HEAVEN

Write down the first thing or scene that comes to your mind when you think of heaven.

Why do you suppose that this is what first comes to mind?

How much does the reality of an eternal heaven grip you, or does it even affect your life-style here and now in the least bit, and why?

The word “heaven” (Gk. “ouranos”; Heb. “shamayim”) means to lift up, as used in the NT, and has three basic distinctions:

1. The word is used of the AERIAL heavens.

Dan. 7:13; Acts 10:12; Jas. 5:18 From these passages, what exists, and/or takes place in the heavens?

What would be another familiar word that could be used as a synonym for “heaven” here?

2. The word is used of the SIDEREAL heavens.

Gen. 1:14-18; Matt. 24:29-35; 2 Pet. 3:10, 12-13; Rev. 21:1

From these passages, what exists and/or will happen in/to the heavens?

What other word(s) could be used as synonym(s) for the word “heaven”?

3. The word is used of the ETERNAL DWELLING PLACE OF GOD.

From the following passages record as many observations about heaven as you can (i.e., what it’s like, who’s there, what does or does not happen there, what is or will take place there, and to whom, etc.).

2 Chron. 30:27 (Deut. 26:15)

Psa. 11:4; 103:19; 115:3; 123:1

Isa. 63:15

Matt. 22:30

Eph. 1:20; Heb. 8:1

Jn. 6:42

Acts 7:49, 55

Heb. 9:24

Deut. 10:14

[“highest known” or “heaven of heavens” – this doesn’t indicate height, but an absolute; God’s abode is a unique realm not to be identified with the physical creation.].

Matt. 6:20

Matt. 18:10; Psa. 91:11 (Acts 12:15; Heb. 1:14)

Lk. 10:19, 20

Lk. 23:43 (2 Cor. 12:2, 4)

Jn. 14:2, 3

Heb. 10:34

Phil. 3:20, 21

Col. 1:5

1 Pet. 1:4

1 Pet. 1:12

Matt. 7:14

Matt. 10:32; 12:50

Matt. 5:11, 12

2 Cor. 5:1-8

1 Thes. 4:13-17

Rev. 12:7-10

Rev. 4:4-11

Rev. 7:9, 13-17

Rev. 8:1-4

Rev. 14:17; 15:5

Rev. 21:2 – 22:5