The Native Country of Man
“Behold, you Child of Man, there is no sin in heaven in the Presence of God; only in thyself there is sin, and sin separates us and our God asunder; otherwise all things are fixed, and good in their own being; the Kingdom of Hell and of Wrath is good in itself, according to its own region, it does not vex or torment itself, but its woe is its birth, and the rising of its source, also it desires nothing else.
“And so also the kingdom of this world is fixed [or perfect,] and good in itself; neither does it vex or torment itself; but the elevation of the elements, is its growing and springing, neither does it torment itself in itself, nor has it any distress or fear in itself.
“Only Man has in both those principles, woe, misery, sorrow, and distress; for he is not in his native Country, and none of these two principles can attain his native Country. Therefore, the poor soul must be plagued and tormented, that it may attain its native Country again; it must go again through the Gate of the Deep Anguish of Death; it must break through two kingdoms. …
“It stretches to God, then the Devil holds it on one side with one band, and the World with another band.” ~Jacob Boehme
No Sin in Heaven
This one should be obvious. Heaven is the place of God, His angels, and those souls that have been perfected. So of course there is no sin there. But Boehme seems to mean this in another way. He is saying each dimension of being is, within itself, without sin, for each dimension (which he calls principles) operates perfectly within the rules of its own domain. I’m not sure this is true of all dimensions, but it is definitely true of Heaven. So as the native country of man is Heaven, sin is not actually in our nature.
Sin Separates
Yes, sin does separate us from God. More accurately, though, separation from God makes sin possible. Sin is the result of ignorance. Ignorance of our true nature, ignorance of God, and ignorance of God’s Law and God’s Divine Plan. Those who are one with God do not sin as they know the harm it would do to themselves and others. Those who are in contact with that native country of man know God and know God’s law. In knowing God, they feel great love and have no desire to defy Him. Continue reading “Native Country of Man is Heaven”