“Heaven”

     When talking about heaven, there are many views in which people believe, depending on their religious background, present religion, or personal beliefs. Of course most people in the world today believe in a heaven where people go after they die. And many believe they will go to heaven without even taking into consideration what the bible says concerning such a place. So what I want to do in this chapter is to show what the bible says about what heaven is, where it is, and who will go there. And although the bible doesn’t give all the information we would like to have, it does give us the most important information, which is how to get there.

“Where is Heaven?”

     Any time any person of almost any religion, or even the non-Christian would think of heaven, they would look or point upwards toward the sky. But is heaven simply in the sky or in the clouds that pass by? If it is, then it is totally invisible to the natural eye, and things from earth have most likely passed right through it. But it is more unlikely that heaven as we refer to it, is so close to earth as many have thought. But the universe is a large place, and heaven could be anywhere out there. Although no man knows exactly where heaven is, this is the likely place for it. But exactly where it is really is not important. The most important thing is that we get there, and that we get as many others there as we possibly can. Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

    There is a constellation in outer space known as “Orion”. Orion was thought to be Heaven by the Ancient Egyptians. The basis for this theory was the fact that recently it was discovered that the shafts in the three pyramids of Giza directly line up three stars in Orion. This brought forth the conclusion that perhaps they were lining it up for the soul to rise and go right to the Orion Heaven. The Seventh Day Adventist’s have taught for years that heaven is behind the star of Orion. There is a substance of gases that surround this constellation that when people look upon it they see man different figures. This may seem close to the idea of how people may look at the clouds and see different figures. But the shapes and figures in the Orion are much more detailed, with a few colors and shades that make it look much more realistic. When I had looked at it, I saw what looked like two different faces. One looks like the face of Jesus, and the other like the face of Satan. People have claimed that they see many different things, some sounding very ridiculous, and have nothing to do with the bible. But the thing that caught my attention the most concerning the Orion was what was told by scientist’s years ago. They had claimed that while study the Orion that they had seen something that was coming out of it. In their description they describe the bible description of the “New Jerusalem” in every detail. They saw gates of pearl, and were able to calculate the dimensions of it, exactly as the bible says. These scientists’s were not Christians, and did not know what they were seeing or what the bible says. But we know that somewhere out there is heaven, and Orion appears to be a likely place.

“The Heavens”

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 “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. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

     Many will be confused by the words “the third heaven” and “paradise”. But when the bible talks about “the heavens”, it is not saying that there is more than one heaven or three levels of heaven. But when God created the heavens and the earth he was talking about the three atmospheres that we live in and know of. Both the Hebrew and the Greek define the word “heaven” exactly the same, which is “the sky or air”. The bible tells us in Ephesians 2:2 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Satan has been given the right to rule on earth of the children of disobedience. This is the first heaven, atmosphere, “Sky or air”. The second heaven would be the atmosphere between where we live, and what is know as outer space. Then the third heaven would be outer space. But the question most would have is, “where is heaven as we have understood it?” It is somewhere in the third Heaven or outer space. We should understand that there is a way that Jesus used phrases when speaking of heaven. He did not always say “heaven” alone when talking about it. But he would say “the kingdom of heaven”. Heaven is really only an atmosphere, but the kingdom of heaven is an actual place. Other times that the word heaven was used it was used in the context such as “My Father who is in Heaven”, which is obviously speaking of the abode of God in the third heaven. This is the place that all Christian call heaven, and the place of the throne of God, and the paradise of all Christians who have gone before us. It is the kingdom in outer space, somewhere such as the Orion. Most of the time Jesus referred to heaven as the “Kingdom of God” more than he did the “kingdom of Heaven”.

Paradise

     Paradise is defined as “a place of future happiness”, “an Eden”. This is not the paradise that Jesus and the thief went to when they died. Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” We know that Jesus did not go to heaven that day, but not until he ascended three days later, and led captivity free. This is those who where in the first paradise, which was next to hell, but not a place of torment, but of comfort. This is covered more in the chapter on “hell”. Jesus said in John 14:2 “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you”. This place that Jesus was going to prepare is the “New Jerusalem”. Revelation 21:2 “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

     When Jesus led captivity out of the first paradise, he took them with him to the New Kingdom of Heaven, which is the New Jerusalem. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you”. This does not indicate that he was going to take until the rapture of the Church to complete it. Many have assumed that the New Jerusalem is empty until it is completed. But it is very possible that Jesus created the New Jerusalem right after he ascended, in the presence of those he brought with him. Now all who die on earth as Christians will go to the New Jerusalem, which is the place the bible says has streets of gold and gates of pearl.

“What is Heaven like?”

     People can make a lot of assumptions of what heaven is like. The world has a quite different idea from what the bible teaches us. Their understanding of Heaven is a place where all good people go when they die, and become Angels with wings. But no human will ever be an Angel. Many religious people think when they get to Heaven they will see the Apostle Peter at the gate. But that is not scriptural either. And even the Church doesn’t have a complete understanding of what is in store for them. So many people get confused between what the bible speaks concerning heaven, the New Jerusalem, and the new earth. These three are all different places that Christians may be at different times or possibly any of the three whenever they want. But we should know a little about each so we can understand the differences and purpose of each place.

“The third Heaven”

     The third heaven is where God and the Angels have dwelt throughout time. This is not the place man would go when they die, unless they are to go before the throne of God as a few in the bible have. This will also be the place of the “Great white throne judgment” and the “Judgment seat of Christ”. Revelation 20:11-12 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

Romans 14:10 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

     The third Heaven also has many created beings that do nothing but worship God day and night. Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Revelation 4:8-11 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

The third Heaven is not only the place of God’s throne, but is also the place of judgment and where praise is continually given unto the Almighty God.

“The New Jerusalem”

Revelation 21:1-4 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

     The New Jerusalem is described as the place Jesus has prepared for those who love him. The bible says that it is coming down out of heaven, possibly out of the Orion, towards the earth.

Revelation 21:3-27 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away… I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son... And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

     Revelation 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

Revelation 21:2 “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

“The Millennium – The New Earth”

     The millennium is the thousand-year period after the tribulation period when Christ will rule and reign upon the earth. This thousand year reign of Christ will take place on the New Earth. Revelation 20:4-6 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

     There are a few different views given about the Millennium, but the main view that might stick out as different than what most Christians would believe is the views of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. They teach that all those who get saved today will not go to the New Heaven that Jesus described that he would go prepare, but that we will all be on the New Earth only, for a thousand years. Although it may be very true that we will be with Jesus as he rules on the earth, the bible also teaches us of the blessings of Heaven. In the new bodies we will have we could easily transport from Heaven to earth and enjoy the blessings of both places. We will no longer be bound to the limitations of the flesh as we are now. We will not need to sleep, eat, or even breathe air. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” No more pain, suffering, physical limitations, etc. Those who are alive on earth at this time will have limitations, but yet have peace on earth during the reign of Jesus. The bible says in Isaiah 11:4-9 “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

“Who will go to Heaven?”

     If you were to ask the Jehovah’s Witness this question, they would say nobody today. Only the first 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses are there, and everyone else will be on the earth during the millennium. But they misinterpret the scriptures that tell us about the 144,000 Jews who will be present during the 7-year tribulation period who will preach the gospel to the remainder of the unreached world before the return of Christ in the Second Coming. If you would ask a Mormon who is going to heaven they may say only those Mormons who are faithful to the Mormon Church and their ways. And then if you would ask a sinner “who will go to Heaven”, they would say that all good people will go there. But the bible says differently than all these people will say. Jesus said in John 3:3 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” According to Jesus, only born again Christians will go to heaven. This is all those who receive Jesus as the Lord of their lives and the only way of salvation, and change from their old ways to Gods ways. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” This is the evidence of being “Born Again”. Then Jesus also said in John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” So according to Jesus, the only people that will ever have a chance at going to Heaven are those who have received him as Lord of their lives and also live their lives after his commandments. They are those who have been transformed by the renewing of their minds. They don’t think the way they used to think, and they don’t live the way they may of lived before coming to Christ. He is the only way to Heaven! Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We must follow him, and not the ways of the world.

     The idea that all good people will go to heaven will always make sence to the naturally minded person. But the bible teaches that being a good person is not enough to get to Heaven. Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

No matter how good a person may appear to be, the bible says that “All have sinned” and “None are righteous”. And because of the fact that we are all sinners, our only hope of salvation and seeing Heaven is through Jesus. All those who have not received Jesus as Lord will never see Heaven, the New Jerusalem, or the New Earth. What heaven will be like is not a critical question to ask. What is important to know is “Are you going to go there” according to God’s Word. Many people feel that they will go there, but their feelings are not based upon God’s Word, but upon the idea that they think they are basically a good person. But that will not be good enough when we stand before God. We can all know we will go to heaven as we live according to God’s Word. “They shall know the truth, and the truth shall make them free”. John 8:32

-Spiritual Gifts
-Trinity
-Water Baptism
-Heaven
-Hell
-The Rapture
-Spiritual Warfare
-Sabbath Day
-The Early Church and Calvinism
-Priestly Sacrificial Atonement
-Soon coming Books