Where is heaven?

Just a question.....

Published on May 14, 2005 By lifehappens In Religion

A friend of mine started a conversation about doctrinal details with me. We both agree on the basic essentials of Christianity and salvation if you get it down to the bare bones.....but there are lots of details that are not agreed on or understood by many people. We had a wonderful discussion about many different topics...baptism, validity of the bible, parables, etc etc Niether one of us was vindictive or trying to push our opinion on the other. We were just trying to understand other peoples perspectives.

Keeping that in mind, I have a question for you. "Where is heaven?" Please remember that I would like to keep this discussion openminded to all beliefs....no bashing please. But I was asked this question and I had never really thought about it. I had never considered it because I am the kind of person who will "see it when I see it". Now I am curious. Have you thought about it? What do you think and why? Any reasoning behind your belief or is it just "gospel according to me?"

Comments

Danny Bassette

on May 14, 2005

I don't know where heaven is, but I've got two theories, which are rather similar. One is it's not a location so much as a state of being, it is nowhere yet everywhere. We could be there now, or not, depending on who we are and where we stand personally, not locationaly. The other is it's completly outside of our frame of reference, and even if someone knew where it was we couldn't understand the explaination. Sort of like trying to explain to a gold fish in the fishbowl how to get to pluto, doesn't matter what you say it's still swimming in circles. In any case, I think it's one of those questions that's great to ponder, but has no real value until the time has come, at which point it's an irrelevant question.

lifehappens

on May 14, 2005

In any case, I think it's one of those questions that's great to ponder, but has no real value until the time has come, at which point it's an irrelevant question.

I agree.

One is it's not a location so much as a state of being, it is nowhere yet everywhere.

So do you think we will cease to exist in a phyisical form and become spiritual beings?

Danny Bassette

on May 15, 2005

What is a spiritual being? Does it interact with this physical world we now inhabit? If so then it must have physical form in some manner. If not then where is it...?

Dr Cynical

on May 15, 2005

What is a spiritual being? Does it interact with this physical world we now inhabit? If so then it must have physical form in some manner. If not then where is it...?

Dont U watch TV for Heavens sake? Yes they exist and yes they sometimes interact in all seriousness, try watching ghost Hunters I think its called on the Sci-Fi channel, these dudes actually have all this machinery and electronics and document ghost activity all the time.

Oh and the where is Heaven thing,
Good Q but with your background dont U really know or is it that you dont really believe?

preacherman

on May 15, 2005

The scriptures speak of three heavens.
The first heaven is the earthatmosphere, where we get the rain.

The second heaven mentioned, is the heaven of the stars, the high places where principalitiies and powers of evil have their abode.

The third Heaven is where God dwells, the Apostle Paul was caught up to it,. It is also the abode of Paradise, the place of the ssoul and spirit of the Righteous go.

What is a spiritual being?

one aspect is that it is that part of man that never dies.

Does it interact with this physical world we now inhabit?

to that it does my friend. Angels are spiritual beings and they interact with humanity.

If so then it must have physical form in some manner

to that it does and the rightous (those in Christ) will live forever.

Yes they exist and yes they sometimes interact in all seriousness, try watching ghost Hunters I think its called on the Sci-Fi
channel, these dudes actually have all this machinery and electronics and document ghost activity all the time.

I would suggest the scriptures lifehappens, instead of the Sci-Fi channel.

Thanks for the post.

preacherman

Ionolast

on May 15, 2005

I think the third one is the one lifehappens is asking about, but you still haven't given it's location. Why don't you just admit you have no idea and neither does the bible?

AngelaMarie88

on May 15, 2005

Everyone's got great scriptural backup here. I do know just one thing, but can't back it up with scripture because I'm a dolt but...: I want to second this quote:

Does it [Heaven] interact with this physical world we now inhabit?to that it does my friend. Angels are spiritual beings and they interact with humanity.

If Heaven is what you mean by, 'Where do we go when we die?' Yep, Heaven is here on earth. Our spirits dwell right here, which is why people see ghosts sometimes, and why angels do indeed interact with us, if only we could be receptive enough to notice when they're helping us sometimes! Thank goodness I've never seen a ghost; I hope I never do. YIKES. But if I do it will hopefully be for a reason, and won't scare me so much then. Anyway, it's a really abstract subject. Back to my reality now. Buh-bye!

preacherman

on May 15, 2005

I think the third one is the one lifehappens is asking about, but you still haven't given it's location. Why don't you just admit you have no idea and neither does the bible?

Your are correct iconoclast, it is above the known heavens. We do have enough in the scriptures that tell us the apostle Paul was the only man to ever go to that level (3rd heaven) and come back to tell about it. The beter question, "if it exist what does that mean for all of humanity?"

Our spirits dwell right here, which is why people see ghosts sometimes, and why angels do indeed interact with us, if only we could be receptive enough to notice when they're helping us sometimes! Thank goodness I've never seen a ghost; I hope I never do. YIKES. But if I do it will hopefully be for a reason, and won't scare me so much then.

It would be for a purpose and those in the scripture who encountered an angel... they did not wig out, so maybe we could handle it.

preacherman

Shovelheat

on May 15, 2005

It's being right here right now, a state of being not a place.

lifehappens

on May 16, 2005

Sorry that I haven't been able to get back on for so long. There are lots of good things to consider.

What is a spiritual being? Does it interact with this physical world we now inhabit? If so then it must have physical form in some manner. If not then where is it...?

Well, I was asking to clarify what you meant about a "state of being, it is nowhere yet everywhere"

but with your background dont U really know or is it that you dont really believe?

Dr Cynical....I am asking because I had a very interesting discussion with a friend about "extras" in religion....things that will not affect our core beliefs but are interesting to ponder. This was just something that I had not felt a need to study or ask about before. The fact that I am curious about other peoples responses, doesn't mean I don't believe in God. I'm not really sure what you are trying to insinuate....if you want to elaborate.......feel free. On the Ghost hunters thing....I don't think we will hang around in a ghostly state after death...haunting a house or other sci-fi ideas. However, I've never seen the show or been dead, so I wouldn't know for sure!

Preacherman, I like your response to the questions and comments by others, but just so we are clear...I am not searching for answers on the sci-fi channel....I do study the scriptures. I agree about the essence of man being spiritual. I never thought that after death man would intentionally hang out on earth as a ghost, haunting people or seeking revenge. I think that when we die there will be a greater glory for us to concentrate on. Will we interact with others we leave behind as "guardian angels"? Good thought....I suppose I will know in the hereafter, I wonder what tasks I will be assigned. Will they be earthly or heavenly? And Ionclast reiterated my question....where is the "third heaven with God" going to be? You said that it is "above the known heavens"....Do you have any more details to add to that?

What about after the Second Coming of Christ, when the rightous are resurrected? and PS I know you....you wouldn't wig out if it was an angel.....creepy horror ghost? That's another story!

The beter question, "if it exist what does that mean for all of humanity?"

I am not disputing Christ or heaven....we know (or rather, I know and several others here do as well) it exists. I was just asking where people thought heaven....the final 'end all be all' would be. We know what it means to humanity that there is heaven and God and Christ and Salvation....but that is a discussion for another time.

Shovelheat...."Have you heard the phrase, "Home can be a heaven on earth"? I think that we can have a bit of heaven in us right here and now...

preacherman

on May 16, 2005

I am not searching for answers on the sci-fi channel....

I know, I was jsut kidding.

I never thought that after death man would intentionally hang out on earth as a ghost, haunting people or seeking revenge. I think that when we die there will be a greater glory for us to concentrate on.

The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians to be absent from the body (death for the believer) is to be present with the Lord. We believe that in that moment, in the twinkling of the eye we will be (spirit & soul of the believer) will be present with the Lord, in Paradise in the 3rd heaven. It is hard for us to percieve the location of the 3rd heaven becasue it desends far past science ability to reveal. For the believer that is "glory for us to concentrate on".

Will we interact with others we leave behind as "guardian angels"? Good thought....I suppose I will know in the hereafter,

To this point we should doubt from the scriptures. In the Old Testament we see God forbade (Deut.18:9-12- "necromancer": communication with the dead) his people with communicating with the dead. Yes, that has been a practice for thousands of years. It is a parctice of the occult today and opens one up to deception of wicked spirits.

With regard to our work on earth after death? Not likely according to the scriptures.The angels are the spiritual beings that God uses to wrought His special plans, not humanity after they have died. You are correct humanity is a spiritual being created in the image of God, we jsut have a different ministry in God's plan than the angels.

In Revelation 21:1-2 The Spirit gives John a glimps of the present earth is passed away, and he sees a new heaven and a new earth decending down from God, out of this 3rd heaven, the abode of God.

preacherman

lifehappens

on May 17, 2005

It is hard for us to percieve the location of the 3rd heaven becasue it desends far past science ability to reveal. For the believer that is "glory for us to concentrate on".

And that is why Iwanted individuals ideas or beliefs on the topic....we all aspire to that glory.....but everyone has different ideas about what that will be like.

With regard to our work on earth after death? Not likely according to the scriptures.The angels are the spiritual beings that God uses to wrought His special plans, not humanity after they have died. You are correct humanity is a spiritual being created in the image of God, we jsut have a different ministry in God's plan than the angels.

I tend to agree with you. I don't know that the purpose I would serve after my life here would be to simply watch over those who are still alive. I have my own personal thoughts on the matter....that don't lead towards haunting or being guardian angels.

foreverserenity

on May 20, 2005

Life I was just perusing your article and your question on where Heaven is. I shared my thoughts on that sometime ago here it is, Link.

Also I remembered Little Whip writing about that too but couldn't find hers. But this has been the topic of discussion here on JU a couple of times. The responses and comments are always varied. To me heaven is right here on earth. But read my link because I explained my thoughts more clearly there.

preacherman

on May 20, 2005

To me heaven is right here on earth. But read my link because I explained my thoughts more clearly there.

Lifehappens, I would stick with the scriptures... thoughts conceived upon the pillows of dreamers will only lead to deception. Opinions can only be validated by the truth of God's Word.

Blessing my friend.
preacherman

lifehappens

on May 22, 2005

Opinions can only be validated by the truth of God's Word.

This is one case where God's Word isn't really specific. All we know is that it will be a great place and that He lives there. Exact location is just a curious point of discussion...I wouldn't worry about it too much! But thanks for everyone's opinions!

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!