Heaven

These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.

Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.

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Old Testament Focus

There is an Old Testament Hebrew word, occasionally used, that can refer to the clouds or the sky where the clouds reside. But the most commonly-used word can mean either heaven or sky.

In some respects, we could define this word as simply "up there," without specifically defining where the "there" is - for in different passages, the "there" can refer to different places! The common factor for all of the specific places indicated is their inaccessibility to humans (within the context of Scripture, before airplanes and rockets were invented).

"Heaven" in Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 (First Creation Account)

Genesis was written in ancient Hebrew. When we consider the Hebrew concept of heaven, it is very important to realize that exact distance is not the issue. Because of this, various "inhabitants" of heaven are simply described as being in "heaven," though today, we know that there may be many thousands or millions of miles separating them - or even light-years.

In modern terms (based on our comprehension of what is "up there"), we could define the word "heaven" in the creation account in three different ways:

Heaven, either:

-as the general all-encompassing concept of "everything up there." (However, in Genesis 1:1, the other concepts of "heaven," described below, did not yet exist!)

-as the place where angelic beings (etc.) live; God is also present there. (Today: "Heaven," often mistakenly thought to be an uncreated place.)

Genesis 1:1; 2:1 (If one is hesitant to consider these verses a reference to the place where angels reside, we can refer to other Scripture passages - some in the Old Testament, many in the New Testament.)

Heaven, as the place where stars and planets (etc.) live. (Today: "Space" or "Outer space.")

Genesis 1:14-15, 17

Heaven, as the place where flying creatures (etc.) live. (Today: "Sky.")

Genesis 1:8-9, 20, 26. 28, 30

Genesis 1:1; 2:1 / Genesis 1:14-15, 17 / Genesis 1:8-9, 20, 26. 28, 30

Either "everything up there" or "the place where angelic beings live" - Genesis 1:1; 2:1.

1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2:1 - The heavens and the earth were finished, and all their vast array.

"The place where stars and planets live" - Genesis 1:14-15, 17.

1:14-15 (also v. 16) - God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of sky to give light on the earth;" and it was so. God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars.

Gen 1:17 (also v. 18) - God set them in the expanse of sky to give light to the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good.

"The place where flying creatures live" - Genesis 1:8-9, 20, 26. 28, 30.

1:8 - God called the expanse sky. ...

1:9 - God said, "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, ...

1:20 - God said, "... let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of sky."

1:26, 28 - God said, "... let them [humans] have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." ... God said to them, "... Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

1:30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;" and it was so.

New Testament Focus

The New Testament contains much more about the concept of heaven as the place where angels (and God) reside.

Little-Known Facts about Heaven (the place where the angels live)

The concept of "heaven" that is popularly held does not match the concept given in the Bible. This is true, at least in two ways:

Heaven is created

Many people don't realize that heaven is created. The place where angels live is not eternal, coexisting with the infinite God, but is finite, a part of creation.

It is true that God and his throne are present there, but the place is finite and incapable of containing the totality of the being of God. For even in this issue, there is a complete distinction between the being called "God" and all of creation.

King Solomon acknowledged this truth, when he was dedicating the temple to God, and said that the "heaven of heavens" could not contain God (1 Kings 8:27).

1 Kings 8:27
... behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain you; how much less this house that I have built!

Heaven has been affected by sin

Another fact that people rarely contemplate is this: Heaven has been affected by sin. Most people realize that Scripture has verses which indicate that the devil has (or had) access to heaven; but few realize that the devil's very presence has an effect on heaven, just as his presence does on earth.

Just like other details about heaven, not much is revealed on this issue. However, we do know that, in the future, both earth and heaven will have to be made new. The old will be destroyed by fire and made new (2 Peter 3:10, 13). And if we have any question the definition of this "heaven," all we need to do is to read about the new heaven in Revelation 21 and 22. We discover that this "heaven" which is being "made new" happens to contain the throne of God (Revelation 21:1-3; 22:1-3)!

2 Peter 3:10, 13 / Revelation 21:1-3 / Revelation 22:1-3

2 Peter 3:10, 13 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Revelation 21:1-3 - I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Revelation 22:1-3 - He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him.

Additional Comments

All creation has been affected by sin. Even the "heavens" we call "outer space" are affected in some way. Several Scripture passages make reference to stars (and other celestial objects) "falling" or becoming "dark," during the final days of judgment (and so some degree, before that time). But we are not given very many details, because the primary focus of Scripture is on the inhabitants of the earth, and things that affect them.

Matthew 24:29
But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; ...