What Do We Know About Heaven?
First, we know from Hebrews 4:14 that there is more than one heaven – “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”
There are thought to be three heavens –
The first is what we consider as our atmosphere. This is where the birds fly and clouds are. James 5.18 – “And he (Elijah) prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”
The second one is that which contains the stars and moon and sun. Matthew 24:29 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”
The third heaven is that which we cannot see. It is where God dwells, and where those believers who are “asleep in Jesus” are – with the Lord. The third heaven is referenced in 2 Corinthians 2:12 – “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”
Heaven is a city designed and built by God – “For he (Abraham) looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)
The Lord Jesus Christ referred to it as “paradise” – “And Jesus said unto him (that is, one of the criminals), Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Also, in Revelation 2:7, we read of the “paradise of God.”
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11).” This tells us that heaven is where the Lord Jesus Christ is, as we also saw in Luke 23:43.
In Revelation 21:4, we are told that “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:25 and 22:5 says that there will be “no night there.”
Revelation 21:27 mentions that nothing impure or unclean will be there, “…only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” will enter in.
Revelation 22:3 – “there shall be no more curse” (probably referring to Genesis 3:14-19, brought about by Adam’s sin).
Be encouraged, beloved saints – we are just passing through on our way to our home in heaven to forever be with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
When We Get Home
We are bound for the mansions of glory,
In that beautiful city of gold,
Where, beholding the face of our Savior,
It will fill us with rapture untold.
Refrain:
When we get home we’ll shout and sing
The praises of our Redeemer and King,
And make the heavenly arches ring
With the songs of home, sweet home.
’Tis the kingdom we have now within us,
It is peace, it is comfort and joy,
And a hope in our blessed Redeemer,
Which the tempter can never destroy.
The Redeemer has wonderful power,
He is leading us on every day,
And if gladly we follow each moment,
He will keep us from wand’ring away.
We are dead to the world and its pleasure,
Our affections are centered above,
Where we own such a wonderful treasure,
’Tis a home in the city of love.
When we get Home by Luella B. Henry (1888)