1. Realms of Grace
World Scripture
No one who does good deeds will ever come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come. When such people die, they go to other realms where the righteous live.
Bhagavad-Gita 6.40-41 (Hinduism)
Those who have faith and do righteous deeds, they are the best of creatures. Their reward is with God: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; God well pleased with them, and they with Him; all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.
Qur’an 98.7-8
Rabbi Joseph… was ill and fell into a coma. When he recovered, his father asked him, “What did you see?” He replied, “I beheld a world the reverse of this one; those who are on top here were below there, and vice versa.” He said to him, “My son, you have seen a corrected world.”
Talmud, Pesahim 50a (Judaism)
Not like this world is the World to Come. In the World to Come there is neither eating nor drinking, nor procreation of children or business transactions, no envy or hatred or rivalry; but the righteous sit enthroned, their crowns on their heads, and feast on the radiance of the Divine Splendor (Shekhinah).
Talmud, Berakot 17a (Judaism)
To the highest regions, in due order, to those regions where there is no delusion, and to those regions which are full of light where the glorious gods dwell—who have long life, great power, great luster, can change their shape at will, are beautiful as on their first day, and have the brilliance of many suns—to such places go those who are trained in self-control and penance, both monks and householders who have obtained liberation by absence of passion.
Uttaradhyayana Sutra 5.26-28 (Jainism)
Higher than all stands the Realm of Grace— None can have access there except heroes of supreme might, Inspired by God-consciousness. In that sphere abide numberless heroines like Sita of surpassing praise And beauty indescribable. Those to God united suffer neither mortality nor delusion. In that sphere abide devotees assembled from the various universes, Cherishing the holy Eternal ever in their hearts. In everlasting bliss. The formless Supreme Being abides in the Realm of Eternity. Over His creation He casts His glance of grace. In that realm are contained all the continents and universes, Exceeding in number all count. Of creation, worlds upon worlds abide therein— All obedient to His Will; He watches over them in bliss, And has each constantly in mind. Saith Nanak, Such is that realm’s [glory] that to try to describe it is to attempt the impossible.
Adi Granth, Japuji 37 M.1, p. 8 (Sikhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
How is heaven—the spirit world where God resides—organized? Its ordering principle is simple. No one who lived a self-centered life can be admitted to Paradise or the heavenly spheres. Heaven is the dwelling-place of people who lived for the sake of the whole.
You may not have experienced the spirit world, but by the grace of God, I experienced the richness of that world. If you enter heaven, you will not find a single person who lived for him or herself. Its citizens are all people who lived for God and humanity.
(77:189, April 6, 1975)
Heaven is an ideal realm centered on God; it is a place where everything moves to the rhythm of God’s love, tuned to its frequency. Therefore, unless we prepare on earth the appropriate elements that can tune to God’s frequency, we will not be able to harmonize with the beings in that world. For this purpose, while on earth we should perfect three different kinds of love: children’s love, conjugal love and parental love.17
17 (19:335, March 29, 1968)
Heaven begins from a heart that overcomes the world. Although heaven may exist all around us, if our own mind is evil we cannot perceive it, we cannot be harmonized with it, and it would be meaningless to us. Therefore, the basis for receiving the Kingdom of Heaven is not the environment, but I, myself. The pillar for maintaining the Kingdom of Heaven is not my circumstances, but my own heart.
(46:24, July 18, 1971)
In the Kingdom of Heaven you will see green grass everywhere. There are mountains, lakes and prairies. Birds sing, flowers bloom in profusion, and animals play happily together. The air is fresh and filled with fragrances like lilac. Bright light shines throughout, more beautiful than diamond and clear as crystal. Just standing there makes you feel comfortable and refreshed. You are naturally filled with feelings of love and happiness. Unlike in earthy life where happiness comes and goes, in heaven you feel happy continually.
In the Kingdom of Heaven there is no anxiety or suffering. All the spirits have bright and peaceful expressions; they naturally care for each other without needing to say a word. There is no fighting, no fallen nature of jealousy, hate or arrogance. Everyone is filled only with true love and lives for the sake of others.
(Heung Jin Moon, Message from the Spirit World, January 1, 2002)