Dictionary of Bible Themes » 9000 Last things » 9400 Heaven » 9410 heaven » 9411 heaven, nature of
Scripture refers to heaven as God's habitation but also uses the term as an alternative for God himself.
Heaven as God's habitation
It is the place where he dwells
Deuteronomy 26:15 See also Genesis 28:17; 2 Chronicles 6:21; Ecclesiastes 5:2; Revelation 13:6
It is insufficient as God's dwelling-place
1 Kings 8:27 pp 2 Chronicles 6:18 See also Psalm 113:5-6
Heaven as the place of God's throne
Psalm 11:4 See also Exodus 24:9-11; 1 Kings 22:19; Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 63:15; Daniel 7:9; Matthew 5:34; Matthew 23:22; Acts 7:49; Isaiah 66:1; Hebrews 8:1; Revelation 4:1-6; Revelation 20:11
Heaven as God's vantage point
Psalm 33:13 See also Psalm 53:2; Psalm 102:19-20; Ecclesiastes 5:2
Heaven as an alternative term for God
Luke 15:18 See also Matthew 8:11; Matthew 13:11 Matthew is writing especially for Jews who, out of reverence, tried to avoid using the word “God”. Mk 4:11 and Lk 8:10 prefer “kingdom of God”; Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18; Matthew 21:25 pp Mark 11:30 pp Luke 20:4; John 3:27; John 17:1
Heaven and the sovereignty of God
Heaven is the place of God's rule
Daniel 4:26 See also Psalm 45:6; Psalm 103:19; Acts 17:24
God's voice from heaven speaks with divine authority
Deuteronomy 4:36 See also Daniel 4:31; John 12:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Peter 1:17-18
Heaven glimpsed by human eyes
At the baptism of Jesus Christ
Mark 1:10 pp Matthew 3:16 pp Luke 3:21-22 See also John 1:32
In visions
Acts 7:56 See also 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 4:1
Prayer addressed to God in heaven
1 Kings 8:30 See also Deuteronomy 26:15; 2 Chronicles 30:27; Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 20:6; Revelation 5:8
The association of oaths with heaven
Matthew 23:22 See also Genesis 24:3; Daniel 12:7; Matthew 5:34; James 5:12
The place of Jesus Christ in heaven
His pre-existence in heaven
John 6:38 See also John 3:13
His ascension into heaven after his resurrection
Luke 24:51 pp Mark 16:19 See also Ephesians 1:20
His place is now with God the Father
Hebrews 9:24 See also Colossians 3:1
His second coming will be from heaven
1 Thessalonians 4:16 See also Matthew 25:31; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10
The new heaven
The new heaven completely replaces the old
Revelation 21:1 See also Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13
The new Jerusalem is divinely created in heaven
Revelation 21:2 See also Isaiah 2:2-5; Hebrews 11:16; Hebrews 13:14; Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:10
Fulness of life in heaven is wholly sustained by God
Revelation 21:22-23; Revelation 22:1-2 See also Isaiah 55:1; Ezekiel 47:8-9,12; John 7:38-39; Revelation 2:7
See also
1130 God, sovereignty 1205 God, titles of 1469 visions 2505 Christ, ascension 5429 oaths 5581 throne 7269 Zion 8602 prayer 9105 last things 9160 new heavens & new earth 9230 judgment seat 9430 paradise
