us." His Divine works and instructions
justified the statement. The word "heaven" as here used, then,
does not mean any particular place, but means the approving
presence of God. The instincts and natural language of man prompt
us to consider objects of reverence as above us. We kneel below
them. The splendor, mystery, infinity, of the starry regions help
on the delusion. But surely no one possessing clear spiritual
perceptions will think the literal facts in the case must
correspond to this, that God must dwell in a place overhead called
heaven. He is an Omnipresence.

"Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you for my
sake: rejoice, for great is your reward in heaven." This passage
probably means, "In the midst of tribulation be exceeding glad;
because you shall be abundantly rewarded in a future state for all
your present sufferings in my cause." In that case, heaven
signifies the spiritual world, and does not involve reference to
any precisely located spot. Or it may mean, "Be not disheartened
by insults and persecutions met in the cause of God; for you shall
be greatly blessed in your inward life: the approval of
conscience, the immortal love and pity of God, shall be yours: the
more you are hated and abused by men unjustly, the closer and
sweeter shall be your communion with God." In that case, heaven
signifies fellowship with the Father, and is independent of any
particular time or place.

"Our Father, who art in heaven." Jesus was not the author of this
sentence. It was a part of the Rabbinical synagogue service, and
was based upon the Hebrew conception of God as having his abode in
an especial sense over the firmament. The Savior uses it as the
language of accommodation, as is evident from his conversation
with the woman of Samaria; for he told her that no exclusive spot
was an acceptable place of worship, since "God is a Spirit; and
they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." No
one who comprehends the meaning of the words can suppose that the
Infinite Spirit occupies a confined local habitation, and that men
must literally journey there to be with him after death. Wherever
they may be now, they are away from him or with him, according to
their characters. After death they are more banished from him or
more immediately with him, instantly, wherever they are, according
to the spirit they are of.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, but in heaven." In
other wo