What is Heaven?

SHORT DEFINITION:
Heaven is the throne of God, the place from where He lives and rules.

Psalms 103:19
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

LONG DEFINITION:
Heaven is the throne of God, the place from where He lives and rules. Psalms 115:3 says, "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." Heaven is the place where God's presence is seen and known. The very fact that God dwells there makes Heaven what it is. We think of Heaven as a beautiful and happy country where all our dreams and desires are met. This is true only because God lives and rules there. His will is done in Heaven. In the model prayer, Jesus said, "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) God rules from heaven.

Heaven can be best illustrated by the capital of a country. In the United States, our capital is Washington D.C. We know the President lives there along with the Constitution. The law and order governing the US is dictated in the presence of lawmakers in Washington D.C. It is the heart of the US, the way of life for all the people who live in the US. As such, if anyone seeks final permission or license for anything, they must goto Washington D.C. It is the place of higher and final authority.

Heaven is the place of God's highest authority. He sits upon His throne ruling over all. There is no place higher than the highest heavens. There is no greater authority. If anyone should have a request of God, their prayers are sent to Heaven. We await an answer from Heaven. We await a Savior from Heaven.

Anything that God sends from Heaven comes directly from Him. God may send us food or other things through situations or people here on earth. We may eat food grown in a garden that God blessed. However, if God were to send food from Heaven, this food would come directly from Himself. Jesus said in John 6:51 "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."

Psalms 115:16 says, "The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man." God's throne is in Heaven. However, God has given dominion over earth to humanity. This was our responsibility. God's rule over earth is established through us. We live under God, and thus, exhibit God's rule over earth. However, since humanity has fallen away from God, the earth is not rule by God. The earth groans with pains of death because humanity rules in sin and evil, rather than under God.

Heaven is the dwelling place of God and the place where His presence is known. On earth, humanity has been separated from God and we can become atheists believing that God does not exist. We have no absolute proof that God even exists. Though God is omni-present, we do not see God. God sees all things, but we may not see Him. In Heaven, however, all the host see God. They cannot disbelieve God's existence. This means that when an angel in Heaven defies God, they do so in the knowledge of God. They do not sin accidentally, stumble, act in ignorance, or make mistakes. Their sin is a direct attack to God's throne. Because of this, demons, angels that have defied God, are condemned to Hell. They have committed a unforgiveable crime as their act was an intentional attack on the sovereignty of God.

Lastly, it is thought there are three levels of heaven. The first level is what we call "sky" and "outer space" where stars exist. (Genesis 15:5) The second heaven is the place of outer darkness where Hell exists. (Matthew 8:12) The third heaven is the place where God's presence always is, and where the garden of God and Paradise are located. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4;
Psalms 148:4)

Points Concerning Heaven:

• God created Heaven. (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16)
• God is greater than Heaven. (Hebrews 7:26; Job 11:7-8; Pslams 57:5)
• God dwells in Heaven. (1 Kings 8:30; Deuteronomy 26:15)
• God speaks from Heaven. (Psalms 18:13; John 12:28; Mark 1:10-11)
• Christ is from Heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:47; John 6:38)
• Heaven future home of righteous. (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:1; John 14:2-3; Philippians 3:20-21)
• God will create a new heaven and new earth. (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1)