Why is heaven called heaven

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Related Stories. But It Happens All the Time. The 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance. A Summary What is heaven? And what is heaven like? These are common questions. With many different answers. But what does the Bible itself have to say about heaven?

In the New Testament, the Greek word ouranos is the primary word translated as heaven. Both of these words refer to the physical realm that we live in.

But they also refer to the supernatural realm of God. I suspect that is because there was not a clear distinction between the two in the Hebrew mind. There is no description of how the Hebrews viewed the heaven in the Scripture. But from the way the term is used, it appears like they divided heaven into three regions. It is a physical place, a part of the natural world. This passage is referring to the celestial bodies, especially the sun.

These heavens were visible to humans, but beyond the reach of the birds that flew through the sky. For the ancients, the third level of heaven was the dwelling place of God, or the gods. This third level of heaven is beyond the sun, moon, and stars. In Isaiah , Isaiah has a vision of God sitting on his throne, high and exalted. At the beginning of this passage Solomon acknowledges that even the highest heaven cannot contain God. The writer is here comparing Mt. Sinai with Mt. Under the old covenant no one could come near God except under very strict conditions.

That's why the mountain shook with thunder and lightning. Think of what he is saying:. I would answer by saying that the Bible doesn't give us a great deal of information. What we have are images and pictures of heaven and comparisons with life on earth. Most of us have heard that heaven is a place where the streets are paved with gold, the gates are made of pearl, and the walls made of precious jewels. Those images come from Revelation 21 , which offers us the most extended picture of heaven in the entire Bible.

If you ask me if I believe those things are literally true, the answer is yes and no. Yes, they are literally true but no, heaven won't be anything like we imagine. It will be much greater. I love the old story of the rich man who, on his death bed, negotiated with God to allow him to bring his earthly treasures with him when he came to heaven.

God's reaction was that this was a most unusual request, but since this man had been exceptionally faithful, permission was granted to bring along just one suitcase. The time arrived, the man presented himself at the pearly gates, suitcase in hand- BOTH hands, actually, since he had stuffed it with as many bars of gold bullion as would fit.

Peter said, "Sorry, you know the rules-you can't take it with you. Peter checked, found out that this one would be an exception, prepared to let the man enter, then said, "OK, but I will have to examine the contents before you pass. David Leininger, March 30, ]. When John writes about a street paved with gold, I do not doubt his words. He simply reports what he saw in his vision.

Thus his words are literally true. They are also meant to tell us that the things we value so highly in this life will be used to pave the roads in heaven. This question is not difficult to answer. God is in heaven because heaven is his dwelling place. The Lord Jesus has been in heaven ever since he ascended from the earth shortly after his resurrection Acts The Bible tells us that angels are in heaven. In fact there are myriads of angels-uncountable numbers of heavenly beings-all of them serving the Lord in various ways.

And the saints of God who died on this earth are in heaven. It also includes every true believer from every continent and every denomination. Everyone who has genuinely trusted in Christ as Lord and Savior will be there. I also think that children who died before the "age of accountability go to heaven and I would also include those born with such mental limitaitons that they cannot understand the gospel. Paul spoke of this in 2 Corinthians and Philippians But I do not want to be ambiguous on this point.

Not everyone is in heaven now. Some people won't make it. The Bible speaks of the saved and the lost. The saved are those who trust Jesus Christ as their eternal Savior. The lost are those who do not trust Christ as Savior. This is the great dividing line of humanity-you are either saved or you are lost. And there is no middle category. You will either spend eternity in heaven or eternity in hell.

I simply want you to know what God has said about heaven and who will go there. The saved of all the ages will be there - and that vast throng will no doubt include many people who would surprise us if we knew it now.

Certainly heaven will be more wonderful than our imagination and it's population more diverse than we expect. But I am sure of this one truth. No one will go to heaven except by the grace of God and through the merits of the blood of Jesus Christ. If a man says "No" to Jesus, he has no hope of heaven. This is one of the most frequently asked questions about heaven. I would like to share an answer given by a Bible teacher of another generation - a man named William Pettingill.

Torrey, Inspirational Press, , p. This is a reprint in one volume of two books first published many years ago. I highly recommend it as a handy reference tool for Bible students and Sunday School teachers. In the Christian tradition, Jesus is the means of return. The Easter event that Christians celebrate around the globe at this time of year is about the resurrection of Jesus after his violent death on the cross three days earlier.

This is, of course, a matter of faith not something that can be proven. But reconciliation with God lies at the heart of the Easter story. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, conflates the idea of heaven and paradise. The author describes a vision of a new, re-created heaven coming down to earth.

It is not escapism from this planet but rather an affirmation of all that is created, material, and earthly but now healed and renewed. This final biblical vision of heaven is a lot like the garden of Eden — complete with the Tree of Life, rivers, plants and God — although this time it is also an urban, multicultural city. In what is essentially a return to Eden, humans are reconciled with God and, of course, with one another.