The Lord's New Chapel
Newly arrived Christians to the spiritual world from earth were asked to express "what had been their thought, understanding, and wisdom while they were in the world respecting heavenly joy and eternal happiness."
By Rev. Paul Booth
Newly arrived Christians to the spiritual world from earth were asked to express "what had been their thought, understanding, and wisdom while they were in the world respecting heavenly joy and eternal happiness."
    Groups came from north, west, and south and were assembled. There was one that came from the east, but these were not seen by the others because of light. These were from heaven.
    The first group said "Heavenly joy and eternal happiness are one with the very life of heaven and everyone who enters heaven, enter, as to life, into its festivities, just as one goes to a wedding enters into its festivities." Saying, "is not heaven above us, before our eyes, and thus in a place where is happiness and pleasure? Heavenly and eternal happiness is the admission into heaven, and admission is by Divine grace."
    A second group said it is nothing else than cheerful companionship with angels, sweet conversation with them, whereby the countenance is kept continually expanding with gladness. Saying, "What are heavenly joys but the variations of such things to eternity - sweet conversation and companionship."?
    Another said that it was feastings with Abram, Isaac, and Jacob with rich and delicate foods and after sports and dances of maidens and young men, singing and at evening dramatic representations and after these again feastings and so on to eternity.
    Continuing, another group said, "What else are paradisal joys, but a paradise from east to west and from south to north with fruit trees, delightful flowers and with the Tree of Life in the center around which the blessed set eating delicate flavored fruits where their mind is continually renewed.
    Another group was said that it was nothing else than super-eminent dominion with boundless wealth, super-regal magnificence and super-illustrious splendor of those having enjoyed this in the world and where each now will receive his own palace with gold and precious stones along with a dominion now in heaven.
    Lastly was said it was a perpetual glorification of God, a solemn festival continuing to eternity, a most blessed worship with songs, a most constant uplifting of the heart to God, along with prayers and praises.
    The group that was not visible to the others had heard that not a single person in the Christian world knows what the joys and eternal happiness are. Asked whether this could be true, decided to go down and see and hear for them selves. They had said; "After death all men who had desired heaven with some definite thought about the joys there, are introduced into the joys of their imagination and after learning by experience what the nature of such joys are, are lead away from them and instructed."

The group that said heaven joys consisted solely of cheerful companionship and sweet conversation were lead by an angel into a house having 50 plus rooms where all sorts of conversations as could be imagined took place of things heard and seen, of telling pleasant stories concerning fair sex, of new ministries of politics, of business, on literary subjects, others of civic prudence and moral life, of ecclesiastical affairs and sects and so on. In this house were seen people running from room to room looking for others in harmony with their affections, thus with their joy. There were those who greatly desired to speak, others wanting to ask questions, while others wanted to just listen.
    In the house were four doors leading out to the four quarters - north, south, west, and east - and many were hastening towards them to get out. When those were questioned who went to the eastern door, and were seen sitting near it with sad countenance, were asked why their sadness, their answer was because the doors leaving out were closed. "We have exhausted the life of our desire in companies and conversations, and are weary with the continual chattering and can scarcely bear to hear any more. So, at last we set here knocking to escape and found the door locked for anyone wanting to go out and was told to remain and enjoy the joys of heaven.   
    An angel then spoke to those who imagined heavenly joys was conversation and companionship said this is the state of death of joys which you believed to be alone heavenly. They are nothing but accessories of heavenly joys. Asking the angel what then was heavenly joy the angel said briefly, it is the delight of doing something which is of use to oneself and to others and this use is from the essence of love and its existence from wisdom. Such is the soul and life of all heavenly joys. In heaven cheerful companionships are pleasing to the mind but after uses of one's employments and occupations are performed. After this the door was opened and all those sitting by sprang out and fled, each to their own employment and work that they would receive new life.
    Then those who thought that happiness and joys of heaven were feasting with Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, etcetera to eternity were lead to see what enjoyment these things were where there were tables set up, 15 on one side and 15 on the other. These were tables, first Abram's, second Isaac, third Jacob's, then in order of the 12 Apostles. The other set of 15 tables were for their wives in the same order. The tables were laden with dishes of food after a short delay. Then after they waited for the hosts to come in their respective order they were asked to recline and partake. When they had eaten they were treated to sports, dances of maidens and young men, public shows. Then the feasting began all over, but now with Isaac and them with Jacob followed by the Apostles until they had set at the fifteen tables. This then continued over again and again until they were nausea and would return to their home affairs. However they were retained and asked whether they had eaten at the table of Peter or Paul yet. Most said they were sated with our joys; food has become insipid to us and its flavor dry, saying we cannot bear to taste it. "We beg you earnestly to let us go" They were released and they fled to their homes as fast as they could.
    The angel instructed them this about heaven: In heaven as in the world there are feasts and banquets as there are in the world and likewise the other things as sports, public shows and entertainments of music and singing. These things are joys, but not happiness, for happiness within joys make joys to be joys and the happiness everyone has from the performance of use in his own function. Every angel has affection within his will which causes the mind to do something and the mind renders itself tranquil and satisfied. Such is the reception of the love of use from the Lord from which heavenly happiness comes which is the life of the joys. Whereby heavenly food is nothing else than love, wisdom, and use together or use from love by means of wisdom.
    There next came those who thought heavenly joys and eternal happiness consist in super-eminent dominion and boundless wealth with super-regal magnificence and splendor. They had read in the Word that they shall be kings and princes and reign with Christ forever. They were introduced into a portico through a palace where twenty men here and there were seen waiting in expectation. When then one who personated an angel came and said "Through this portico lays the way to heaven. Prepare yourselves; for the elder for the elder among you will be kings, and the younger, princes." Thrones were seen beside columns where lie silken robe with a scepter and a crown and other things that showed super-eminence. The elder took a robe, put it on and sat down. The younger men sat on chairs for the heads of state and put their robes on. There, then arose a mist from the lower regions and as they inhaled this mist their faces began to be puffed up and chest swollen and they were filled with confidence that they were now actually kings and princes. It was a fantasy that they were inspired with. They imagined some came from heaven to wait on them saying "Ye kings and princes wait a little while; your palaces in heaven are being prepared." After waiting and waiting their spirits panted for breath and they were utterly weary with desire. In three hours heaven was opened above their heads and angels looked down and had compassion on them and said, "Why do you sit so foolish playing the part of actors?" You have been played with tricks and changed you from men to idols, because you set your heart upon the idea that you are to reign with Christ as kings and princes and ministered by angels. Did you forget the Lord's words, "he who wishes to be great in heaven is to become a servant?" Learn what kings and princes and what is meant by reigning with Christ. It is to be wise and perform uses. The kingdom of Christ is heaven and is a kingdom of uses. Doesn't the Lord love all men and from that love wills good to all and good is of use? It is through angels and men that the Lord does use. And as they are performed He rewards with internal blessedness which is eternal happiness.
    On hearing this the impersonated kings and princes came down from their thrones and chairs of state, threw away their scepters, crowns, and robes and the mist went away and a bright cloud came wherein was an aura of wisdom and sanity return to their minds.
    From this there followed those who had deluded themselves to believe the joys of heaven and eternal happiness were paradise delights. They were lead through a lofty gateway made of interlaced boughs and branches of noble trees and into a garden. They were led through winding paths from place to place. This was place where those who thought heaven was a paradise and that after death there is complete rest from all labor and that life are found only in this heavenly paradise. There they saw old and young men and boys and also women and girls sitting on beds of roses in groups of threes and tens making garlands while other picked fruit to their companions, others were singing, some playing and dancing in groups. After this they were led to some spirits sitting in a beautiful rose garden surrounded by olive and orange trees. They were swaying their cheeks in their hands, wailing and weeping. They asked them way this was. Their answer was it had been seven days since coming in this paradise; the first 3 days were happy but then this began to grow dull and end in our minds and we could no longer perceive happiness. It was then that we feared the loss of all delights of our life. We became doubtful about eternal happiness and that there was any? We wandered seeking for the gate that we entered through and we cannot find it. Now here we have sat for a day and a half without hope and we are wearied with seeing, our smell with smelling, our taste with tasting and this is why we are wailing and weeping.
    The angel who led those with him to see paradise said he would lead them out. They were then taught what heavenly joy is and eternal happiness is. That it was not external delights unless together with internal delights and internal delights are of affections of the soul. The question was raise, what is delight of the soul and from where is it? The answer is delight of the soul is from love and wisdom from the Lord; therefore love is effective by means of wisdom and so, both come from their use. This comes from the Lord into one's soul through the higher degrees and then to the lower degrees of the mind into all the senses of the body. You have seen things paradise and every thing comes from a marriage of love and wisdom in use. If anyone is in this marriage he is in a heavenly paradise and so in heaven.
    Those who believed that perpetual glorification of God and a festival continuing to eternity were next saying they would see God and from the worship of God, the life of heaven is called a perpetual Sabbath. They were introduced by an angel into a small city in the midst was a temple and the houses were called sacred buildings. There they saw great concourse of people flocking from every corner of the surrounding country and several priests among them. These received the newcomers, saluted them and led them into the temple gate from there some into the buildings around the temple where they were initiated into perpetual worship of God saying "This city is an entrance court to heaven, and the city's temple is the entrance to a magnificent and most spacious temple which is heaven". God is glorified there by angels with prayers and praises to eternity." Newcomers were to abide at the first temple three days and nights, Then they are to go to the houses of the city which have been consecrated and from building to building and in communion with those inside are tom pray, cry out and recite sermons. "And be careful not to think within yourselves or speak nothing but what is holy, pious and religious."
    They were then introduced into the temple and they saw that it was filled and crowded with many whom in the world who had been in great dignity and many other common people. Guards were stationed at its doors preventing any on from going out who had not been there three days. It was the second day since this group had been there and was asked to observe their glorification of God. What they say was many of them sleeping, those awake were perpetually yawning. They saw oppressed in breast and weary in spirit from disgust and turning away from the pulpit and crying out: "Put an end to your preaching, not a word is listened to." Where upon they rushed to the doors drove the guards away from them. But the priest followed teaching, beseeching, signing, and saying to celebrate the festival and Glorify God; sanctify yourselves for here you are initiated into eternal glorification of God and so into the enjoyment of eternal happiness. They struggled to get away from the priests who seized them by the arms and garments urging them to return to sacred buildings where they were to preach.
    Then four men appeared in bright white clothes wearing mitres - in this world had been a archbishop and the others bishops. These were now angels. They said, we saw you from heaven with these sheep and how you feed them. You feed them even to insanity. You do not know what is meant by the glorification of God. It means the bringing forth the fruit of love, which is doing the work of one's employment faithfully, sincerely, and diligently. It is by this that God is glorified, and then by worship set at times. Have you remembered the words "Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit. And you shall become my disciples"? 
    Following there showed up those who believe heavenly joy and eternal happiness is nothing but admission by Divine grace as those in the world in the world enter the palaces of kings or are invited to a wedding. After a time nine men decked with laurel to mark their renown appeared and were introduced to those who believed such. An angel asked the nine to tell what that had learned when they entered heaven. The first said he passed the first and second guards, but the third asked him who was he and he answered that he had longed to enter heaven. Pray let me in. And he was allowed to enter. Where upon he saw angels dressed in white clothes. They walked around him examining him. Murmuring they said "This guest is not dressed in the garments of heaven. Upon hearing this he thought where the man of whom the Lord said he came to the wedding without wedding garments. He then ask that he be given the proper garments. But the angels laughed. And then one came running from the court with the command, 'Strip him naked, cast him out and throw his clothes after him" And I was cast out. 
    The second of the nine said that he believed similar and that the joys would flow around him an he would be animated to eternity with happiness. However, when the angels saw him the angels fled saying what is this monster? How did this bird of night come here? This second man said he actually thought he had changed into a bird of night, though he had not. But, I too was led out and taken back to my home where I appeared as a man.
    The third man said his constant idea of heaven was derived from place and not heaven. And when I came into the world of spirits I longed for heaven, seen those who were ascending I followed them and was admitted though only at the first steps. However, seeing the light of heaven which was in essence wisdom, I was over taken by stupor and darkness came over my eyes and the heat of heaven which corresponded to the brightness of the light and is the essence of love, my heart palpitated and anxiety over took me with torment of pain whereby I threw myself on the ground. As I lay attendants came and carried me gently to my own light and heat where I my spirit and heart returned to me.
    The fourth also had the idea that heaven was a place and not an idea respecting love. When I first arrived here in the spiritual world I was told every one was permitted to enter heaven, but to be aware that one might be cast out. But, I laughed at this and entered anyway believing all who wanted could receive the joys of heaven in their fullness. But all most immediately I lost my breath and from pain and torment in my head and body, I threw myself on the ground and writhed like a snake before fire. I was then picked up by some bystanders below and carried to an inn where sanity returned to me.
    It was similar with the rest and said they no longer desired for a life in heaven but for a life in companionship with their like where ever they were. They also said they now know all coming into the world of spirits are first prepared, the good for heaven and the evil for hell. Then they see ways open for them to societies of their like with whom they can dwell forever where they enter with delight because they are the ways of their love.
    All those who were summoned confessed they too had the idea that heaven was a place. Whereby the angel said heaven is the joys of a man's state of the man's love and wisdom and not the joys of a place. And that the state of these is the containant of use; and their conjunction in use. This is the same as charity, faith, and good works, for the first, charity is love, the second, faith is truth coming from wisdom and good works are of uses. There are places in this world, but they are appearances of place according to one's state of love and wisdom. In this way everyone carries his heaven with him.

To the angel who had called all those who had just recently arrived in the world of spirits there came a voice say to "choose 10 from them and introduce them to us. We have from the Lord that He will prepare them so that for three days the heat and light, of love and wisdom will not harm them." The chosen followed the angel up a steep path to a certain hill and to a mountain where the heaven of these angels lived. They were guided through the third gate where the angel went quickly to prince of that society or heaven and announced their coming. Tell them are acceptable and bring them into the outer court and give them each a room with a bedchamber where my courtiers will minister to them and serve them at their pleasure.
    They had to wait to the afternoon before they were allowed to see the prince; the he was engaged in official duties, but they were invited to dinner and would et at the prince's table. For the time being you will be tour the palace and see magnificent and splendid things. First, they saw it's outside made of a purplish color rock and its substructure of jasper, its had six columns of azure-blue opaque stone with a gold plated roof. Its windows were transparent crystal and frames of gold. As they were led inside they saw ornaments of great beauty on the ceilings with carvings and along the walls were silver tables inwrought with gold. The utensils on them were of precious stones and things which no earthly eye had seen.
    They were told that such things were not made by any angel, but by the Maker of the universe and presented to the prince as a gift. He further said such things are not the joys of heaven for our heart is not in them and are only accessory to the joys of our hearts and we as accessory and as the work of God and thus see in them the Divine omnipotence and clemency. From there they were led to the garden; the most magnificent garden of all gardens in this society. The first thing they said was, "there is no garden here. We see only one tree and among its branches and on top fruit as though of gold with leaves of silver and the edges adorned with emeralds. And there are under it children and their nurses". They were told the tree was in the centre of the garden and is called the Tree of our Heaven and the Tree of Life and were asked to go in closer and their eyes would be opened and you will see the garden. They did and they saw trees entwined with vines laden with delicious fruits and the tops of the trees bending toward the Tree of Life in the centre. The trees were planted in an unbroken line extending into ever new circles. Light from the Tree in the center streamed out to the trees around. There were gates in the circle of trees that lead to flower gardens and lawns. The men with the angel made the comment "here is heaven in form." For those who do not receive this see only forests. All who are in the love of uses receive the influx. Those who do not are in the love of glory and not of use.
    There came a message from the prince to come and eat bread with him. And garments of fine linen were brought and were told to up them on for unless they did they could not eat with the prince's table. After being led into a uncovered portico where they were introduce to dignitaries and magistrates and waited for the prince. Shortly, he entered accompanied by a procession of privy councilors and councilors from the chambers, courtiers and guards - a hundred and twenty. The ten newcomers appeared like natives. The prince asked them to dine with him and they followed him to the table where food was displayed beyond their dreams. Prayers were said by the privy councilors and then they began to eat. Each time they took a plate of food it was replaced by another. Their cups were filled of wine by a fountain gushing out of a pyramid set on the table. After they were satisfied the prince addressed them concerning what joy and eternal happiness was of heaven, say that they all had different ideas of what it was according to their bodily senses. He told them that without the delights of the soul these were nothing, for delights of the soul descend through the thoughts of the mind and from there into the sensations of the body. It is from all these together that eternal happiness comes. If from the body alone they are temporary are very often are unhappiness. He said that there are only three things which flow from the Lord into our souls as one. - love, wisdom, and use; the love and wisdom exist only ideally since they are in our affection and thought of our mind. However, they exist and subsist really in use in act and deed of the body. So in use love and wisdom affects us as they are performed faithfully, sincerely, and diligently in work and one's function. It is the love and devotion of use that holds the mind together and from 'as it were' melting away and wandering about absorbing cupidities that flow in from the body and the world though the senses. But by devotion of the mind to use truths are retained in a form to receive wisdom. Therefore at the mind's sides are banished the mockeries and stage plays of falsities and vanities.
    After this they returned to their apartments where they soon were introduced to some men of the city who would explain the joys and eternal happiness that they had in heaven. There, there are days of festivities where there are concerts and singing where the citizens are entertained. On the out side of the city are games and shows. Every morning there are songs by virgins and young girls heard from house to house and in the public places - the whole city is resound with the singing. These songs are of special affection of spiritual love and as a result flows into the souls of the listeners and stirs them into correspondence with it - such are heavenly songs. At the end of this singing the doors and windows are closed of the houses and the whole city is still - not a sound is heard anywhere, no loiterers are seen. All the citizens clothes themselves for work and engage in the duties of their occupations. At noon the doors are opened and in place the windows and boys and girls are seen playing in the street watched over by governesses and tutors. While in the outskirts of the city are boys and young men engaged in games - races, games with balls and trials of skill such as speech action, and perception. Plus there are theatrical performances by players, representing the varieties of honorableness and virtue characteristics of moral life such as the sack of relationship.
     

   


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