What is the relationship between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven?

The Church of the New Testament has a heavenly aspect as it partakes in the praises of the angels as St. Clement says: “For this is the first-born Church, composed of many good

1167 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor or Christ the Educator (Paedagogus) 1.5 (ANF 2:214).

1168 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor or Christ the Educator (Paedagogus) 1.6 (ANF 2:220).

1169 St. Irenaeus of Lyon, Against Heresies 4.38.1 (ANF 1:521).

1170 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies 7.5 (ANF 2:530).

1171 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies 4.26 (ANF 2:441).

1172 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor or Christ the Educator (Paedagogus) 3.12 (ANF 2:295).

1173 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor or Christ the Educator (Paedagogus) 1.6 (ANF 2:216).

children; these are ‘the firstborn enrolled in heaven, who hold high festival with so many myriads of angels.’”¹¹⁷⁴

In this Church, those who have the true knowledge find comfort, “Such, according to David, ‘rest in the holy hill of God’ (Ps. 15:1), in the Church far on high, in which are gathered the philosophers of God, ‘who are Israelites indeed, who are pure in heart’ … engaged in contemplation which has everlasting remembrance.”¹¹⁷⁵ As for the Church on earth, it is the icon of the heavenly Church. Thus, we pray saying, “on earth as it is in heaven.”¹¹⁷⁶ This Church is the ancient universal Church which received the Apostolic Tradition, which distinguishes her from the heretical assemblies.