SHOCKING News about Heaven!!

Ha! I thought I would use a tabloid heading to see what kind of response I got, but don’t stop reading! Ok, so it might not be as “shocking” to you as it was for me… But you tell me…!!

This study was the most interesting and surprising of this three part series (“What is the Kingdom of God?” and “Eternal Life - What good thing must I do” being the other two).

Again, I used only the gospels and what Jesus had to say about this subject. What is interesting is that Jesus never mentions “heaven” in the same way I have always been taught. I was taught that, if you give your life/heart to Jesus, when you die, you will go up to heaven… right?? It has pearly gates and all kinds of valuable stones and streets made of gold…? Well, to my surprise, Jesus never says a word about this!! You would think that if that was true he would have mentioned it at least once! And surprisingly, this is what He DID say about it:  No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. John 3:13

Say what!!?? Hmmmm… Then why do we teach people that we go to heaven when we die?? Where did that come from? So, after compiling all of the scriptures pertaining to heaven in the gospels, this is what they DO say about heaven:

God dwells in and speaks from heaven:

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17, Mark 1:10-11

Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." John 12:28

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. Matthew 16:17

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

This, then, is how you should pray:  'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Matthew 23:9

(And here are more scriptures like these: Matthew 5:44-45, Matthew 7:11, Matthew 10:32-33, Matthew 11:25, Matthew 18:14)

Jesus comes from and goes to heaven to sit at the Father’s right hand:

Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Matthew 26:64

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:38

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33

Angels are in heaven:

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32

See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Matthew 22:30, Mark 12:25

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2:15

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. Matthew 28:2

Fire, Satan, Earthquakes and sulfur come down from heaven:

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" Luke 9:54

He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Luke 10:18

But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Luke 17:29

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:11

You can store up rewards and treasures in heaven:

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  Matthew 19:21

Your name can be written in heaven:

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."… Luke 10:20

There is rejoicing in heaven:

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7

Heaven will disappear:

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matthew 5:18

So, what I am reading here is that only God the Father, Jesus and the Angels dwell in heaven. It is God’s throne and earth is his footstool (Matthew 5:34-35). We can store up treasures and rewards in heaven, our names can be written in heaven, lots of great signs and wonders come down from heaven, there is rejoicing in heaven and, ultimately, this heaven and earth will disappear/pass away.

The other aspect of “heaven” that was mentioned was in reference to “our” heaven, like “the stars and planets in the sky” type of heaven. God is the creator of the “heavens and the earth”, which means ours as well as His. Paul mentions that he was taken up to the “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2), so maybe there are more than three heavens?? But nothing is spoken of regarding “us” going to heaven when we die.

Okay, so if those are the scriptures referencing heaven in the gospels, where did we get this idea and imagery of the “heaven” we have been taught about and hope to be in one day?? This is what I found in Revelation: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” Revelation 21:1 Okay! So that is what He meant when He said heaven would disappear! It is because a NEW heaven and earth will replace them. Then it says: “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. Revelation 21:2-3 So, the New Jerusalem is coming down from heaven and God is coming down too, to dwell with men! We aren’t going UP He is coming DOWN (also in Revelation 3:12).

“…He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Revelation 21:2-7 Aha! Here is something we have heard before about heaven; “He will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain…” But wait, there’s more! "…The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone… The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass… Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation 21:9-27

Did you catch that?? The description I have always heard describing “heaven” is actually the description of the New Jerusalem, coming DOWN from heaven… and is not called heaven at all but the “Holy City of Jerusalem”! And the end of this scripture solidifies it by saying the only people who can enter this city are the people whose names are written in the book of life… Just like we were taught to believe about heaven!

Now don’t that just beat all! We won’t be going up to heaven after all! The “Holy City of Jerusalem” will be coming DOWN to the new earth and God will be dwelling with man! And all this happens AFTER the 1000 year reign… which is another aspect that is not taught (If you haven’t read this part of Revelation, I encourage you to do so). This New Jerusalem must be the place Jesus mentions when He says:” In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 In the Revelation scripture, the dimensions of this New Jerusalem are enormous!! So, He wasn’t kidding when He said there are many rooms!

So what I want to know is, why are we being taught these things when they are nowhere in scripture?? Who came up with this whole “going up to heaven” idea anyway and why is it being taught to everyone like it is the “truth”?? It is like someone’s idea for a children’s fairy tale story and now it is being taught to adults!! Was this as much of a surprise to you as it was to me? I am embarrassed to admit that I have believed this lie for 35 years! Yes, this is shocking. This is one of those things that make you go “Hmmmmm…. What else have I believed that is a lie??”…

I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit’s leading, guiding and direction during this research for these blogs. I even got a bonus! While searching for these scriptures about heaven, I have discovered even more interesting truths that I am excited to share with you in my next blog! This is certainly an amazing Journey I am on in my search to truly KNOW GOD!

Father, I thank you that all the information I need and all of your truths are available in Your Word and revealed by Your Holy Spirit. I thank you for revealing these truths to those whose hearts are steadfast and desire to know You, our amazing Father. I am looking forward to residing in this amazing city of Jerusalem with YOU for eternity! With much love, Linda :)