171. 至於天國的事物是如何向天人顯現的, 這不是三言兩語就能說清的。在很大程度上, 它們與人間的事物相似, 只是在形式上要更完全, 也更豐富。

通過眾先知的所見所聞, 我們可推知天國有著和人間相似的事物。例如以西結對新殿和新地的描述(以西結書 40-48), 但以理的描述(但以理書 7-12), 約翰的描述(參啟示錄), 還有歷史書和先知書對種種異象的描述。當他們看到那些事物時, 經上就說天開了。所謂"天開了,"就是人的內在視覺(也就是人的心靈之眼)被打開了。因為天國的事物不能透過人的物質之眼看到, 只能透過心靈之眼觀看。當順主所願時, 人的心靈之眼就被打開。彼時, 我們便被帶出肉體感官所處的物質之光, 提升至靈魂居住的心靈之光。我就是在這樣的光中看到存于天國的事物。

Gates" in ancient times had a significance that does not hold in the modern world. Cities then were enclosed by walls for protection; gates in the walls let people in and out to do their business, but were also the weak points in the cities' defenses. In the Bible, cities on one level represent the minds of individual people. On a broader level, they represent beliefs shared by a community. The gates, then, represent openings where the Lord can feed us an understanding of truth and a desire for good. They also represent points where the hells can invade and sway us with false ideas and evil desires. We are kept in balance during our lifetimes, with influences from both the Lord and from hell. Ideally, we will over our lifetimes continue to invite the Lord farther and farther in and drive the hells back until ultimately the Lord can occupy our minds completely. And that point our belief in Him and His power and love will hold the gates and deny evil any entrance. As individuals, we at that point become angels. As communities, we at that point become part of the Lord's church. And at that point the gates become an entry point, introductory truths that allow people to enter churches and start bringing the Lord into their lives.