“The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character.  As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption, and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed beat with a stronger devotion, and they sweep the harps of gold with a firmer hand; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.”  4SP:492.1.

 

“With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain.  Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate.  We all cried out, ‘The city, the great city, it’s coming, it’s coming down from God out of Heaven!’  And it came and settled on the place where we stood.  Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city.  There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold.  These were to be inhabited by the saints.  In each was a golden shelf.  I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here -- no, no.  A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God. {AH:546.1}

 

“I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, ‘They will never fade!’  Next I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus.  Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts -- the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union.  We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after. {AH:546.2} [547]

 

“Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here -- no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees moved to and fro, and we all cried out, ‘We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.’ “  AH:546.1-547.1.

 

“We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads.  He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory.  Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square.  Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright.  Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few.  All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns.  And they were all [17]

 

“clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet.  Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city.  Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, ‘You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in.’  We all marched in and felt that we had a perfect right in the city. {EW:16.2}

 

“Here we saw the tree of life and the throne of God.  Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the river was the tree of life.  On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure, transparent gold.  At first I thought I saw two trees.  I looked again, and saw that they were united at the top in one tree.  So it was the tree of life on either side of the river of life.  Its branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was glorious; it looked like gold mixed with silver. {EW:17.1}

 

“We all went under the tree and sat down to look at the glory of the place, when Brethren Fitch and Stockman, who had preached the gospel of the kingdom, and whom God had laid in the grave to save them, came up to us and asked us what we had passed through while they were sleeping.  We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, ‘Alleluia, Heaven is cheap enough!’  and we touched our glorious harps and made Heaven’s arches ring. {EW:17.2}

 

“With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain.  Then we looked up [18]

 

“and saw the great city, with twelve foundations, and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate.  We all cried out, ‘The city, the great city, it’s coming, it’s coming down from God out of Heaven,’ and it came and settled on the place where we stood.  Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city.  There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold.  These were to be inhabited by the saints.  In each was a golden shelf.  I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no.  A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God. {EW:17.3}

 

“I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, ‘They will never fade.’  Next I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus.  Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts -- the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union.  We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after.  Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees moved to and fro, and we all cried out, ‘We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.’  We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion. {EW:18.1}

 

“As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place.  I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white.  As we greeted [19]

 

“them, I asked Jesus who they were.  He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him.  With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments.  Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies.  And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly, to the top of the mountains and pluck the never-fading flowers.  There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place:  the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs -- these made the place all over glorious.  And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, ‘Only the 144,000 enter this place,’ and we shouted, ‘Alleluia.’ {EW:18.2}

 

“This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious.  The wonderful things I there saw I cannot describe.  Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world.  I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold.  After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went to the city.  Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, ‘Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.’  We shouted, ‘Alleluia! glory!’ and entered into the city.  And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it.  I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit.  I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit.  He said, ‘Not now.  Those who eat of the fruit of this [20]

 

“land go back to earth no more.  But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life and drink of the water of the fountain.’  And He said, ‘You must go back to the earth again and relate to others what I have revealed to you.’  Then an angel bore me gently down to this dark world.  Sometimes I think I can stay here no longer; all things of earth look so dreary.  I feel very lonely here, for I have seen a better land.  Oh, that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest!”  EW:16.1-20.1; 1T:60-69; 2SG:32-34; WLF:15-18; DS, January 24, 1846; RH, July 21, 1851; Broadside1, April 6, 1846. 

 

“No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God. {GC:674.4}

 

“In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called ‘a country.’  Hebrews 11:14-16.  There the Heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters.  The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations.  There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord.  There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits.  On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home. {GC:675.1}

 

“ ‘My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.’ ‘Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.’ ‘They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: . . . Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.’  Isaiah 32:18; 60:18; Isaiah 65:21, 22. {GC:675.2}

 

“There, ‘the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.’ ‘Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree.’ ‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall [676]

 

“lie down with the kid; . . . and a little child shall lead them.’ ‘They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ saith the Lord.  Isaiah 35:1; 55:13; Isaiah 11:6, 9. {GC:675.3}

 

“Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of Heaven.  There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning.  ‘There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying: . . . for the former things are passed away.’ ‘ The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.’  Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24. {GC:676.1}

 

“There is the New Jerusalem, the metropolis of the glorified new earth, ‘a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.’ ‘Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.’ ‘The nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.’  Saith the Lord: ‘I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people.’ ‘The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.’  Isaiah 62:3; Revelation 21:11, 24; Isaiah 65:19; Revelation 21:3. {GC:676.2}

 

“In the City of God ‘there shall be no night.’  None will need or desire repose.  There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His Name.  We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its close.  ‘And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.’  Revelation 22:5.  The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide.  The glory of God and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light.  The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day. {GC:676.3}

 

“ ‘I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.’  Revelation 21:22.  The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son.”  GC:674.4-676.4.

 

“The lion, we should much dread and fear here, will then lie down with the lamb, and everything in the New Earth will be peace and harmony.  The trees of the New Earth will be straight and lofty, without deformity. {Hvn:133.1}

 

“The saints will have crowns of glory upon their heads, and harps of gold in their hands.  They will play upon the golden harp, and sing redeeming love, and make melody unto God.  Their former trials and suffering in this world will be forgotten and lost amid the glories of the New Earth. {Hvn:133.2}

 

“Let all that is beautiful in our earthly home remind us of the crystal river and green fields, the waving trees and the living fountains, the shining city and the white-robed singers, of our Heavenly home -- that world of beauty which no artist can picture and no mortal tongue describe.  Let your imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember [134]

 

“that it will be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray.”  Hvn:133.1-133.3.

 

“As the prophet beholds the redeemed dwelling in the city of God, free from sin and from all marks of the curse, in rapture he exclaims: ‘Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her.’  Isaiah 66:10. {RH, July 1, 1915 par. 22}

 

“ ‘Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.  The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee:  but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.  Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself:  for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.  Thy people also shall be all righteous:  they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.’  Isaiah 60:18-21. {RH, July 1, 1915 par. 23}

 

“There man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful.  ‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. . . They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain’ (Isaiah 11:6-9), saith the Lord. {RH, July 1, 1915 par. 24}

 

“The prophet caught the sound of music there, and song, -- such music and song as, save in the visions of God, no mortal ear has heard nor mind conceived.  ‘The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads:  they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’  Isaiah 35:10.  ‘Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.’  Isaiah 51:3.  ‘As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there.’  Psalms 87:7.  ‘They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord.’  Isaiah 24:14. {RH, July 1, 1915 par. 25}

 

“In the earth made new, the redeemed will engage in the occupations and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning.  The Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field.  ‘They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.’  Isaiah 65:21, 22. {RH, July 1, 1915 par. 26}

 

“There every power will be developed, every capability increased.  The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized.  And still there will appear new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects of study to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul.”  RH, July 1, 1915 par. 22-27.