Heaven and Hell

The Gate of Heaven and Hell

HEAVEN

Heaven is often described as a "higher place", the holiest place, a Paradise. A place where the angels, cherubim, archangels, seraphim, the saints, Mother Mary, Jesus Christ and God the Father resides.

As it was told, there 7 gates of heaven, though the bible never validated that thought. Heaven in Hebrew means shamayim, only appears in the plural form and can mean "sky", "outer space", or "the place where God dwells". In the New Testament, the Greek ouranos can mean "the dwelling place of God, and paradeisos ("paradise" or "garden") can refer to the place where dead believers await resurrection, to where God dwells now, or to our eternal home.

The ancients believed that there were Seven Heavens which related to the seven observable planets in our solar system. The Sun and Moon, where referred to as planets by the ancients due to lack astronomical understanding and with these they also included the five planets which were visible by the naked eye, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. According to this belief each planet occupied its own layer of Heaven or potion of the sky/space, each occupying an orbit further and further away from Earth, as Earth was the considered centre of the Universe.

The First Heaven was also considered to be the place where Adam and Eve lived and here you would experience winds and the landscape contains water and clouds.The Second Heaven was the place that Moses visited and is considered to be the place where the Fallen Angels are imprisoned. Moses visted Raquia and met the angel Nuriel who hade governorship over 50 myriads of angels, who are composed water and fire.The Third Heaven has a small contradiction, Firstly it is considered the place of the Garden of Eden, juxtaposed to this, it is also thought to be the location of Hell to the North .It is also reputed to be the home of the Tree of Life.The Fourth Heaven contains the heavenly city of Jerusalem. Also the location of the Garden of EdenThe Fifth Heaven, Samael the Ruling Archangel is served by two millions of angels. These are divided among the four quarters of the world, in each quarter three, who control the twelve months, and over these are twelve chief angels. The northern regions of this Heaven is the area where the Watchers, (Grigori) reside. To the South reside the angels (ministering) who endlessly chant the praises of God.The Sixth Heaven, Archangel Sachiel, with two millions of angels. The angel Zebul is placed over these during the day, and another angel, Sabath, during the night. They rule over kings, create fear, and give protection from enemies. This Heaven is covered in snow and frequently experiences many storms.The Seventh Heaven is reputed to be the Holiest of all the Heavens and contains the Throne of Glory which is attended by the Seven Archangels.The 7th Heaven is the home of God and his Throne. He is surrounded by the angels of the orders of Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Fanuel (Penuel) are introduced as "the four angels of the face of the Lord."In Enoch, lxxi. 7-13, these four stand near the crystal throne of God, which, encircled by fire, is surrounded by the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Ofanim

The archangels, headed by Michael who is known to be the prince of Heaven. The most powerful and the general of all angels who lead the other archangels and the avenging angels in a fierce battle against the would-be usurper Lucifer and his rebel angels. His authority extends into the realms of both Heaven and Earth. He is the Chief of the Order of Virtues. The patron angel of righteousness, mercy, justice, repentance, and sanctification. He is the natural enemy of all that is evil and unjust.

Gabriel means "My strength is from God". He is the patron angel of both mercy and vengeance, also the patron angel of death and resurrection and of annunciation (telling) and revelation (revealing).

Raphael, means "God has healed". He is known as the Protector of the Eden Tree for his role as the guardian of the sacred tree after the transgression of Adam and Eve. He is also the Guardian of the Western Horizon and the Prince of the Second Level of Heaven. The Archangel Raphael is also the patron angel of light, love, happiness, and prayer. A member of almost every possible angelic order, he is a Cherub as well as a Seraph and stands as one of the Ten Angels of the Holy Sefiroth. He is widely considered an angel of healing, medicine, science, learning, and knowledge.