“A fourth way to approach the topic of this blessed state is by considering its accidents—that is, the circumstances that surround it. Among these, let me first note the place.
The place destined for this glorious and happy state is called by Scripture the highest heaven, the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2), the heaven of heavens (1 Kings 8:27), the paradise of God, the heavenly Jerusalem and celestial temple.
I piously and firmly believe that there is a place that is a part of this universe in the highest realms of the heavens, completely illuminated by the light of the divine glory, which has been prepared for when the salvation of God’s chosen ones is brought to consummation.
Christ Jesus, as the first one resurrected from the dead and having opened up the way there by His own blood, has entered and taken the throne of glory destined for Him by the Father.
The Lord Himself speaks of this in John 14:2: “In the house of My Father there are many rooms, otherwise I would have said so. I am going to prepare a place for you.” We read about Abraham, who was living in tents, that, “He looked for a city which has foundations [in contrast to tents], whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10).
Another symbol of this place was the holy of holies in the ancient temple, which was simply called “the holy place” or the sanctuary of God (cf. Heb. 8:1–2; 9:12; 2 Cor. 5:1). The Lord had this in mind when He told us to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven.”
This sanctuary is the dwelling place of the good angels and the lodging of the righteous made perfect (Heb. 12:22–23). Here God makes known His presence, probably through external manifestations that are beyond human ability to explain.
Here He has His throne, the seat of His majesty. Here He is adored, worshiped, and honored. Here He is attended by the angels. Most accurately and truly, this is God’s place, as Ezekiel heard: “I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing wind, saying, ‘Blessed be the glory of the LORD from His place’” (Ezek. 3:12).
Amos spoke of the chambers or “dining rooms” of the Lord (Amos 9:6). We must believe that mortal human beings in the present state are not able to conceive anything equal to the magnificence of this celestial sanctuary, imagine anything equivalent to its grand and beautiful appearance, or envisage anything that can give the least glimpse of its construction and true form.
But this we do know: it is a place filled with God and with His glorious and awe-inspiring presence. Who does not perceive and feel that this place will contribute much to the happiness, honor, and bliss of those who will enter there by grace?”
–Campegius Vitringa, The Spiritual Life, ed. and trans. Charles K. Telfer (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage, 2018), 213-214.
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