Introduction The goal of this series of Topical Studies is to give you Bible-based information about your future life in Heaven. If you have a question about Heaven that isn't answered here, send it to us and we will seek to find a Bible answer. To start with, please understand that the Bible mentions THREE heavens, as explained below. This Essay deals only with the Third Heaven -- also called "Paradise" and "Heaven of heavens" -- the abode of God.

NOTE: Except where indicated, all Bible quotations in this Essay are from the New King James.

Index of Studies About Heaven
Page 1 (this page)... #1 The Three Heavens #2 The Location of Heaven #3 The Residents of Heaven #4 Life with Father Page 2... #5 Friends and Family Galore #6 Heaven is an Equal Opportunity Employer #7 Your Place in Heaven #8 Heaven is a Busy Place #9 No Hospitals in Heaven #10 No Medicare in Heaven #11 No Beds in Heaven Page 3... #12 Heavenly Songfests and Concerts #13 Heavenly Joys and Pleasures	Page 4... #14 New Jerusalem, the Garden City of God -- your future home in Heaven Page 5... #15 Where is New Jerusalem Located? #16 Size and Shape of New Jerusalem #17 The Wall Around New Jerusalem Page 6... #18 A Walking Tour Inside New Jerusalem

Study #1 -- The THREE heavens
Heaven #1: The Earth's atmospheric envelope - The Bible calls this heaven "the firmament." It is the sky, where birds fly and clouds drift by.		Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.'' Gen 1.6 Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.'' Gen 1.20
Heaven #2: The Celestial Heavens - The second heaven is "space - the final frontier," where God placed the stars and planets.		Then God made two great lights: the greater light (sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (moon) to rule the night. He made the stars also. Gen 1.16
Heaven #3: The Abode of God - The Third Heaven is Paradise -- the Heaven of heavens, the "residence" of God. As noted in the Introduction, this Essay seeks to answer FAQ about Heaven #3 ONLY.		I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know (God knows) such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know -- God knows) how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 2 Cor 12.2-4
Study #2 -- The Location of Heaven
Where is the Third Heaven? The Bible verses alongside seem to indicate that it is located... "on the farthest sides of the north" "above the heights of the clouds" However, bear in mind that... These are poetic verses and might not refer to a specific locale within the three-dimensional universe. God is a Spirit (John 4.24). Accordingly, it is quite possible that Heaven is located in a spiritual (non-Euclidean) dimension.		How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds I will be like the Most High. Isa 14.12-14
Whether or not we can determine Heaven's specific location, the Bible clearly states that Heaven is an actual PLACE. Not a state of mind. Not a "pie in the sky." A REAL place!		For this is what the high and lofty One (God) says-- He who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place..." Isa 57.15a, NIV (Jesus said...) "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14.2
Study #3 - The Residents of Heaven
God dwells in Heaven.		Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His (God's) holy dwelling place, to heaven. 2 Chron 30.27
However, bear in mind that God is everywhere.		But who is able to build Him (God) a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? 2 Chron 2.6a
Therefore, it is our OPINION that Heaven is the place where God visibly manifests Himself for purposes of meeting with His creatures.		Now there was a day when the sons (angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. Job 1.6 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One (God) sat on the throne. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. Rev 4.2, 4.4
The risen Savior, Lord Jesus, resides in Heaven.		For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb 9.24
The Holy Spirit resides in Heaven.		Where can I go from Your (God's) Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there Ps 139.7-8a
However, remember that the Holy Spirit also resides in all believers in Christ, at one and the same time as He resides in Heaven.		Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Cor 3.16
The angels of God reside in Heaven.		For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. Mt 22.30
Although God's angels are home-based in Heaven, many of them are on "temporary duty" on Earth, doing God's work down here.		But to which of the angels has He (God) ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool''? Are they (God's angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Heb 1.13-14
Satan and the evil angels do NOT reside in Heaven. Instead, they reside on Earth and in the celestial heavens.		For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6.12
Although Satan no longer resides in Heaven, he sometimes travels to Heaven, to appear before God. At such times, Satan "talks stink" about God's people (as "accuser of the brethren" - Rev 12.10c).		Now there was a day when the sons (angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. Job 1.6 (Satan said to God -- ) "But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he (Job) has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!'' Job 1.11
Believers, who have died in Jesus, reside in Heaven		to the general assembly and church of the firstborn (born-again believers in Jesus) who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect Heb 12.23 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne (of God in Heaven) and before the Lamb (Jesus) Rev 7.9a
Even if you haven't died, you are ALREADY a citizen of Heaven -- on a temporary visa to Planet Earth. Halleluyah!		For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Philip 3.20
In summary, the residents of Heaven are threefold... The triune God -- Father, Son, Holy Spirit The Angels of God The Children of God -- those who are believers in the Lord Jesus
Study #4 -- Life with Father
You will have eternal fellowship with God.		And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. Rev 21.3
You will SEE God, face to face! You will KNOW God, up-close and personal! No doubt you have already talked to God from time to time (it's called prayer). But you couldn't see Him, or hear His part of the conversation. In Heaven, you will be able to sit down and chat with God to your heart's content. Face to face! And -- oh yes! -- you will hear His voice!		Now we see but a poor reflection (of God) as in a mirror; then we shall see (God) face to face. Now I know (God) in part; then I shall know (God) fully, even as I am fully known (by God). 1 Cor 13.12, NIV
"But He's God and I'm nobody." Does it sound presumptuous to say that the almighty God would spend time talking with a "nobody" like little old you? Of course it's presumptuous, if you speak of Him only as God. But He is far more than God to you. He's your Father. He's your Dad!		"I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'' 2 Cor 6.18
Fact is, He loves you so much that He became human in order to die for your sins. He died for you. For YOU!		But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5.8
It is God's greatest delight to spend PERSONAL time with you. Fact is, God doesn't think of you as a "member of the congregation." To God, you are not just part of a group. You are uniquely you. His one and only YOU. And THAT'S what God wants. You and Him. Two persons -- face to face -- sharing PERSONAL love and fellowship!		(Jesus told us...) "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14.3 (Jesus prayed...) "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." John 17.24
"But will God have the time to spend with me?" After all, God has jillions of children, plus a whole universe (and more) to reign over. Where will He find the time for you? Just for YOU? The answer is simple. God is ETERNAL. The real meaning of the verses alongside is that there is NO such thing as "time" with God. The eternal God is not pressed for time. Good grief, the mere thought of "God in a hurry" is a total absurdity! There are no clocks in Heaven!		But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Pet 3.8 (Concerning God, the Bible declares...) Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. Psalm 145.13
God endowed you with SIX senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, and faith. Today you can sense God by faith only. In Heaven you will be able to use ALL the senses God gave you... See God. Hear Him. Touch Him. Smell Him. And with a kiss, even taste Him! Oh yes, the greatest splendor of Heaven is -- God with YOU!		That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life 1 John 1.1 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Psalm 34.8a
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