Heaven *What is Heaven? In biblical times the word heaven usually meant the sky above which included the stars, moon and sun or it meant God's realm which also happens to be above. There are also passages that refer to God himself as being heaven (i.e. Luke 15:18,21; John 3:27). And finally, in Revelation 21 we learn of a "new heaven" or huge structure where God, angels and humans will spend eternity together. It is that "new heaven" or in some verses referred to as the "new Jerusalem" that this section will cover. *Dimensions of Heaven: Heaven as depicted in Revelation 21:9-27 is a cube of 12,000 furlongs (1,400 miles) each side. In other words over 2 million square miles in size. The thickness of each wall is 144 cubits (216 feet) with 3 openings on each wall and 3 foundations on each wall. The walls of the city were translucent verse 11 "Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." as well as verse 18 "The construction of its wall of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass." Then in verse 23 we learn that its light is provided by God "... for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb [Jesus] is its light" *Who may enter? Revelation 21:27 tells us "... only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." To be written in the "Lamb's book of life" one must be a "born again Christian" as found in John 3:3 "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." To be a "born again Christian" one must accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior [refer to "Salvation"]. *Heaven's Interior: There are 12 entrances, 3 on each wall, each with the name of the 12 tribes of Israel. Each gate has no door, but one of God's angels at the entrance. Each gate shines as a pearl verse 21 "... each gate made of a single pearl". As you progress through the gate you will see "The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass". Plus the middle of the "great street" will be the flowing river of life depicted in Revelation 22:1-2 "... the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, ..." John also writes in Revelation 21:23 "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." *Existence in Heaven: In Heaven there will never be night, sadness, fear, anger or hatred. We will have God right there worshipping and praising Him continually. --- HEAVEN - Faucet's Bible Dictionary The grand feature of its blessedness is represented as consisting in holy personal union and immediate face to face communion with God and the Lamb; secondarily, that the saints are led by the Lamb [Jesus] to living fountains of water, and fed with the fruit of the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God [Heaven], the antitype of the former Adamic paradise [Garden of Eden]. It is no longer merely a garden as Eden, but a heavenly "city" and garden combined, nature and art no longer mutually destructive, but enhancing each the charm of the other, individuality and society realized perfectly (Rev 2-3; 7; 21:1-22:21) (from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright I1998 by Biblesoft) --- *What is the "third heaven" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:2? 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul talks about a third heaven "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.". The first heaven being the sky above, sun, moon and stars. The second being God's realm while the third is God's heavenly home. *Bible References: John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." (from New International Version) Ephesians 2:19-21 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." (from New International Version) 2 Corinthians 12:2 "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." (from New International Version) Revelation 2:7 "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (from New International Version) Revelation 3:12 "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name." (from New International Version) Revelation 3:21 "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne." (from New International Version) Revelation 21:27 "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (from New International Version) *Non-Biblical References: The secular world has a very marginal perspective of heaven. They don't seem to share in the excitement of its immense glory. *Overview: The new "Holy City" of God or "New Jerusalem" will be far beyond our wildest imagination in regards to greatness and wondrous beauty. Our senses, experiences, and amazement will be an eternal joy. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit will be right there before us always in our presence. All of us that are Children of God (believe that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior) whose name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be one great big eternally happy family. *Additional Links: blank