The Empyrean Sphere

The 14th century Augustinian Thomas of Strasbourg assigns the following four properties to this sphere: First, it is light-filled, and unlike the other celestial bodies, which receive their light from the Sun, it receives its light from God. But the light of the empyrean is not transferred to the lower regions, because the sphere of the fixed stars is not transparent. Second, it is transparent and its inhabitants can see one another. Third, like all celestial spheres, it is incorruptible. Finally, it is immobile, as is fitting for the home of the blessed, who are in a perfect state of rest. More material interpretations of heaven can, however, be found in the accounts of medieval visionaries.