Philologos
Bible Prophecy Research
Title: Heaven
Submitted by: research-bpr@philologos.org
Date: October 1, 1998
URL: http://philologos.org/bpr/files/h002.htm
Heaven
"The question is asked, Where is Heaven located? I can only say that somewhere in the spacious and infinite arena above this world is a place where God is and this is Heaven. The Bible speaks of 'coming up into heaven' (Rev 4:1) and of Christ being 'taken up from you into heaven' (Acts 1:11). From these Bible verses we know that Heaven is in an upward direction and not on the surface of this earth. It is above and outside of this earth, away in space.
"But that causes another question to arise, Which way is up? Since our universe is always spinning the direction of up is changing. The direction and location of Heaven is plainly given in the words of Isaiah concerning the fall of Lucifer. Listen to the boastful words of Lucifer as recorded in Isaiah 14: 'I will ascend into heaven' (v 13). Heaven is in an upward direction. 'I will exalt my throne above the stars of God' (v13). Heaven is beyond the other planets and above the stars. 'I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north' (v 14), or as the RSV renders it 'in the far north.' Heaven is in the northern area of the sky.
"Another very interesting portion of the Bible is Psalm 75 where we read these words: 'When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly...For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge' (75:2,6,7). Here we have the implication that the throne of God, where He judges the congregation is in the north since it is not in the east, the west, nor in the south as stated in verse six.
"And let us be quick to realize that north is in the same direction from every point on our earth. It is the same from Africa as it is in America. It is the same from England as it is in Europe. North is always up everywhere on this earth. And get this, astronomers having directed their telescopes to the northern area of the sky have discovered an empty space, where there are no stars. It is like a tunnel in the sky beyond which there seems to be another Milky Way. All of this Biblical and scientific evidence that Heaven is in the northern area of the sky reminds me of the words of Job who said: 'He stretcheth out the north over the empty place' (Job 26:7) and Ezekiel who declared regarding the glory of Jehovah: 'And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north' (Eze 1:4).
"So there you have some of the facts regarding Heaven. It is a real place. It is in an upward direction. It is beyond the stars, the clouds, and other planets. It is located in the northern area of the sky. It is known as the 'Heaven of heavens.'"
(The Next Invasion From Outer Space, Reg Dunlap)
"Zavul is used in the Tanakh [Old Testament] as a description of the fourth heaven, one of seven, where the heavenly Temple of G-d dwells. In the Hebrew Bible, there are seven words meaning heaven, but never translated into English: Vilon, Rakia, Shechakim, Zebul, Maon, Machon, Araboth...
"Zevul is the fourth heaven. Celestial Y'rushalayim [Jerusalem] is in the fourth heaven. It is also where the heavenly Temple and altar is erected and where G-d and HaMashiach [The Messiah] dwell...
"The small town of Natzeret (Nazareth) in the Galil (Galilee) was in the heart of the land of Zevulun, which again, means 'habitation.' And living in Natzeret there was a betrothed (married) virgin--bethulah--named Miriyam [Mary] as it is recorded...
"In summary: G-d chose to dwell in the bethulah and to dwell in the land of Zevulun, a land that G-d would bless because it was an image of His dwelling in the heavenly Temple of the fourth heaven, called habitation (Zevel)."
(Signs in the Heavens, Avi Ben Mordechai)
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"Several heavens were created, seven in fact, each to serve a purpose of its own. The first, the one visible to man, has no function except that of covering up the light during the night time; therefore it disappears every morning. The planets are fastened to the second of the heavens; in the third the manna is made for the pious in the hereafter; the fourth contains the celestial Jerusalem together with the Temple, in which Michael ministers as high priest, and offers the souls of the pious as sacrifices. In the fifth heaven, the angel hosts reside, and sing the praise of God, though only during the night, for by day it is the task of Israel on earth to give glory to God on high. The sixth heaven is an ucanny spot; there originate most of the trials and visitations ordained for the earth and its inhabitants. Snow lies heaped up there and hail; there are lofts full of noxious dew, magazines stocked with storms, and cellars holding reserves of smoke. Doors of fire separate these celestial chambers..."
(The Legends of the Jews, Volume One, Louis Ginzberg)
Job 38
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling-band for it. And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth? Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; to cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
See also Seven Stars.
See also The Great Pyramid