By: Atty. Marlo T. Cristobal
Let’s fly up this time to the heavens (specifically the first Heaven spoken of in the Bible). Let me digress for a moment to show that l speak literally, neither in hyperbole nor in metaphor. You see, the Bible defines 3 Heavens. The first Heaven is the vast space above the earth up to the spaces as far our eyes can see through the windows of our aircraft while on flight. The second Heaven is the space farther above where the galaxies are, and the vast space way, way above the galaxies and heavenly bodies. Then thereafter high, high above and beyond comes the third Heaven, the so-called Paradise, the very place Jesus, then on the verge of death, promised the finally believing thief to His right, with these words, “Verily, l say unto you now, you will be with me in Paradise.” Where exactly the Kingdom of God is nestled.
Nothing that we have visited in Japan so far stands out in excitement greater than Abeno Harukas building in Tennoji, Osaka, which we decided to climb to its top floor. This building is a damned skyscraper as it stands at a height of 300 meters and housing 60 floors (online though accounts 62 floors, but l only counted⁰ 60 floors), so tall as to touch literally the first heaven the Bible so designates as alluded to above. It has the honor of holding the title “The Tallest Building in Japan” until very recently the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree Tower surpassed the Harukas height with their own stunning height of 333 meters and 634 meters height, respectively. But to me the comparison is misleading, and Harukas should retain the honor. Harukas is a regular building, and all its floors are the venues of regular human and office activities. In fact, its top floor holds a restaurant business. But Tokyo Towers are strictly towers and holds no business or office activities in their height above Harukas’.
Being perched on heaven height, visitors of Harukas are roused with “oohs” and “aahs” as they take a commanding and overwhelming view of Japan from atop the building.
Sixtieth floor is a taste of the mere first Heaven, yet it already spawns resonating exhilaration in Harukas’ guests.
How much more when we join God in the unthinkable height of the third Heaven!
