What is Heaven?

When a Christian is “Born Again”, he is promised eternal fellowship with God in Heaven. But what is Heaven? Where is Heaven?

In Green’s 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, a picture of Heaven is described in the following illustration:

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Death, Enoch’s Translation to Heaven

Enoch lived to be 365 years old. The Bible says that he walked with God and God took him away. A little girl described this experience to her mother. “Mamma,” she said, “one day Enoch and God took a walk together. They walked and they talked, and they talked and they walked, until Enoch finally said, ‘Oh, my, dear Lord, it’s getting late. I’d better go home.’ And the Lord said, ‘Why, Enoch, we’ve been walking so long together, I believe we’re closer to my home than yours. Why don’t you come home with me tonight?’ ” So Enoch went home with God.

According to The Anchor Yale Biblical Dictionary, “In the Bible the word “heaven” is used to describe both a physical part of the universe and the dwelling place of God. In Hebrew the word for heaven is plural; the LXX usually translates the Hebrew word by a singular noun. In the NT both the singular and plural forms occur with no difference in meaning.”2 In , the Bible tells us, “16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” In , Paul states this about heaven, “ 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.” Peter tells us in , “10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Bible describes Heaven in many different ways. The first verse in the Bible, says this, “1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In , the Bible tells us, “16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” In , Paul states this about heaven, “ 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.” Peter tells us in , “10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Lastly, John tells us about a New Heaven and the New Earth in : “21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

HEAVEN [Heb šāmayim (שָׁמַיִם); Gk ouranos (οὐρανος)]. In the Bible the word “heaven” is used to describe both a physical part of the universe and the dwelling place of God. In Hebrew the word for heaven is plural; the LXX usually translates the Hebrew word by a singular noun. In the NT both the singular and plural forms occur with no difference in meaning.

Heaven sounds pretty good doesn’t it! But how do we get their?

Pentz gives us a roadmap to Heaven in the Evangelistic Sermon Outlines:

, the Bible tells us, “16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” In

Evangelistic Sermon Outlines 7. The Way to Heaven (John 14:1, 6)

7. THE WAY TO HEAVEN (John 14:1, 6)

All people want to go to heaven when they die. However, many do not know the way. Jesus makes the way very simple. All the teachings of Christ are simple. In fact, the whole Bible is a simple book. “And a main road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named ‘The Holy Highway.’ No evil-hearted men may walk upon it. God will walk there with you; even the most stupid cannot miss the way”—Isaiah 35:8, Living Psalms.

I. THE PEACE—v. 1

1. Fearless—“Let not your hearts be troubled.” We should not fear, because Christ has promised to be with us—Isaiah 40:10.

2. Faith—“Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Jesus is equal with God. We must believe both. Believe with both mind and heart—Romans 10:9, 10.

II. THE PROMISES—v. 2

1. Dwelling—“In my Father’s house are many mansions.” Stephen looked into heaven before he died—Acts 7:55; 56.

2. Divine—“If it were not so, I would have told you.” God cannot lie! God is not a man—Numbers 23:19. He will keep His promise.

3. Direction—“I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus ascended into heaven—Acts 1:11. Now he sits on right hand of God—Hebrews 8:1.

III. THE PREPARATION—v. 3

1. Reservation—“And if I go to prepare a place for you.” Earlier Jesus gave the wonderful promise of heaven—John 3:16.

2. Reception—“I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” Later, Paul told of Christ’s coming to receive us—1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.

3. Rest—“That where I am, there ye may be also.” Jesus spoke of passing from death unto life—John 5:24.

IV. THE PLAN—v. 4

1. Promise—“And whither I go ye know.” Paul spoke of our conversation being in heaven. Christ made the way to heaven very simple.

2. Plan—“And the way ye know.” Later Jesus gives us the way to heaven—John 14:6. There are many ideas about the way to heaven. The writer of Proverbs tells of a way seeming right, but the end being death!—Proverbs 14:12. You must come God’s way!

V. THE PROBLEM—v. 5

1. Wonder—“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest.” Earlier, Pilate said, “What is truth”—John 18:28. Many are seeking the truth about heaven.

2. Way—“And how can we know the way?” Many have asked the same question asked by the Philippian jailer—Acts 16:30.

VI. THE PURPOSE—v. 6

1. The way of salvation—John 3:1–8. Salvation through the new birth.

2. The truth of salvation—John 10:1. Only one way to heaven.

3. The life of salvation—John 10:10. Enjoyable life in Christ.

Are you on the right highway to heaven? Many start on the right road, but soon are distracted and led astray. The Bible warns of being faithful until death—Revelation 2:10. We must be firm, faithful, and fervent. It is not enough to know the way—we must accept the way, follow it fully, then we will be assured of a home in heaven.

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

FINAL POINT

God has a plan for us. He wants us all to spend eternity with him in Heaven. His plan for our salvation: God’s Grace through faith in Jesus. Praise the Lord!

, Paul states this about heaven, “ 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.” Peter tells us in

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Bible describes Heaven in many different ways. The first verse in the Bible, says this, “1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

, “10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Works Cited

Green, Michael. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker Books.

Reddish, M. G. (1992). Heaven. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 3, p. 90). New York: Doubleday.

Reddish, M. G. (1992). Heaven. In D. N. Freedman (Ed.), The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 3, p. 90). New York: Doubleday.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (All verses above). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Pentz, Croft. Evangelistic Sermon Outlines. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.