Heaven is called a country in the Bible, in allusion to Canaan. And it is a better country, as its inhabitants, privileges, and employments are far more excellent than any on earth (Hebrews 11:14; Hebrews 11:16). It is a far country, very distant from and unknown in our world (Matthew 21:37; Matthew 25:14; Luke 19:12). A state of apostasy from God, whether of men in general or of the Gentile world, is called a far country; it is distant from that in which we ought to be; in it we are ignorant of God, exposed to danger, and have none to pity or help us (Luke 15:13). A state or place of gross ignorance and wickedness is called the region and shadow of death (Matthew 4:16).