"Astronomers seem to agree that there is a huge opening in Orion which is perhaps more than sixteen trillion miles in diameter.  This means that across the entrance of this opening in the North, there could be 30,000 solar systems like ours with a sun in the middle of each -- and still there would be room to spare.

"One scientist, Mr. Learkin of Mt. Lowe Observatory, describes it this way: "The interior of the cavern is so stupendous that our entire solar system would be lost therein. I have watched it since the days of youth in many telescopes of many powers," he said, "but I never dreamed that the central region is the mouth of a colossal cave.  The pen of a writer and the brush of an artist would be lifeless and inert in any attempt to describe this interior; for the depth of the Orion nebula appears like torn and twisted objects and river masses of shining glass, irregular pillars, columns of stalactites in glittering splendor and stalagmites from the mighty floor.  The appearance is like that of light shining and glowing behind the clear walls of ivory and pearl, studded with millions of diamonds like shining stars."

"The scientist went on to say that there must be some reason why all this grandeur is lavished on this one spot in the heavens.  "The colors are a hue peculiar to the Orion and studded around the opening so that they appear as a pavement of starry sand.  No wonder the astronomers (many of them not religious), say they feel as if they were in some Almighty "Presence" while scanning this part of the heavens and become speechless before this great outburst of grandeur extending for trillions of miles through space."

"The North seems to have great significance in God's Word.  ... (Psalms 48: 1&2.)

"I join with some theological thinking that heaven is another era, a middle dispensation in the eternal plan.  While we are enjoying heaven, God will purge the earth with fire, and recreate it without sin, sickness or competition from sinful men.  After that, we shall return to earth again.  We shall inherit the earth.  Those who were faithful and overcame sin and temptation here on earth, will rule as kings, queens and priests eternally over kingdoms set up later.  Our victories here on earth will be the testing ground for our worthiness to be rulers with Him in the millennial kingdom.

"My glimpse of heaven and convictions about it certainly make me no more authority on 'the life beyond' than the thousands of others who have been permitted a tiny look.  We are tantalized by such encounters, dissect them in every way we can, and speculate endlessly on heaven and hell.

"After doing this, we always return to the rock solid promises and assurances in Scripture about eternal life:

"(I Cor 2:9.)
(Rev. 3:21.)
(John 5:25.)
(John 6:40.)
(John 11:25.)
(Luke 12:40.)
(John 3:16.)"

Quotes are from "SUPER NATURAL LIVING," by Betty Malz.
 

IHS, Gloria McCrea