Heaven What, where and when?

1  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, Revelation 21:1-5 (NASB)

4  and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 5  And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Revelation 21:1-5 (NASB)

Heaven? Have you ever tried to explain ‘heaven’ to someone who is not a Christian? Have you found it difficult? It is more than likely that the person you spoke with doesn’t believe in any kind of afterlife.

Heaven & you? Is it also possible that you are not sure about what it is, where it is & when the Lord’s people will be given access?

Even among believers there can be several different views, but most agree that it is a place separate from the wicked & non-believer. Different views.

A place without sadness, pain or death A place without sadness, pain or death. A place where everyday problems no longer burden us and the cause of our problems (sin) no long exists. A purely ‘happy’ place. From streets of gold to magnificent palaces. (Mansions)

So, what is heaven?

Heaven (Above, outside) NIV Genesis 28:12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. NAU Psalm 11:4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)

Heaven is a place! Heaven – The place where God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit dwell along with other heavenly beings. A place that is not part of this world nor affected by it. A place that is not visible to the naked eye! A place not made by human hands or design. 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)

Heaven is a place! A place we ‘look up’ to! 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)

A place that has structure! (Rev.21:1-2) New earth, no sea. New city. 1  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

More importantly. Heaven is the ‘home’ of God our Father, where he sits upon His throne and observes the world.  Matthew 5:34-35 (NIV2011) 34  But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35  or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.

Where is heaven?

The ‘place’ is not stated. A place that is not part of this world nor affected by it. A place that is not visible to the naked eye! A place that is only accessible by the will of God. NAU 2 Kings 2:11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. Elijah was not seen again nor did they find his body, or grave.

There is one more thing.

There is one more very unique and exciting fact about this place – it is eternal! There is one more thing.

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NASB) 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5  who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

When is/was it ‘open’?

It ‘opened’ the day the apostles preached. Matthew 16:18-19 (NASB) 18  "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19  "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.“ (See Acts 2:ff)

The entry to heaven is not open to those who reject the Lord and His offer of salvation. (Naturally it is sad to see God refused, but it is the choice we all have.) However, not open to all.

21  "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22  "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB)

The condition for entry is clear. Matthew 18:2-4 (NASB) 2  And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3  and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4  "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

So, we must believe Jesus. We must not only believe Jesus, but we must act on His word which teaches us what we must do to have our sins forgiven and be granted access to heaven, the home of God.

37  Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38  Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39  "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." Acts 2:37-39 (NASB)

From that moment the Lord counts you as His. Colossians 1:13-14 (NASB) 13  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

And your eternal rest is assured. So long as you remain faithful. And your eternal rest is assured.

20  But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21  keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21 (NASB)

Heaven is a place not of this world nor made by men. In Conclusion Heaven is a place not of this world nor made by men. Heaven is the home of God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

In Conclusion Heaven is a place not of this world nor made by men. Heaven is the home of God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Heaven is outside the influence of Satan & man, but the location is not stated other than ‘above’. (I.E. we look up to the heavens & the creator).

In Conclusion Heaven is a place not of this world nor made by men. Heaven is the home of God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Heaven is outside the influence of Satan & man, but the location is not stated other than ‘above’. (I.E. we look up to the heavens & the creator). Heaven is eternal and can only be accessed by those who accept Jesus as their saviour and are granted eternal life.

In Conclusion Heaven is real! Heaven is a place not of this world nor made by men. Heaven is the home of God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Heaven is outside the influence of Satan & man, but the location is not stated other than ‘above’. (I.E. we look up to the heavens & the creator). Heaven is eternal and can only be accessed by those who accept Jesus as their saviour and are granted eternal life. Heaven is real!

You can trust the Lord.

Amen!