Heaven

A Place of Eternal Peace

Genesis 1:1 says, “God created the heavens and the earth.” It continues in verse 6 to say He created an “expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” In verse 8 God calls the expanse Heaven. This was on the second day of creation. This was a part of His creation, yet he was already in a place Deut. 26:15 calls His “holy habitation, from heaven”

Christian theologians define heaven as a profound and multifaceted concept that extends far beyond a simple physical location. Heaven is fundamentally “not primarily a place but a personal relationship” where believers are “in heaven” to the extent that they are with Christ (1.)

The Christian tradition understands heaven as the “final fulfillment of human existence” – a hope rooted in the love of Jesus that transcends present historical experience while remaining connected to grace(1.) In its primary Christian sense, heaven represents “the final and decisive self-communication of God to creation” and the full acceptance of this divine gift. Importantly, this reality will reach its complete dimensions only when the entire Body of Christ is united with its Head (1). This perspective includes a cosmic dimension, where “salvation is not an escape from the world but the salvation of God’s creation.” The fulfillment symbolized by heaven doesn’t mean the world’s disappearance, but its “radical transformation,” with “the whole of created reality” ultimately becoming an instrument for expressing God’s glory (1). As one theologian poetically summarized, “Heaven … is nothing other than the future of glorified humanity on a glorified earth.”

Joseph A. Komonchak, Mary Collins, and Dermot A. Lane, in The New Dictionary of Theology (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000), 455–456.

27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Ki 8:27.

15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Is 57:15.

Poet: Daniel C. Colesworthy And his rest shall be glorious. Isa. 11:10 There is a glorious land afar, Beyond the brightest burning star, Where peace interminably reigns; Where soft and balmy breezes blow, And golden rivers gently flow, And gladness smiles o'er all the plains. No groveling thought, no treacherous smile, No word unkind, no act of guile, Will e'er disturb the sacred rest: On every peaceful brow will shine A living beauty all divine, And love pervade the sinless breast. The ills of life, that hover o'er Our sunniest path, are felt no more; The cares of earth, a dismal train, That follow every step we take, Will there the happy soul forsake, And not molest her peace again. At evening, when I sink to rest, I dream of heaven, the land so blest, And list to hear the rapturous song. glorious land! I would I were In yon pure clime a worshipper, Amid the bright and sinless throng!

“ Heaven will be the perfection we’ve always longed for. All the things that made Earth unlovely and tragic will be absent in heaven.” Billy Graham

In a world filled with loud conflict and division, you can embody the peace of heaven in your public life. Start a ‘peaceful presence’ campaign where you commit to responding to negativity—online or in-person—with kindness. Choose one day each week to reach out with an encouraging note or a prayer for someone who is struggling in your community. By spreading kindness proactively, you contribute to a more peaceful atmosphere wherever you go.