Where is Heaven?

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

    on earth as it is in heaven.

These famous opening lines of the Lord’s Prayer reveal something of great importance.

God’s will is that Heaven and Earth be intertwined.

And that’s exactly what’s going to happen.

Heaven is a Place on Earth?

Something I think we don’t talk about enough is how Jesus’ death and resurrection are only one part of God’s redemptive plan.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s an integral part of the plan, but there’s more to come.

We all know Jesus is going to return, but what will happen at that return?

Heaven is going to come to Earth.

The last two chapters of Revelation are all about this. Jesus comes back, defeats the devil and sin, and instead of leaving Earth to its own devices, renews it into a sinless place by bringing the glory of Heaven with Him.

So, heavenly hope isn’t about abandoning this world for somewhere better. It’s about preparing this world for Jesus’ return and renewal.

(This is actually something we talked about not too long ago.)

The Destination

Heaven is where all Christ’s followers are being led.

But this is not some disconnected, other-worldly place filled with fluffy white clouds and winged harp players.

The Heaven we’re heading towards is this planet with sin gone and all potential realized.

Jesus started getting us there by vanquishing sin’s hold over the human soul, and He’s going to finish the job when He comes again.

So, Heaven gives us hope not because it ejects us from this world but because, eventually, God will use it to make this world the best it can be.

That’s what Heaven is.

It’s the dwelling place of God, the ultimate destination of His people, and the future renewal of our planet.

Heaven is the logical end of Jesus’ work; it’s a place where sin’s separation no longer has authority or bears its marks (aside from Jesus’ scars, that is).

For now, Heaven is a world beyond us, but only temporarily because, when Jesus returns, He’ll bring it right to Earth.

So, as the Church, let’s follow Jesus’ bold prayer to the Father and live lives worthy of the Heaven to come.

All the while, may we wait with anticipation for that beautiful day He brings it with Him.

Thanks for reading, and see you next week.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter