Chapter 87—Pen Pictures of the New Earth
Visions of Future Glory—With Jesus at our head we all de-
scended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty moun-
tain, 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.
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.
[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.
Graduate Work in the Hereafter—Do you think we shall not
learn anything there? We have not the slightest idea of what will then
be opened before us. With Christ we shall walk beside the living
1
Early Writings, 17, 18
.
417