Topical Bible: Heaven: God is the Lord of

◄ Heaven: God is the Lord of ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Heaven, in the Christian tradition, is understood as the dwelling place of God, the angels, and the redeemed. It is depicted as a realm of perfect peace, joy, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. The Bible provides various descriptions and insights into the nature of heaven, emphasizing God's sovereignty and lordship over this divine realm.

God's Sovereignty Over Heaven

The Bible consistently affirms that God is the supreme ruler of heaven. In the book of Psalms, it is declared, "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all" (Psalm 103:19). This verse underscores the authority and dominion of God over the heavenly realm, highlighting His position as the ultimate sovereign.

Heaven as God's Dwelling Place

Heaven is frequently described as the dwelling place of God. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet records God's words: "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool" (Isaiah 66:1). This imagery conveys the majesty and transcendence of God, who reigns from His heavenly throne, overseeing all creation.

The Nature of Heaven

Heaven is portrayed as a place of unparalleled beauty and holiness. The book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, with its streets of gold and gates of pearl (Revelation 21:21). This imagery serves to convey the splendor and purity of heaven, a place where God's glory is fully manifest.

The Presence of God in Heaven

The presence of God is the defining characteristic of heaven. In Revelation, it is written, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God'" (Revelation 21:3). This passage emphasizes the intimate communion between God and His people in heaven, where His presence is fully realized.

Heaven as the Hope of Believers

For Christians, heaven represents the ultimate hope and destination. The apostle Paul writes, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). This verse reflects the anticipation and longing of believers for their eternal home, where they will experience the fullness of salvation and the presence of God.

The Eternal Nature of Heaven

Heaven is described as an eternal realm, free from the limitations and sufferings of earthly life. In Revelation, it is promised, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). This assurance of eternal peace and joy is central to the Christian understanding of heaven.

Conclusion

The Bible presents heaven as the ultimate expression of God's lordship, a place where His will is perfectly fulfilled, and His presence is fully experienced. It is the hope and promise for all who believe, a realm of eternal joy and communion with the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 5:23
But have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you, and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine in them; and you have praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways, have you not glorified:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

3742. hosiotes -- piety, holiness
... sanctions, ie what the Lord defines (ordains) as holy and just. See 3741 (). 3742
("holiness") looks to the of what God defines as (ie as heaven's will works ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3742.htm - 7k

1783. enteuxis -- a petition, ie spec. supplication
... Cognate: 1783 -- properly, ( which literally " mark"); led by God, marking intersection
between heaven and earth as it reflects the Lord's specific will. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1783.htm - 8k

5193. hualinos -- of glass, glassy
... the sea" surrounding the throne of God in heaven (Rev 4:6 ... By God's light, their
sanctification-glorification has a spiritual ... A. Tozer, "The Lord gives but He ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5193.htm - 7k

1577. ekklesia -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation
... the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls from ... comes from the Greek
word , "belonging to the Lord" (). ... members on earth or saints in heaven or both ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1577.htm - 8k

1411. dunamis -- (miraculous) power, might, strength
... the Lord's . "Power through God's ability" (1411 ) is needed in every scene of life
to really grow in sanctification and prepare for heaven (glorification). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1411.htm - 8k

Library

Our Lord's Model Prayer
... forth by the request of the disciples, "Lord, teach us to ... to "Our Father which art
in Heaven," and is ... God's Fatherhood gives shape, value and confidence to all ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/x our lords model prayer.htm

Fragment i. I Give Thanks to Almighty God and Our Lord Jesus ...
... I give thanks to Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ ... are shining even in sight
of the unbelieving, and God your Father, who is in heaven, is glorified ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/theonas/epistle of phileas/fragment i i give thanks.htm

The True Doctrine is to be Sought in the Prophets.
... "The earth," he says, "shall grow old, and the heaven shall pass away; but the word
of the Lord endureth for ever." What, then, when again God wishes to show ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter viii the true doctrine is.htm

God in Christ
... declared of him"as The Living, Working Lord, to whom ... hid from the beginning of the
world in God, who created ... in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon i god in christ.htm

The Ten Commandments of God.
... And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was ... rose again from the dead; He
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the ten commandments of god.htm

An Exhortation to Love God
... So when you cry to God, "Lord, give me a heart to love Thee. It is my grief, I can
love Thee no more. Oh, kindle this fire from heaven upon the altar of my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/an exhortation to love god.htm

The Doctrine of God
... saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord." Did the false prophets
think that they could hide their secret crimes from God? ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

Days of Heaven Upon Earth
... JUNE 17. "The glory of the Lord shall be thy reward" (Isa. ... "God hath set some in
the church ... ... "This is that bread which came down from heaven" (John vi. 58). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days of heaven upon earth /

Apprehending God
... "Ye believe in God," said our Lord Jesus Christ ... to the general assembly and church
of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/iv apprehending god.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... God ascending and descending on a ladder which stretched from earth to heaven. It
was no wonder when he awoke he was constrained to exclaim, "Surely the Lord ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm