This is a big topic, and could trigger an automatic response of rejection from those who haven't heard this before. Some might feel upset, offended or defensive, but please stay open to God. We want to find truth, and let us do it together as brethren in Christ. If you find scriptures showing otherwise, then please post them in our comments section under this blog entry.
We at a Voice in the Wilderness use the King James Bible. We also check the Hebrew/Greek original language behind each scripture that we find for more accuracy. If you are interested in doing a more in depth study of the Word, then an easy way is to download E-Sword. It is a small file and free of charge. It helps us search for verses instantly and it will also provide the original greek and hebrew word and definition for every word in the KJV.
There are three Greek and Hebrew definitions of one English word, "Heaven."
*The first definition is the physical heaven: "Shameh" the realm of the sky.
Here are some examples of where Shameh is used for the word Heaven
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1
"And God called the firmament Heaven.." Genesis 1:8
"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days, and for years." Genesis 1:14
"... and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven." Genesis 1:20
"... I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven.." Exodus 32:13
*The second definition of heaven is: "ouranos", the abode of angels and the dwelling place of God.
Here are some examples of where ouranos is used as Heaven listed below.
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17
"Let your light shine so before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
"In that hour Jesus rejoiced in Spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth.." Luke 10:21
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven.." John 6:51
"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:10
*The third definition of Heaven is: "epouranios," which is the spiritual Jerusalem, of the resurrection and glorified, the Kingdom of Christ in it's future manifestation.
Here are some examples of epouranios used as the word Heaven listed below.
"If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?" John 3:12
"And as we have bourne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." 1 Corinthians 15:49
"But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels." Hebrews 12:22
"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever." 2 Timothy 4:18
In this entry, we hope to establish with you that for one word of Heaven are three different meanings. One is a physical heaven where the sun, the stars and the sky is. One is the realm of God, where he currently resides with His angels. The last one is the one we await for: the future heavenly kingdom of Jesus. We are waiting for epouranios, which will occur on Mount Zion (Sion) when Jesus returns to claim His throne and shall rule the earth.
There will be a post coming soon about Mount Zion/Sion where Christ's kingdom will be located on earth.
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