What is heaven, really? And, where is it? Hear the good news! Numerous references to heaven were mentioned by Jesus in the New Testament. Several in Matthew include: 5:19, 11:12, 13:24, 13:33, 13:44, 16:19, 20:1, 22:2. The Greek renderings for Mt 11:12, for instance is: Strong’s Greek 932 βασιλεία --basileia: kingdom, sovereignty, royal power. And much more is stated there.
Where is heaven? In Luke 17:20, when asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, the Lord's answer was that it came without observation. It couldn’t be seen. But it was there then, and it’s here now.God’s son stood before them and spoke that heaven was inside of them. “ --for the Kingdom of God is within you." Young’s Literal says “....the reign of God is within you”.
So, it’s a Place where the Presence of God IS. No God, no heaven. What place would lack the presence of God. No where. No such place exists. God is omnipresent and all in all. There is no place where God isn’t, (except in fearful or deceived imaginations). The presence of THE person establishes the PLACE. Where does God abide? Within us. Heaven is within us. We are solid landmarks of the Kingdom of Heaven. And the good news is, its influence, expansion and power never end!
I am in heaven now, and so are you! Just because there are no neon lights flashing or because we still see horrible visages, doesn’t mean that heaven is not abiding covertly, always ready to overtake the dark with the brightness of his coming (2Thes 2:8), for He is heaven!
Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) spoke of not just waiting to go to heaven, but to bring it into our world NOW with love and caring. By being kind and helping wherever we could. By making people feel they are important. This is a heavenly mindset, and is unbelievably powerful in establishing divine light in the space we stand in--reaching out to lift someone up. Fred Rogers was full of God, and full of truth! Beautiful truth.
When Jesus resurrected, he had just returned from a trip to connect the higher realm of Almighty God (his Father) and our lower realm(s). A permanent access was established. He invaded our dark realm with light that cannot be put out. Then he gave duplicates of himself--the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to our souls, living proof of our ticket to heaven. And we don’t have to “pass” to get on board. Death was swallowed up in victory, and is only a temporary illusion until each person embraces this beautiful reality. We are constantly coming INTO life. He is Life, and he will never leave us or forsake us. His hand is touching ours (invisible to the understanding) NOW. No one is left out, regardless of their personal beliefs or lack of them.
Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth (Mt 5:5). The original language is speaking of terra firma, where we reside now, our planet Earth. And its important to know that biblical meekness is not weakness. It is strength with control. Gentleness and kindness from one who is powerful. (See Strong’s Helps Word-studies, 4239 praus.) Meekness is a fruit of the spirit, and does not speak of human frailty. It is important to remember this, for it is the fruit of the spirit in us that pulls the veil back to expose heaven, right where we stand. Our belief in it can establish a space that only gets greater and brighter.
There have been beautiful visions and views of “heaven” from persons who passed for awhile and re-entered their bodies. Authentic ones show a realm where darkness doesn’t have power. I truly believe in those visions for I have known for a long time that we exist in realms. Otherwise, where do persons who passed go? Jesus said persons who died were asleep. And we dream a lot while sleeping. Beautiful realms of escape (from death and hell) exist that are connected to our lower realm of death and darkness. I believe those realms represent paradise.
In Luke 23:43, a strong reality is expressed. A criminal dying on another cross acknowledged that Jesus didn’t deserve his harsh punishment, and asked the Lord to remember him when he came into his kingdom. Jesus said “...I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (NLT) Jesus came back. Where did that dying man go? He went to paradise.
The rendering of paradise (of Persian origin) is Strong’s Greek 3857 παράδεισος, ου, ὁ -- paradeisos: a park, a garden, a paradise. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states it as many beautiful things, including “an upper region in the heavens”. With all respect and humility, I aver that I believe this is where those who have had true visions of heaven landed. God is everywhere. We serve our magnificent God, a Creator of everything. Therefore, we must eliminate black-or-white scenarios from our understanding. There are truly places to continue on after “passing” while we await the interfacing –or melding, of all realms together, when the last enemy has been put under foot. Paradise is a safe haven for souls still growing into an ever increasing state of salvation.
I want it! I hunger for it! I want to visit there, but I would rather stay “here” and expose more of the Kingdom of Heaven in this dark world by living like Fred Rogers said. And I want to be an example and encourage other members of the true Church of Jesus Christ to likewise bring Heaven out in the open for longer periods of time, and in greater segments of the world. This is good news! This is the Gospel! Loving, caring, taking time to show the love of God to a sad and worried world. Where much fear abounds, actions and words to plant hope and faith shall overtake the veils still hanging that block the truth that God is with us.
What a wonderful society will continue to be shaped (for it is happening NOW), as more and more and more persons care as much (and more) about others as they do about themselves. That is the love of God in action–through us, showing his Sovereignty and complete care package while we are being plucked from the delusion of darkness. And when enough of heaven on earth overtakes our space, Paradise will come to visit and stay as the Kingdom of Love has the final say. I live in Heaven now. I am a resident of the Kingdom of God now. This truth and Word is alive, and will not return void!
