CHAPTER 14
After this our good Lord said: ‘I thank you for your labour and especially for your youth.’
And in this showing my understanding was lifted up into heaven where I saw our Lord as a lord in his own house, who has called all his dear servants and friends to a ceremonial feast. Then I saw the Lord take no place in his house, but I saw him royally reign there, filling it with joy and merriment. There he endlessly gladdens and gives solace to his dear friends, most homely and courteous, with the marvellous melody of endless love in his own fair and blessed countenance. And this glorious expression of the Godhead fills the heavens with joy and bliss.
God showed three degrees of bliss that every soul shall have in heaven, who has willingly served God in any degree on earth. The first is the glorious thanks of our Lord God, which we shall receive when delivered from our pain. And this thanks is so full and so honouring that the soul imagines it fills him entirely and with room for anything else. For I thought that all the pain and labour that is suffered by all living people would still not deserve the honouring thanks that one person shall receive who has willingly served God. The second degree is that all the blessed creatures in heaven shall see that honouring thankfulness, as God makes the soul’s service known to all who are in heaven. And here this example was shown: if a king thanks his servants, it is very honouring for them, and if he makes this known to all in the realm, then the honour is greatly increased. The third degree is this: that as fresh and heartening as it is the moment it is received, so shall it always be for time without end.
And I saw how homely and sweetly this was shown, and how the life story of every one shall be made known in heaven, for they shall be rewarded for their willing service down the years; and those who offered their youth to God, willingly and freely, will be especially rewarded and wonderfully thanked.
For I saw that whenever or however a man or woman is truly turned to God, even if only for a day, then they will endlessly receive all these three degrees of bliss. And the more the loving soul sees this courtesy of God, the more gladly will they serve him all the days of their life.