#1 – What is Heaven?

Hebrew – “sha-ma-yin” * The dwelling place of GOD.

Greek – “ouranos” * Basically, it means “beyond.” It is where we get the English word “horizon.”

It is used of three distinct places that were created by GOD!

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

#2 – Where is Heaven?

Note: as stated above, there are three specific places created by GOD that are called “heaven.”

The First Heaven (The Physical Atmosphere of the Earth)

Genesis 1:6-8

(6) “And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” (7) And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. (8) And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.”

The Second Heaven (The Physical Universe)

Genesis 15:4-6

(4) “Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”

(5) And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” (6) Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Psalm 8:3-4

(3) “When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place— (4) what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?”

Psalm 19:1-6

(1) “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (2) Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. (3) There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. (4) Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, (5) which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. (6) Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

Isaiah 55:10-11

(10) ““For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

(11) so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

The Third Heaven (The Eternal and Immaterial Dwelling of GOD)

2^nd Corinthians 12:1-4

(1) “I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. (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 it I do not know, but God knows.

(3) And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— (4) was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.”

#3 – Who is going to be in Heaven?

GOD is and will always be in Heaven!

Matthew 6:9 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

The holy Angels will always be in Heaven!

Luke 2:13-15

(13) “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: (14)“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”           (15) When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

Every human who has ever lived and repented of their sins and came to believe in Jesus as their Savior and LORD will be in Heaven!

Mark 1:14-15

(14) “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, (15) and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Acts 16:31 “And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Every human ever conceived and who died before they were mentally capable of understanding their sinfulness and the gospel will be in Heaven!

Theological Note: Infants and those who are mentally incapable of understanding WHO GOD is and what HE commands have not sinned as Adam did!

Such people are declared by JESUS as believing!

Mark 9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

Note: “little ones” is “mikros” or “tiny” It is where we get the English word, “micron.” A micrometer is one-millionth of a meter.

Matthew 19:14 “but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Theological Note: Which humans have not sinned “in the way Adam did?”

Romans 5:12-14

(12) “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. (13) For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law.

(14) Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.”

Adam sinned knowing WHO GOD is and what HE commanded.

Who will be in Heaven? A great multitude of people from every tribe and people group on earth will be in Heaven!

Revelation 7:9-10

(9) “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, (10) and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

#4 – How can a person go to Heaven?

We must turn away from our sins!

Luke 13:5 “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

We must believe in JESUS!

John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

John 14:1-6

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  (2) In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (4) And you know the way to where I am going.” (5) Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (6) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Amen!