Popular mainstream conceptions about Heaven can be quite different than the descriptions given in Scripture. People often think of Heaven as an eternal ageless place that is infinite in dimension. A utopia that is holy and free of evil. A wonderful place people go to when they die to abide forever with God. A better place where people find happiness because the streets are made of gold and everything is beautiful. To the surprise of many readers, none of these statements could be further from the truth. Seven popular misconceptions people hold regarding heaven are outlined below and why they are not in fact true.
Misconception 1: Heaven is not Eternal
God created all the heavens and the starry host within them (Ne 9:6, Isa 40:26). Heaven is an expanse that was created on the second day (Gen 1:6). Heaven is only about as old as the earth is; It is not infinitely old. The Heavens were intended to mark seasons and times on the earth (Gen 1:14). Stars & Planets are wound up clocks for determining the passage of time. Kepler’s laws for elliptical orbits describe the passage of time quite well. The Sun sets ‘Zulu’ time, time zones, Days, Years and Seasons. The moon sets the months of the year. Jesus said there was ‘Signs of the times” to be recognized from Heaven (Matt 16:1-4). The Magi knew the time of Christ’s birth by seeing his star (Matt 2:1-2). Jesus also spoke of Heavenly Signs to precede his coming (Matt 24:3, Mrk 3:14). Believers are responsible for recognizing these signs and being ready to depart when they occur. Like all created things, Heaven will also come to an end. Jesus himself said Heaven and Earth will pass away (Mt 24:35).
Misconception 2: Heaven is not Infinite in Dimension
Heaven is not infinite in dimension. Man may not be able to measure the limits of Heaven, but that does not imply that Heaven does not in fact have limits. God is said to stretch out the Heavens (Job 9:8, Isa 42:5, Jer 10:12). The Heavens are actually stretched out like a tent or curtain (Ps 104:2, Isa 40:22). The basic concept in the second Hebrew Word for Heaven (Raqiya) is stamping, as with a foot, and the result is a spreading out or stretching forth. So it would be fitting that Moses who patterned the earthly tabernacle after the pattern He saw in Heaven as a tent of meeting with curtains (Heb 8:5, Ex 25:40). You cannot stretch something out without first having limits. Modern Science has confirmed this expansion of the universe by measuring Red Shifts; Because of this, secular cosmologists now conjecture the universe originated in a big bang. It’s ironic how Science can observe when God is moving and yet not have the insight to recognize that He is doing the moving. Not only can the curtain of heaven be stretched, but it can also be torn asunder (Heaven is opened at Jesus Baptism and Stephen looked into Heaven at his Death (Acts 7:56). On the day of the Lord, Christ will rend the Heavens at his coming (Isa 64:1) and the sky will recede like a scroll (Isa 34:4). Man will be able to see the throne of God, the Ark of the covenant in Heaven on that day (Rev 11:19). The very term Revelation which means unveiling points to this major end time event.
Misconception 3: Heaven refers to more than one place
There are multiple Heavens referred to in Scripture. The apostle Paul did not refer to a third heaven as paradise unless there were at least three (II Cor 12:2-4). Shamayim is God’s Name for Heaven’s expanse (Raqiya) (Gen 1:8). The First Hebrew term for Heaven (Samayim) is a plural word and is derived from the word for Liquid water (Mayim). The Purpose of the Expanse was to Separate the waters (Mayim). We know the Hebrew word can refer to the atmospheric sky, the starry sky, and the abode of God and angels. We know this because Birds are said to fly in the first heaven referring to the sky (Gen 1:20). We also know God set the lights & stars in the expanse on the fourth day (Gen 1:17, Pr 3:19, Pr 8:27, Isa 51:16). The second Heaven is said to hold the light and stars (Gen 1:17). The third term for Heaven (Marom) simply means on High, exalted, or above. The fourth term for Heaven (Zebul) probably means ‘exalted habitation.’
Misconception 4: Heaven is not yet a Utopia Free of Evil.
While Heaven is exalted, it is not yet a Utopia Free of Evil. There are evil forces in the Heavenly Realms (Eph 6:12). Satan himself freely masquerades as an angel of light in Heavenly places (Job 1:6, Job 2:1, II Cor 11:14). All angels are ministering Spirits of the Lord (Heb 1:14). Lucifer was ordained as a Guardian Cherub by God (Ezek 28). God created and has a purpose for these evil forces (Col 1:16, Isa 54:16). As long as Satan and his angels are there, the Heavens are not pure in God’s eyes (Job 15:15). Because of these conflicting forces, a heavenly warfare has transpired for a long time. The bible says the stars fight in the heavens (Judges 5:20). Michael disputed with Satan over Moses Body (Jude 1:9). Michael fought with the prince of Persia and Greece (Dan 10:20-21). This Heavenly Warfare will eventually spill over on to the earth. Satan and his Angels will one day be purged from Heaven (Isa 14:12, Rev 12). Satan will fall to the earth at the time of the fifth trumpet (Rev 9:1). Satan will fall from Heaven as a result of the last war there (Rev 12:7). All Evil forces in Heaven and Earth will eventually be rounded up and incarcerated (Isa 24:21). For Christ, will destroy all evil dominion and power on the earth (I Cor 15:24).
Misconception 5: The Present Heaven will be destroyed with hell fire.
Like all created things, Heaven will ultimately burn and pass away. As mentioned previously, Jesus himself said Heaven and Earth will one day pass away (Mt 24:35, Rev 21:1). The Present Heaven is reserved for Fire (II Peter 3:7,10,12). The Present Heaven will vanish at the time of the Great White throne Judgement. The sky will flee from God’s presence (Rev 20:11). The current Heaven will vanish like smoke (Isa 51:6). God will ultimately make a new Heaven (Isa 65:17; Isa 66:22). He will also make a new earth and a new Jerusalem as described in Revelation 21:1-27.
Misconception 6: Heaven is not the eternal home of believers
For the present age, a believer who departs the body will go to be with Christ (Phil 1:22-23, II Cor 5:1-8). Jesus told the thief on the cross ‘today you will be with me in Paradise (the third heaven). Because Christ is at the right hand of the Father, People normally assume men will spend eternity with God in Heaven. The Bible does not actually say this though. In Eternity, God will come to the earth to make his dwelling with Men (Rev 21:3) rather than man going to Heaven to be with God. The departed saints that currently reside with Christ in Heaven do so on a temporary basis and will not remain their forever. Saved Believers will return to the Earth with Christ at the time of the Resurrection. The Saints will live and rule on the Earth for a 1,000 years with Christ during the millennial reign. After the Judgement, Redeemed man will spend eternity with God on the new Earth and not in the Old or New Heaven (Rev 21:2,10).
Misconception 7: The Best Thing regarding Heaven is God and not riches.
Although the kingdom will have great riches, riches alone are not what make the kingdom special. Riches without spiritual fulfillment are only a vanity. What good is it if a man gains the world and yet has no peace in his soul (Matt 16:26)? Without God, who can eat or find enjoyment? (Ecc 2:25, Ecc 5:18-20). What makes the kingdom of Heaven special for people above all else is that God Himself will be there. The greatest riches to be had will be what God will set within you. The Spirit of God that can utterly transform a man. It is written, God will bless us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3). The kingdom is a good seed that is sown into the heart of a man (Mt 13:24, Mk 4:26). A small mustard seed that grows large (Mt 13:31-32, Mk 4:30-32; Lk 13:18). A yeast that works all through the dough (Mt 13:33; Luk 13:20-21). The Kingdom of God will be within you (Luke 17:20-21) and transform a person into a fine pearl (Mt 13:45-46; Mk 18:23). A Hidden Treasure in a field (Mt 13:44). Knowing Christ and being transformed will ultimately be the greatest treasure in Heaven.
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