Where is Heaven?

Question

Answer these questions:

1. Is Heaven a literal place or is it a metaphor for something else?
2. Is it here and now or is to come?

Give opinions and or theological answers if you wish.

cman:
Then where do believers go before the new Heaven and Earth?

Answer 1

Heaven is a literal place. Jesus told His disciples, "In my Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where i am you may be also."

Jesus had to leave this earth so that He could prepare a place in heaven for those who would believe in Him. The apostle Paul tells us how he was caught up to the third heaven and heard inexpressible words.There he received extraordinary revelations about God. Stephen, a follower of Jesus who was stoned to death, saw the heavens opened and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He actually looked into heaven right before he died.
Isaiah had a vision of heaven, and so did the apostle John in the book of Revelation. A lot of people have seen a vision of heaven. It is not hard to believe in a spiritual realm that exists in a different dimension than our own. Even scientists theorize that we have many dimensions, and they are invisible. We know that we are not just bodies that are alive- there's something inside of us that makes us unique and different than other people and animals- it's called a spirit. Where does that spirit come from, and where does it go? God put that spirit in each one of us, and it is a living entity which cannot die. It has to go somewhere after it leaves this body. Those who trust in the Lord, will return to Him in heaven.

Answer 2

Heaven is a literal place , it is mentioned hundreds of time throughout the entire bible, from Genesis 1 : 1 all the way to Revelation 21 : 10 , and Jesus spoke of it often.....teaching people about it....
It is to come (future) for those who are not dead yet and are in Christ, and in Revelation & Luke it states there will be a new heaven and earth when this was has passed away... ((Luke 21 : 33)) & (( Rev.21 : 1))
I find it very interesting that there are 3 levels that I know of in heaven ..
The first heaven obviously is what we see above us (creation)
The second heaven is not mentioned anywhere in the bible , but the Third heaven is in 2 Corinthians verse 2..
Could it be that since satan presents himself to the Lord accusing us - that this is where he presents himself and why it is not mentioned ..It is fascinating......
Good question , hope this helps..... Take care ~ Leah.....
Where is heaven it is way beyond what our most intelligent equipment can see......

Answer 3

Heaven is a real place, but it exists in a spiritual dimension. In heaven is a giant city named New Jerusalem. When the time is right New Jerusalem will desend out of heaven and land on the new earth, as this one will be destroyed in fire along with all other elements.

2Pt:3:10: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Rev 21:
1: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2: And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

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To answer your new questions:

believers go to heaven. This is the 3rd heaven, its the 1st two which will be destroyed, the atmosphere and space. Thus when there is a new earth New Jeruslalem will just come down onto it.

Answer 4

Isaiah had a vision of heaven, and so did the apostle John in the book of Revelation. A lot of people have seen a vision of heaven. It is not hard to believe in a spiritual realm that exists in a different dimension than our own. Even scientists theorize that we have many dimensions, and they are invisible. We know that we are not just bodies that are alive- there's something inside of us that makes us unique and different than other people and animals- it's called a spirit. Where does that spirit come from, and where does it go? God put that spirit in each one of us, and it is a living entity which cannot die. It has to go somewhere after it leaves this body. Those who trust in the Lord, will return to Him in heaven.

Answer 5

I think it's beyond our understanding if it even exists at all. Maybe we're just not that important with our big brains and all. There certainly are a lot of signals that would seem to be prayers answered though. Whether or not it's just the power of suggestion or a thinking being or energy who knows. It'll be interesting to see the view of religion and spirituality in a hundred years or more. I believe all of the prophecies and religious doctrines from every religion on earth are complete crap invented by men that think way too much. Day to day guidance by advisors in living well is the good side of this though. I don't believe Heaven is anything even vaguely close to what hundreds of millions of us think if it even exists at all. It's actually hilarious to think about and see the rituals dozens of religions go through in the name of belief. We've got a loooooong way to go.

Answer 6

I have no idea. People say heaven is a place you go when you die. However the people who told me that are alive. So how could they know if heaven is where you go when you die when they aren't dead?
Basically heaven is really something that man made up or believes.
People may think they know 100% what heaven really is. Honestly, they are just as ignnorent about it as I am. I don't know much of anything.
I can't tell you of a place I have never been to. It's like asking some homeless stranger on the streets, "What's it like to live on Mars?".
So there really is no correct answer to your question. Heaven is a mystery.

Answer 7

It is a real place. It is beyond the universe. In the bible it describes it as the 3rd heaven. The atmosphere around the earth was considered the 1st heaven, the universe with its galaxies was the 2nd heaven, and beyond the universe is the 3rd heaven- where God is on His throne. It is a real place, which everyone will realize eventually. For some, it will not be where they spend eternity. For those who have accepted Jesus as Saviour, it will be.

Answer 8

2 Co 12:1-5
Paul's Vision and His Thorn
1
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.
3
And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—
4
was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
5
I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.

Answer 9

the earth that we live on will eventually become glorified from its original state and made into heaven. just as the earth was baptized from the flood of Noah, when Christ comes again (second coming), the earth will be burned. this will represent the spirit being present on earth. Then the earth will receive its paradisaical glory and become heaven.

Answer 10

1. I believe it is a metaphor for the underpinnings of authoritarian power that drives the hierarchy.

2. It is now, but it will never come. Pray that a paradigm shift comes soon. The world depends on it. Hierarchies should be task driven, not power driven.

Edit: For the TDI's: I am just stating my opinion. I respect yours, but I don't see any reciprocation. You call yourself a Christian?