Many people think of heaven as a formless cloud where people will have a kind of blind, blissful awareness. Or they think of heaven as a vast plane with a ground and a sky, but their thinking doesn't go beyond this. It's also common for people to give up on pondering what heaven is like because they label it as incomprehensible, but scripture clearly states that this is not the case. Heaven is composed of three realms: the sky, outer space, and a glorified planet where God's throne is. No, I'm not a Mormon, this information is clearly stated in scripture in many places, and can also be found in Strong's Enhanced Lexicon by referencing the translation of the word heaven.
Concerning the sky, people were looking into the sky when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus as a dove from heaven (Mark 1:10 and others); Jesus was physically taken up into the sky in a cloud, which the angels referred to as heaven (Acts 1:9-11); and New Jerusalem will descend from the sky, which is called heaven (Revelation 21:2). Many other scriptures refer to the clouds as heaven (Genesis 7:23, 8:2; Jeremiah 51:16, and others).
Concerning outer space, this is yet another location of heaven referenced throughout scripture. In fact, the second heaven, also called the heavens, is spoken of in scripture more than either the first or the third heavens. The most precise reference equating heaven as the abode of the stars is the very first mention of the expanse of the heavens in the account of creation.
Genesis 1:14-18
"And God said, Let there be lights [sun, moon, and stars] in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth. And it was so. And God made the two great lights-the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night-and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good."
Many other scriptures refer to heaven as outer space, such as Genesis 22:17; Deuteronomy 4:19; Psalms 8:3-4, 148:3-4, and Ezekiel 32:8.
Ezekiel 32:8
"All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD."
As for the highest heaven, it is clearly described as a glorified planet in the northern hemisphere of the universe. Lucifer led his rebellion into the sides of the north (Isaiah 14:12-14), Mount Zion is in the sides of the north (Psalms 48:2), and promotion comes not from the south, east, or west, but from the Lord, and therefore the north (Psalms 75:6-7). If it's not in a specific location, then why is a specific direction consistently used to refer to its location? As for its description, in all respects it is described as a planet (with mountains, trees, rivers, cities, and a sky with clouds). While many scholars tend to symbolize these descriptions of heaven to death until they don't have any more meaning, the literal interpretation is completely consistent with the description of a glorified planet.
Heaven is a physical realm, but it does have a dimensional aspect to it as well. If we were to travel to the planet referred to as the highest heaven, I believe it's highly likely that we would not see it as it truly is, because it's probably dimensionally shifted from our present dimension. The highest heaven is in the highest dimension of glory, which is most likely invisible to us, as it states in Romans 1:20. But the Bible does indeed describe the third heaven as a physical realm, very much like Earth.
Romans 1:20-21
"For the invisible things [such as the planet heaven] of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made [things on the Earth], even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened."
The heavens, understood as being the cosmos, contain many places much like the visible Earth, because the Bible states verbatim that the heavens are inhabited (Daniel 4:35; Colossians 1:15-18; Revelation 12:12, 13:6).
Revelation 12:12
"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
In retrospect, the first, second, and third heavens are all part of the same creation, fully integrated within each other. All three heavens can be referenced as pointing upward. In fact, when Jesus left the Earth, it makes perfect sense that He ascended into the sky, rather than simply vanishing. He ascended through the first heaven, into the second heaven, and made His way to the third heaven, traveling in a particular direction, and ascending through higher dimensions of glory as He went. The Archangel Gabriel's description of his trip to Earth to meet the prophet Daniel in the book of Daniel, chapter 10, follows a similar pattern.
All the stars and planets in the universe exist within multiple dimensions of varying degrees of glory, with the planes of hell on Earth existing in the lower realms, Earth in our current dimension in a middle realm, and many other worlds where the angels dwell existing among the stars in higher dimensions of glory. Lucifer actually reigns in power over the Earth in a higher realm in the sky, the place known as the first heaven. This can be gathered from the fact that the Bible states that he is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Angelic beings that are in communion with the Father make regular pilgrimages to His throne to worship Him (Nehemiah 9:6; Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7; Isaiah 6:8, and many others).
As stated above, Romans 1:20 explains that all these realms can be understood with precision, using descriptions of the visible things on Earth, and there's nothing confusing about them at all. In fact, in today's age of advanced science, technological wonders and creative science fiction writers, we most likely can have a clearer picture of what heaven is really like more than any generation preceding us-without actually seeing it in person.
A great deal of science fiction actually comes from various theories postulated in the field of quantum physics. The concept of a multiverse, dubbed string theory, is taken seriously by many mainstream scientists.1 David Deutsch, premier scientist and winner of the Paul Dirac Medal and Prize, describes the concept of a multiverse in depth in his book, The Fabric of Reality: The Science of Parallel Universes and Its Implications. (Deutsch also contains a link to "Seti@Home" on his Web site, with a blurb stating, "My contribution to the UFO debate," indicating his belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life.)2 While I certainly don't agree with his ideas espousing evolution, his concept of a multiverse is biblically accurate.
To many, the field of quantum physics is nothing more than gibberish, but to the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, practical applications for such gibberish are at the heart of their latest research and development projects. On the Defense Tech Web site, a controversial paper was recently published that outlines information about a motor that will propel a craft through another dimension at incredible speeds!3 That's right-another dimension, and I read this on a respected science Web site. Professor Jochem Hauser, one of the scientists involved with this new technology, is currently coordinating with NASA and the Air Force over the matter. He hopes to build a test device within the next five years. The science and technology section of Scotsman.com states the following about this proposed hyperspace drive:
The hypothetical device, which has been outlined in principle but is based on a controversial theory about the fabric of the universe, could potentially allow a spacecraft to travel to Mars in three hours and journey to a star 11 light years away in just 80 days, according to a report in today's New Scientist magazine.4
Imagine how difficult it would be to dismiss all extraterrestrial life as a supernatural hoax, if in fact we are the ones that discover extraterrestrial life on other worlds prior to public disclosure?
The Z machine, an X-ray generator of enormous power developed by Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico (and funded by the Department of Energy), might be used to test some of the basic science behind the functionality of the proposed hyperspace drive.5 As for the Z machine, it's somewhat of an enigma as well. It generates an X-ray that lasts only for billionths of a second, but equates to 210 trillion watts, which is estimated at eighty times the entire world's output of electricity.6
The multidimensional nature of the universe is a biblical reality, and science is getting to the point of discovering this reality with physical proof. I don't need scientific proof like this, however. I feel as if I've always known that the heavens are close enough to see with my own eyes. I live with the knowledge that my ability to see into the first heaven is but the mere tuning of a dial that any angel is capable of adjusting. Nevertheless, even without an alteration of glory, or special technology, everyone has the opportunity to look through the first heaven and at the second heaven directly, every single night, just by gazing at the night sky. Any one of the stars in the night sky may be a sun with inhabited, orbiting planets.
Understanding that the universe at large is actually synonymous with heaven in the Bible brings new meaning to a collection of terms the Bible uses to describe life in the heavens. In short, reality is actually like Star Wars, yet God, (a personal being rather than an impersonal "Force"), the creator of all things, resides in the center of that reality. He rules in supreme power over the vastness of the multidimensional cosmos, and before Him an ancient war amidst countless beings of unfathomable power is coming to its conclusion on Earth. Simply read the following scriptures with the understanding that heaven is outer space, and picture how the story comes to life:
Revelation 12:12
"Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
Revelation 13:6
"And he [the Antichrist] opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven [an indication of intergalactic war]."
Colossians 1:15-18
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones [indicating kingdoms in outer space that are both visible and invisible to us], or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."
Daniel 4:35
"And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?"
For Christians, many questions are raised with this conclusion I derive here. Did Jesus have to die on all the planets in the universe with life, in order to save extraterrestrials as well? If there is life in outer space, then why is everything coming to a final climax on Earth, of all places? What makes Earth significant? And why was the devil cast to the Earth, anyway? Each of these questions deserves it's own article.
Believe it or not, there are Biblical answers to all these questions, and these answers begin with a history lesson that predates Adam and Eve, but this information spans beyond the scope of this article. For those who want a shortcut to the answer to these questions and more, I recommend my latest book, Aliens and the Antichrist, posted at www.AliensAndTheAntichrist.com for free reading. But if an entire book is a bit much, then simply check this site for another article in the future, and the information will eventually be revealed through successive articles.
References:
- Amanda Gefter, "Is string theory in trouble?" NewScientist.com, www.newscientist.com/channel/fundamentals/quantum-world/mg18825305.800 (accessed December 27, 2005).
- David Deutsch, Homepage, www.qubit.org/people/david/index.php?path=Home (accessed December 29, 2005).
- Noah Shachtman, "Real-Life Hyperspace Drive," Military.com, www.defensetech.org/archives/002065.html (accessed January 12, 2006).
- Ian Johnston, "Welcome to Mars Express: Only a Three Hour Trip," Scotsman.com, Scottish News, Sports & Scottish Headlines Direct from Scotland, news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=16902006 (accessed January 12, 2006).
- Ibid.
- Neal Singer, "Another dramatic climb toward fusion conditions for Sandia Z accelerator," Sandia National Laboratories, www.sandia.gov/media/z290.htm (accessed January 12, 2006).
