02.52. Heaven
LESSON LII--Heaven. To what was the term heaven first applied? Genesis 1:8. What is its most usual meaning in the Bible? Ans.--In a very large majority of instances it means the atmosphere or the sky.
Quote some passages which show that the word heaven is used for the place where God dwells. Matthew 5:16, Matthew 5:45-48, etc. Quote some which show that Jesus has gone into heaven. Acts 1:9-13; Acts 7:55; Hebrews 9:24. Quote proof that the angels dwell in heaven. Matthew 18:10, Matthew 18:22-30. Where will the saints obtain their final reward? Matthew 5:12; Hebrews 10:34; 1 Peter 1:4.
How did the word heaven, which first meant the atmosphere, or sky, come to have this other meaning? Ans.--Things that are revealed have to receive their names from among the words already in use among men, and there was no word in human speech so full of beauty and glory as the word heaven, so it was taken to represent the glorious abode of God, the angels, and the saints.
What is to become of the present heaven and earth? 2 Peter 3:10. What shall take their place? 2 Peter 3:13. Describe this change as it appeared in vision to John. Revelation 20:11; Revelation 21:1. After the new heaven and the new earth appeared, what did John see next? Revelation 21:2. Will the new Jerusalem, then, descend from the present heaven on the present earth, or from the new heaven to the new earth? What was the appearance of that holy city? Revelation 21:10-14. Of what material did the walls appear to be built? Revelation 21:18. What were the foundations? Revelation 21:14-19. What of the gates and streets? What shall and who shall not be allowed to enter it? Revelation 21:27. What river and what tree were shown to John? Revelation 22:1-2. What shall be the state of those that dwell there? Revelation 21:4. Do we enter this blessed abode before or after the resurrection? Revelation 20:12; Revelation 21:1. When did Jesus ascend to heaven, before or after his resurrection? Acts 1:3-8. Where was his soul while his body was in the sepulcher? Acts 2:27, Acts 2:31.
Note.--The proper word here is not hell but hades. Are souls of the righteous happy or unhappy while they are in hades? Luke 16:22-25. What is the difference between the happiness in hades and that in heaven? Ans.--It is a difference only in degree. Will you answer the Savior’s question, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" What shall a man profited, if he shall lose the whole world, and gain his own soul? Are any of us likely to gain the whole world? Are there any that will lose all of the world that we have? What, then, shall we try to gain?