Where in the Old Testamant is Heaven described as a reward for Good people?

Question

Early biblical texts describe heaven in concrete terms — an arching vault supported by pillars at the ends of the earth.

Answer 1

I like the way it's described in the Psalms.

Answer 2

First of all, nowhere in the Bible, Old or New Testaments, is Heaven described as reward for good people. Instead it is described as an eternal place in God's presence.

But to speak to your perceived lack of clarity in the Old Testament, I would point out that early Biblical texts were written for people who did not have the advanced mental capabilities of ourselves. So it was written in more simplistic terms for barbarians. Jesus makes this clear when he points out the misunderstandings in the Law of Moses (Matt 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32 ) and in the Code of Hammurabi (Matt 5:38-42). he also uses parables to teach about Heaven as a place rather than an existence/experience. This practice continues today because it is easier for humans to relate to a physical conception rathern than a spiritual one. For this purpose, service to God and others is primarily carried out on the physical plane so that we can learn spiritual lessons from physical activities.

Answer 3

I have heard the original mentions of 'heaven' were referring to the clouds, sky, stars, etc (physical) and also that an afterlife is not mentioned in the OT-heaven & hell are concepts introduced by Xianity-the true Aramaic word that was translated as 'Hell' was some word that meant the grave and that the word 'Satan' in Job was originally lower case and more like an adjective-describing an anti-HUMAN angel, not anti-God/Christ
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I just read Jay Z's-Gross! A bunch of dead people roaming around?! And when was 'the end' when Mr. Danny-boy was allowed to 'bless' us with this knowledge? A rational person's interpretation would be that 'the end' referred to the end of mankind but apparently, Christians 'interpret' it as the end of his life. If there was a God, shouldn't He be more specific?

Answer 4

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that heaven is a reward for "good people." Eternity with Jesus is reserved for those who are saved through his blood sacrifice and not through good works.

You're right though, the term "heaven" that we use is just a term to refer to the place where we will be with Jesus. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." The Bible uses the term "heaven" to refer to the physical "heavens" above us and not to the invisible place where we reside with Jesus. I'm not sure where we get the expression "going to heaven" except that it probably is just how we picture going up into "the heavens" as Jesus went up into the clouds. It's figurative speech.

Answer 5

Heaven is not a reward for "good" people. If it were a lot more would qualify. Heaven is for those who come to God in The Way He proscribes and receive His free gift of Salvation. Works, doing "good" things or being a "good" person, do not get any one into Heaven... You either accept God on His terms, and go to Heaven,or, you do not and you don't. God makes the rules. Play by God's rules or be eternaly seperated from Him. God dose not follow man's positions of what is good... man must follow God's standard

Answer 6

Heaven is God's throne. Everlasting life is the reward for believing on Jesus Christ. People commonly think that someone goes to heaven because of the term God in heaven, and the belief that if you are good, you go to be with God when you die. Actually, when you die you are asleep in Christ. When Christ raptures the church, believers in Christ that are dead shall rise first, and then those that live for Him. All others will be brought forth on the day of Judgement.

Answer 7

Daniel 12 ---->
At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.
Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever.
But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.
Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river.
One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, "How long will it be until these shocking events happen?"
The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took this solemn oath by the one who lives forever: "It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened."
I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, "How will all this finally end, my lord?" But he said, "Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is for the time of the end.
Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.
"From the time the daily sacrifice is taken away and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days.
And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days!
"As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you."

Answer 8

The idea of a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil resulting in rewards for the good and punishments for the wicked is more a Zoroastrian idea than a Jewish one.

Answer 9

Dan 7:27 but concrete wont be mentioned

Answer 10

None of them went to heaven in the old testament. That is why Jesus went to hell to get them out and bring them to heaven. That is why Jesus is the ONLY way to God. No other way. Not even good deeds can get you there without accepting Jesus. God Bless.