Where is Heaven?

When you think about Heaven—where do you picture it? Last week, in my message “Thinking of Heaven,” I shared the viewpoint of some Old Testament writers. These authors and prophets often described heaven as being in the sky, or encompassing all parts of the universe except earth. Many times, I look up when I think or speak of Heaven. Do you? If I’m outside, I tend to focus on the sky as I talk and pray to God. There’s definitely something about being out in nature (God’s amazing creation), that helps me feel closer to Him.

From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind. Psalm 33:13 *

Obviously, the Psalmist had the same idea! If I we look up toward heaven, then God is looking down on us.

Part 2 of this series Thinking about Heaven focuses on where Heaven is (and questions, “Does it really matter where Heaven is?”)

Following His resurrection, Jesus stayed forty days on Earth, providing the apostles with additional instruction and the renewed promise of the Holy Spirit as a guide. Of course, his followers had questions and Jesus responded to them:

“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

After this statement, the author of Acts (presumed to be Luke), tells us that Jesus was taken up, “before their very eyes.” A cloud hid Jesus from their sight and they continued to stare upward, hoping to catch another glimpse of their Lord.

Two men, dressed in white, appeared before the group and admonished them:

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11

So is heaven in the sky?

Perhaps that’s not even the right question—not whether Heaven is in the sky, or where Heaven is located, but WHO is there?

Heaven is where God and Jesus dwell!

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Psalm 84:1-3

God has promised believers across the ages that they can join Him in His heavenly home. The writer of Hebrews, speaking of the faith of the Israelites, says:

Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16

Paul the Apostle searches for words to describe this heavenly dwelling place of our Father and the glorious joy we will experience as God’s children:

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” (Isaiah 64:4)—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

So we know that God’s dwelling place is where Heaven is and that the human mind cannot even imagine how wonderful it will be for us when we join God and His heavenly dwelling becomes our home.

Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of lost ones pours through and shines down on us to let us know they are happy.”

Eskimo Proverb

Does the beauty of nature help you feel closer to our Father’s heavenly dwelling?

Next week–“Who Is in Heaven?” (along with out Father and our Lord Jesus).

*All scripture is from The Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Zondervan.