The Linked Bible

CONCEPT

Heaven

Definitions. The phrase “heaven and earth” is used to indicate the whole universe (Gen. 1:1; Jer. 23:24; Acts 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens,

(a) The firmament, as “fowls of the heaven” (Gen. 2:19; 7:3, 23; Ps. 8:8, etc.), “the eagles of heaven” (Lam. 4:19), etc.

(b) The starry heavens (Deut. 17:3; Jer. 8:2; Matt. 24:29).

(c) “The heaven of heavens,” or “the third heaven” (Deut. 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 115:16; 148:4; 2 Cor. 12:2). Meaning of words in the original,

(a) The usual Hebrew word for “heavens” is shamayim, a plural form meaning “heights,” “elevations” (Gen. 1:1; 2:1).

(b) The Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps. 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, “high places,” “heights.”

(c) Heb. galgal, literally a “wheel,” is rendered “heaven” in Ps. 77:18 (R.V., “whirlwind”).

(d) Heb. shahak, rendered “sky” (Deut. 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps. 18:11), plural “clouds” (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps. 68:34, marg. “heavens”), means probably the firmament.

(e) Heb. rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered “firmamentum” in the Vulgate, whence our “firmament” (Gen. 1:6; Deut. 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa. 14:13, 14; “doors of heaven” (Ps. 78:23); heaven “shut” (1 Kings 8:35); “opened” (Ezek. 1:1). (See 1 Chr. 21:16.) Spiritual meaning. The place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits.

(a) Christ calls it his “Father’s house” (John 14:2).

(b) It is called “paradise” (Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7).

(c) “The heavenly Jerusalem” (Gal. 4: 26; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12).

(d) The “kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 25:1; James 2:5).

(e) The “eternal kingdom” (2 Pet. 1:11).

(f) The “eternal inheritance” (1 Pet. 1:4; Heb. 9:15).

(g) The “better country” (Heb. 11:14, 16).

(h) The blessed are said to “sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” and to be “in Abraham’s bosom” (Luke 16:22; Matt. 8:11); to “reign with Christ” (2 Tim. 2:12); and to enjoy “rest” (Heb. 4:10, 11).

In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of “life everlasting,” “an eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2 Cor. 5:1, 2) and from the society of the wicked (2 Tim. 4:18), bliss without termination, the “fulness of joy” for ever (Luke 20:36; 2 Cor. 4:16, 18; 1 Pet. 1:4; 5:10; 1 John 3:2). The believer’s heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a “place”, a place “prepared” for them (John 14:2).

▶Sermons

Audio

  • Al Whittinghill
    Homesick for Heaven
    Al Whittinghill · 1:03:57

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing and cherishing the reality of heaven and our eternal destiny with the Lord, which gives us the freedom from fear of death and the glory of walking with Jesus.

  • Alan Redpath
    Our Citizenship Is in Heaven
    Alan Redpath · 45:33

    Our citizenship is in heaven, and we must live in the light of Jesus' return, having an insatiable longing to be like him and giving our love to him.

  • Art Katz
    K-473 Heaven, More Heaven
    Art Katz · 30:20

    We are called to live with an eternal perspective, deny earthly desires, and focus on the reward of faith, which is eternal life in God's kingdom.

  • Basilea Schlink
    (Audio Sermon Clip) Eternity Lasts Forever
    Basilea Schlink · 3:31

    Basilea Schlink emphasizes the eternal glory and joy awaiting believers in heaven, encouraging them to set their minds on the eternal home beyond earthly suffering.

  • Basilea Schlink
    Joy Everlasting
    Basilea Schlink · 27:36

    Basilea Schlink passionately teaches that the joy of heaven is an everlasting assurance for all who love Jesus and faithfully follow Him through life's trials.

  • David Wilkerson
    Heaven
    David Wilkerson · 41:13

    David Wilkerson's sermon on heaven emphasizes the joy, peace, and absence of suffering that await believers in the eternal presence of God.

  • E.A. Johnston
    Heaven Has No Cemetery
    E.A. Johnston · 8:41

    E.A. Johnston passionately portrays heaven as a glorious, eternal home without death, where Jesus reigns supreme and believers find everlasting life and joy.

  • E.A. Johnston
    More Friends in Heaven
    E.A. Johnston · 5:09

    E.A. Johnston emphasizes the comforting truth that believers have a multitude of faithful friends in heaven, including Jesus, and looks forward to the joyful reunion with them in eternity.

  • E.A. Johnston
    The Welcoming Committee
    E.A. Johnston · 4:50

    E.A. Johnston teaches that believers are encouraged to run their spiritual race with endurance, knowing a welcoming committee of faithful saints and Christ awaits them in heaven.

  • Erlo Stegen
    If Heaven Is Yours
    Erlo Stegen · 1:00:23

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of waking up out of our spiritual sleep, casting off the works of darkness, and putting on the armor of light to live a life pleasing to God.

  • Erlo Stegen
    The Heavenly Wedding Garment
    Erlo Stegen · 50:18

    The sermon emphasizes the importance of accepting the invitation to the wedding feast, which represents salvation and eternal life, and the need to put on the wedding garment, which represents a heart that is right before God.

  • Jackie Pullinger
    The Wedding Banquet - 1
    Jackie Pullinger · 40:11

    Jackie Pullinger's sermon emphasizes the joy of eternal life in Christ and the urgent call to share that joy with those who have not yet experienced it.

  • Jackie Pullinger
    The Wedding Banquet - 2
    Jackie Pullinger · 39:47

    Jackie Pullinger emphasizes the importance of accepting God's invitation to the Wedding Banquet while addressing the excuses that prevent people from attending and the need to reach out to those in need.

  • Jim Cymbala
    A Snapshot of Heaven on Earth (Part 4)
    Jim Cymbala · 43:34

    Jim Cymbala's sermon explores the characteristics of the early church as a model for contemporary Christian community and practice.

  • Jim Cymbala
    The Heavenly City
    Jim Cymbala · 40:55

    Jim Cymbala's sermon explores the hope and glory of the new heaven and new earth as revealed in the Book of Revelation.

  • Major Ian Thomas
    Jesus, the Ladder to Heaven
    Major Ian Thomas · 40:36

    The sermon emphasizes the need for a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, and how this encounter is possible through faith in Jesus and his cross.

  • Peter Orasuk
    That You May Know You Have a Place in Heaven
    Peter Orasuk · 21:15

    Salvation is found in the person of Christ, and it is a real possession that can be received by trusting in Him.

  • Rolfe Barnard
    Who Is Going to Heaven
    Rolfe Barnard · 55:12

    Rolfe Barnard's sermon emphasizes the necessity of seeking God with a pure heart and clean hands to attain eternal life in heaven.

  • Santosh Poonen
    Heaven Undistracted Devotion to Jesus
    Santosh Poonen · 43:13

    Santosh Poonen emphasizes living with undistracted devotion to Jesus by beholding His glory now through the Spirit, preparing for heaven and overcoming earthly distractions.

  • T. Austin-Sparks
    Aspects of the City
    T. Austin-Sparks · 30:11

    The Lord is working in us to develop strength, beauty, and costliness, and to produce preciousness and spiritual value, through trials and sufferings.

  • Thaddeus Barnum
    The Marriage to Come
    Thaddeus Barnum · 23:55

    Marriage is a picture of God's relationship to us, and it's meant to show us the love of God, which is the foundation of a successful and holy marriage.

  • William MacDonald
    Homesick for Heaven
    William MacDonald · 42:12

    William MacDonald explores the deep longing for God's presence and the hope of heaven in his sermon 'Homesick for Heaven'.

Text

  • David Wilkerson
    Awaiting a Glorious Day
    David Wilkerson

    Jesus promises a permanent home in heaven, where we will live eternally with him.

  • David Wilkerson
    We Will Behold Jesus
    David Wilkerson

    The promise of heaven is at the core of the gospel, and we should make it our earnest desire to be with Jesus in eternal joy.

  • D.L. Moody
    Heaven Inhabitants
    D.L. Moody

    D.L. Moody's sermon emphasizes the joy of loved ones in heaven, the reality of eternal life, and the necessity of repentance for salvation.

  • D.L. Moody
    Looking Down From Heaven
    D.L. Moody

    The sermon emphasizes the power of personal connection and prayer in sharing the Gospel and seeking others' salvation.

  • D.L. Moody
    Over the River
    D.L. Moody

    D.L. Moody encourages listeners to set their hearts on the other side of the river, focusing on heaven and the life to come through faith in Christ.

  • J.C. Ryle
    Heaven
    J.C. Ryle

    Heaven is a dwelling place provided by Jesus Christ for all His believing people, where there will be perfect knowledge, holiness, rest, and communion with God and the saints.

  • John Gill
    The Glorious State of the Saints in Heaven.
    John Gill

    The Bible teaches that there is a future state of happiness after death, where good men will be happy and wicked men will be miserable.

  • Thomas Brooks
    Neither Christ nor Heaven Can Be Hyperbolized!
    Thomas Brooks

    The glory of heaven is beyond human comprehension, and we must be careful not to hyperbolize or diminish it.