HEAVEN: A BRIEF STUDY
The purpose of this study of Heaven is two-fold:
* To hear and read the promise is incentive to believe (2 Timothy 1:12), and
* To hear and read the promise is incentive to persevere (Matthew 5:12; Romans 8:37)
The teaching of the faith and the articles of faith in regard to heaven, though a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 1:23), should not to contribute to loss of souls (Ezekiel 3:18-19; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; 2:23-26; 1 Timothy 4:15-16). Instead, those in danger of losing the faith are to be reproved (Matthew 18:15-17).
Introduction
Before our examination of texts that describe for the believer the joys and hope of heaven, because of the world's preconceptions of heaven there are several presuppositions that must be mentioned. These presuppositions deal with how we approach and interpret God's Word as He reveals eternal life and its glories.1. Physical investigation is necessary for natural processes, but one needs spiritual insight for this study (1 Corinthians 2:9,10).2. Heaven transcends worldly aspirations of political stability, economic prosperity, and well-being (John 18:36; Philippians 3:20,21). The joys of heaven are not reducible to a brochure.3. Heaven is not a consumer-oriented location to be experienced for a personalistic core, but for God Himself (1 John 3:2). Heaven is rooted in God Himself.4. God's act of self-communication to be fully revealed in heaven is not pushed to the future exclusively, though much of it is now hidden (Colossians 3:1-4).Terminology
Because the connotation of the words in Hebrew and Greek may be rendered by several different English words, it is beneficial to review the use of the terms.In the Old Testament, the Hebrew shemayim is often rendered "heavens" but has various connotations. The Greek version of the Old Testament, the LXX (Septuagint), translates the Hebrew shemayim usually as ouranos. Though the Hebrew is a plural form, LXX typically renders it in the singular. The Greek New Testament for heaven employs ouranos; the grammatical form (plural or singular) does not alter the connotation.The following section shows how many different nuances these few words carry.Heaven
* is "firmament" (raqia): Genesis 1:6-8; 14:9; 15:5; 1 Kings 18:12; Job 9:8; Psalms 8:3, 19:1, 89:11; 148:4; Matthew 24:35.
* is part of the totality of creation (hashshemayim weeth ha'aretz, "the heavens and the earth"): Deuteronomy 4:26; Psalms 121:2, 146:6; Mark 13:31; Acts 17:24.
* testifies to Yahweh: Psalms 19:1, 50:6, 69:34
* will pass away: 2 Samuel 22:8; Isaiah 34:4, 51:6; Jeremiah 4:23,28; Amos 8:9; Luke 16:17; Revelation 21:1
* will be renewed: Isaiah 65:17, 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13
* is a place of signs: Genesis 9:12-17; Daniel 6:27; Joel 2:30-31; Matthew 24:30; Luke 21:11,25; Acts 2:19; Revelation 15:1
* is a "shield" that God cannot penetrate: Job 22:12-14; Lamentations 3:44
Heaven
* is God's dwelling place: Deuteronomy 26:15; 1 Kings 8:27,30; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Ephesians 4:10)
* is the location of God's throne and His perfect rule: Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 6:1, 66:1; Matthew 5:16, 6:10; Mark 11:25; Revelation 3:12, 4:2; cf. right hand in Ephesians 1:19b-22.
Heaven
* is a reverential periphrasis when God speaks to / acts toward man: Genesis 11:5; Exodus 19:18; Deuteronomy 4:36; Isaiah 64:3; Matthew 3:16; Hebrews 12:25
* is a reverential periphrasis when God provides: Genesis 49:25; Exodus 16:4; Deuteronomy 33:17
Heaven
* is the place from which Jesus shall return: Acts 3:21; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:16
Heaven
* is the abode of the good angels: 1 Kings 22:19; Matthew 18:10, 22:30
Heaven
* is the destination of blessed: 2 Kings 2:11; Matthew 5:12, 6:20; Luke 10:20; John 14:2; 2 Corinthians 5:2; Colossians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:4
These passages clearly show that when the English word "heaven" appears, the context also shapes our understanding.
II. Christology
The purpose of this section of the study is to show how our anticipation and the gifts of heaven are rooted in Christ Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection.Scripture mentions at least these five aspects of how our hope is bound directly to Christ Jesus (John 17:24). In some of the following passages Paul uses a prefix that emphasizes participation in; we would use the prefix co-. In these texts, what is stressed?1. In Romans 8:29, Christians are __________ to Christ. How has this occurred? What does this mean? See Ephesians 4:20-24 and Titus 3:3-8. How (or when) is this fully accomplished according to 1 Corinthians 15:49 and Philippians 3:20-21?
2. In Romans 8:17 Christians are __________ with Christ. What will we inherit? Read Revelation 7:15-17; how does this passage describe the inheritance?
3. In 2 Timothy 2:12 and Revelation 22:5 Christians are __________ with Christ. Over what will Christians rule? Read Revelation 2:26-28; what authority will Christians possess? How might this be related to Genesis 1:26-28?
4. A fourth aspect of co- is noted spoken of in Luke 23:43. How does our Lord describe Paradise? How is this further emphasized in 1 John 3:2?
5. Although these texts do not stress the co-, participation in what gift mentioned in these passages comes through whom? Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, 1 John 1:2, and 1 John 5:20)
6. Related to the union of #4, to know often refers to a personal acquaintance, beyond mere intellectual awareness. How do the following texts accentuate personal communion with God?
* Job 19:26
* John 17:3
* 1 Corinthians 13:12
III. Man
In this section of the study we will examine the texts that people often think of first, for these passages describe what "happens" to the believer. Before these passages can be discussed, we will first review the negative, that is, what must be overcome and removed.Having studied passages that emphasize union and participation with Christ, we begin with the passages that speak about our separation from God.IV. Eternity
This portion of the study of Heaven consists of worship, fellowship, and reign. Our goal is to be given insight into what is ahead and understanding of how we partake of it now.In this section of our study of Heaven, we will examine several texts that describe an earthly down payment or shadow of Heaven.As we examine these passages, the key questions that we will be asking are: What is the worship? What is the fellowship? What is the Gospel? How does this passage shape our present life?A study of hell is planned when the study of Heaven is finished. Notes from the study are linked here.
