Kingdom Of Heaven
By E.S.John, Australia

The earth that we live in has seven continents, so also, including our
little earth, Heaven that we generally call as kingdom of God has
apparently seven planes that no one can see with our visual eyes.
Though Heaven is hidden from our bodily eyes, it is like a treasure
that is present within us also. Everything is abstract beyond this
plane of our existence. The reason for Jesus to speak like is this.
"If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you
believe if I tell you heavenly things?" This unseen kingdom of God is
given to His elected `little flock' at the close of the age, Lk.12:
32. Because there are seven planes of Heaven, can we assume the reason
for the Son of Man comparing Heaven for seven times? Mt.13: 44-52.
Paradise that is in the third or third heaven, mid-heaven, Rev.14: 6,
is the third plane, 2.Cor.12: 1-4.
Seven Heavens
If Paradise is the third heaven or mid-heaven, certainly there are
seven planes for Heaven. No human being apparently has any
accessibility beyond the third heaven, while one is in the flesh
because God's hierarchical hosts who hadn't rebelled with Lucifer are
seemingly there in the higher planes incessantly praising the God of
hosts. "He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the
heavens, that he might fill all things", Eph.4: 9-10; 1.kg.8:27. Does
it mean by `that he might fill all things' that He may fill the
highest planes by the specially selected human souls according to
their merits, like 144, 000 virgins? There are many mansions in the
Father's House, Jn.14, and as there are great and small in the land of
the Living, Mt.5: 19, these mansions are likely to be filled in
according to the dessert on accounts of one's struggles in the flesh.
These seven 7 heavens are grouped as 3 categories that we hear about
in the Rite of the Adoration of the cross ceremony during important
festivities and festivals. The top layer of planes is where `cherubim
bless', `seraphim sanctify' and `fiery hosts praise'; the second layer
where `He whom those between exalt' and the 3rd layer where `He whom
the earthly beings below glorify'.
Prophet Ezekiel saw these 3 planes in a symbolic way, Eze.47: 3-12. He
measured 1000 cubits to cross each plane. Each 1000 may stand for 1000
years; consequently it may take 7000 years to cross all the 7 planes.
Man's life here on earth is meant for 6000 years and the next 1000
years is a solemn rest with the Lord and His myriads of angels in
mid-heaven, Heb.4: 9-11. The epics of India also portray 7 heavens
and 7 hells, about which we find it hard biblically to draw a definite
conclusion that there could be 7 hells altogether. The word `hell' is
used in NT to translate two words, Hades, generally meaning as the
same of `Sheol', the place of the dead and `Ghehenna', the place of
retribution for evil deeds. But the usage of the phrase `the lowest
hell', Deu.32: 22, Ps.86: 13, conveys the idea that there are more
planes of hells than 2.
There are 12 patriarchs and 12 apostles; each one plane in the
celestial heights may be in charge by 2 apostles, the reason for the
Lord sending 2 in a group for ministry works, Lk.10; 1; Mt.18: 19.
Altogether there are 12 apostles for 6 upper planes. Seemingly there
are 6 planes upward and 6 downward and the earth in between having 2
half planes, cosmic and earthly-Godhood and Manhood of Christ- for
which the Son Of God and Son of Man symbolizing the caretaker
responsibility. As Judas fell to disgrace, Mathias was elected for
completing the numerical figure of 12. This verse makes sense by
knowing this truth, Acts.1: 20. "Let his habitation become desolate,
and let there be no one to live in it; and his office let another
take". Son of Man is one world, and the Son of God is another one,
making the total as 14.
The 12 sons of Jacob were the shadows of 12 apostles. The curse on Dan
inhibited him to be a Patriarch, just as Judas' habitation became
desolate because of his betrayal. Though Dan was cursed, he has the
right to judge the tribe. "Dan shall judge his people as one of the
tribes of Israel", Gen.49: 16. In spite of Dan's ignominious
disappearance, two more Patriarchs had come to the scene. They are
Joseph's son Manasseh and Ephraim, representing 2 half tribes, who had
been blessed by Jacob as Patriarchs, Gen.48: 8-20. Despite Manasseh
was elder, he was made subordinate to his younger brother, may be to
show later that Judas' place was replaced by Mathias.
Manasseh and Ephraim are treated as half tribes, likely to show that
they represent the two natures of Christ that exist without confusion,
change, division or separation. Thus there are apparently 14 planes,
and they are under the charge of 12 Patriarchs and two half tribes and
12 apostles, as we witness twenty-four elders seating on the 24
thrones, Rev.4: 4-11. In Rev.6 we see the portrayal of the Lamb
opening seven seals, means revealing 7 planes. When the 7th seal was
opened, "I saw the 7 angels who stand before GOD, and 7 trumpets were
given to them", Rev.8: 2-6, for blowing. As the underworld planes are
also under the jurisdiction of God's angels, "It is a victorious
spectacle of binding Satan and throwing him into the Hades for 1000
years", Rev.20: 3.
Difference between Heaven `within you' and in the infinity
There are biblical indications for the abstract references to Heaven
as the kingdom of God, Mt.6; 33; kingdom of Heaven, Mt.3: 2; his
kingdom, 2.Tim.4: 1; my kingdom, Lk.22: 30; thy kingdom, Mt.6: 10, but
is not possible to find out the etymological usage of these words in
different contexts. The first Para of Jn.14 poses a very puzzling and
enigmatic problem. Man is created for replacing the fallen angels
whose rooms have been lying vacant for ages, and we know that they
used to have their abodes on this planet which the Son of Man wants to
destroy because the fallen man is wandering here together with his
older brothers, the fallen legion, who try to convert God's earthly
species to his side. It means that Jesus who presented us to the
Father through His great sacrifice has gone to prepare a different
place for the redeemed race separately, because of the other legions
who hadn't supported Lucifer's rebellion in timelessness are still
worshipping the Almighty and their locations are seemingly beyond the
realms of the third plane.
The first entry into Paradise, the newly prepared abode for the sons
of Adam, which goes in par with Eden, has been filling in by the
robber who was crucified with Jesus. The OT Elects were kept in a
separate place, known as Abraham's bosom, under the earth because no
soul could trespass the aerial realm of Oyar in the OT period, the
narrow way to the Father's place, prior to the son of Man's sacrifice
on the cross. Jesus was the first one, the first-born into the newly
prepared Paradise, who conquered the astral realm of Satan's Oyar. The
departed souls who now go to the other side of the grave are able to
pass through the twenty toll- houses set up by Satan in Oyar. As it
takes forty days of intense testing in the twenty toll- houses, it
takes about forty days to complete it, the reason for us to supplicate
on behalf of the faithful departed during that period. It means that
there is a place called Heaven beyond the boundaries of our horizon,
although the line of separation of hell and Heaven is within us. If
Heaven is limited within us now, no one has the necessity to die and
go to an unknown place that we have no control at all.
Wrong interpretation
"Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he
answered them, `The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be
observed; nor will they say, Lo, here it is! Or `there' for behold,
the kingdom of God is in the midst of you", Lk.17: 20-21. Very
calculated words, not only here but also the frugal words and phrases
used in the bible translate a celestial world that we find it hard to
penetrate into. Using the phrase `within', instead of using `in the
midst of you', make a difference of stellar distance which mislead and
take us into the territory of the Devil. It would be humanly
impossible for an ordinary observer to find the signs of the birth and
life of Jesus, despite there were obvious signs that the magi,
shepherds and Simeon led to and exposed to, when Jesus the symbol of
Heaven was in the midst of them. He meant that Heaven was in the
midst of them, means Jesus' presence at that point of time in their
midst while talking about heaven; it doesn't mean that heaven is
within our mind.
This misinterpretation that cut the taproot of the teaching of
salvation has been a universal victory for the infernal blackguards.
Whether Christians or non-Christians, everybody who believes that
heaven is `within us' is of the opinion that going to church or doing
religious duties is only a paraphernalia; the main task is to clean up
the mind. Emptying the mind and filling with the fallen legion is not
the medication for salvation. Cleaning up the mind according to our
pedestrian standard is not the formula for spirituality; doing some
good things in life and whimper about and showing our ego is a sign of
hell that only can profane the name of God and our mind.
Heaven is a place beyond our imagination and grasp; we have to work
for it for the whole life that inevitably invites introspection and
mental cleansing with Christian rectitude. When `Aham' or high profile
head weight that rule our life, the kingdom of Satan can only dwell
`within' us. Unless we worship the God of Heaven in deep penitence and
then do serve our brethren sincerely, Heaven remains as a mirage that
help to corrode our `within'. Morality bereft of God can only help us
landing into the domain of individualism that is a breeding ground for
the demon to build its strongholds. If Heaven that is a distant far
off luminous land, yet remaining as a dream of reality within us and
without, what is the main, enigmatic entry qualification into that
territory of the mysteries?
Entry Qualifications
The only imperative door entry pass is, "Whoever does not receive the
kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it", Lk.18: 17. A simple
statement in few words, but it doesn't limit the meaning within our
horizon. A second childhood that is given to man is basically in
ruminating, reminiscing and re-examining the overall role that he
played during his entire lifespan and become a child of second
childhood that is the exit lane into the next stage of hidden
existence. This second childhood period is named as `Vanaprastham'
that go in tune within the prescriptions of Indian sages. It doesn't
mean to live a childlike life only at the evening of one's life, but
`to turn and become like a child of God' through out one's life that
is periodically at sixes and sevens is the lifeblood of this ephemeral
journey of uncertainties,Mt.18: 3; Mk10: 13-16. Sinning and repenting,
forgiving and forgetting, giving and taking, earning and squandering,
hating and loving and similar other infirmities are the games of this
testing sojourn. In a nutshell, children have no corruptions of their
character, apart from the sluggishness of their genetic body
temperance and the metabolic requirements that they need from time to
time. Let us ponder over the likely qualifications of a child.
Love and fear
Though the child loves everyone, the immanent fear that scares it to
be in the hands of strangers is a problem for some children. The
language of love makes it smile and laugh, whereas it is frightened by
strange looks and appearances. Though man has the secular right to do
anything that doesn't affect others, we can't do such things in real
life that is crowded with a mob of unlike and like-minded strangers
and associates. Everyone has one's own feelings that branch into
myriads of opinions which will have to be weighed to make a balance.
Loving others like us is a precondition that should allow us to flow
the pure and sincere love through our veins.
Love creates, whereas hatred destroys one's salvation, friendship and
our own inner and external lifestyle, despite the love-hate ethos is
the mode of our everyday normality in the fallen state. The creative
fear that is immanent in every animal, except alien to some mad
people, is for self-protection. Just as a child reacts to strange
situations and clings on its parents, man has a duty to repel from the
diabolic activities and demons, so that we find shelter in the arms of
our own Creator. Man must love God and hate his enemy, the Devil. All
the problems of modern life are the outcomes of the fearlessness of
God that deletes the love of God and towards His creations. Just the
opposite is happening; loving the instincts of the flesh that is
against the inner sensibilities is the dominant appetite of a
high-flying life of modern agnostic way of life. "Do not resist one
who is evil", Mt.5: 39, is a prescription that allows us to love the
passion of the Lord who love everyone and hate the deceit, the tool of
the Devil.
Association
A child has the ability to associate with others without any prejudice
that differentiates between the people of multiracial ethnicities and
linguistics and religiosities, the rich and the poor and beyond age
barriers. The reason for Jesus to identify His followers as sheep is
due to the fact that the sheep flock together while grazing or
otherwise, whereas the goat go according to its whims and fancies,
without giving any heed to the shepherd and other goats. Thus
Christianity makes it as a social religion of equality while working
for the destitute, vulnerable and the marginalized ones. `Love your
neighbour as yourself' by giving honour and glory to the Father is the
pulse of the created order. Love that creates amity and concordance is
the only religion in the world. God is a foreigner where there is
aversion and apathy, cynicism and skepticism, feuding and conflicts.
Learn these superlative qualities from a child that forgets any evil
doings of others and forgives everything and everybody.
Sharing
Despite food is our primary energy-giver, a child quite often likes to
give a part of its food when it is at least half-fed, so also it
allows others to share its belongings and habitats. Almsgiving that
help the needy for food, shelter and protection is as old as life
itself, just as a child lives and adjusts itself in tune with its
surroundings. Life which invites adjustments and sharing with others
is an excellent quality of mind that deletes head weight, jealousy,
back-biting and all other intrigues. No one owns anything in this
world; a caretaker role to look after this planet and its facilities
is only a breath away from man. Why make a false boast, when the
Creator is the owner of our wealth, time, health and our whole
households. Children don't claim the ownership of anything other than
what they possess for time passing at that point of time. Remember
always that we are the children of the same Father and sharing the
same bread provided by the Creator.
Consoling
The young ones also have the ability to identify with others and their
feelings. They share anything what they have, while its associates are
in dire need or danger. Possessiveness of wealth and property and
money, a dangerous game that the adult exhibits is harmful for their
life here and also in afterlife. Greed that has no limit is a
contagious disease that can kill our soul and body. Whoever is driven
by the passion of greed dislike to share his belongings, triggering
jealousy which has no sympathy and mercy and ignoring the need of
consoling others because any noble pursuit ends up in sacrificing
something from one's belongings?
Vengeance
The passion of vengeance is a deadly nature that invites acrimony and
feuding and vendetta that a child is usually free from. The fire of
vengeance that boils one's blood finds many valves to open for
misdirected and inappropriate actions. "Vengeance is mine…Do not
overcome by evil but overcome evil with good", Rom.12: 19-21.
Vengeance for greed, jealousy and possessiveness is an incurable
pathological condition that works in various levels of our life: in
family, society and most violently in national and international
politics. The parable that is given at the end of Mt.18 should be a
soul –searching medication for our daily life.
Self-deceit
A very pernicious mental condition that betrays our own conscience
exhibits duplicities of character and multiplicities of personalities
is suicidal. One who deceives another is a self-conceited mental
dwarf. Children are innocent and free from this harmful trait of
character.
There are many other sterling qualities in a child that is embedded in
simple and humble love and natural fear which the adults to embody are
the pure signs of a cherished Christian life of love towards God and
charity towards man. When the feuding disciples who asked for greatest
position in Heaven, "who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven",
Jesus' reprimand is of great significance. "Truly, I say to you,
unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives such child in my
name receives me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who
believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great
millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of
the sea", Mt.18: 1-22.
There are two salient features we note here. The first part is
subjective and personal. One has to be humble like a child, and the
second one is not to create any hassles to a person who has evolved
himself like a child or any other person. Jesus continues: "woe to the
world for temptations to sin…We shouldn't be a problem for anyone who
is likely to withdraw from the camp of God because of our hypocrisy,
while we profess ourselves as a servant of the Almighty. In other
words, we shouldn't be a stumbling-block for others in not receiving
the light of God. We destroy simultaneously ourselves and others on
account of our pretence and greed. One who leads others should be like
innocent lambs that are chosen for sacrifice, otherwise we carry the
label of self-destroyers or society-polluters or terminators. "Let not
many of you become teachers, for you know that we who teach shall be
judged with greater strictness", Js.3: 1.
New Jerusalem
The preparations of the marriage of the Lamb with the church that
takes place in Paradise, Rev.19, after the 6th millennia and after a
millennium thereafter the flock is apparently headed to the Last
Judgement and then accompanying the new elects to a haven of new
heaven and a new earth, New Jerusalem, for an eternal stay there,
Rev.20: 7-22: 19. New heaven and new earth definitely remind us that
the new habitat is a globe like that of ours, bereft of any infernal
molestation. The descriptive beauty of the new earth that marvel and
in superlative excellence which go in tune with the creation history
of this universe and our first parents has no parallel in the whole of
the biblical narrations, except that of the presentation of the Logos
in St.John, chapter one. " And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
coming out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her
husband, and a voice heard from the throne, saying, "Behold the
dwelling of God is with men,…death shall be no more, neither shall be
mourning nor crying…I take all things new….".
The wall of this city is founded on the 12 apostles, the reason for
us to follow their footprints and the chaste faith that we have to
adhere to because they have the authority of judging the 12 tribes of
Israel. "And the wall of the city had 12 foundations, and on them the
12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb", Rev.21: 14.
It is apparently true to say that this new city that comes out of
heaven from God is a new globe or a place that is exclusively adorned
for the race of Adam, just as Eden was a new creation for Adam and Eve
on this planet earth, Gen.2: 8. It is a similar planet that of the
earth which has water, plants and the Tree of Life that produce
various kinds of fruits, Rev.22. The throne of God and the Lamb shall
be in it, and the elects shall share it there forever. This luminous
territory that has the throne of the Eternal God, where we also
sharing the same, Rev.3: 21, is the seeming land that is referred to
as the kingdom of Heaven that is prepared separately for the redeemed
race of Adam, whereas the kingdom of God likely pertaining to the
oceans of universes of the gigantic universe of Heaven.
This blissful domain will be within and without us then, also now in
the embryonic stage within us, because we will be in the midst of the
Lamb and His angels.

The visa qualification to that territory is very strict. The
post-puberty lifestyle that is overruled by the virulent passions of
money(wealth), power and sex games is not the ideal pattern of our
life which pertain for our entry permit. Whereas the gate pass for the
admission into that arena of eternal peace is the pre-puberty life
culture of purity, innocence, humility and serene and selfless love
towards God and man without any power, money and sex corruptions is
the pulsating rhythm which is the one that is meant for our entire
life, Mk.7: 21-23; Gal.5: 18-24. Beware that a child has not at all
any power position or wealth and is in the dormant sex purity.
Triggering sexual impulse on the onset of puberty is exclusively aimed
at is for the propagation of the species, not for any sexual foul play
which will have detrimental backlashes that are inscribed within our
mortal and immortal frames, permitting God to cleanse the stains by
our salty tears and sweats. Just as our entire carefree childhood life
is in the hand of our parents and relatives, our earthly life should
be dedicated totally to God and His hosts who care and nurture in
this life and take us into the land of the Living ceremoniously. Our
sins and infirmities unless submitted at the feet of the Lord and
sought sincere absolution, we won't be taken into the God's Holy land;
a blemished life only tend to lead us into the territory of the outer
darkness. "But nothing unclean shall enter it, nor anyone who
practises abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in
the Lamb's book of life", Rev.21: 27.