The Kingdom of Heaven, the rule of God, is being formed in us. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. It is what we are becoming in Christ that will make it possible for us to appreciate, enjoy, and maintain Heaven. The external environment of Paradise is wonderful. But the external environment is as nothing in importance compared with the nature of the inhabitants.

Where Christ is—there is Heaven though it be the plainest of surroundings. But where Christ is not, that could never be Heaven though it were the most glorious of external surroundings. If such is the case (and we are certain every true saint would agree with this), then what we are longing for is not mansions, or diamonds, or parks, or fountains, but the Presence of God in Christ in the fullness of revealed glory.

When we pray for God's Kingdom to come to the earth, aren't we really praying for Heaven to come to the earth?

Therefore the essence of Heaven is relationships: our relationship to God and to those around us. The glory of the new Jerusalem is that God and the Lamb are there, and also that every one of the inhabitants is filled with the Presence of God in Christ. There is no sin or self-seeking there.

The humblest of cottages is Heaven when God and the Lamb are there and when the inhabitants are filled with the Presence of God in Christ and rightly related to one another.

It is written of Abraham that he was looking for a city of God, for the new Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God.

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:9,10)

Notice that Abraham was in the land of promise, the site of Jerusalem, during the years of his sojourning. But it was to him a "strange country."

So it is true that the earth, which is the location of our sojourning, will be given to us for an inheritance. Christ will return with us and reign over the nations of the earth. But in the present hour the earth, to the victorious saint, is a "strange country."

We are looking for the city of God. The city is not here now, it is in Heaven above. But one day the city of God will be located on the earth. Then the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Then the nations of the earth will go up to Zion to be taught the righteous ways of the Lord. There shall be singing and dancing in that day!

To be continued.