I said, “Do they all lead to one heaven?”
God said, “All Heaven is one: nevertheless some parts are higher than others; those who reach the higher may always go down to rest in the lower; but those in the lower may not have strength to climb to the higher; nevertheless the light is all one.”
And I saw over the bridge nearest me, which was wider than the other, countless footmarks go. I asked God why so many went over it.
God said, “It slopes less deeply, and leads to the first heaven.”
And I saw that some of the footmarks were of feet returning. I asked God how it was.
He said, “No man who has once entered Heaven ever leaves it; but some, when they have gone half way, turn back, because they are afraid there is no land beyond.”
I said, “Has none ever returned?”
God said, “No; once in Heaven always in Heaven.”
And God took me over. And when we came to one of the great doors—for Heaven has more doors than one, and they are all open—the posts rose up so high on either side I could not see the top, nor indeed if there were any.
And it seemed to me so wide that all Hell could go in through it.