Through The Mists. Translated into Simplified “Modern English”. Chapter Twenty. Beulah Land.

When the visitors—who I can only describe as coming from the hills and beyond—had left, those who remained on the plain did not react with regret or jealousy over who had been chosen, as is often the case on Earth. Instead, they embraced, congratulated, and rejoiced with one another, grateful for having shared in the beautiful experience I had just witnessed.

I didn’t speak with any of them, though many passed close by me. I felt a quiet awareness that, while I was among them, I wasn’t truly one of them. In reality, I was more like a guest, being graciously shown the many aspects of this heavenly life.

Even though I belonged to immortality, I wasn’t entirely sure what my place or status would be once these extraordinary explorations came to an end.

Still, from what I observed and overheard, it was clear that even though most of them hadn’t been taken to the higher realm, they had all been uplifted by the experience. Every soul had been drawn closer to that next step, better prepared for the change that would eventually come to them all. Even if they hadn’t yet reached the standard needed to ascend, they had grown nearer to it. If they hadn’t actually heard the voice of the Almighty in the sanctuary of silence, they had at least felt the profound stillness that comes just before His voice speaks.

As a result, they were stronger, purer, and happier for having been part of it, returning to their homes filled with hope—a hope so full there was no room left for disappointment.

When Myhanene returned to me after saying goodbye to his friends, I was eager to ask him the many questions the experience had stirred in me.

“Who was the angel chief of that radiant company?” I asked.

“His name is Omra,” Myhanene replied, “and for now, that’s all you’ll be able to understand about him. If I tried to explain his role, rank, or duties, it would only sound like riddles. So, I think you’ll have to be content with just knowing his name for the time being.”

“Have the friends who were… promoted—” I paused, struggling to find a better word, “—gone to be with him?”

“No, they’ve moved on to a place near the home of our sister, the poetess—the one where I found you.”

“And if I may ask, where does Omra live?”

“That’s something you can never truly know unless you see it for yourself. Even then, I’m not sure I could give you enough strength to catch even a distant glimpse of his home.

You’ve seen how powerful his presence is, even when it’s subdued to fit the surroundings of this festival. But the brightness of his true home comes from the pure holiness that radiates from those who live much closer to God.

Still, while I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to fully grasp what you see, if I can at least show you a glimpse of its splendour, it will be another revelation—something to inspire you and give you more to reflect on later.”

“My soul thirsts for that knowledge,” I replied. “But I’ve seen so much already that I almost fear overwhelming my memory. Still, you know best, and I trust your judgment.”

“Come with me, then. In heaven, every cup is filled to overflowing. Remember Christ’s promise—you’ll see it fulfilled here: ‘To him that has, more will be given,’ even ‘a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.’

There’s no need to worry about forgetting anything. Even if your memory doesn’t recall it immediately, it will return when you need it. So, let’s go and see as far as we can down the path of your future growth.”

I must admit, I felt both excited and nervous hearing his decision. I deeply wanted to witness the glory that awaited, but I was also aware of my own weakness and unsure how I’d handle standing in its presence. Still, I trusted my guide completely and felt confident that no harm could come to me. So, with cautious hope, I took his outstretched hand, and we set out on this new journey.

I had no idea how long our time together would last, but I noticed that the longer I spent with any of these heavenly friends, the more questions I had. The beauty of the places we passed through filled me with awe, but my desire to understand everything was even greater. Before long, I found myself asking Myhanene more questions, eager to learn as much as I could.

“In my conversations with our sister,” I said, “she seemed to express views that were quite different from those I’ve heard from others. Was I right in thinking that, or do you think I misunderstood her?”

“I’m sure you’re correct,” he replied. “We do have significant differences of opinion on some things.”

“How is that possible? I thought all such differences would be gone here.”

“There’s a big difference, my brother, between having differences and being divided. On earth, disagreements often lead to painful divisions, but it’s not like that here. We’ve learned that ‘the truth makes us free.’

On earth, people tend to believe that a geologist, for example, must evaluate a religious belief the same way a theologian does—or else he’s labelled an atheist and excluded from the community of believers. The same rigid expectation applies to almost every field of knowledge. But isn’t that absurd? Didn’t the same God who inspired sacred writings also inspire the rocks? Did He pour all His revelations into ink while leaving the rest of chemistry empty? Was His will only passed down through printing presses, with no trace of it in other human creations?

Did the limitless, infinite God choose to be confined to one nation’s writings, leaving nothing for astronomy or the natural world to reveal?”

"Just as the universe has its structure to create natural harmony, so does the individual mind. We’ve come to understand that no one can fully grasp—let alone claim to own—the entire truth. Each mind connects with the piece of truth that resonates with it. Eventually, all these different perspectives will come together like a florist arranging flowers into a beautiful bouquet. Each mind will contribute its unique note, and the combination of all will form the perfect harmony of complete truth.

Because of this, you’ll still find a variety of opinions on smaller matters—personal preferences shaped by individual experiences—but you’ll never meet anyone here who would confuse obvious truths, like calling blue, pink or black, amber."

I wasn’t in the mood to argue or challenge his answers. He simply stated his view, which I accepted for now, planning to reflect on it and, if needed, bring it up again later when the time felt right.

There was another reason I didn’t continue the conversation just then. As I’d been listening closely, I realized that the farther we travelled, the lighter the atmosphere became. By the time he finished speaking, I’d completely lost the ability to talk. I was overwhelmed with strange, indescribable sensations—not unpleasant, but the opposite. I’d entered a realm filled with invigorating, irresistible joy that lifted me up and carried me forward with an intensity that left me speechless. All feelings of heaviness, fear, doubt—everything except pure, inexpressible happiness—had vanished.

I looked at my companion and realized that the lightness and powerful force pulling me upward came from his efforts to share his strength with me. But soon I noticed even he was reaching his limit. For a brief moment, our ascent wavered.

Then he wrapped his arm around me, drawing me close until I was filled with his radiant energy. It surged through me, pushing back any weakness. With a single, powerful act of will—like a flash of lightning—he propelled us across the remaining distance. We landed on the peak of a mountain that glowed with a soft, blue light. I may never know how far we travelled in that instant, but it gave me a glimpse of the incredible speed Myhanene could achieve. It also explained how he’d reached the Assyrian’s home so quickly, which had amazed me before.

Heaven stretched out before me, and no other word seems to capture the scene—its purity, beauty, and peace. Compared to this, everything I’d seen before felt insignificant. A vast plain lay beneath us, glowing with a soft, steady light that seemed to have kissed a pearl, giving it its gentle, blushing glow. In the distance, as far as the eye could see—crystal clear and undimmed—rose mountain after mountain, tier upon tier.

Countless hills were layered with vast terraces, each filled with mansions, gardens, and flowers, like miniature angelic cities displayed in divine galleries, all beneath the loving gaze of God.

Each terrace shone with its own unique brilliance, growing brighter the higher they rose. The view reminded me of an immense, heavenly staircase leading to the throne room of the Infinite. On either side of this celestial staircase, towering peaks stood like royal gatekeepers. As the mountains rose, their colours shifted into pure, radiant light, where crystal-clear pillars formed the backdrop. These pillars seemed to hold up a magnificent structure, sparkling and flashing like a diamond reflecting the eternal light of an unseen sun.

After giving me time to take in the breathtaking beauty of the scene, Myhanene gently directed my attention to the magnificent, indescribable structure in the distance and simply said, “That is Omra’s home.”

But I was told that what I was seeing wasn’t heaven itself.

It was just Beulah Land—a bridge between a lower and a higher stage in the soul’s journey. Myhanene had crossed that seemingly endless plain—he even pointed out his own home in the near foreground. He had climbed that divine staircase and, with Omra, stood as I did now, looking out at even more glorious scenes beyond. Omra had seen sights purer still. How many realms lay between that point and God, I could not know. Yet, each soul must ascend through these successive realms of holiness before it can be truly fulfilled and see Him as He truly is.

Myhanene offered to take me to his home, but the overwhelming majesty of what I had just witnessed was too much for me to process. I humbly asked him to take me back.