The Seven Heavens


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Other than the lore surrounding it, we know very little about the place called Heaven. There is a wealth of conflicting beliefs regarding it. Most agree that the souls of the righteous are saved and their eternal reward is dwelling as saints with God and the Heavenly Host of angels in Heaven. Many who believe in an afterlife believe that Heaven is the firmament above Creation. The apocryphal Book of Enoch describes Heaven as having seven realms. Each realm has its unique character and appearance.

The seven heavens are Shamain, Raquia, Sagun, Machen, Mathey, Zebul, and Araboth. The First Heaven Shamain is connected to Earth and exists in both the spiritual and material planes. With a common border to Earth, Shamain most closely resembles the tangible world and has a natural atmosphere and surface water. It is ruled by the Archangel Gabriel.

The Second Heaven Raquia contains a prison chamber which detains fallen angels who are not residing in hell but are also awaiting the final Judgment for their eternal condemnation. It is ruled by the Archangel Raphael.

Sagun is the Third Heaven and is unique in that it is divided into two very different areas. Its northern lands are filled with icy, jagged mountains and it touches upon the realm of hell. In contrast, the southern area of Sagun is a lush, fertile paradise.

The Fourth Heaven is named Machen. The Archangel Michael rules over this region. The Apocalypse of St. Paul tells us that the actual Garden of Eden is located here, flourishing after its removal from earth. Machen is verdant and fertile and a favorite spot of the angels.

The Fifth Heaven is named Mathey, and in some traditions this is where God resides. The Creator holds court with His ministering angels who eternally sing hosannas and hymns in the southern hall of the region. Lore has it that the very different northern boundaries are the home of the exiled Samael, who lives in an expansive corona of fire and smoke with no firm ground above or below his domain. The Watchers, a group of fallen angels, are kept bound in this same void until their final judgment.

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The Sixth Heaven called Zebul, has no single Archangel as its ruler. Seven powerful Cherubs reside here, as do legions of other angels who specialize in the study of every science and art form in existence. They mark the time and breadth of the universe from here, and consider their home a font of celestial knowledge.

The Seventh Heaven is called Araboth and, in some conflicting traditions, is ruled by the Archangel Samael. Other traditions maintain that this is where God dwells. Most of the Heavenly Host reside here, and the Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, (the top three tiers in the Nine Choirs of Angels) choose this area of Heaven almost exclusively as their own.

These concepts of the seven realms of heaven are from the apocryphal writings of the prophet Enoch. There are numerous other conflicting traditions and perceptions of Heaven which comprise celestial lore.

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