The ultimate destination of Christians is to dwell in the new heavens and the new earth with God forever. So what is heaven now?
What Is Heaven?
Heaven is the dwelling place of God and angelic beings.
“The Bible says a number of things about heaven. And let me just say a couple of them. In 1 Kings 8:30 we are told that heaven is the dwelling place of God and angelic beings.”
“Another thing it then says in Philippians 1:21-24… it’s where the departed spirits, disembodied spirits of Christians, go to.”
“Ultimately, it is a temporary resting place for believers awaiting the fulfilment or the consummation of the promises of God that would happen when Jesus Christ returns.”
Topics & Timestamps
00:07 – Heaven In The Bible
00:55 – What We Get Wrong About Heaven
01:37 – Why Is Understanding Heaven Important?
Top Quotes: What Is Heaven?
“Heaven is the dwelling place of God and angelic beings.”
“It’s where the departed spirits, disembodied spirits, of Christians go.”
“Heaven is a temporary resting place for believers.”
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“When Jesus Christ returns, according to Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1, he is coming to recreate this world; restore this world. And so, our resurrected bodies that he will give us, will give us the right bodies – to dwell with God forever.”
Transcript
The Bible says a number of things about heaven. And let me just say a couple of them. In 1 Kings 8:30 we are told that heaven is the dwelling place of God and angelic beings.
Heaven In The Bible
In Isaiah 66:1 it tells us that this is where God rules the earth from – in heaven. And then it makes sense when you think about Jesus Christ ascending to heaven in Acts 1:11. But since he is the king of the world in Acts 2, we are told that he rules from heaven.
Heaven is the dwelling place of God and angelic beings.
Another thing it then says in Philippians 1:21-24, Paul toggles between being here on earth and labouring in ministry in his body, or going to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. In other words, that is where the departed spirits, disembodied spirits of Christians, go to.
What We Get Wrong About Heaven
Now, having said all of this I do want to correct something. To say that heaven is not, or making heaven or going to heaven, is not the ultimate hope of a believer. In fact, when we think about it, heaven is a temporary resting place for believers awaiting the fulfilment or the consummation of the promises of God that would happen when Jesus Christ returns.
Heaven is a temporary resting place for believers.
So, in 2 Corinthians 5:2-4, Paul shows that when we’re disembodied in heaven, we’re awaiting a tent or a dwelling place, which is really an immortal body. This will be given to us according to what Paul says in Philippians 3:20-21 when Jesus Christ returns. He will give us a glorious body.
Why Is Understanding Heaven Important?
Why is this important? Because when Jesus Christ returns, according to Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1, he is coming to recreate this world; restore this world. And so, our resurrected bodies that he will give us, will give us the right bodies – to dwell in the new heavens and the new earth with God forever. That is the hope for a believer. And heaven is a temporary resting place for us until we see that happen.
