Special 2_ The Enchantment in the City of New Jerusalem, Heaven's Most Beautiful Dwelling Place
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October 13, 2013 |
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Celebrating the 31st Church Anniversary, some parts of the spellbinding beauty of New Jerusalem is described here with excerpts from the 6th chapter of Dr. Jaerock Lee's representative book Heaven II. There is also a testimony given here of a visit to New Jerusalem in May, 2013 through the separation of spirit. Glory and thanks be to God who established Manmin Central Church and has given us hope for Heaven!
Excerpts from Dr. Jaerock Lee's book Heaven II
1. The Lamb who is the lamp of New Jerusalem
As recorded in Revelation 21:23, John could not find anything that gave out light like the sun or the moon, or any kind of light bulbs in New Jerusalem. This is because Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb, is the lamp lighting the City of New Jerusalem.
Since the first man Adam committed the sin of disobedience, the human race had to fall to the way of death (Romans 6:23). The God of love sent Jesus to this earth to resolve this problem of sin. Jesus, the Son of God who came in flesh to this earth, cleansed our sins by shedding His blood, and became the firstfruit of resurrection by overcoming the power of death. As a result, all those who accept Jesus as their personal Savior receive life and can partake in the resurrection, enjoy eternal life in Heaven, and receive answers to whatever they ask on this earth. Furthermore, God's children can now become the light of the world by living in the light themselves, and give glory to God through Jesus Christ. In other words, as a lamp can give out light, the light of God's glory shines more brightly through the Savior Jesus.
When we look from afar, through the clouds of glory and into the City of New Jerusalem, we can see beautiful buildings made of so many kinds of precious stones and gold. The entire City seems to be alive with the mixture of many kinds of light: the lights coming out from the houses made of precious gemstones; the light of God's glory; and the lights coming out from the walls made of jasper and pure gold in clear and bluish colors.
In the center of the City is God's throne from which the River of the Water of Life originates. Around God's throne are the houses of Elijah, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Mary Magdalene, and the Virgin Mary, all of whom were loved by God very, very much.
2. The castle of the Lord
The castle of the Lord is located on lower right side of God's throne, where God stays for worship services or banquets in the City of New Jerusalem. In the Lord's castle there is a huge building with a golden roof at the center, and around it, spreading out endlessly, are many many kinds of buildings.
In particular, over the golden, dome-shaped roofs are the many crosses of glory that are surrounded by brilliant lights. They remind us of the fact that we received salvation and arrived at Heaven because Jesus had taken the cross.
The large building in the center is a cylinder-shaped structure. It is adorned with many delicately-crafted jewels and beautiful lights shine from each jewel to mix together to make rainbow colors. If we were to compare the Lord's castle to any man-made buildings on the earth, it bears the closest resemblance to the St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. However, the style, materials, and size cannot possibly be compared to the most magnificent building ever designed or built on this earth.
In addition to this building at the center, there are many buildings in the castle of the Lord. God the Father Himself provided these buildings so that those who have close relationships in spirit could stay with their loved ones. The houses of the twelve disciples are lined up facing the castle of the Lord.
The houses of Peter, John, and James, are at the front and other disciples' houses stand behind them. What is special is that there are places for Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary to stay in the castle of the Lord. Of course, these places are for the two women to stay temporarily when they are invited by the Lord, and their actual castle-like dwelling places are located close to God's throne.
3. The castle of the Holy Spirit
This gigantic castle represents the meek, soft, and mother-like characteristics of the Holy Spirit with many harmonious dome-shaped buildings of varying sizes.
All the castles in New Jerusalem are enormous and magnificent beyond measure, but the castles of the Lord and the Holy Spirit are especially magnificent and beautiful. Their sizes are closer to that of a city than a castle and they are built in a very special style. This is because, unlike other houses built by angels, God the Father Himself built them.
Furthermore, like the castle of the Lord, the houses of those who united with the Holy Spirit and accomplished God's kingdom in the era of the Holy Spirit are also beautifully built and surround the castle of the Holy Spirit. The houses around the castle of the Holy Spirit are decorated with many kinds of precious stones, and there are also many houses still under construction.
Many angels can be seen at work, placing beautiful jewels here and there or clearing the site of the houses. God does not only prepare our heavenly houses, but in order to reward us for having given up and abandoned our worldly pleasures on this earth and devoting ourselves fully to accomplish God's kingdom, He also gives us such beautiful items that we cannot imagine their beauty.
4. Forever abiding with the Lord our Groom
In addition to the banquets held by God the Father, there are many kinds of banquets that are continuously held in the City of New Jerusalem. This is because those who live in New Jerusalem can invite brothers and sisters living in other dwelling places of Heaven.
How glorious and happy it would be if you could live in New Jerusalem and be invited by the Lord to share love with Him and attend pleasant banquets! When people in New Jerusalem are invited by the Lord their Groom, they adorn themselves as the most beautiful brides, and with joyful hearts they gather at the Lord's castle.
When these brides of the Lord arrive at His castle, two angels on each side of the shiny main gate politely welcome them. At this time, the fragrance from the walls decorated with many jewels and flowers surrounding their bodies add to their joy.
Upon entering the main gate, the sound of praise that touches the deepest side of their spirits is faintly heard. Then, upon hearing this sound, peace, happiness, and gratitude for God's love overflow their hearts because they know He has led them there. While they are walking on the golden road clear as glass to reach the main building, they are escorted by angels and pass many beautiful buildings and gardens. Until reaching the main building, their hearts throb in hopes of meeting the Lord.
Approaching closer to the main building, they can now see the Lord Himself waiting to receive them. Tears cloud their sight yet they run to the Lord in earnest desire to see Him even a second sooner. The Lord waits for them with His arms wide open, and with His face full of love and meekness, He hugs each of them. The ones who are invited confess their love in His bosom, saying, "I am thankful from the bottom of my heart for Your inviting me!" Then, they walk here and there hand in hand with the Lord like couples deeply in love and, have lovely conversations they longed to have since their time on this earth.
To the right of the main building is a big lake, and the Lord explains in detail His feelings and circumstances of the time of His ministry on the earth. This lake reminds us of the Sea of Galilee.
"I Witnessed the Ecstasy of New Jerusalem"
Father, Lord, and I. The names of Those whom I miss so much… The more I call Them, the more I want to see Them. The Ones whom I love deep in my heart such that the love pierces my heart… My Father and my Lord… my everything
I saw two tall archangels. They showed their dignity. Their eyes were like shining jewels. At the moment, I felt I was flying in the sky. I was going to the castle of the shepherd. When I looked down, there was a lush green forest spreading out. I could see a river throughout the forest, which was the River of the Water of Life that flows out from the castle of the shepherd.
From the God's throne, the Water of Life flows down in a stream and many smaller streams come from the big course and spread out to every corner of Heaven.
The River of Water of Life in New Jerusalem flows from the thrones of God the Father and the Lamb. From a point, the streams begin to flow down to lower points. And each stream flows into the mansions in the castle of the shepherd. Just like blood pumps out from the heart, circulates throughout the whole body, and returns to the heart, the River of the Water of Life has its main stream like the artery of our body and many streams of water flow from it and circulate.
The place where I arrived after flying was the top of the main building of the castle. Then, a sparkling thing came to my eyes. As soon as the curiosity about it came to me, its realization came to my heart. In New Jerusalem is the castle of the shepherd, and there are the houses of people who dwell in the castle of the shepherd. The dwelling places were quite far from me and I could not see the outline of the houses. In my eyes, they were like twinkling stars. But each light, its shape, and the fragrance were all different. Just by looking at the light, we can figure out whose house it is.
I saw the rear part of the castle of the shepherd. Behind the castle was the sea. Over the sea was God's domain. The light from the area was inexpressible. The city of New Jerusalem is the territory of light, so all the lights are inexpressibly gorgeous such that we can't express them in terms of any kind of lighting system or light on the earth. But the light from God the Father's domain was bright beyond imagination and the shape can't be described. The closer I approached to the throne of God, the whiter, brighter, and more mysteriously the light was sparkling. It was too brilliant for the sea to be visible.
Then, I landed on the golden ground of the castle of the shepherd. A building came into my view and it was made of white marble-like materials. It was white but it was a jewel itself. It looked transparent at a glance, and the white light emanated from the building.
To enter the building, I had to walk up around three stairs. Right then, I saw the cloth at the edge of my gown. It was white and it was a little transparent like wings of dragonflies. It was the linen garment that sways in the wind and was like the ruffled skirt. I walked up the stairs and then entered the building unnoticed.
The outside and inside of the building are made of the same material. There was no furniture and no ornamentation. The floor and ceiling and the four walls are made of a white and transparent material. For a moment I thought, 'Where am I?' the explanation came to my heart again. It will be the place of remembering the cultivation on the earth when the church members visit the castle of the shepherd in New Jerusalem.
The next building was too big to see it all with a single look. I saw a gigantic gate and a doorknob. The doorknob was two-connected rings like a golden chain. A ring symbolizes 'trust'. The ring-shaped doorknob signifies that only those who have established the trust relationship with the shepherd will be able to enter the building.
The last building that I saw was the main building of the castle of the shepherd. When I entered it, I could see a senior deaconess who had been with us in our church. She looked good, gentle, calm, and graceful when she was alive on the earth. But her face there was a lot more elegant, beautiful, and innocent than when she lived on the earth. So much so that her face on the earth couldn't compare at all with the face I saw.
I took an escalator to the second floor of the main building. When I got there, I felt the bright light coming to my eyes just like the bright lighting system is turned on before my eyes. It told me that the brightness of the light on the first floor and on the second floor is different even in the same building in the shepherd's castle.
I saw the two crowns on the second floor. The first crown has five fine-looking leaves surrounding it. The leaf in the middle was taller than others and the rest four are on a level. The crown is a reward given for widely spreading the fivefold gospel of holiness. For example, Dr. Jaerock Lee has accomplished the global parish with the fivefold gospel on the earth and he has led many people to the way of salvation. The crown is a reward for him doing such things. The crown is prepared not just for Dr. Lee but also for all those who make contributions in spreading the fivefold gospel of holiness to the whole earth.
The middle part of the second crown stands high like a mountain peak. Its end is split into three. On the peak-like part is a red gemstone. And realization came to me that there are two other crowns that look the same but have different colored-jewels. It came over to me that there are the same-looking crowns with a white gemstone and a golden gemstone. I could see that the crowns are related to God the Trinity.
While I was looking at them, Dr. Lee laid his hand on me and said, "Spirit, come back!" My spirit returned instantly and I opened my eyes. I was in the main sanctuary of my church. In the split of a moment of my returning, I eagerly desired to see God the Father. However, I hadn't done things necessary to meet with the justice that enables me to see the Father. I was also not in the situation where it was possible to see Him. So, in parting I just said, "Father, I will be back for sure" and returned and gave my testimony to people in the sanctuary.
Pastor Dongcho Shin's testimony from heavenly travel
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