To understand anything properly, we need a heavenly perspective, for "as you well know, we have our citizenship in heaven; it is from there that we eagerly await the coming of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil 3:20). Therefore, "set your heart on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated at God's right hand. Be intent on things above rather than on things of earth" (Col 3:1-2).

To understand properly the end of the world, the end of the Bible, the whole of the Bible, and life itself, we need a heavenly perspective. Thus, at the beginning of the book of Revelation, John lets us look through the open door to heaven (see Rv 4:1). When we see the all-holy, triune God adored by all the angels and the saints, we recognize God's justice, mercy, and the basis for hope at the end of the world. From a heavenly perspective, we see the book of Revelation as a "love letter," the Bible as the very word of God, and life as eternal love.

From a heavenly perspective, Thanksgiving is not only a day but an eternity; sufferings are opportunities to grow in holiness; power, pleasure, and money aren't that important; and life in the Spirit and in the Church are most important.

When Jesus taught us to pray, He told us to focus on our Father in heaven and on doing His will on earth as in heaven (Mt 6:9, 10). With this heavenly perspective, we should not only pray "Thy will be done on earth as it is on heaven," but also live "on earth as it is in heaven."

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002