The Celestial Kingdom

Irenaeus quotes Papias in Against Heresies talking about 3 distinct habitions in the next life and the gradation of arrangement of those who are saved:

"As the presbyters say, then, those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of Paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; (The new Jerusalem on earth) for everywhere the Saviour will be seen, according as they shall be worthy who see Him. But that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundred-fold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold; for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second class will dwell in Paradise, and the last will inhabit the city; and that on this account the Lord said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions:” for all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place, even as His word says, that a share is given to all by the Father, according as each one is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch in which they shall recline who feast, being invited to the wedding. The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, say that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature; and that, moreover, they ascend through the Spirit to the Son, and through the Son to the Father; and that in due time the Son will yield up His work to the Father."

Paul talks about being rewarded for works but saved by grace and even those who would not be reward and who "suffered loss" would still be saved.

1 Cor 2: 11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Both the just and the unjust will be resurrected

Acts 24: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. There will be a differentiation of the glory of those who are ressurected.

Not everyone will be resurrected to the same glory or reward.

1 Cor 15:40-42 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.

Paul sees the third heaven.

2 Cor. 12: 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.

While justification and salvation by hell by the grace of Christ is automatic, Paul says he only had a hope of eternal life.

Titus 3: 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Christ, Paul and John talk about denying Christ with our works even if we profess Him with our lips.

Titus 1: 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Rev. 3: 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Matt. 15: 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Christ taught that saying Lord Lord is not enough for the reward of eternal life.

Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Jesus Christ, Paul, and John differentiated between the wise and the unwise virgin. Christ differentiated between the profitable and unprofitable servant and the sheep and the goats and the hot and the lukewarm, the children of the bondwoman vs. children of the flesh. If our works don't matter for eternal life, what was wrong with the the unprofitable servant?

Matt. 25: 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Matt. 25: 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt. 25: 32-33 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Gal 4: 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Rev. 3: 15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Paul says, that although works are expected, we should think that we save ourselves, because salvation and eternal life is a gift and reward of God. But that doesnt mean God doesn't expect it. He is just reminding us that our works are only possible through the grace and power of Christ within us. The key here is not not think we can do it alone without Christ. This is not saying that works are not important.

Eph 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Eternal life involves knowing the Father and having fellowship with the Father and not only Jesus Christ.

1 Jn 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

The righteous will inherit the Earth and the righteous and the Earth will be changed. The righteous wil be changed from flesh and blood to purified, glorified flesh and bone as Christ was changed after His resurrection. But we all will not be changed to the same glory in the resurrection.

Ps. 37: 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Matt. 5: 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
1 Cor 15: 50-53 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor 15:40-42 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

During the Millennium the Earth will be in a Paradisiacal state. But the Earth will change again when we are prepared to enjoy the presence and fellowship of the Father. The scene that John sees in vision is not in heaven but the Earth in its full Celestial glory.

Rev. 15: 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Rev. 4: 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:

The Earth and those on it will be blessed to progress through each change and stage of glory to the final Celestial glory when Christ yields up the Earth and the exalted being on it to the Father. However, some will cease to progress with the Earth. This is the definition of damnation. Just like a damn on a river stops its flow. Again, Irenaeus quotes Papias in the "sayings of the Apostles" saying that there are different habitations and a gradation of arrangement of those who are saved and that the righteous will pass through each stage untill they arrive at the Celestial state. Some will not advance to the highest state."that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature; and that, moreover, they ascend through the Spirit to the Son, and through the Son to the Father; and that in due time the Son will yield up His work to the Father."