Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, "Heaven" is often depicted as the dwelling place of God, angels, and the righteous after death. It is portrayed as a realm of divine glory, peace, and eternal life. The concept of Heaven is central to Christian eschatology and theology, representing the ultimate hope and destination for believers.Heaven is described in various ways throughout Scripture. In Genesis 1:1, it is stated, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This indicates that Heaven is part of God's creation, distinct from the earthly realm. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of Heaven as the "kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3), emphasizing its spiritual nature and the moral and ethical standards required to enter it. The Apostle Paul provides a glimpse of Heaven's indescribable glory in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, where he recounts a vision of being "caught up to the third heaven." Revelation 21:4 offers a vision of Heaven as a place where "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." Earth The Earth, as described in the Bible, is the physical realm created by God for human habitation. It is the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the arena for human history. Genesis 1:1 declares, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," establishing the Earth as a fundamental part of God's creation. The Earth is depicted as both a place of beauty and abundance, as seen in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-9), and a place of struggle and toil due to the Fall (Genesis 3:17-19). The Earth is also the site of God's covenant with humanity, as exemplified in the promise to Noah in Genesis 9:13, where God sets a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant. Throughout Scripture, the Earth is seen as temporary and subject to renewal. In 2 Peter 3:10, it is written, "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare." This points to the eschatological belief in a new heaven and a new earth, as described in Revelation 21:1. Under the Earth The phrase "under the earth" in the Bible often refers to the realm of the dead or the place of the departed spirits. It is associated with Sheol in the Old Testament, a shadowy place where the dead reside. In Philippians 2:10, it is stated, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," indicating the universal acknowledgment of Christ's lordship, encompassing all realms of existence. The concept of "under the earth" is sometimes linked to the idea of judgment and the final destiny of the wicked. Revelation 5:3 mentions, "But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it," highlighting the comprehensive scope of God's sovereignty and the ultimate authority of Christ. The Sea In biblical literature, the sea often symbolizes chaos, danger, and the unknown. It is a place of mystery and power, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern view of the sea as a formidable force. In Genesis 1:10, God gathers the waters and calls them "Seas," demonstrating His control over the chaotic elements of creation. The sea is also a setting for significant biblical events, such as the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21-22, where God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates His authority over nature by calming the stormy sea in Mark 4:39, saying, "Peace, be still!" In eschatological visions, the sea is notably absent from the new creation. Revelation 21:1 states, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." This absence signifies the removal of chaos and the establishment of perfect order in God's eternal kingdom. Subtopics Heaven is Called: A Heavenly Country Heaven is Called: The Father's House Heaven is Called: The Kingdom of Christ and of God Heaven: Christ is All-Powerful In Heaven: Christ: As Mediator, Entered Into Heaven: Enoch and Elijah Were Translated Into Heaven: Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit Heaven: God: Answers his People From Heaven: God: Sends his Judgments From Heaven: Happiness of, Described Heaven: Names of Saints are Written Heaven: Physical Heavens, Creation of Heaven: Physical Heavens, Destruction of Heaven: Repentance Occasions Joy In Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: A Heavenly Country Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: A Rest Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: Called a Garner Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: Paradise Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: The Father's House Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: The Kingdom of Christ and of God Heaven: The Future Dwelling Place of the Righteous: The Wicked Excluded From Heaven: The Wicked Excluded From Heaven: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Related Terms |