse called suburbs, or borderlands. John tells in Revelation that he was taken to a great and high mountain and shown the Holy City. All around the outer edge of this area are high mountains with many peaks. (Psa 68:15, 16 & SoS 2:17) This rural area is very huge, making Heaven appear large and round, about the size of a planet, yet bigger than earth. It has mountains, valleys with waterfalls, trees, flowers, River, animals, and is very much like earth. But unlike earth, there is nothing here to corrupt. (Mat 6:19 & Rev 21:4, 27)
These suburbs are the first place everyone goes 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 Yahshua/Jesus. (Heb 9:12; 10:19; Acts 4:12) When the angels gather them in (Mat 24:31) they are placed in groups in different areas of this borderland. Instead of sunlight there is a golden glow everywhere, a little like some summer sunsets only with more glory. It seems to come from everywhere and there are no shadows. The light is the glory of Yahweh. (Rev 21:23)When you take a deep breath, you will realize the air here is so pure, and so invigorating.
This is where we are taught the basic principles of immortal life, and begin to experience out new existence. Our spirit has such a sense of freedom, you feel more alive than ever. Instead of walking , you almost feel like you are floating!! Sometimes on earth we would sigh with the Psalmist "O that I had wings like a dove then I would fly away and be at rest" Well this is the land of perfect peace and rest!!
Another thing we realize when we arrive here is that our mental capacity seems to be increased. We can still see, hear, smell, taste and touch, because those senses belong to the soul. (see Luke 16:19-31) As you look around, you see that the landscape and colors all blend together in beautiful perfection. The music, the birds singing, the sounds from the River all join in harmonious song.
Here we receive instructions about our Heavenly home. We learn (if we haven't before) that the Spirit controls and harmonizes everything that happens in Heaven. So if on earth we haven't learned complete obedience to Yahweh's gracious and loving Spirit, we must learn it here. Even though our mental capacity is increased it is not true that we suddenly know everything when we get to Heaven, but we will find it very easy to understand and gain knowledge. Yahweh will teach us. (Jn 6:45; I Thes 4:9) We do however know and recognize others, as they know and recognize us. (I Cor 13:12) While we are in this outer expanse, many of our friends and loved ones come from the City to welcome and visit us. And we are welcome to eat fruit from the Tree to strengthen our spirit.
There is also the sparkling, crystal clear River. You can just get your feet 'wet' or go in till it is all the way over your head and still breathe. In Heaven there is no drowning!! It is actually the flowing of the Spirit of Yahweh. So it would be like breathing in the Holy Spirit. Job 33:4 says "The Spirit of Yahweh/God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life." The River is one of the first places we go after we arrive here. It washes away the earth thoughts and scars of sin from our spirits. It helps to transform us by renewing our mind with the thoughts of Heaven. (Rom 12:2) And speaking of thoughts---you can by taking thought go from place to place instantly. Although sometimes it is more interesting to travel slowly, and enjoy the people and scenery. And I will add that much communication is also done by thought.
But all of this beauty and peace is still just the lower order of Heaven. There is a large class of people in the world who did not take time for spiritual things, such as where they would spend eternity, till they were dying, or near the end of their lives, when they became interested in salvation. However if their repentance is genuine, their forgiveness is complete, and they gain the promise of everlasting life. But their soul will have almost no growth, they have no treasure laid up in Heaven, and in this place they begin to realize their loss, and feel unworthy. But Yahweh in His mercy will bring them healing. The more we prepare ourselves on earth, by seeking Yahweh's face and studying to show ourselves approved, the faster will be our advancement when we arrive in Heaven. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Col 3:2
Surrounding the foursquare City is a wide outer expanse called suburbs, or borderlands. John tells in Revelation that he was taken to a great and high mountain and shown the Holy City. All around the outer edge of this area are high mountains with many peaks. (Psa 68:15, 16 & SoS 2:17) This rural area is very huge, making Heaven appear large and round, about the size of a planet, yet bigger than earth. It has mountains, valleys with waterfalls, trees, flowers, River, animals, and is very much like earth. But unlike earth, there is nothing here to corrupt. (Mat 6:19 & Rev 21:4, 27)
These suburbs are the first place everyone goes 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 Yahshua/Jesus. (Heb 9:12; 10:19; Acts 4:12) When the angels gather them in (Mat 24:31) they are placed in groups in different areas of this borderland. Instead of sunlight there is a golden glow everywhere, a little like some summer sunsets only with more glory. It seems to come from everywhere and there are no shadows. The light is the glory of Yahweh. (Rev 21:23)When you take a deep breath, you will realize the air here is so pure, and so invigorating.
This is where we are taught the basic principles of immortal life, and begin to experience out new existence. Our spirit has such a sense of freedom, you feel more alive than ever. Instead of walking , you almost feel like you are floating!! Sometimes on earth we would sigh with the Psalmist "O that I had wings like a dove then I would fly away and be at rest" Well this is the land of perfect peace and rest!!
Another thing we realize when we arrive here is that our mental capacity seems to be increased. We can still see, hear, smell, taste and touch, because those senses belong to the soul. (see Luke 16:19-31) As you look around, you see that the landscape and colors all blend together in beautiful perfection. The music, the birds singing, the sounds from the River all join in harmonious song.
Here we receive instructions about our Heavenly home. We learn (if we haven't before) that the Spirit controls and harmonizes everything that happens in Heaven. So if on earth we haven't learned complete obedience to Yahweh's gracious and loving Spirit, we must learn it here. Even though our mental capacity is increased it is not true that we suddenly know everything when we get to Heaven, but we will find it very easy to understand and gain knowledge. Yahweh will teach us. (Jn 6:45; I Thes 4:9) We do however know and recognize others, as they know and recognize us. (I Cor 13:12) While we are in this outer expanse, many of our friends and loved ones come from the City to welcome and visit us. And we are welcome to eat fruit from the Tree to strengthen our spirit.
There is also the sparkling, crystal clear River. You can just get your feet 'wet' or go in till it is all the way over your head and still breathe. In Heaven there is no drowning!! It is actually the flowing of the Spirit of Yahweh. So it would be like breathing in the Holy Spirit. Job 33:4 says "The Spirit of Yahweh/God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life." The River is one of the first places we go after we arrive here. It washes away the earth thoughts and scars of sin from our spirits. It helps to transform us by renewing our mind with the thoughts of Heaven. (Rom 12:2) And speaking of thoughts---you can by taking thought go from place to place instantly. Although sometimes it is more interesting to travel slowly, and enjoy the people and scenery. And I will add that much communication is also done by thought.
But all of this beauty and peace is still just the lower order of Heaven. There is a large class of people in the world who did not take time for spiritual things, such as where they would spend eternity, till they were dying, or near the end of their lives, when they became interested in salvation. However if their repentance is genuine, their forgiveness is complete, and they gain the promise of everlasting life. But their soul will have almost no growth, they have no treasure laid up in Heaven, and in this place they begin to realize their loss, and feel unworthy. But Yahweh in His mercy will bring them healing. The more we prepare ourselves on earth, by seeking Yahweh's face and studying to show ourselves approved, the faster will be our advancement when we arrive in Heaven. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Col 3:2
