Why Do We Believe in Heaven? Where is Heaven? Is Heaven a place on Earth?

Introduction Is Heaven a place on Earth? Jehovah’s Witness believe heaven will be a renewed earth They believe only 144,000 will be in heaven The rest will be returned to a renewed earth for eternity. Some among churches of Christ are now teaching this concept NHNE = New Heaven, New Earth The teaching is that God will clean the earth, start over with a new Garden of Eden.

Introduction Some confusion about 3 heavens in the Bible Heaven = sky, clouds, where the birds fly, rainbow Heaven = sloar system, outer space, stars, planets, sun Heaven = the presence of God (third heaven) A recent Pew Research poll showed that 72% of U. S. adults believe in Heaven. Learn 4 important truths about this third Heaven

1 – OT says Heaven is NOT on Earth Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it.  (Deuteronomy 10:14) 2 Why should the Gentiles say, "So where is their God?"  3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.  (Psalm 115:2-3)

1 – OT says Heaven is NOT on Earth The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's; But the earth He has given to the children of men.  (Psalm 115:16) 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?  (Isaiah 66:1)

2 – NT says Heaven is NOT on Earth 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;  35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  (Matthew 5:34-35) 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  (Matthew 6:19-20)

2 – NT says Heaven is NOT on Earth because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,  (Colossians 1:5) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.  (1 Peter 3:22)

3 – The saved will go to Heaven 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.  20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  (Philippians 3:19-20)

3 – The saved will go to Heaven 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  (1 Peter 1:3-4)

3 – The saved will go to Heaven 1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  (John 14:1-3)

3 – The saved will go to Heaven Pay attention to the words used: Citizenship, treasure Inheritance, dwelling place Pay attention to John 14:3 Go prepare a place for you Come again to receive you to myself

4 – The Earth is not Eternal 10 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 melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.  11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?  (2 Peter 3:10-12)

4 – The Earth is not Eternal "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease."  (Genesis 8:22)

4 – The Earth is not Eternal 10 And: "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS.  11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY WILL ALL GROW OLD LIKE A GARMENT;  12 LIKE A CLOAK YOU WILL FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT FAIL."  (Hebrews 1:10-12)

Where will you spend eternity? Are you sure of your salvation? Important Questions Where will you spend eternity? Are you sure of your salvation? Are you headed for heaven?