- Two Common Views About Heaven
- What Scripture Says About Heaven
- 1. Heaven is God’s Dwelling and Throne
- 2. Heaven is Spiritual and Unseen
- 3. The “Mansions” of John 14:2 Are Not Physical Houses
- 4. Consider: A House or a Dwelling?
- 5. Revelation Speaks Symbolically of the New Jerusalem
- 6. Heaven Is Where Christ Is—and Where We Are Seated in Him
- Summary
- All This Is Only True When...
- What Scripture Says About Heaven
Is Heaven a literal place where I go after death?
— Daniel M., Udaipur
Thank you, Daniel. This question has often been shaped more by popular songs and paintings than by Scripture. Let us step away from sentimental notions and turn to the Word of God to understand what “heaven” truly means—and what it does not mean.
Two Common Views About Heaven #
| View | Description | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Literal Earth-like Paradise | Heaven is a physical place in the sky with golden mansions, rivers, homes, and gardens where believers will live forever. | Often based on misunderstood metaphors and symbolic language. |
| Spiritual Realm and Throne of God | Heaven is the invisible, spiritual realm where God dwells in unapproachable light, from which He rules and manifests His presence. | More consistent with Scripture and spiritual revelation. |
Let us now see what Scripture reveals.
“Heaven is not a place to retire to—it is a Person to live in. The true heaven is where God is enthroned, and where you are seated in Christ.”
What Scripture Says About Heaven #
1. Heaven is God’s Dwelling and Throne #
“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all [the universe].”
— Psalm 103:19 (AMP)
“Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool…”
— Isaiah 66:1 (AMP)
Heaven is the throne room of God, not a celestial suburb with gardens, villas and picket fences. The focus of heaven is not things, but the Person of Christ.
2. Heaven is Spiritual and Unseen #
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen… the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NASB)
Heaven is spiritual, not made of dust and stone, but of eternal substance. It’s a dimension of glory, not geography.
Greek for “heaven” is οὐρανός (ouranos), meaning “that which is raised up”, or “elevated.” It points to realms above the earthly and carnal.
3. The “Mansions” of John 14:2 Are Not Physical Houses #
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places…”
— John 14:2 (AMP)
The word translated “mansions” (Greek: μονή – monē) means dwelling place, abode, not luxury houses and mansions. Christ is saying: There is room in the Father for many sons. The “Father’s house” is not a building—it is God Himself and us whom He is building in Christ.
“Christ didn’t come to take you to a mansion; He came to make you His dwelling.”
4. Consider: A House or a Dwelling? #
- Christ didn’t come to prepare a building in the sky.
- He came to make us the dwelling place of God.
“In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
— Ephesians 2:22 (AMP)
5. Revelation Speaks Symbolically of the New Jerusalem #
“And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…”
— Revelation 21:2 (AMP)
This city is not a physical location, but the Bride of Christ—the corporate body of believers fully conformed to Christ.
“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
— Revelation 21:9 (AMP)
So the city is not where we go, but who we become.
6. Heaven Is Where Christ Is—and Where We Are Seated in Him #
“And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
— Ephesians 2:6 (NKJV)
Heaven is not just a future destination, but a present spiritual position in Christ. Those born of the Spirit are already connected to heaven.
Summary #
| Misunderstanding | Truth in Scripture |
|---|---|
| Heaven is a city in the sky with mansions | Heaven is the realm of God, where He dwells in spirit and glory |
| “Mansions” are dwelling places in the Father, a people in whom God abides | “Mansions” are dwelling places in the Father—a people in whom God abides |
| Heaven is only after we die | We are already seated in heavenly places in Christ |
| The New Jerusalem is a place | It is the Bride, the Church, fully glorified |
All This Is Only True When… #
Christ is in you, you are moved by the Holy Spirit, you are dead to the world, dead to Adam and the flesh, but alive in Christ and the Spirit. Heaven is not a reward for moral behaviour—it is the life and realm of God opened to those united to Christ.
Hope this clears up some long-standing myths, Daniel.
In Christ,
Shaliach.
