Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Foundations March 14, 2012

Bible Poetry Reading Plan: Job 23-24
Heaven is a Created Place

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth. (ESV)
Colossians 1:16 For by Him [Jesus] all things were created, in Heaven and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him
and for Him. (ESV)

Many Christians today imagine Heaven as devoid of time and with no beginning yet Heaven had a
beginning – it was built and created by God somewhere around the same time that the earth was
created. This is very important because it means that in Heaven there are real events that occur in
real time. In Heaven there are things that happened in the past, things occurring this very moment,
and things still yet to come in the future (in Revelation 8:1, for example, John describes there being
silence in heaven for half an hour). This is not to say that those in Heaven experience time the
same way we do, but they do live in time (just as we do). The Scriptures are clear – Heaven was
created, designed and built by God. That means Heaven had a beginning and that it has not always
existed. It also means that Heaven has dimensions, and it is made of various materials, and it is a
concrete, physical place. The Bible often uses the word “heavens” to describe three different things.
The first use of the word heavens is the sky, stars and atmosphere above us, basically what we can
see. The Bible uses this term to describe the place where birds live (Gen 1:20), where rain/snow/
thunder comes from (Gen 8:2), and where the sun/moon/stars reside (Gen 1:14). The second use
of the word heaven is the domain of the angels, particularly evil angels. This is the place where
evil powers operate (Eph. 6:12; Rev. 12:7-12; Job 1:6-7; 2:1-2; Ps. 82:1, 6-7). The third use of
the word Heaven is the dwelling place of God (1 Kings 8:30; Neh. 9:27; Ps. 33:13; Acts 1:10-11).
Jesus spoke of the Father being in Heaven fourteen times in the Gospel of Matthew alone. The
New Testament assures us that this Heaven (the dwelling place of God) is the place where we are
to store up treasure (Matt 6:20); mansions are built for us (John 14:2-3); our hope is (Col 1:5); our
citizenship is (Phil 3:20); our names are registered (Luke 10:20). Revelation 4 and 5 describes the
throne room of God in great detail – all the things which are described in those chapters take place
in this Heaven.

PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. What are the three different uses of the word “heaven” in Scripture?
2. Heaven was created, designed and build by God. What does this tell you about what it will be
like?
3. Read Revelation 4 and 5. What are some of the things that are going on in Heaven right now?