Heaven

I recently realized that I have no idea what “heaven” is, according to Christianity. I hear the word mentioned daily, and I meet Christians that seem to know what it is. However, a lot of these Christians haven’t really read the Bible, so I can’t trust their descriptions. So it is to the source itself I go, to the Bible! Using my electronic King James Bible, I did a word search for every instance of the word “heaven”, and collected the best information I could. It took quite a while, as I had to continually filter through every time the Bible says “…and God rained fire down from the heavens”, which isn’t exactly useful for my current endeavor (by the way, it says that line possibly one hundred or more times in the Bible).

Below are some excerpts from the Bible, with my brief commentary. Following the excerpts, I present my interpretation of this information.

Excerpts and Commentary

“…and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.” [Genesis 1:20]

-Birds fly around in heaven. Heaven is mostly synonymous with sky, it seems.

“Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years…” [Genesis 1:14]

-Again, heaven equals sky and space.

“…and the fowl of the heaven…” [Genesis 7:23]

-Heaven seems to be synonymous with “sky” here.

“…and the rain from heaven was restrained…” [Genesis 8:2]

-Heaven seems to be synonymous with “sky” here.

“And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven…” [Genesis 26:4]

-Again, this is more of a generalization about “sky”, as the stars most certainly exist far out into space.

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” [Matthew 6:19]

-There will be “treasures” in heaven, but it is not specific as to what those treasures are. It seems to be mentioned in relationship to or in context with material goods.

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.” [Matthew 12:31-12:32]

-Speaking a word against the Holy Ghost denies you access to heaven. Ever. That’s pretty harsh.

“If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven…” [Matthew 19:21]

-Again, more mention of treasure in relation to material goods.

“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” [Matthew 22:30]

-So people will be like angels in heaven. Also, married couples will not remain married in heaven.

“For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” [Hebrews 10:34]

-The “better and enduring substance” is most likely something about heaven. Very non-specific.

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the what into my barn.” [Matthew 13:24 – 13:30]

-So the wicked people are the “seeds of the devil”. When the time of reaping comes, all the “tares” (aka, sinners), will be gathered up and burned, while the “wheat” (aka, faithful), will be put somewhere safe.

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” [Matthew 13:31-13:32]

-Not sure what to make of this. I’m just confused by it.

“Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” [Matthew 13:33]

-Um…what?

“He [Jesus] answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one]; The enemy that soweth them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” [Matthew 13:37-13:43]

-Same as above – the good will be sheltered, the evil burned.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” [Matthew 13:44]

-Another confusing parable about heaven. I’m really not sure what this is supposed to tell us about heaven, apart from the fact that it is valuable.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearls of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” [Matthew 13:45]

-Same as above. We get it. Heaven is valuable.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” [Matthew 13:47-13:50]

-They are really driving home the fact that the bad people will be cast forth into a fire and burned. They seem to define that scenario more clearly than what happens with the good people.

“Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owend him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owned him an hundred pence: and he lad hands upon him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” [Matthew 18:23-18:35]

-Okay, this is a very long parable. The point of it is not really about heaven; it is more about the criteria for getting into heaven. Forgiveness is key. If you don’t forgive every single person of their trespasses, you do not get into heaven.

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly ever enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” [Matthew 19:23-19:24]

-Jesus drives home the point about poverty and wealth. Wealth is bad. Give it away, or you won’t get into heaven.

“Any everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” [Matthew 19:29]

-It looks like material goods forsaken in this life will be returned, a hundredfold, in heaven. Heaven seems to contain material possessions, literally “wealth”.

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and [my] fatlings [are] killed, and all things [are] ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of [it], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them][ spitefully, and slew [them]. But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few [are] chosen.” [Matthew 22:2-22:11]

-Again…what? I guess the final line is the whole point of this long-winded parable. Not really seeing the point of it all.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there not be enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I saw unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” [Matthew 25:1-25:13]

-This parable is almost comical. “You never know when Jesus is coming, so be ready, just like those virgins!” It’s an odd way of making a point, and I’m really not sure how effective the point is. Fools don’t get into heaven? Not really sure here.

Conclusion

No where in the Old Testament does it describe heaven as anything but a “sky realm”. It is the place of fire, rain, thunder, lightning, stars, and the sun and moon. The birds are said to fly in heaven. This is a very literal and physical interpretation of heaven. Additionally, it does not describe heaven as a place of “afterlife” in the Old Testament. This seems to be a mostly New Testament idea, of which most discussion takes place in Matthew. The book of Matthew describes in great detail the process by which people will be selected for entering heaven, but it does not really describe what it’s like there. There is a much clearer image of what Hell is like (a furnace of fire), and they make sure to drive that point home frequently.

The following features are the best I could come up with from my admittedly brief research:

1. People become like God’s angels in heaven. Matthew [22:30]

2. You will have tons of treasures, including material wealth, so long as you gave up material wealth in life.[Matthew [19:21] and [19:29]

3. People have everlasting life in heaven. Matthew [19:29]

4. Marriages in life are not binding in heaven, and no one can marry or be married in heaven. Matthew [22:30]

5. There will be very few people in heaven, as the criteria is extremely strict. If you ever blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, you have committed an unforgivable sin, and you will not get into heaven. EVER. Matthew [12:31-12:32] and [22:11]

6. Heaven is the source of: rain, thunder, lightning, and contains the stars, the moon, and the sun. Genesis [1:14], [8:2], and [26:4]

7. Birds fly around in heaven, which leads me to believe it is not only part of this realm (not another dimension or something), but that it is literally right above us. Genesis [7:23]

That is not the clearest of images. I’m not sure where many Christians get their conceptions of heaven, but what I’ve posted above is what the Bible itself says, most of the time right from Jesus’ own mouth. On the other hand, the Bible is quite clear as to who gets into heaven, and I’ve never met anyone, let alone a Christian, that meets the criteria set forth in the Good Book.