The Bible begins with this statement: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Observe: heavens (plural) and earth (singular).
It would seem that God created more than one heaven. Genesis 2:1 says, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” Also, Genesis 2:4 “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.” These Scriptures are in agreement that God created more than one heaven.
For the purpose of this writing, we are going to reference the apostle Paul’s vision where he had a supernatural experience in which he was “caught up to the third heaven.” He refers to heaven as “paradise” (2 Corinthians 12:2,3). Noted Paul doesn’t use the ‘first person’ to describe himself. He writes, “I know a man in Christ …” He was that man in Christ.
“Scripture implies the existence of three heavens.” Writes William MacDonald. “The first is the atmosphere above us, that is, the blue sky. The second is the stellar heaven. The third is the highest heaven where the throne of God is.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1865).
Jesus also refers to heaven as “Paradise.” In response to the repentant thief on the cross who asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responded ”Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42,43).
Heaven is for real. The Bible tells us, “Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it” (Deuteronomy 10:14). We also read, “Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands . . . Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (Acts 7:48,49).
The third heaven is the highest of the three heavens. Heaven is the place where God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son reside. From heaven God supremely reigns and rules the universe He created. Heaven is the eternal home of all believers in Jesus Christ. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
Christians are citizens of heaven, because they are saved for time and eternity. It was certainly not God’s intent to save people and take them to heaven right after. In His intercessory prayer to His Father the Lord said, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world just as I am not of the world” (John 17:15,16).
When a Christian dies, he or she goes immediately to heaven, and in the presence of the Lord. Their bodies await resurrection at the return of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). When Christ returns, “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).
Make no mistake, heaven is not for everyone. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Jesus told His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2,3).
Jesus has not gone to prepare a place for unsaved people. Why then would He go to the Cross, shed His blood and die for lost sinners? A person must first trust Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior in order to go to heaven.
Revelation 21:27 also tells us, “But nothing unclean will ever enter [heaven] nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” The Lamb’s Book of Life records the names of people who have come to know Christ as their Savior and who will live and reign with Him forever. Jesus told His disciples, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
And soon He’ll come and take me there,
So that where He is, there I will also be
And share His glory in that Celestial City.
I’m watching, and waiting for you, Lord.
When the trumpet sounds, I will arise
To meet my Savior at His coming again.
A triumphant day of glory that will be.
—Geoff Daniels 07/2021
After the Lord Jesus rose from the dead and when He was ascending to heaven, while His apostles “were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10,11).
Here is proof again of the reality of heaven. The Scripture not only tells us about the ascension of Jesus into heaven, but also the promise of His return or second advent from heaven for those who have believed in Him as their Savior.
There’s only one way to heaven, and Jesus Christ is that way. He has declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
You can prepare for heaven and be confident of going there right now by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior. Pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and save you. And He will. Then find a Bible-believing local church and tell the pastor of your decision.