Customer Reviews

The Heavens Opened: Revealing a Fresh Vision of God's Love for You

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I've never, ever, in all my life read anything like this book. And I've read everything. Most of these "I saw heaven" books are weird and poorly written. This book, on the other hand, is in a class all its own.

I find Sister Rountree's account to be credible and written with a keen matter-of-fact style. Sister Anna graciously spares us from religious cliche and Bible catch phrases. Instead, she's direct and unapologetic, adding very little personal interjection. She kindly tells us what she saw and experienced and lets us have it as close to first hand as possible without actually being there ourselves.

This masterpiece left me numb for days--literally. There's so much in here to digest. I read it straight through in one day. I'm about to read it for the second time. I'm sure I'll read it a few more times, too.

Folks, there's nothing out there in the same neighborhood as this book. If there is, please email me!

I have been a Pentecostal Christian for over 25 years and I have read many books on people's experiences of "visions" and "dreams,"about Heaven and Paradise. This book written by Anna Rountree is one of the most fasinating collections of messages, from the Lord Jesus Christ, that I have experienced since I read a book written by Merrietta Davis, "Caught Up Into Paradise!" I never thought I would ever read a book that so captivated my attention and curiousity as Sister Rountree has in this very detailed writing. I found the experience with her on our "Father's Lap and wrap in His Arms," so personal and encourageing! She calls Him "Daddy" several times. For some who do not know, the Greek word "Abba," means "Daddy! We cry Abba, Father in Romans 8:15. I had gentle tears streaming down my face in almost every chapter. I sang along with the songs she recorded hearing in heaven. I absolutely "Loved" her conversations with many angels. I did not know that angels could be so funny and entertaining!!! You will laugh, cry, remenise with her times with Jesus, and rise up, in your spirit of prayer, in a stronger force against the powers of evil that are deceiving God's precious children of the Church and of the world system. Her 73 pages, of Biblical and personal notes, at the end give an extrememly strong foundation for the credibility of this writing!!!
I was alittle leary of "new visions" others were having until I read in Acts 2:16-21 where it says, God shall pour out of His Spirit in the last days, young men and women shall see visions and older men and women shall shall dream dreams!!! I am purchasing her other book tonight!

This book I believe is a part of the message that God is conveying to his Children in these last days. The book entails this lady called Anna who is caught up to heaven,[The New Jerusalem] , where she meets with God The Son, Jesus Christ , the other host of heaven. The book is absolutely wonderful as it portrays her experiences, conversations and times with the redeemed saints, angels . But the most enlightening part is that She meets with God The father in His Ultimate Glory and is priviledged to be commissioned by Him . The 24 elders in the book of revelation also grant her their words of support, to carry the Heart of the father to the earth. I finished this book in a matter of 6 hrs, one of the records I HAVE almost never beaten except when I read the ," Final Quest ", by Rick Joyner .

Everyone needs to read this book, Christian or not, because this book will answer as many questions as it brings up in the mind of the reader. This book reads like two seperate books. I recommend that you read the book itself and then read the notes in the back, like book number two. I spent two afternoons virtually glued to this book, I did not want to put it down for any reason. I cried, laughed, prayed,was in total wonderment, enthralled.....need I go on? Wow, there are not words adaquate enough to express how I feel about this exquisite journey Anna was privelidged enough to take, through grace from God alone. I know that, I know that, I know....For those who believe no explaination is necessary, for those who do not believe no explaination is possible. This book takes you on a journey from first word to last into,simply put, heaven and all of the facets there in. You will meet "characters" whos names you will not forget, you will be going through your everyday things and these names and circumstances will just pop into your head for more thought and contemplation. I think this is a gift from God. I know this book is a gracious gift from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as are its authors Anna and Albert. Read, learn, and inwardly digest this wonderful book, then do like I did, read it again and again because God reveals more of himself each time you do. God Bless Everyone who even thinks about reading this, those who do will be BLESSED IMMEASURABLY.

May 5, 1999 The book is an easy to read account of the author's encounter with heaven. Mysteries are unveiled. The reader's eyes begin to see with a deep understanding what is not visible in the natural. And the love of GOD becomes a livng truth. The value of man to GOD is exposed through pictures and events in the unseen world of heaven. It is a must read for anyone who wants to known GOD. About half way through the first half I burst into tears when the author cried, "Daddy." The foundation of Love produces a rock of comfort in a world of tribulation. Roundtree helps to settle the rock in her encounter with heaven and GOD.

I have been greatly encouraged by reading numerous accounts of people who have either clinically died & went to heaven before being resuscitated, or who were caught up to heaven either bodily or in the spirit.

Of the 16 or so books that I have read, this is one of two or three that leave me at least some what unsettled. I am not among those "Bible Answer Man" types who contentiously & flatly reject any & all spiritual encounters, even though the Bible speaks of them as being equally as relevant today as they were 2000 years ago, while condemning all Charismatic & Pentecostal believers to hell as heretics for believing that God still speaks by his Spirit through revelations, dreams, visions & prophecy, & not just the written Word. After all, the Bible itself speaks of these gifts. But I am also not the type of sap who thinks that anything that comes in the name of being a gift of the Spirit or Divine encounter or revelation just has to be God, no questions asked.

In addition, I won't just arbitrarily believe them any more just because the minister or ministers who wrote the forward happen to be people like David "Paul Yongi" Cho, Benny Hinn or his wife, just because they are often correct in their analysis & are anointed men & women of God.

First off, this supposed encounter is not entirely consistent with my understanding of what the Bible says, nor is it consistent with the 11 or 12 other books that seem to be much more credible.

Paul speaks of Divine encounters which are genuine, & he also warns of those which are fabricated by those who want a forum to be recognized as spiritually important individuals without having the certain genuine experiences that they claim they have had. Not to say that I know for sure, but if I were to guess, this would fall into the second category.

It would stand to reason that there would be vast similarities & consistencies between all the genuine accounts, whereas "The Heavens Opened"-Rountree, & "Heaven is so Real"-Thomas, actually seemed to illustrate numerous contradictions while the story's landscape possessed few similarities, with the exception that they are all at least supposed to be referring to the same place. The numerous other apparently credible accounts conversely possessed no contradictions, not only with each other, but with the Bible.

Every other account possessed no instance of death, ageing or decay, & several even mentioned that death, ageing & decay do not exist in Heaven. There is at least one account in each of these books of death (frying a fish to eat in Thomas' "Heaven is so Real,") & ageing & decay (in Rountree's "The Heavens Opened," an older balding angel). In all of the other books, no living thing was ever killed, & all the angels & humans appeared youthful, with the physical features of that of a thirty year old or younger. Even those who died in their elderly years on earth regained their youthfulness when they went to heaven. Every one had a full head of hair, & balding would have been considered a form of decay. This distinction is also consistent with the Bible, which says that "death is swallowed up in victory," (I Cor. 15:54-56) & "there shall be no more death, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4). These references are referring to the inheritance of the Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven, as well as the age to come.

Here is a list of books & material on Heaven that I have read or reviewed, some of which I think are credible, some which have left me unsettled, & some which I just have to leave with a question mark.

Unsettling: The Heavens Opened-Anna Rountree / Heaven is So Real-Choo Thomas

Credible: Intra Muros, Within the Gates-Rebecca Ruter Springer / Paradise, the Holy City & the Glory of the Throne-Scott Elwood / Visions Beyond the Veil-H.A. Baker / I Died & Went to Heaven-Gary Wood / 90 Minutes in Heaven-Don Piper / Scenes beyond the Grave-Marietta Davis & Gordon Lindsay / 6 Big Big Big Angels-Mary Jo Pennington / Heaven, Close Encounters of the God Kind-Jesse DuPlantis / My Glimpse of Eternity-Betty Maltz / Beyond Death's Door-Maurice Rawlings / Voices from the Edge of Eternity-Thea Carter & Tommy Bates with Perry Stone (DVD) / The Mystery of Paradise-Curtis "Earthquake" Kelley with Perry Stone (DVD) / What Jesus Revealed About Death-Walter Hallam with Perry Stone (DVD) / Questions About Heaven & Paradise-Walter Hallam & Fred Stone with Perry Stone (DVD) / More Secrets of Paradise-Curtis "Earthquake" Kelley & Walter Hallam with Perry Stone (DVD)

Question Mark: A Divine Revelation of Heaven-Mary K Baxter (I would be more inclined to put this in the "Credible" list, but certain things about it left me unsure) / Home is Where the Throne Is-Wayne C. Anderson (Same) / I Saw Heaven-Roberts Lairdon / Caught Up into Paradise-Richard E. Eby (If for no other reason than the Lord did not return for His Bride before the author passed away, which is what he said the Lord told him. There could be extenuating circumstances & reasons consistent with the Bible for this, such as the vessel's disobedience, God extending time because of the prayers &/or repentance of His people, His mercy, as with Jonah & the people of Nineveh, etc., but I am only speculating.)

Overall, I would not with certainty classify this as a genuine eye-witness account of Heaven. I'll admit I could be wrong. I am sure the author is a true believer, but there was also way too much emphasis on her importance & position in God's Kingdom in comparison to the other books that I thought were credible. In the other accounts, there seemed to be much more humility by the author & consistency with Scripture. There were also some just plain bizarre accounts that went way beyond Heavenly & supernatural to extremely weird & far-fetched.

Winston Sanders

Each time I read this book, it encouraged and convicted me in meaningful ways. Each time something new struck me as if I had not read it before. The pictures of life within are unforgetable and piercing. It is a MUST for both those who love God and for those who do not believe God exists. The reading of this book will change your life. I will never be the same and neither will anyone who reads it. It is very deep and yet so simple. IT IS A "MUST READ" FOR EVERYONE.

Very few people have had a visit to heaven of this magnitude. Anna has passed on to us an oracle of God - this is modern day scripture, a book of revalation in this day and age. Every Christian serious about God must read this book. I have read numerous near-death accounts and heavenly vision books - this is maybe on the top 3 for me.

For those who doubt the credibility of this book, read the notes that are provided in the book. Half of the book is dedicated to using scripture to back up each experience. Further, if you go to sid roth's website [...], you can listen to Sid's interview with her. Her personality and character show her to be humble and sincere. Judge for yourself though. It was a great read!

I too have read many Christian books, and I've been through the Bible from cover-to-cover several times over. I have been blessed personally with some wonderful revelations from the Lord and as a result 'know' what the Presence of God 'feels' like and I know when I'm hearing from Him.

I will say that this book (and the companion, The Priestly Bride) are amazingly and heavily anointed by God. From the first word, you KNOW that you are hearing from Him. I so seriously recommend these books to each and every Christian out there.

To those of you who don't believe, or won't believe, let me just say that, "just because you don't believe, doesn't mean it isn't so!"

Friends, the best is yet to come. Savor and enjoy these books. I truly can say, they will change your life.