Six verses later, Moses* tells us God created a firmament (KJV) or expanse (ESV) over the earth that He called heaven. This heaven is the sky and the atmosphere, in short, everything above the earth.

It is not a location and has no boundaries or area.

(an asterisk* means there is a short bio of that person in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES)

The word is used 853 times in the Bible and simply means “above.” Most references are to that space above and surrounding the earth.

The Heaven where God dwells will be identified with an upper case “H” in this article.

The first time this Heaven appears is when Moses* tells us the fire and brimstone that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah came from the LORD out of Heaven; – Genesis 19:24.

This shows us God can and does sometimes send destruction from His holy dwelling place. Later we learn that there is communication to and from Heaven:

And God heard the voice of the lad, and the angel of God called Hagar out of Heaven, and said unto her,

What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. – Genesis -- 21:17

God sees and hears what people say and responds. In this case, He responds through the angel, which demonstrates that God is not alone, and that Heaven is populated.

The angel of God spoke out of Heaven twice to Abraham in Genesis 22, but it is not until we see in Jacob’s dream that that angel is not alone:

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to Heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. – Genesis 28:12

What we learn from Job* about Heaven

The first time we get an inside look at God’s dwelling place is from a scene in which the word Heaven is not mentioned:

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan* came also among them.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan* answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. – Job 1:6-7

The LORD uses Heaven as a throne room, where He governs Heaven and earth, and summons beings of the spiritual world to give accounts of their doings.

This scene was hidden from Job*, as are Heavenly councils from us today, but it demonstrates that the LORD rules. He governs everything that happens, especially the things Satan* means for evil so He can work it for our good. Praise God!

Heaven in the Books of Kings

We see a similar scene during the reign of king Ahab*.

I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of Heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

And the LORD said, who shall persuade Ahab*, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

And the LORD said unto him, wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.

And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee. 1 Kings 22:19-23

Here the LORD is shown to have “the host of Heaven” with Him as He governs. This vision was given to Micaiah as evidence he knew the LORD as a true prophet and as a warning to the wicked king.

It again shows how God is working for good on behalf of His people.

He uses the lying spirit to warn Ahab*, and although the king does not listen and is killed as a result, he dies humbled, knowing that the LORD rules.

Shortly after this, we see the most amazing aspect of Heaven so far. Elijah* and Elisha* were talking about how the younger man would continue the ministry and work of the established prophet:

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah* went up by a whirlwind into Heaven. – 2 Kings 2:11

Marvelous as this was, it was but a taste of things to come.

What the Gospels teach about Heaven

After a silence of 500 years, another Elijah* appears calling to God’s people:

Repent ye: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. – Matthew 3:2

This is John the Baptist* who sees into Heaven when he baptizes Jesus*:

And Jesus*, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And lo a voice from Heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. – Matthew 3:16-17

Something is happening here. That kingdom of Heaven where the LORD reigns surrounded by the host of Heaven is now being opened to us. Jesus* teaches:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:3

Jesus* used that phrase more than 100 times. It expresses succinctly what we have already seen, Heaven is a kingdom. Until now it has been God’s realm exclusively, where He governs all things.

Now, first John* and then Jesus*, tell us that the kingdom is at hand and open to us as God is extending His kingdom to earth:

Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in Heaven, so in earth. Luke 11:2.

Jesus* taught His disciples this because they had an interest in becoming a part of His kingdom, and He told them to

rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven. Luke 10:20

His work on earth was to win entry to Heaven for His people:

I am the living bread which came down from Heaven:

if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. – John 6:25

Jesus* knew all about Heaven because He came down from there to open the door for us. He died on the cross to cleanse our sins so we can be with Him in that glorious place.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. – John 14:2-3

Heaven in Acts

His work on earth done, Jesus* returned to Heaven to enjoy the glory He shared with the Father before the world began (John 17:5). He was with His disciples and friends at Bethany promising to send the Holy Ghost.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

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 1:9-11

Acts affirms Jesus’ arrival in Heaven. When Stephen was being stoned:

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into Heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

And said, Behold, I see the Heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. – Acts 7:55-56

Heaven in the Epistles

What is Jesus* doing in Heaven on the right hand of God? St. Paul* tells the Romans that Jesus

who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. – Romans 8:34

Yes, Praise God, He is interceding for us, pleading as a lawyer for us:

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: – 1 John 2:1

Heaven in Revelation

Jesus* appears to John* and calls him up to Heaven where He sees the throne of God and the host of Heaven:

and, behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and one sat on the throne.

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. – Revelation 4:2-3

And Jesus* was not alone, the host of Heaven surrounded Him:

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Revelation 5:11

But an even greater number is that of those Jesus* has saved:

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; – Revelatiom 7:9

Heaven has received the souls of Believers who had died:

And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:

Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. – Revelation 14:13

Heaven is a vast and active place, filled with millions, all preparing for Judgment Day:

And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he doth judge and make war. Revelation 10:11

What can we conclude? Heaven is over all, governing all, and preparing for something wonderful.

The Bible ends with Heaven

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.

And I John* saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. – Revelation 21.1-3

How do we get to heaven?

Ask Jesus* to come into your heart. He will! Here is some professional advice from the Apostle Paul:

if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus*, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.- Romans 10:9

Listen too to Jesus*, the One who is Faithful and True, and who lovingly died for you:

Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven. – Matthew 10:32

If you are not a Believer, please confess Jesus today. He calls you and loves you and has chosen you too! Be assured that He will save you now:

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. – Jesus in John 6:37

WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,

Sing His mercy and His grace.

In the mansions bright and blessèd

He’ll prepare for us a place.

When we all get to Heaven,

What a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

We’ll sing and shout the victory!

While we walk the pilgrim pathway,

Clouds will overspread the sky;

But when traveling days are over,

Not a shadow not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,

Trusting, serving every day;

Just one glimpse of Him in glory

Will the toils of life repay.

Onward to the prize before us!

Soon His beauty we’ll behold;

Soon the pearly gates will open;

We shall tread the streets of gold.

Eliza E. Hewitt, 1898

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2

This verse from John is one of the most comforting to me. Jesus assures us that if it were NOT so He would have told us. This means the “default drive” of my expectations is His goodness and best for me! Hallelujah!

Heaven In The Bible: God's Amazing Gift Of Love.

What Genesis says about Heaven