Heaven

I first heard about heaven at a very tender age having grown up in a ‘christian home’. I was rather skeptical about this place. When I was about 3 or 4 years of age I had a dream. In this dream I was with my cousin Livinia. She was my best friend then. I loved her dearly. Jesus appeared to us and the place was heavenly (what I imagine heaven looks like). What struck me about the place was the peacefulness and serenity of the atmosphere in the presence of Jesus. The place where we were standing was very beautiful. I remember the green pastures all around us. It is surprising how I recognised Jesus especially considering that I was rather skeptical about some person that died on the cross supposedly for you and me. I just found the story to be ridiculous. I had no trouble believing in God but in my opinion at that time Jesus was confined to some far away place and had nothing to do with me (I could not see the connection). Well, in dreams some things you cannot explain. I just knew that was Jesus. Well, I did not immediately give my life to Jesus at that time. I did not understand what Jesus had to do with me till someone else explained it to me some 6 or 7 years later. That dream is etched in my memory because it made me realise that Jesus was real. When I got to understand that Jesus died in my place so I could receive eternal life I had no trouble believing.

As a Christian, I came to just accept without questioning what preachers said about heaven without really searching it all out for myself. That is a bit funny for me because I was never one to just accept things just like that without searching it out for myself. Now I really feel compelled to explore the topic ‘heaven’ as laid out in the bible simply because I came across some teachings that heaven is not meant for believers who die in Christ. That flies right in the face of what I believe and accept.

Is there a heaven?
Genesis 1:1 ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’(ESV). The bible shows us that there are heavens and they were created by God. Heavens suggests that there is more than one heaven (Deuteronomy 11:17). The thief who repented during the crucifixion was reassured by Jesus that, that very day they would be together in paradise (Luke 23:43). I am sure Jesus would not have said that if heaven does not exist. Jesus also told his disciples that he was going to prepare a place for them (including future disciples) (John 14:2, 3). The bible tells us that someone was caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2). If there is a third heaven then logically there has to be a first and a second.

Where is heaven?
We know God separated the waters above and below by placing heaven (Genesis 1:7). We know heaven is above the earth. However since the earth is round, above means it is around the earth. Heaven is a lofty place and whenever the bible talks about heaven it gives us the idea of being above. When Elijah went to heaven he went upwards. Jesus Christ is said to have ascended into heaven. The bible says heaven is God’s throne and the earth is his footstool (Isaiah 66:1).

What or who is in heaven?
The bible informs us that heaven is God’s dwelling place (Deuteronomy 4:36, 39; 1 Kings 8:30; Job 22:12). The throne of God is situated in heaven (Psalm 11:4, Isaiah 66:1). Since God dwells in heaven and His throne is in heaven, it is not surprising that all the good things proceed from heaven (Deuteronomy 28:12, 33:13). I think it is synonymous with saying every good thing comes down from God. Heaven is the source of rain and contains the stars (1 Chronicles 27:23). It is also the source of judgement (2 Kings 1: 12, 14).

We know there are people in heaven. Elijah was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Jesus went into heaven and a cloud received him out of the sight of the disciples (Luke 24:51, Mark 16: 19). We are also told about Enoch who walked with God and was taken by God (Genesis 5:24).

Who goes to heaven?
The bible tells us that the reason planet earth is under so much distress is because of sin which came into the world through Adam and Eve. God had warned Adam and Eve that if they ate the forbidden fruit they would die. Death here meant spiritual death (plus of course physical death) which is separation from God. God created Adam and Eve so that he could fellowship with them. You and I were created to have fellowship with God (that is the essence of life- the Life). To know God is to know life. Jesus said that he is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). God is life and the reason for our existence. Going to heaven means going to God’s dwelling place. Our destiny is to be part of the kingdom of heaven. Before the fall of man (sin), Adam and Eve dwelt in God’s paradise.

Joining the kingdom of heaven is by repentance (Matthew 4:17). Jesus is the one who gives the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16: 19). That is no surprise since Jesus declared that he is the only way to the Father meaning he is the only way to heaven. Many people have asked what happens to little ones who do not know right from wrong. Jesus said to those like little ones belongs the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19: 14). John 3:16 declares how we get life by believing in Jesus. There are certain attributes that are expected of people that belong to the kingdom e.g meekness, peace-making. Heaven is for those who are obedient to God (Matthew 7:21).

Heaven is a place for rewards (Matthew 5:12). Remember all good things come from God and judgement also comes from God. Jesus instructed us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where neither moths nor dust can destroy them (Matthew 6:20). However we live our lives is on record and we shall give an account one day before God Himself (Matthew 12:36, Revelations 20:12). Quite sobering!

It is clear from the scriptures that heaven is the place for believers in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). Believers are not of the world although they are in the world (2 Timothy 4:18). Our destination is in God’s dwelling place (heaven)(Hebrews 10:34, 1 Peter 1: 4, Heb 3:1). We are strangers in the world so we should behave as such (Colossians 1: 5, Hebrews 11: 13, 16). The names of believers are written in heaven and in the Lamb’s book of life (Luke 10: 20, Hebrews 12: 23, Revelations 21:27).

What happens in heaven?
I will not attempt to pre-empt heaven. I guess we will all behold for ourselves and enjoy the glorious eternity God has prepared for those of us who love Him. I do bear in mind some accounts I have heard about people who had a glimpse of heaven when they died and rose again (short death experiences). And, do not forget I also had my experience. One thing is certain, when it comes to heaven, words just fail you. I know I did not do justice to my experience, it is hard to explain.

A new heaven and a new earth
The bible tells us that heaven and earth will pass away and there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 34:4, 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13). Something is going to happen to the universe. The stars will fall together with the planets, the sun will not give light and the moon will not give light again (because the moon is a reflector of the light from the sun). The solar system as we know it will melt away. Interestingly, even science predicts that the earth will not last forever so there!! I guess where we may not get it right is the when part of it. Environmental matters have become pertinent of late. Scientists predict the appearance of divers pestilences, climate change which we are witnessing now and the associated catastrophes that await mankind in the not so distant future. For me that just means we should not misplace our confidence. Human beings do not have solutions. We need to be humble enough to accept that we need God. His solution is the real solution. All the discoveries and inventions made are because he allowed them to be. That should not be reason to make us puffed up thinking we have what it takes. After all, this dilemma we face with the environment is one of our own making through our advanced high technology, is it not?

As for me I am staking my life on the bible. I am experiencing the Life. I am a part of God’s kingdom. I await being ushered into heaven to be always with my creator, who is my Father and loves me beyond human comprehension. Paul said, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Jesus Christ is the answer. This is what I stand for.

There are a lot of other people who have had heavenly experiences which are quite interesting. The bottom line is whether these experiences are in line with the word of God or not. The revelations are quite interesting and I would say what you believe is up to you concerning some of these.
Four people give their accounts of the heavenly experience.