HEAVEN OR HELL?

PART 1

OVERVIEW

In the Bible, heaven can mean two things. First, it refers to the sky and all that's in it (the stars, clouds, and air). This is often called "the heavens" instead of just heaven. Sometimes this space is also called the "lower heaven." It is a physical place that we can see and feel. We read about the heavens in passages such as these: 1) Genesis 1:1: In the beginning YHVH created the heavens and the earth. 2) Psalm 19:1: The heavens tell of the glory of YHVH. / The skies display his marvellous craftsmanship. 3) 1 Corinthians 15:40: There are bodies in the heavens, and there are bodies on earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the beauty of the earthly bodies.

The second meaning for heaven might be called "upper heaven." It is not a place that we can see and feel; it is a spiritual place. This is what we are talking about when we say that when someone dies, he or she goes to heaven. This is where YHVH's people gather around the throne of YHVH. We read about heaven in passages such as these: 1) Genesis 28:12: As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven. And he saw the angels of YHVH going up and down on it. 2) Nehemiah 9:6: You alone are Adonai. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve and give life to everything, and all the angels of heaven worship you. [This shows both uses of the term.] 3) Luke 6:23: A great reward awaits you in heaven. The Hebrew word for heaven was understood to be plural. It referred to more than one thing.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Old Testament writers viewed the physical heavens as a firmament appearing as a great arch supported on foundations and pillars (2 Samuel 22:8). This heaven spread out above the earth, with rain descending through its doors (Psalm 78:23). The most descriptive Old Testament passages about the physical heavens are Psalm 8 and Psalm 19:1-6. The Old Testament speaks of familiar elements of the heavens. 1 -- The clouds (Psalm 147:8) // 2 -- The winds (Zechariah 2:6) // 3 -- The rain (Deuteronomy 11:11) // 4 -- The thunder (1 Samuel 2:10) // 5 -- The dew (Deuteronomy 33:13) // 6 -- The frost (Job 38:29) The Old Testament also mentions destructive forces from the heavens like hail (Joshua 10:11) and fire (Genesis 19:24). Ancient Hebrews were aware of what we call outer space. They saw the sun, moon, planets and stars as YHVH's glorious creation even though they didn't fully understand them. Some ancient nations worshiped the heavenly lights and associated gods and goddesses with them (Jeremiah 44:17-25). The Hebrews had been forbidden that form of worship. They were also prohibited from taking part in things like astrology, which looked to the heavens, instead of YHVH, for wisdom (Isaiah 47:13-14). These laws and restrictions separated the Hebrews from the cultures around them. The term "heaven of heavens" (Deuteronomy 10:14) is the English form of the Hebrew term, "the highest heaven." The Old Testament Hebrew term might be the counterpart to the New Testament expression "the third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2), which parallels the classical Greek idea of three heavens. The Roman Catholic medieval church adopted this way of thinking. Those who follow this approach think of the third heaven as the place reached by the souls of the blessed, the upper heaven. The first two heavens then are two lower regions: the atmosphere and outer space (containing the celestial bodies) and then the outlying universe. At least two Old Testament saints, Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11), went straight to heaven without dying first. They went directly from this life into YHVH's presence.

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

YESHUA TALKED ABOUT HEAVEN

Yeshua referred to heaven as the dwelling place of YHVH (Matthew 6:9). During his earthly ministry, he claimed that he had come from that heaven (John 3:13; 6:33-51). On at least three occasions utterances from heaven confirmed these claims. The apostle Paul refers to it as the "third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2). This place is so attached in meaning to the presence of YHVH that the word "heaven" is often used as a synonym for YHVH himself (Matthew 23:22; Luke 15:18). After Yeshua' ascension, or return to heaven, in view of his followers (Acts 1:6-11), two angels reminded the disciples that Yeshua would return from heaven. This was later confirmed by the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) and was restated in the summary of the teachings of the New Testament known as the Apostles' Creed. The connection between Yeshua and YHVH's dwelling place in heaven is woven throughout the New Testament and cannot be separated from the core of the message of Yeshua' life and ministry. It is from the "right hand of YHVH" that Moshiach forever lives to make intercession for those who have come to him by faith (Hebrews 7:25; compare Mark 14:62).

PAUL WROTE ABOUT HEAVEN

Paul teaches that the believer's body will be made like the body of Yeshua Moshiach when Yeshua returns from heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). Believers will need a heavenly body to match their heavenly citizenship. The term "citizens" refers to individuals who live in a foreign country while observing the laws of their homeland instead of the land in which they live (Acts 22:28). What does that mean for believers? They are to live according to the moral and ethical principles of heaven regardless of the standards of the world around them. Believers have been raised together with Moshiach and have been instructed to "seek the things that are above, where Moshiach is, seated at the right hand of YHVH" (Colossians 3:1). From there Moshiach has blessed his followers "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3). The expression "in the heavenly places" suggests that the blessings of the spiritual world are not for some future time or place, but by faith they can be enjoyed here and now.
While on earth, believers look forward to a new heaven and a new earth containing the new Jerusalem. There will be no tears, sorrow, pain, death, or night because the Son of YHVH will be there (Revelation 21:1-4, 27; 22:1-5), and in the resurrected state there will be no marrying or giving in marriage (Luke 20:27-38). The apostle John also experienced heaven (Revelation 4:1), a heaven intended to be populated (19:1). All believers will ultimately dwell in heaven in their resurrection bodies, which they will receive when Adonai comes for them from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Adonai will also give treasures and rewards at that time (Matthew 5:12; 1 Corinthians 9:25)

OUR IDEAS ABOUT HEAVEN MUST BE BASED ON THE BIBLE.

Yeshua replied, “Your problem is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of YHVH.” (Matthew 22:29) The Sadducees asked Yeshua what marriage would be like in heaven. Yeshua said it was more important to understand YHVH’s power than know what heaven will be like. In every generation and culture, ideas of eternal life tend to be based on images and experiences of present life. Yeshua answered that these faulty ideas are caused by ignorance of YHVH’s Word. We must not make up our own ideas about YHVH, eternity, and heaven by thinking of them in human terms. We should concentrate more on our relationship with YHVH than about what heaven will look like. Eventually we will find out, and it will be far beyond our greatest expectations.

HEAVEN IS OPEN TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN MOSHIACH.

There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (John 14:2-3) Yeshua’ words show that the way to eternal life, though unseen, is secure-as secure as your trust in Yeshua. He has already prepared the way to eternal life. The only issue that may still be unsettled is your willingness to believe.

YESHUA IS PREPARING PLACES IN HEAVEN FOR HIS FOLLOWERS.

There are few verses in Scripture that describe eternal life, but these few verses are rich with promises. Here Yeshua says, “I am going to prepare a place for you,” and “I will come and get you.” We can look forward to eternal life because Yeshua has promised it to all who believe in him. Although the details of eternity are unknown, we need not fear, because Yeshua is preparing for us and will spend eternity with us.

HEAVEN’S PRIORITIES CAN BE PART OF LIFE HERE ON EARTH.

Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. (Colossians 3:2) Letting heaven fill our thoughts means striving to put heaven’s priorities into daily practice and concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal. (See Philippians 4:8-9 and Colossians 3:15 for more on Moshiach’s rule in our hearts and minds.)

FOCUSING ON HEAVENLY THINGS PUTS EARTHLY THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.

Believers real home is where Moshiach lives (John 14:2-3). This truth gives us a different perspective on our life here on earth. To “let heaven fill your thoughts” means to look at life from YHVH’s perspective and to seek what he desires. This is the antidote to materialism; we gain the proper perspective on material goods when we take YHVH’s view of them. The more we regard the world around us as YHVH does, the more we will live in harmony with him. We must not become too attached to what is only temporary.

IT ISN’T WHAT, BUT WHO IS IN HEAVEN THAT MATTERS.

As I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.” (Revelation 4:1) Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation record glimpses into Moshiach’s glory. Here we see into the throne room of heaven. YHVH is on the throne and orchestrating all the events that John records. The world is not spinning out of control; the YHVH of creation will carry out his plans as Moshiach initiates the final battle with the forces of evil. John shows us heaven before showing us earth so that we will not be frightened by future events.

IS THERE REALLY A HEAVEN?

Genesis 14:22: “Abram replied, ‘I have solemnly promised Adonai, YHVH Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.’” John 14:2: “There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly.” 1 Corinthians 5:1: “We know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down-when we die and leave these bodies-we will have a home in heaven.” (Not only is there a heaven, but Yeshua is preparing it for our arrival.)

WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?

Isaiah 65:17: “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth-so wonderful that no one will even think about the old ones anymore.” Philippians 3:21: “He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own.” James 1:17: “Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from YHVH above, who created all heaven’s lights. Revelation 21:3-4: “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, the home of YHVH is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. YHVH himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.’” Revelation 22:5: “There will be no night there-no need for lamps or sun-for Adonai YHVH will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.” (In heaven we will live forever with YHVH. There will be no sadness, no pain, no evil, no death. Everything will be perfect and glorious. YHVH will give us new bodies and we will be able to talk face to face with Adonai Himself.)

WHO WILL GET INTO HEAVEN?

Matthew 5:3: “YHVH blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” Matthew 19:14: “Yeshua said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.’” John 3:16: “YHVH so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Those who accept Yeshua Moshiach as Savior and recognize that only he can forgive their sins will gain entrance into heaven. This only occurs with a humble and repentant attitude.)

DOES THE BIBLE REALLY CLAIM THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO HEAVEN?

John 14:6: “Yeshua told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” (Yeshua is the only way to heaven. We may want to buy our way in, work our way in, think our way in. But the Bible is clear-Yeshua Moshiach provides the only way in.)

Those who endure in their faith have a secure place in heaven.