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Inside the Gates of Heaven by Oden Hetrick

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO A MAN SENT FROM GOD WHOSE NAME IS JOHN AND TO MY DEDICATED FAMILY

C O N T E N T S

PART ONE: Testimony of Oden Hetrick

Chapter 1 — Angels from Heaven
Chapter 2 — My First Visit to Heaven
Chapter 3 — The Three Divisions of Heaven
Chapter 4 — The Outer Suburbs of Heaven
Chapter 5 — Learning a Spiritual Principle
Chapter 6 — A Beautiful Secret
Chapter 7 — Companionship in Heaven
Chapter 8 — Questions Answered
Chapter 9 — Through the Gates
Chapter 10 — Into the City
Chapter 11 — Garments of Heaven
Chapter 12 — The City Mansion
Chapter 13 — The Temple of Heaven
Chapter 14 — The Temple Wall
Chapter 15 — The Children’s Nursery Class
Chapter 16 — A Class for Covenant Companions
Chapter 17 — Seven Spiritual Intimacies
Chapter 18 — The Chamber Mansion
Chapter 19 — The Throne of God and of The Lamb
Chapter 20 — The Face of God
Chapter 21 — Bright Clouds

PART TWO: Testimony of the Family

Comments – Mrs. Grace Hetrick (Oden’s wife)
Dear Ones In Glory – Sylvia Hetrick (mother)
Pattern of Things to Come – David Hetrick (son)
From My Prayer Diary = Lois Hetrick (daughter)
The Planting of the Lord – Joy Hetrick (daughter)
My Guardian Angels – Gladys Hetrick (daughter)
Stepping in the River – Faith Hetrick (daughter)

Outline of End Time Events — BE READY
Who Is Jesus/Yahshua
About That Holy City Built By God

jesus church

FOREWARD

Those whom God Sovereignly chooses to visit the portals of Heaven have always fascinated me. The vast majority of these men or women will never grace the cover of a national magazine, nor be invited to sit with the who’s who on Christian TV. For the simple reason God still chooses the weak things of the world to shame the wise and mighty, while the world continues to look for a superstar. The one straightforward reason for this is: No flesh shall glory in His Presence. Humility required.

I believe Oden Hetrick fulfilled these qualifications. Though he was a man who visited Heaven over eighty times he still carried the humbleness of greatness. In an interview I heard him say while he had forgotten many things here on earth, he never forgot anything he was shown in Heaven. These are the things our Heavenly Father desires to reveal to us all, the place He prepared for you and me!

Of the many books I have read on Heaven I can honestly say this is my favorite. I love the simplicity in which it is written, and the understanding of revelation I came away with. It was as though I traveled with him on his journey from the outer courts to the very majestic and holy Throne Room of the Father God. Like me, you will begin to experience the sights and sounds of our eternal home creating the insatiable longing for His Presence now, not just later.

For those who are purely looking for a theological treatise you may well be disappointed. This isn’t merely about information of a far off paradise for the Christian in the sweet by and by. This is about a holy longing for more of Jesus. It is about more of the King and His Kingdom. It is about the unimaginable love that not only saved us from hell, but also saved us to Heaven. With each page you will be drawn into the magnificence of such holy love and the unexplainable greatness of our God!

This isn’t a one time read book. I’ve read it multiple times and with each reading I see something I haven’t seen before. For all of those who hunger for the realms of Glory now, allow Oden Hetrick’s visitations to begin to satisfy your craving. I promise you will come away only desiring more of Him. This is a journey you will want to relive over and over again. This is prepare to meet Thy God!

HOW THIS BOOK CAME TO BE

By David Hetrick

From earliest childhood, my Dad, Oden Hetrick knew that he was being watched over by an invisible guardian angel. He knew that he was delivered many times throughout his lifetime by supernatural intervention from accidents, evil men and death.

At the age of twelve he accepted Jesus as his Savior from sin. Thereafter, he looked forward to living in Heaven forever.

Due to this background and years of Bible study with fasting and prayer, he was not afraid when three angels appeared to him in the power of the Spirit of God and took him on his first visit to Heaven. Since then, God has granted him the privilege of visiting Heaven often, not out of his body, but in the Spirit just as men of the Bible visited Heaven and the Throne of God.

Dad compared with Scripture the things he saw and learned. He also read accounts of others who visited the City of God, and found a remarkable agreement in all the ways God has made known His eternal Habitation.

Through the years Dad told our family about the beauties and delights of Heaven and the glories of God’s Throne. In the spring of 1985, God instructed that this Heaven message be made known to this generation. It’s like our mother once said, You’ve got to be heavenly-minded if you’re going to be any earthly good. Therefore we are pleased to offer this book to the reading public.

What we have seen and heard declare we unto you. — I John 1:3
We look not at things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen: for the things that are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen are eternal. — II Cor 4:18
By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. — Hebrews 11:27

PART ONE: Testimony of Oden Hetrick

Chapter 1

ANGELS FROM HEAVEN

It would take a very long time for me to describe all of my visits to Heaven. So for this reason, we will take an imaginary journey to that Celestial City and I will be your guide. Along the way I will answer questions that have been frequently asked by those interested in their eternal Home.

My first understanding of God’s unseen creation took place when I was in an army hospital with a sprained back. I had read my Bible and prayed, the lights were turned out, so I faced the wall and closed my eyes to sleep. Immediately, I saw ten angels around my bed. They were seven feet tall with large masculine bodies, beautiful faces, long golden hair and long white shining garments, that rustled like taffeta material. Their presence was so real, but when I opened my eyes to see them better, I saw no angels. Puzzled, I again faced the wall away from the angels, and as soon as my natural eyes were closed the angels were visible as before. Only with my physical eyes closed could I see the angels and feel their presence, because God had opened the eyes of my spirit to behold the invisible world where He lives.

A few years later, while fasting and praying, Jesus Himself appeared to my spirit in my study. I had thought that I loved Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, but He showed me that my love for Him was like a drop of water in a canyon. I was astounded, but I reasoned that if Jesus appeared to me, there must be some hope for me.

A few weeks later I saw and felt the presence of an angel who was among some peach trees. This angel appeared to my spirit while my physical eyes were still wide open. I didn’t know at the time, but this angel was sent to prepare me for visits to Heaven. The angel said that in Heaven everyone loves everyone. This statement was rather shocking because all I knew was earthly marriage, where to be right and proper, you love only one person. But the angel continued to explain that Heaven’s love is far better, far more lasting and far more delightful than the love earth understands. Heaven’s love comes from God and gives perfect eternal peace. It brings uplifting, delightful satisfaction to those who help others and thus show their love to everyone. There is no law against the love that God, by His Spirit, sheds abroad in willing hearts.

The mild rebuke of this angelic exhortation caused me to despise my likeness to the animal creation, lament my ignorance of love, and desire more of the eternal love that unites and delights the saints in Heaven. I began to understand why my love for Jesus was so small. And I prayed the Lord would evermore give me that sacred love whereby He loves His Bride the Church.

Chapter 2

MY FIRST VISIT TO HEAVEN

Shortly after this experience, while I was painting a house, three angels came and took my spirit on my first visit to Heaven. We were there instantly. Since that time, the peach-tree angel has taken me on many guided tours of Heaven, showing to me and describing to me its scenes and activities. I am learning that I cannot rest my soul’s desires on a temporary existence in a body of death and a world of lust, because they must, and will be changed. True reality is found only in the eternal City of Heaven where my never-dying spirit experiences ecstasies pure and eternal.

After the angel showed me many things about Heaven, the Spirit of God began to show me things of a more sacred nature in the Holy City of God.

Many have questioned me about my visits to Heaven — how I got there, and how they can get there. So here, briefly, is my understanding of how this works. The Breath God breathed into Adam at creation was God’s Spirit, and Adam came to life as a body containing a soul, a spirit and the Holy Spirit. These spirits all occupy the same space at the same time in a human body, therefore Adam appeared as one person.

When I visit Heaven, my spirit and an angel visible to me are carried by God’s invisible Spirit, while my body and soul (my physical nature) remain on the earth. In order to hear the call of God’s Spirit, I spend much time in Bible study and prayer watching and waiting. [Psa 130:6]

One day my spiritual eyes were opened, and I found myself in the spirit, in Paradise. There before me slightly elevated, stood Jesus, with the angel I had seen before. The reality of this place so impressed me that I said, Surely my Dad must be here somewhere. The angel immediately replied, Why, yes, he’s right over there. My eyes followed the direction indicated, and there I dimly saw people on rows of reclining couches all of purest white. On the left side halfway back my Dad waved to me and said Hi, son.

This scene immediately vanished and I was again standing by my Savior, close to His left hand. I was made to understand that I was slow of heart to believe all the reality of what had been revealed to me. Then the unifying Spirit of God who controls all actions in that land caused me to take Jesus’ left hand and turn the palm toward me. My soul failed as I looked at the scar that doubting Thomas also saw after he said, Except I see the print of the nails in His hands, I shall not believe. The scar, that I thought was only a little hole, was a healed tear from the base of His thumb to His two center fingers. There I saw the evidence of the precious price paid for mankind by love untold. As I beheld my Redeemer’s hand, I was told, Now you must believe, I could not restrain the tears of sorrow as I looked at the scar and realized that Jesus had to die for my sins. But thankfulness brought tears of joy because He did, and because He redeemed me, loves me, gives me visions, helps me understand heavenly love, and because He has prepared for me a place of perfect habitation.

Chapter 3

THE THREE DIVISIONS OF HEAVEN

God told Moses to build a place on earth where the people could meet to have their sins covered and learn to worship God. Moses was told to build this tabernacle like the pattern that he saw on the mount.

And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount. — Exodus 25:40
And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount. — Exodus 26:30
(priests of earth) serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. — Hebrews 8:5

That pattern was, and is the City of God. So Moses’ Tabernacle had a Most Holy Place within a Holy Place where the priests would serve; and around these was a large area, or Outer Court for common people. God’s presence was manifested by a cloud of glory in the Most Holy Place.

So also as we approach God’s abode in the sky, we come first to the large Outer Court or suburbs, then to the Holy Place, then to the Most Holy Place where God sits on His Throne.

…We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, that Yahweh pitched, and not man. — Hebrews 8:1-2
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, that are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the Presence of Yahweh/God for us. — Hebrews 9:24

In this visit we plan to see the suburbs of Heaven where we’ll answer some questions including questions about sweethearts in Heaven. Then we’ll enter the eastern gate, taste fruit from the Tree of Life, walk on golden streets, and experience the crystal River of Life. We plan to see the people there and how they are dressed and what they do. Then we’ll tour a mansion and attend a banquet where Jesus sits at the head of the table.

We also plan to enter the Most Holy Place where God sits upon His Throne with Jesus at His right hand. In this sacred Most Holy Place the saints, their clothing and their Chamber Mansions are much brighter because they are closer to God on His Throne.

There are many names for Heaven in the Bible. Here are just a few:

Everlasting Kingdom [Daniel 4:3]
Heavenly (above the sky) Jerusalem [Hebrews 12:22]
High and Holy Place [Isaiah 57:15]
Holy Habitation [Deuteronomy 26:15]
Jerusalem that is above [Galations 4:26]
Temple of God in the sky [Revelation 14:17]
The Kingdom of Heaven (sky) [Matthew 3:2 & 8:11]
Throne in the sky [Revelation 4:2]

We find from these names and from many other Scriptures that the City of Heaven is, and always will be, in the sky.

His seed shall endure for ever, and his (David’s) Throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in Heaven. — Psalm 89:36-37
He that walketh righteously… shall dwell on high… you will see the King in His beauty, and behold the land that is very far off. — Isaiah 33:15-17
The Lord (Yahweh) builds His stories (chambers) in the heaven (sky). — Amos 9:6
….we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (skies). — II Corinthians 5:1
….a throne was set in Heaven (the sky). — Revelation 4:2
And another angel came out of the temple that is in Heaven… (the sky) — Revelation 14:17 [also Revelation 15:5 & Revelation 16:17]
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven (sky) fled away… — Revelation 20:11

The City, where the Father will fellowship with His people forever, is always located in the sky from its creation before the world to eternity. But even on planet earth God had fellowship with our forefather Adam in Eden’s Paradise. And Adam had fellowship with a sweetheart whose name was Eve. And the three of them — God and Adam and Eve — had a divine fellowship in that long-ago peaceful paradise that we know very little about.

But when disobedience entered that beautiful picture, God removed His indwelling Spirit from Adam and Eve. Then He took drastic measures to restore His creatures to His fellowship — He sent Jesus, His Divine Son, to pay our death penalty. Now all who turn from disobedience (sin) and follow Jesus, will be restored to fellowship with God; and God’s Spirit will return again as a dove of peace and love, to dwell in every believer.

Our relationship to the indwelling Spirit of God is like the fellowship of two friends. One friend says to the other, Let’s go to the park! and the other friend replies, I’m all for it. Let’s go! God’s Spirit is like the first friend who knows what to do, and we are like the second friend who gets caught in the excitement of the action and the desires to go along. Jesus said:

You will be my friends if you follow My instructions. — John 15:14

We should learn this loving obedience on earth; if not, we learn it in the suburbs of Heaven where we are now going.

If you love me, keep my commandments. — John 14:15
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. — John 14:21

Chapter 4

THE OUTER SUBURBS OF HEAVEN

The City of Heaven is foursquare like a cube; [Rev 21:16] its length and width and height are each about 1500 miles. But in space, the City of Heaven appears large and round — much larger than 1500 miles. This is because the foursquare Holy City is completely surrounded and enclosed by outer environs or suburbs. The outer edge of these suburbs is very large, making Heaven big like a planet, and, as we have previously seen, is located in the sky, forever. But the City of Heaven shines much brighter than a planet; even the righteous shine brightly.

He built His sanctuary in the high heavens, like the earth that He established for ever. — Psalm 78:69
(Paul) I saw a light from Heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining around me. — Acts 26:13
Then will the righteous shine brightly like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. If your ears can hear — hear this. — Matthew 13:43

The City of Heaven with its suburbs, its Holy Place and its Most Holy Place is much larger than earth, and it is self sufficient in every way to provide for eternal spiritual beings, just as the earth is able to sustain physical life.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly… flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. — I Corinthians 15:49-50
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19

Now these suburbs of the City of Heaven are very much like earth, with grass, flowers, trees, shadows, birds and animals. This is the place where spiritual principles must be learned by those saints who on earth did not become very spiritually minded. It is not true that we suddenly know everything when we get to Heaven. Christians on earth are admonished by Scripture:

Study to show yourself approved of God. — 2 Timothy 2:15

In these suburbs or outer environs, is where saints first arrive when they come from the earth; and in this transition from earth to Heaven, they learn many things. First, they learn that they can still see, hear, smell, taste, touch and remember, and that they have a form like their earth body. This form is their spirit now out of their body. When saints leave their bodies on earth, they have a sense of freedom as birds flying. They find their thoughts to be clear and their vision able to see both physical and spiritual realms.

Some saints arriving in these suburbs would like to stay right here, but they are encouraged to move on to higher glories. And speaking of travel; it is possible in Heaven to go from place to place instantly, by taking thought. But it is more interesting and enlightening to travel slowly and enjoy the scenery. There are two methods of slow travel:

  1. We can move through the air as gracefully as a white dove in the sky of earth. Most slow travel is done in this manner.
  2. Some visitors to Heaven have called its vehicles by the exciting name of chariots. That’s all right, but what I have seen are just seats with no flaming horses or wheels; and they are not so elaborate as to call attention to themselves. They just serve their purpose and then disappear. These chariots come in all sizes beginning with a double open-air seat for two companions, up to large bus-type open-air chariots with many double seats.

These chariots travel on land, on water or in the air, and this is how they are moved: God’s Spirit harmonizes all the activities in Heaven, deciding when and where the action is to be. When the saints hear the call of God’s indwelling Spirit, their emotions respond with a joyful desire to go, and the controlling Spirit of God moves the chariot in which they ride.

In order for the Kingdom of God (it is also called the Throne of God) to be seen in the sky, it has to be a very large place. And speaking of size, Jesus said to His followers:

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature? — Matthew 6:27

The answer, of course, was that they could not, and therefore should not worry about tomorrow. But Jesus was revealing a secret that in Heaven we can by thought, add one cubit to our height. In my visits to Heaven I noticed that people appeared to be about five feet tall. On earth a cubit is 18 inches, but a heavenly cubit is 21 inches. So a person in Heaven three cubits tall would be 63 inches, or a little over five feet tall. But when it is their turn to worship God before His Throne, they add one 21-inch cubit to their stature, making them seven feet tall.

Chapter 5

LEARNING A SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE

Now as the saints on their heavenly journey pause in these suburbs to learn spiritual realities, they are being prepared to understand and enjoy what they will experience in the Holy City. One thing they learn is the difference between physical saints on earth and spiritual saints in Heaven. And learning this will also enhance our visit.

The first man, Adam, was made of dust, the second man is the Lord from Heaven. Now just as Adam was made of dust, so are his descendants. But those who are spiritual are like Jesus who is in Heaven. And as we have lived on earth like Adam in a body of dust, we shall also live in Heaven like Jesus in a spiritual body. — l Corinthians 15:47-49

God made us in three parts: spirit, soul and body; but the real person (the real me) is my soul. My mind, my heart, my memory, my emotions, my reasoning power — these are the real me. These are my soul, my real person, invisible and eternal. My soul is shaped just like my body and fits into it perfectly just as a hand fits into a glove.

God gave us a spirit so we could know Him and live on a higher level than animals. But because of Adam’s disobedience there is sin upon every soul, ingrained in every personality; and the only way of escape is by asking Jesus to remove our sins, save us from eternal punishment, and redeem us to eternal life with Him in Heaven.

A sinful soul uses the body for satisfaction in temporal sinful pleasures. But a redeemed soul, being delivered from ingrained sin, is united with the spirit; and while enjoying the things of God in this life, looks forward to spiritual pleasures in eternal heavenly bliss.

To be bodily minded is death, to be spiritually minded is life and peace. — Romans 8:6

A redeemed soul and spirit occupy the same space at the same time in the body, or out of the body, and in Heaven they appear as one spirit person. Spirits in Heaven have no infirmities and no signs of age, but they are recognized as the same person who lived in the body of dust, on earth. After this body of dust is resurrected and changed, the saints will live in Heaven in a glorified body like Jesus.

(Jesus) was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. — Matthew 17:2
…we shall be like Him; for we shall see him as He is. — I John 3:2

this book is copyrighted with all rights reserved and part two is not to be put on Internet. So to read the rest of the book please see the order blank.

©2009 All rights reserved

This book is protected by copyright laws of the USA. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical — including photocopying or putting on anyone else’s website — without written permission from the authors.

Next: read  Chapters 6-10

Next: cart  Order The Testimony of Heaven: Inside the Holy City
[including part 2, not available online]

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