Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word “heaven” is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three heavens. The apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven,” but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9). If a third heaven exists, there must also be, or have been, two other heavens. The first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the “sky” or the “firmament.” This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area that birds fly through. The second heaven is further from Earth, outer space, which is where we find stars, planets etc (Genesis 1:14-18). The third heaven is the dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true Christians in Heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). In the new Testament John was privileged to see and report on the Heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that Heaven (the new earth) possesses the “glory of God” (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because Heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5). The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). Twelve is often used in the Bible as a number symbolically representing the church. The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of Heaven, the reality of Heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9). In 2 Corinthians 12:4 Paul described in his visit of hearing inexpressible things. Better even than the physical appearance and construct of Heaven is how believers will be there. Heaven is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about Heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in Heaven for eternity.
Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word “heaven” is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three heavens. The apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven,” but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9).
ReplyDeleteIf a third heaven exists, there must also be, or have been, two other heavens. The first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the “sky” or the “firmament.” This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area that birds fly through. The second heaven is further from Earth, outer space, which is where we find stars, planets etc (Genesis 1:14-18).
The third heaven is the dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true Christians in Heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
In the new Testament John was privileged to see and report on the Heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that Heaven (the new earth) possesses the “glory of God” (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because Heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5). The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). Twelve is often used in the Bible as a number symbolically representing the church. The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of Heaven, the reality of Heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9). In 2 Corinthians 12:4 Paul described in his visit of hearing inexpressible things.
Better even than the physical appearance and construct of Heaven is how believers will be there. Heaven is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about Heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in Heaven for eternity.