Heaven
“The heights, from a root meaning to be lofty”
Summary
Heaven refers to the dwelling place of God and angels, the future home of believers, and also to the visible sky and atmosphere; Scripture presents it as both a place and a state of perfect communion with God.
☩The Threefold Use of the Term
Scripture uses 'heaven' in three distinct senses. First, the atmospheric heaven—the air where birds fly, clouds gather, and rain descends. Second, the starry heaven or firmament where sun, moon, and stars are fixed. Third, the highest heaven or 'heaven of heavens'—the abode of God and His angels, the invisible realm of holiness and happiness, the home of the children of God. Paul speaks of being caught up into 'the third heaven' and identifies it with 'Paradise.' Christ 'passed through the heavens' into the immediate presence of God, just as the Levitical high priest passed through the veil into the holy of holies.
☩Heaven as God's Dwelling
Heaven is consistently presented as God's throne and dwelling place. Our Lord taught His disciples to pray to 'Our Father which art in heaven,' and He speaks of 'My Father which is in heaven.' Heaven is where God's will is done perfectly, the model for earth's obedience. Angels dwell in heaven, beholding God's face, and descend from there on divine missions. From heaven God hears prayer, sends His blessings, and exercises sovereignty over creation. Stephen at his martyrdom saw 'the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.'
☩Heaven as Synonym for God
The use of 'Heaven' as a synonym for 'God' appears clearly in Scripture. The prodigal son confesses, 'I have sinned against heaven,' meaning against God. 'The kingdom of heaven' in Matthew is equivalent to 'the kingdom of God' in Mark and Luke. This metonymy reflects the Jewish reverence that avoided direct use of God's name. Thus 'bound or loosed in heaven' means by God's authority, and 'names written in heaven' means acceptance with God.
☩The Future State
The kingdom of God finds its perfect realization in a future heavenly state, a world above and beyond earth. All the judgment parables clearly teach a future inheritance of bliss or woe. The reward is to 'sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.' Jesus came from heaven, ascended to heaven, and prepared a place for His people there. Heaven is not merely a state but a place, for Christ's glorified body is there now, and He will receive His people to Himself.
☩The Nature of Heaven
Scripture is notably restrained in its description of heaven, avoiding the fanciful details found in false religions. The grand feature of its blessedness is personal union and face-to-face communion with God and the Lamb. It is no longer merely a garden like Eden, but a heavenly city and garden combined, with no separate temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple. Much of the description consists of negatives: no marriage, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain, no defilement, no curse, no night—for the Lord God gives them light.
☩New Heavens and New Earth
The visible heavens shall pass away to give place to the abiding new heaven and earth wherein shall dwell righteousness. Peter writes that believers 'look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.' This is not mere renovation but transformation—the tabernacle of God being with men, and God dwelling among them as their God. The present heaven and earth are reserved for fire until the day of judgment, but God's promise stands sure for those who eagerly await His appearing.
Related Verses729 mentions
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Heaven," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Heaven," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Heaven," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Heaven," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).