What is Heaven?

What is Heaven? What is the Kingdom of Heaven? Growing up in the Christian church, I was always fascinated about what happens after we die. I was told if I accept Jesus Christ into my life that I could receive eternal life. And this in turn meant that I would be able to go to “Heaven.” But I always wondered what Heaven would be like. Would I be adorned with an all white garment and wings to fly in the clouds like I’ve always been shown on T. V.?

Would I have a physical body or a spiritual one? Would I be able to reunite with loved ones who passed before me? These are just a few of several questions that come to mind.

However, today I want to deal with what Heaven is and how it relates to rulership. But before I get into that, let’s quickly break down how the Bible refers to Heaven in different ways. First off, one can find that in the scriptures, Heaven is described as the “firmament’ (ref. Gen.1:6-8). This is described as the first Heaven, the atmosphere or physical sky. Another description of Heaven, also called the second Heaven, is what we call outer space (ref. Isa.13:10). And another example would be the third Heaven, which is where the throne of the Almighty God dwells (ref. Psalms 11:4). But I want to focus on another description of Heaven according to the scriptures. This is a description of Heaven that many people don’t know about or have even heard about.

Let’s look at this verse in the Book of Deuteronomy. Deut. 11:21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. “As the days of heaven upon the earth…” This passage emphasizes that Heaven would be on earth…physically. But wait…How is Heaven able to be in or on Earth? The word Heaven in this scripture can not be speaking of the atmosphere, the physical sky, sun, moon or stars. And it can not be speaking of the Most High God’s throne coming down to the earth…The Most High never comes off his throne. So what is this scripture describing? Rulership!!! Can this be confirmed? Yes. (ref. Deut. 11:22-24)

Here are a few other examples that relate to Heaven or the Kingdom of Heaven and describe it as being a form of government or ruling body. (Psalms 37:11 Lam. 2:1 Matt. 11:12 Rev. 21:2)

So although Heaven has been taught to be three different realms, we can also see that it is also described as a ruling government body that will be on earth. God’s chosen people will be the rulers in the Kingdom of Heaven, judging all the nations.

Israelite man standing and looking at the kingdom of heaven on earth.