Topical Bible: Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: Paradise

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Heaven, as depicted in the Holy Scriptures, is the ultimate dwelling place for the righteous, a realm of eternal communion with God, often referred to as Paradise. This concept is deeply rooted in biblical theology and is a central tenet of Christian eschatology.

Biblical Descriptions and Promises

The Bible provides vivid imagery and promises concerning Heaven, portraying it as a place of unparalleled beauty and peace. In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John describes a vision of the New Jerusalem, a heavenly city descending from God: "And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2). This city is characterized by its divine radiance and the absence of suffering, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4).

Heaven is also depicted as a place of reward for the faithful. Jesus, in His teachings, assures His followers of their place in Heaven, saying, "In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:2). This promise underscores the personal and relational aspect of Heaven, where believers will dwell in the presence of God.

Paradise: A Foretaste of Heaven

The term "Paradise" is often used interchangeably with Heaven, though it can also refer to an intermediate state of blessedness. Jesus uses this term during His crucifixion, assuring the repentant thief, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). This indicates a state of immediate bliss and fellowship with Christ after death, preceding the final resurrection and the establishment of the new Heaven and new Earth.

Theological Significance

Heaven holds profound theological significance as the culmination of God's redemptive plan. It is the place where God's sovereignty is fully realized, and His glory is eternally manifest. The Apostle Paul speaks of the believer's hope in Heaven, emphasizing the eternal weight of glory that far surpasses earthly afflictions: "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

The Nature of Heavenly Existence

In Heaven, the righteous will experience perfect communion with God, free from sin and its consequences. The Book of Revelation describes the worship and service of God as central to heavenly life: "They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads" (Revelation 22:4). This signifies an intimate and unbroken relationship with the Creator.

Moreover, Heaven is portrayed as a place of rest and reward. The author of Hebrews speaks of a "Sabbath rest for the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9), indicating a cessation from earthly toil and the enjoyment of divine peace.

Conclusion

Heaven, as the future dwelling place of the righteous, represents the fulfillment of God's promises and the ultimate hope for believers. It is a place of eternal joy, worship, and communion with God, where the faithful will experience the fullness of life in His presence.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 12:2,4
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... of as God's dwelling among men and of His dwelling place. ... effects of the Fall, and
of the future hope of ... the fact that each Vision seen "IN HEAVEN" is marked ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

John Chapter xvii. 24-26.
... power over all men, that, as the future Judge of ... said to God, "If I ascend into heaven,
Thou art ... we may be one in them; because "His [dwelling] place was made ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxi john chapter xvii.htm

Visions of Future Glory
... As the prophet beholds the redeemed dwelling in the City ... into the great beyond, the
wide, unbounded future of glory ... know no other law than the law of heaven. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

Lessons from Nature
... of Uz, and Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob dwelling in tents ... to gloomy forebodings
as to the church's future welfare. ... from a crown on earth to a crown in heaven. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/lessons from nature.htm

Righteous Hatred
... attempt, but you fail; you groan, but heaven is shut ... murderer was hiding within my
own bosom, dwelling in the ... Could you not avoid it in future?" The check was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/righteous hatred.htm

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... as the indwelling God, and, by His dwelling among us ... men the training for their
profession, future commanders their ... no one, neither the angels in heaven nor the ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

On the Glory of Martyrdom.
... and whom the anticipations of the future have wrenched ... lies open to our blood; the
dwelling-place of Gehenna ... Martyrs rejoice in heaven; the fire will consume ...
/.../on the glory of martyrdom.htm

After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside the Church had Been ...
... is not ashamed: He cometh to her secret dwelling place. ... thee in myself who am the
Lord of Heaven. ... deliverance from present evils, discovery of future blessings ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii after eutropius having.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... Thy divine service to the enjoyment of future blessedness ... the third day, and His
ascension into heaven, and sitting ... and those of the true faith dwelling in them ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

The Psalter of Solomon.
... of the Gentile world in the great future; though he ... Great is our God and glorious,
dwelling in the highest ... hath ordained lights in the path of heaven to divide ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the psalter of solomon.htm