"Intro. to Heaven"

John Hoole June 8, 2003

In the March 24, 1997 issue of Time magazine, the cover story was "Does Heaven Exist?" Before publishing, they asked a number of people a series of questions. Here are a few of their responses.
Question: Do you believe in the existence of heaven, where people live forever?
Response: o Yes, 81%, o No, 13%

Question: Where do you believe you will go when you die?
Response: o Heaven, 68%, o Hell, 3%

Question: Which of the following do you believe are in heaven?
Response: Angels, 93%, St. Peter, 79 %, Harps, 43%, Halos, 36%

The leading paragraph of this article reads:
"It used to be that the hereafter was virtually palpable, but American religion now seems almost allergic to imagining it. Is paradise lost?"

Many people today spend little or no time thinking about the hereafter. The prevailing attitude today seems to be "heaven can wait."
Martin Marty, a University of Chicago religious historian, says,….
"I can recall from my [Lutheran] childhood many sermons on what used to be called the geography of heaven and the temperature of hell.. Now the only time you hear of heaven is when somebody has died."

David Wells, a theology professor at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, notes:
"We would expect to hear of it (heaven) in the Evangelical churches, but I don't hear it at all. I don't think heaven is even a blip on the Christian screen, from one end of the denominational spectrum to the other."

But this is not the picture the Bible paints about what our attitude toward heaven should be. God's Word implores us to…."set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2)
Thinking of heaven has at least five practical effects on our lives here on earth.
1. Focusing on heaven restores our hope in times of suffering (Romans 8:18)
2. Focusing on heaven reassures us that God is on the throne (Revelation 4:1-3)
3. Focusing on heaven reminds us that this world is not all there is (Philippians 3:20).
4. Focusing on heaven refocuses us on the nature of true treasure (riches) (Matthew 6:19-20)
5. Focusing on heaven reignites our fervor to serve the Lord (Isaiah 6:1-8).

Most of us have probably heard the statement: "They are so heavenly minded, that they are of no earthly good." While that statement might have some truth in it, it is possible to carry the thought to an incorrect extreme. Being heavenly minded is really the only thing that will make us of any earthly good.
C. S. Lewis had it right.
"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, all left their mark on earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Haven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth "thrown in." Aim at earth and you will get neither."

Heaven is a place where most people want to reside at the conclusion of their present life. And most folks assume they will be in heaven. And yet, it is a remarkable fact that so few people know anything about heaven. And even fewer plan for the tip to heaven.
I can remember our tip to Europe more than a decade ago. We looked at travel ads. We subscribed to videos of places we wanted to visit. We obtained our passports. We exchanged our currency before leaving. We studied the weather to indicate the clothing we should take. Our daughter, who was living in Europe at the time, sent us a detailed street and subway map of Munich, where she lived. We planned the trip, attending to the details with excitement.
And yet, when it comes to going to heaven, few are interested in looking into it. The Bible is the best travel; brochure about eternity. Yet because people are too busy to read the Scriptures, they remain ignorant of the details they urgently need to know.
When a person really takes the time to look into the subject of heaven, many questions come to mind about that destination.
Is heaven a real place?
If it is real, where is it located?
Who are its inhabitants?
What are its attractions?
Do we need some sort of passport to go there?
Will we know each other in heaven?
What will we do in heaven?
What kind of bodies will those who go to heaven have?
How old will we be in heaven.
Are there pets and other animals in heaven?
Will we actually be able to see God when we get there?
How can I know for sure I am going to heaven?
These and many others questions beg for answers.

We will discuss and hopefully answer some of these questions as we progress through this subject.
There's a story about a television producer for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) who was preparing a documentary about Christianity in England. In the course of his research, he sent a memo to a clergyman who served as an adviser to the BBC on church affairs. The memo read, "How might I ascertain the official church view of heaven and hell?" The clergyman replied with a memo consisting of only one word, "Die!"
Fortunately, we do not have to die to discover God's truth about heaven. The Bible really does tell us a great deal about Heaven. The words "heaven," "heavens," and "heavenly" occurs over 700 times in the Bible. So we really aren't left in the dark about this place.
First, let's cover some of the basic questions.
WHEN THE BIBLE USES THE WORD "HEAVEN," WHAT IS IT DESCRIBING?
Actually, there are several uses of the word "heaven" in the Bible. 2 Corinthians 12:2 speaks of Paul's visit to the 3rd heaven. I suppose that one could conclude from this short simple statement that there are at least two other heavens.
WHEN PAUL SPEAKS OF THE 3RD HEAVEN, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS HEAVEN?
This is the place where God resides. How do we know that?
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (NIV)
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know-God knows.
3 And I know that this man-whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows- 4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.

It is important to add verses 3 & 4, because, in verse 4, Paul reiterates his being caught up to the 3rd heaven, but, in verse 4, he uses the word "paradise" to represent the 3rd heaven. This statement helps us verify the thought that the 3rd heaven is where God resides.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT PARADISE?
The Greek word used here and translated "paradise" is the word "Paraddeisoo" (par-AD-ee-soo). There is only one other place where this word is used following the resurrection of Christ. That is found in Revelation 2, in Christ's message to the church at Ephesus.
Revelation 2:7 NKJV
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'

There should be no doubt as to where this paradise is. It is called the "paradise of God." This is the place where God is.
Also associated with this Paradise is the "tree of life." The tree of life has always been the symbol of eternal life, and was originally located in the Garden of Eden, a different paradise. When Adam and Eve sinned, God sent them out of that paradise and guarded its entrance so that they would not partake of the tree of life.
In Revelation 22:2, we find the tree of life mentioned again. This time it is a prominent feature in the heavenly city. And it continues to stand as the symbol of eternal life. The Garden of Eden was merely a symbol of the real paradise of heaven.
I think we have fairly solidly established that the 3rd heaven is the residence of God.
IF THE 3RD HEAVEN IS THE PLACE WHERE GOD DWELLS, WHERE ARE THE 1ST AND 2ND HEAVENS?
In the Scripture, the term "heaven" is interpreted in 3 ways. And I believe from this we will see that not only are there at least three heavens, but, most probably there are only three heavens.
1. The Atmospheric Heaven
This is the atmosphere that immediately surrounds the planet earth. From it comes the air we breathe. In it the birds and clouds fly, and from it comes the rain. It is the area in which our weather forms and functions.
Isaiah 55:9-11 NIV
9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

2. The Celestial Heaven
This is know as outer spaced which men, which in the last 40 years, have begun to penetrate. This is the heavens you can see more easily at night. It includes the stars and moon and sun.
This canopy of countless stars caused the shepherd David to say, in Psalm 19:1-2
1. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

Psalm 8:3 (NIV)
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

It is into this heaven that man-made objects have been sent, to explore the far reaches of the universe.

3. The Sanctified Heaven
We discussed this heaven earlier, and have established it as the eternal dwelling place of God. Today, the 3rd heaven can only be seen through the eyes of faith. God describes this heaven for us in His Word.
The 3rd heaven is where the Father manifests His presence. This is seen at the beginning of the Lord's prayer: "Our Father, who art in Heaven,….."

It is from this 3rd heaven that Jesus descended to earth to take on Himself the form of a man. And it was to this heaven that Jesus ascended 40 days after his resurrection. This is the place where believers go when they die. And it is the place where believers that are alive at the Rapture will also go.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no 7th heaven. I believe there are only 3 heavens.
o The first heaven is the atmospheric heaven - the sky.
o The second is the stellar or celestial heaven - outer space.
o The third is the divine heaven, where God resides.

When we talk about heaven, we are usually referring to the divine heaven, or 3rd heaven. That will be the focus of the rest of our lesson.
Earlier, I mentioned more than a dozen questions that arise when seriously considering the subject of "heaven." I would like to answer one of them now.
Is Heaven a Real Place?
All that we have said already about the 3rd heaven seems to indicate that it is a real place. When researching this topic on the Internet, I was surprised to find many who do not believe it is a real place. Actually, when I put the word "heaven" in the search engine, most of the resulting 10½ million web-sites have nothing to do with God's residence. I found a web site for:
o Programmer's Heaven
o Homework Heaven
o Rugby Heaven
o Screen Saver Heaven
o Nerd's Heaven
o Harley Davidson Heaven
o Homebrew Heaven
o Stationery Heaven
o Guitar Heaven

I had to get past the first 242 web sites before I got to a site that was speaking about the real heaven where God is. No wonder people think heaven is not a real place where some go when they die. Others believe that heaven is what you make of it during this life here on earth. Still others who are caught up in Eastern Religions believe "heaven" is the ultimate level of existence as you progress through reincarnation.
What does the Bible say? Is heaven a real place?
I believe the Bible tells us that this heaven is as real as the first and second heavens. It is not some imaginary dreamland that does not really exist. I believe there are at least 6 reason why I believe it is a literal place, and that it exists right now.
1. Jesus called heaven "My Father's house" and said He was going there to prepare a "place" for his people (John 14:1-3).
In this verse, Jesus twice describes heaven as being a "place." He has gone to prepare this place for you and me.

2. Part of Heaven is described in detail as a literal place with walls, gates, foundations and a street (Revelation 21:9 - 22:5).
If it were only an imaginary location or a higher level of consciousness, why use these kinds of descriptive word about it.

3. Jesus taught that heaven is the present abode or dwelling place of God (Matthew 10:32-33).
Someone might argue that since God is omnipresent, He is everywhere, therefore, His dwelling place is really everywhere, not just one place.
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The phrase, "Father in Heaven," sure seems to say that God has a location where He lives. That phrase is used by Christ 13 times in reference to His Father. And there are 5 other Passages where Jesus says, "my Father who is in Heaven."

4. Paul visited the third heaven where God dwells (2 Corinthians 12:2)
In this Passage, Paul say he saw and heard things that he was not at liberty to tell. Seeing and hearing does not occur in a place that is not literal.

5. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20-21).
Philippians 3:20 (NIV)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It would not make sense to have our citizenship in the sky or outer space or some imaginary place. This Passage also says our Savior is going to leave this place and return to take His bride. Jesus is not coming back from an imaginary place.

6. For the saints, Heaven is called a city and our heavenly homeland. (Hebrews 11:16).
In Hebrews 11, the writer says that Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham were looking for a country.
And in Verse 16, it says:
….they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Heaven is being called a country and a city. Heaven most assuredly is a real place.

A story I heard many years ago would be appropriate at this time. The story is told of an old missionary named Samuel Morrison, who, after 25 years in Africa, was returning to the United States to die. As it so happened, he traveled home on the same ocean liner that brought President Teddy Roosevelt back from a hunting expedition. When the great ship pulled into the New York harbor, the dock where it was to tie up was jammed with what looked like the entire population of New York City. Bands were playing, banners were waving, choirs of children were singing. Multicolored balloons were floating in the air. Flashbulbs were popping and newsreel cameras were poised. Mr. Roosevelt stepped down the gangplank to thunderous cheers and applause, showered with confetti and ticker tape. If the crowd had not be restrained by ropes, they would have mobbed the president.
At the same time, Samuel Morrison quietly walked off the boat. No one was there to greet him. He slipped through the crowd alone and unnoticed. Because of the crowd of people to welcome the president, he couldn't even find a cab. In his heart, he began to complain, "Lord, the president has been in Africa for 3 weeks, killing animals, and the whole world turns out to welcome him home! I give 25 years of my life in Africa, serving You, and no one has greeted me or even knows I'm here.
In the quietness of his heart, a gentle, loving voice whispered, "But, my dear child, you are not home, yet!"
Home. Heaven is a real place, and it is our true home. One day, in heaven, the saints of God will eat the real fruit, and drink real water, in real, physical, resurrected bodies. Our feet will walk upon those streets of gold. Our hands will touch the cheeks of our loved ones. Our arms will embrace them again.
I believe heaven is a real literal place, as material, as physical, as literal as Seattle or Tokyo. But all the cities of the world today are mere villages when compared to the New Jerusalem.
We have learned that there are three heavens described in the Bible.
1. The earth and it's atmosphere, where birds and airplanes fly.
2. The celestial heaven where we find the sun, moon and all the stars.
3. The place where God lives.

We have also learned that the 3rd heaven is a real place. It is from this heaven that Jesus Christ will eventually return to earth. He will descend from that heaven with a shout (1 Thess. 4:16). And it is to this heaven that Enoch and Elijah went, when God decided there existence on earth was finished.
Not only are there different uses of the word "heaven," there are other names for the dwelling place of God and our eternal home.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER NAMES GIVEN IN THE BIBLE FOR HEAVEN?
1. House
John 14:2 says, "In my Father's house are many mansions."
Psalm 23:6 NKJV
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

2. Temple
Isaiah 6:1 (NIV)
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

3. Sanctuary
Psalm 102:19 (NKJV)
19 For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; From heaven the LORD viewed the earth,...

4. Throne
Isaiah 66:1 NKJV
1 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?

Hebrews 4:16 invites us to "come boldly before the throne of grace.

5. Glory
1 Tim 3:16 NKJV
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up into glory.

6. Paradise
In 2 Corinthians 12:4, Paul speaks about how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

7. Country
Hebrews 11:13-14 (NASU)
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

8. CITY
Hebrews 11:10, 15-16(NAS), speaks of the faith of Abraham:
10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

9. The new jerusalem
This actually goes with the one above, for the city that God is preparing for his people is the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:2 (NIV)
2 I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

10. Zion
Revelation 14:1 (NIV)
1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

Each of these names of heaven give us a view of this blessed place, each from a different angle. Each adds to the whole in helping us understand what heaven is like.
House: speaks of a dwelling place, something permanent.
Temple: speaks of heaven as a place of worship
Sanctuary: indicates the holiness of heaven.
Throne: reinforces that He is the King of Kings and in control of all things.
Glory: speaks of how the attributes of God will be displayed through heaven.
Paradise: indicates the peace and security we will have in heaven.
Country: suggests the expanse and far-reaching greatness of heaven.
City: suggests citizenship and a population which will reside in the dwellings provided.
New Jerusalem: speaks of splendor and beauty.
Zion: indicates the location of God.

Notice again David's closing words in the 23rd Psalm. "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." When David thought about the life beyond the grave, he did not pray "Lord, save us at last" Nor did he say, "I hope I will get to heaven some day." Instead, he spoke with certainty, saying "I WILL dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
I hope everyone in this room has made their reservation for heaven. If you have not, you can this morning.

Questions, comments & suggestions to John Hoole