Is heaven a real physical place? It may depend on which version of the cosmos we accept.
The Hebrew account of creation found in Genesis provides us with a literal, physical location for heaven.
Three important principles for interpreting the Bible are, firstly, the Bible is the Word of God and does not merely contain the Word of God. In other words, all the words in the Bible are true. Secondly, we should interpret texts in a literal sense unless it is clear from the context that we should not. Thirdly, we should strive to discover the author’s original intent and interpret the passage accordingly. It must at least mean what the author intended it to mean; although, it may have additional meaning as well.
If we accept that Genesis is God’s Word and a true account of the history of our origins, we know a great deal about the heavens and the earth.
God is a spirit, but he created a physical earth for us to inhabit. During the same six-day period he created a physical heaven.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)
The Hebrews believed the earth was constructed exactly as described in Genesis. The following diagram is a depiction that scholars agree shows the Hebrew conception of the cosmos. This view of the heavens and earth held up for centuries until the introduction of the pagan heliocentric model. I wrote about the occult origins of heliocentrism in a previous article.
As far as I can tell, all the Bible authors viewed creation in this manner. If we are to adhere to the basic hermeneutical principles outlined above, we must conclude that this is a true depiction of the heavens and earth,. Otherwise, we find ourselves in the precarious position of saying we believe the Bible contains truth, but not every word is true.
Paul wrote that there are three heavens.(2 Corinthians 12:2) He said that God took him to the third heaven, a place he called Paradise, but he was not sure if he went bodily or not. This supports the conclusion that heaven is a physical location which a body can visit. This conforms with the descriptions we have of Jesus sitting upon God’s throne in bodily form, his resurrected state. (Revelation 3:21)
It is generally accepted that the first heaven is the air above us in which the birds fly. The second heaven is the firmament, a physical barrier between the earth and the third heaven in which God placed the sun, moon, and stars. I have written about the firmament in greater detail in a previous article. The third heaven sits atop the firmament and is the location of God’s throne, upon which Jesus, in bodily form, now sits as King of the Universe, waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool. I wrote about God’s throne in the firmament in a previous article.
Genesis, Exodus, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation provide descriptions of the third heaven located atop the firmament. In Exodus, Moses and the elders of Israel are taken to the third heaven where they enjoy a physical meal in God’s presence!
Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. 11 But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9–11 (NKJV)
This mysterious passage conforms exactly to other descriptions of the physical heaven. Ezekiel was also taken there when God called him to prophetic ministry.
And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. Ezekiel 1:26–28 (NKJV)
The word appearance means that it was what Ezekiel saw. There is no indication that this vision was not real. The fact that the same vision was given several times to different people at different times confirms the reality of a physical heaven. (Deuteronomy 19:15)
Daniel also saw Christ, the Son of Man, enthroned in heaven.
I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13–14 (NKJV)
Jesus applied this passage to himself during his mock trial before the Sanhedrin. (Matthew 26:64) Jesus will return in the clouds of heaven when God “rolls back” or dissolves the firmament, revealing his glorious throne.
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:12–13 (NKJV)
The Book of Revelation also gives us a view into heaven.
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 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. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:2–8 (NKJV)
If we do not accept the biblical model of the cosmos, we may be tempted to reduce all of these visions to a mere visionary experience that has no basis in any sort of concrete reality.
If, on the other hand, we adhere to the Hebraic model, we see clearly that heaven is very real and very near, sitting atop the firmament.
From his position above the vault of the firmament, God observes everything that happens on the earth.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is He who sits above the circle [a plane, not a ball - Isaiah 22:18] of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Isaiah 40:21–22 (NKJV)
Yes, heaven is a very real place. Jesus told us that God prepared a place there for us who believe.
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “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 14:2–3 (NASB95)
Heaven is where Jesus now dwells in bodily form. One day he will receive us into that glorious physical reality, “where” we will abide with him.
We should not allow a pagan conception of the universe rob us of the very real and near presence of heaven and God’s throne. All we have to do is look up.
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9–11 (NKJV)
