The Celestial City, Part 2

Each nation has a variety of paths that lead up the mountain to the celestial city. As the journey takes the individuals higher up the mountain, the paths merge. Eventually, about two-thirds of the way up the mountain the path merges into one. This happens on all four sides of the mountain creating four paths, one from each nation.

Each of the four paths then turns west toward the setting sun. Before long each path approaches the territory that is “owned” by a different nation. Much to their disappointment, the path is blocked and guarded by every nation, claiming it to be their land. Soldiers are present with spears and swords, and also the head of that nation’s religious organization stands in front of the armies to proclaim that their path is sacred, and their god and their path is the only true way to reach the city.

The only way for each to pass, is to renounce their religion and believe in the “right” way to get to the celestial city — the way that each guards with his or her life. All around the mountain this scene plays out day after day. No one gets through. All go around and around, while the city waits.