What an 
Where Is 
HEAVEN? 
THE HEAVEN THAT 
THE PILGRIM OF THIS 
WORLD LOOKS FORWARD 
TO IS NO UNCERTAIN, 
MYTHICAL, AND HAZY 
PLACE. A REAL GOD 
WILL PREPARE A REAL 
HOME FOR HIS CHIL- 
DREN. 
14 ROY F. COTTRELL 
O
NE of the sweetest, dearest words that ever falls from hu-
man lips is "home." There is one place to which the 
traveler's mind constantly reverts, one spot of which he muses 
by day and dreams by night, one city or town or countryside 
for which his spirit yearns; and when at length his journeyings 
are ended, and he nears the familiar threshold, his eyes become 
strangely moistened, and his heart pulsates with emotion. 
Even in this old world, with all its sorrow and vicissitudes, 
the place of a few years' residence often tugs heavily at the 
heartstrings. How much deeper and stronger should be our 
interest in the future eternal home! That "beautiful isle of 
somewhere" inspires our songs; but in the popular fancy, it is 
so far distant, so enshrouded with mysticism, that some, either 
wittingly or unwittingly, have disclosed their faltering faith in 
the hereafter by the phrase, "Beyond the bounds of time and 
space." The vision of immortal souls seated on fleecy clouds 
and playing mystic harps through endless ages, does not appeal 
to men and women of activity and sound sense. The cause of 
this indifference lies not with the Scriptures, but with absurd 
and fantastic teachings wholly at variance with that divine 
authority. We live in a practical age, when fact rather than 
theory is demanded. In harmony with that demand, the aim of 
this brief study is to set forth, in concise form, the certainties of 
that wonderful future inheritance as revealed in the word of God. 
Both the opening and the closing chapter of the Bible describe 
a new earth. The former tells of this world as it came forth 
from the hand of its Creator in beauty and perfection; the latter 
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WHAT AND WHERE IS HEAVEN? 
pictures a fair estate, freed from every vestige of suffering and 
decay. The one was the dwelling place of our first parents 
before sin entered; the other will be the home of all the right-
eous after sin has been forever put away. The one has been 
designated Paradise lost; the other will be Paradise regained. 
After the transgression of the parents of the race, Adam 
and Eve, yet before they were driven from the garden beautiful, 
God gave them a gleam of hope through the promised Seed, 
which was Christ. As a vivid object lesson, instruction was also 
imparted respecting sacrifices and offerings that typified the 
world's Redeemer. Not only Adam and Eve, but all their pos-
terity who would accept Him by faith, were to be granted a 
citizenship in Eden restored. 
The divine purpose was further unfolded to Abraham in the 
promise, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where 
thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and west-
ward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and 
to thy seed forever." Genesis 13: 14, 15. That promise, although 
sure as the sun, has never been fulfilled; for in the New Testa-
ment we read, "He gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so 
much as to set his foot on: yet He promised that He would give 
it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him." Acts 7: 5. 
The covenant, then, that Abraham should be "the heir of the 
world," since unfulfilled, must find its consummation in the 
future. This conclusion is verified by the fact that the father of 
the faithful did not die as a dejected, disappointed man; "for he 
looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and 
maker is God." Further, of the patriarch Abraham and his de-
scendants it is recorded: "These all died in faith, not having re-
ceived the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were 
persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they 
were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. . . . But now they 
desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is 
not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for 
them a city." Hebrews 11: 10, 13, 16. 
Beginning with the times of Adam, Enoch, and Abraham, 
and extending past the present to a date yet future, may seem 
like a long period for a promissory note to continue with the 
principal unpaid; but the Omnipotent has never been delinquent 
with the interest payments. "Ye were sealed," say the Scrip-
tures, "with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest 
of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased posses- 
WHAT AND W HERE IS HEAVEN? 
3 
sion." Ephesians 1: 13, 14. The reason for the seeming delay 
is also given. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, 
as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, 
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to 
repentance. . . . Nevertheless we, according to His promise, 
look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth right-
eousness." 2 Peter 3: 9, 13. 
This World Renovated to Be Heaven 
The promises to patriarchs and prophets do not indicate 
some distant planet as the future home of the saved; rather 
it is this world, renovated and purified, that is to bring eternal 
peace and fullness of joy to the redeemed. The works of sinful 
men will be "burned up"; the earthly elements will "melt with 
fervent heat," as in a furnace, not to the point of destruction, 
but for the cleansing of all that is defiled; and from the flames 
will emerge a fair, unsullied earth, peerless citadel for a restored 
Paradise. In this way, "the first dominion," lost through Adam, 
will be reestablished through Christ. In this way will be fulfilled 
the assurance, "The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth." 
2 Peter 3: 10; Micah 4: 8; Proverbs 11:31. 
So large a proportion of the earth's surface is now composed 
of water, ice, desert, and wilderness, as to render habitable some 
two per cent only. In its renewed state, all this will be changed. 
One witness says there shall be "no more sea"; and another 
declares: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad 
for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 
It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and sing-
ing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency 
of Carmel and Sharon." Revelation 21: 1; Isaiah 35: 1, 2. A 
traveler of international repute tells of the balmy climate of 
Lebanon; of the cool, sparkling water from its springs and 
rivulets; of its varied scenery, stately cedars, luxurious vege-
tation, beautiful flowers, delicious fruits, and charming song 
birds; concluding that, for him, it is the most ideal spot in all 
the world. Inspiration speaks to us in language that we can 
appreciate. With no more boundless oceans, no more trackless 
Saharas and inhospitable wastes, all the world will become a 
Lebanon of beauty and delight. "The glory of Lebanon shall 
come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, 
to beautify the place of My sanctuary; and I will make the 
place of My feet glorious." Isaiah 60: 13. 
4 
WHAT AND WHERE ISr HEAVEN? 
A World of Physical and Mental Activity 
Contrary to the conceptions of many, that will be a land, not 
of idleness, but of activity. "For, behold, I create new heavens 
and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor 
come into mind. . . . And 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: 17, 21, 22. 
How decided the contrast between the present life, with its 
accidents, disillusionments, and disappointments, will be the one 
-to come! With infinite care and detail, a man constructs a home 
in which he expects to reside for a score of years or more; 
grounds, walks, and driveways are planned and laid out; or-
chards, vineyards, and shade trees are planted. But a wall 
totters and falls, an elevator boy is careless, or an automobile 
skids, and the tragedy of a moment upsets the dreams of a life-
time. "Cruel fate!" say the neighbors, while a stranger moves 
in to occupy the splendidly appointed mansion and harvest the 
luscious fruit. Oh, for residence in a land insured against mis-
fortune of every nature! Not where a little purse of shining 
metal, or a bank draft, comes as sordid balm for crushing grief; 
but a country where calamity itself cannot invade, and misad-
venture never mars. Now is the time to have our lives and 
property covered by a policy in the only real life insurance 
company of the universe. Let us not procrastinate, for delay 
is often fatal. 
The zoological gardens of Eden will be restored. Animals 
will contribute to the fullness of pleasure and enjoyment. "No 
lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast" that requires cages 
and bars; but with transformed natures, "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: for the earth shall be full of 
the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 
35: 9; 11:6-9. 
No One Shall Say, "I Am Sick" 
How often, in the present state, an awakening from slumber 
and delightful dreamland brings the unseemly realization that 
WHAT AND WHERE IS HEAVEN ? 
5 
we are still in a world of aches and infirmities! But some day 
the fondest dreams will be more than realized; some day the 
anguish and disquietude will all be past; some day the true 
Utopia will be established, whose "inhabitant shall not say, I 
am sick." "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the 
ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man 
leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the 
wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." 
Isaiah 33: 24; 35: 5, 6. 
There is something so pathetic, so touching, about the condi-
tion of the blind! To them, noonday and midnight are alike 
dark. Retina and optic nerve no longer receive impression from 
the golden sunset, the diversified landscape, or the delicately 
tinted rose. How cheerless seems the world in which they live! 
Yet, if, by the eye of faith, Jesus is truly seen and known, the 
heart is warm and bright; and in that better country, the win-
dows of mind and soul will both be open. 
Unnatural barriers seem to segregate the deaf and dumb 
from others of the race, and shut them out from much that 
contributes to happiness. Signs and gestures take the place of 
articulate speech, and the most enrapturing music fails to affect 
the senses. But for these, there is a message of hope. Nothing 
need debar them from acquiring, even in this present life, the 
language of Canaan; and erelong theirs may be the privilege 
of listening with most appreciative ears to the celestial chorus, 
and joining in praises and felicitations to our King. 
God Dwells with Men 
The capital of that land will be a city of wonders. "I John 
saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out 
of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And 
I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the taber-
nacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them." Reve-
lation 21: 2, 3. Yes, the palace and throne of the great King 
will be there, and everything will be arranged and beautified 
on a scale commensurate with His dignity and power. Read the 
marvelous description in the last two chapters of Holy Writ; 
then picture in imagination, if that is possible, a city foursquare, 
three hundred seventy-five miles on a side, comprising a larger 
area than that of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois combined; or to 
make use of another comparison, a territory nearly the size of 
the state of California. Consider the inclosing jasper walls, two 
6 WHAT AND WHERE IS HEAVEN? 
hundred sixty-four feet in height * and fifteen hundred miles 
in extent, with their twelve foundations of precious stones, the 
color scheme of which is more intricate and beautiful than that 
of the rainbow. Behold the twelve pearly gates, three on a side, 
each gate being "of one pearl"; also the great avenues, inter-
secting at right angles, and paved with "pure gold, as it were 
transparent glass." 
Come to the central parkway facing the palace royal, and 
view the "pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceed-
ing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Following its 
course a short distance, two beautiful tree trunks are seen, one 
on either bank of the stream. With spreading branches they 
arch the tide, uniting over the center of the current; and "twelve 
manner of fruits," twelve times each year, is the never-failing 
harvest. It is the tree of life from the long-lost Paradise, pres-
ently to be restored. 
Although sun and moon will shine with surpassing luster to 
gladden the new earth, residents of the metropolis will not need 
their light. Candle, torch, incandescent lamp, or radium glow 
will alike be unnecessary; for it is recorded, "The glory of God 
did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Revelation 
21:23; Isaiah 30:26. 
No Theory or Hypothesis 
This description of the future home does not rest upon theory 
or hypothesis; it is neither a fanciful sketch nor a cunningly 
devised fable, but the absolute truth of the Infinite as disclosed 
in His holy word. Many questions in reference to conditions 
unrevealed, stimulate our imagination; but for their solution, 
we contentedly wait until the veil is lifted. Meanwhile our 
faculties of imagery need not be stunted or restrained as we 
contemplate the promise, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, 
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which 
God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Corinthians 2: 9. 
Memory brings to our vision the majesty of the Alps, the 
grandeur of Yosemite, the wonder of Yellowstone Park, the 
charms of the Inland Sea of Japan, the magnificence of cathedral 
and palace, or the attractions of other spots on old earth re-
nowned for their beauty; but "eye hath not seen." 
We have 
listened to exquisite productions of band and orchestra, to the 
* Anciently the measurement of a city was usually stated in terms of its 
circumference. The distance around the city, 12,000 furlongs, equals 1,500 
miles. Hence the length of each side is 375 miles. (Revelation 21:16.) Reckon-
ing 22 inches to the cubit, 144 sacred cubits gives 264 feet. (Revelation 21 :17.) 
WHAT AND WHERE IS HEAVEN? 
7 
enchanting harmonies of violin, piano, and organ, to the sweet-
ness, pathos, and symphonies of the human voice, until the 
music seemed altogether divine; still, ear hath not heard. In 
our imagination, we may walk at pleasure the golden streets, 
and ramble through the Elysian fields; yet "the heart of man" 
can but feebly anticipate the certainties and realities of that 
wonderful land concerning whose citizens it is affirmed, "God 
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be 
no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there 
be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." 
Revelation 21: 4. 
There the perplexities of life will all be made plain. We 
shall know — 
"Why what we long for most of all, 
Eludes so oft our eager hand; 
Why hopes are crushed and castles fall, 
Up there, sometime, we'll understand." 
There we shall meet and associate with the righteous of all 
ages,— with Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Paul, and a multitude 
of others. There the loved ones so ruthlessly torn from our 
midst, now sleeping in Jesus, will be restored to our embrace 
and companionship, never again to be separated. 
And there we shall see Jesus, Him who "from the foundation 
of the world" volunteered to become man's surety; Him who in 
"the fullness of time" left the heavenly home to suffer and die 
for a race that did not love Him; Him who "tasted death for 
every man," and who "is able to save them to the uttermost that 
come unto God by Him." This same Jesus will be the chief 
attraction of that new world. To hear from His lips the story 
of infinite sacrifice and service that led to Calvary; to under-
stand how the fragrance of that life has cheered and blessed 
and uplifted the fallen in all ages, in all lands, and under all 
conditions; to listen to the great Teacher unfold the romance of 
creation, the mysteries of nature that neither microscope nor 
telescope has disclosed, and the science of salvation that has 
re-created in man the divine image and restored him to sonship 
with God,— with such an Instructor and such themes for study 
and contemplation, the years of eternity will continue to bring 
unexpected and fascinating revelations. 
Who Shall Enter? 
We near the time of the long-anticipated home going; and 
the question of greatest personal import is, Who will be received 
as guests and citizens? The answer is explicit: "He that oath 
8 
WHAT AND WHERE IS HEAVEN 
clean hands, and a pure heart." "He that overcometh shall 
inherit all things." "In their mouth was found no guile: for 
they are without fault before the throne of God." Psalm 24: 4; 
Revelation 21: 7; 14: 5. Oh, delay not to make peace with 
your best Friend. He will forgive your dark past; He will 
cleanse you from all sin; He will keep you from falling, and 
welcome you to a home that is altogether desirable. 
"The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that 
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And 
whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revela-
tion 22: 17. This touching, affectionate appeal is the farewell 
invitation of the Bible. In Jesus, our Saviour, heaven gave to 
men its most priceless gift; in our Father's house, the best that 
infinite wisdom and love can suggest is prepared for His chil-
dren's reception; and in this final entreaty to all, the fullness 
of divine welcome and yearning is poured out. Let there be 
no refusal; let there be no hesitation. "God is love," and He 
bids us come. Shall we not each make response, in the words 
of Jesus, "Lo, I come"? Appreciation of that transcendent love 
grows with each passing day. Erelong, if faithful, "we shall 
be like Him," transformed into His image, to enjoy throughout 
eternal years His companionship and loving-kindness in the re-
stored Paradise of God. 
PUZZLING QUESTIONS 
about this and more than two hundred other Bib- 
lical questions are answered satisfactorily in 
"QUESTIONS ANSWERED" 
A FEW OF THE TOPICS FOLLOW: 
The Bible 
The Covenants 
Deity. Father, Son, and Holy Unpardonable Sin 
Ghost 
The Ceremonial Law 
Nature of Man 
Marriage and Divorce 
Prophecy and Second Advent Astronomy 
The Moral Law 
Satan 
Sabbath and Sunday 
The Church: Its Ordinances 
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