The term "heavenward" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of directing one's thoughts, actions, and life towards heaven is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. This idea encapsulates the Christian's journey and aspiration to align with the divine will and to seek the eternal presence of God.

Biblical Context and Meaning

The notion of moving "heavenward" is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of life as a pilgrimage towards a heavenly destination. The Apostle Paul frequently emphasizes this forward and upward movement in his epistles. In Philippians 3:14, Paul writes, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus" . Here, the "heavenly calling" signifies the ultimate aim of the Christian life, which is to attain the fullness of life in Christ and to dwell eternally with God.

Spiritual Aspiration

The concept of living heavenward involves a transformation of the heart and mind. Colossians 3:1-2 instructs believers, "Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" . This passage encourages Christians to focus their thoughts and desires on spiritual realities rather than temporal concerns, reflecting a life oriented towards heaven.

Moral and Ethical Implications

Living heavenward also carries moral and ethical implications. It calls for a life of holiness and righteousness, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16: "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" . The pursuit of holiness is a reflection of the believer's desire to be conformed to the image of Christ, who is the embodiment of heavenly perfection.

Hope and Assurance

The heavenward journey is marked by hope and assurance of eternal life. In John 14:2-3, Jesus provides comfort to His disciples with the promise of a heavenly home: "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? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am" . This assurance of a prepared place in heaven serves as a source of encouragement and motivation for believers to persevere in their faith.

Practical Application

Practically, living heavenward involves daily choices that reflect one's commitment to Christ. It means engaging in prayer, studying Scripture, participating in communal worship, and serving others in love. Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts believers to "run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" . This passage highlights the importance of perseverance and focus on Christ as central to the heavenward journey.

In summary, while the term "heavenward" may not appear verbatim in the Bible, its essence permeates the Christian life. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, seeking to glorify God in all things and to ultimately dwell with Him in the heavenly realm.(a & adv.) Toward heaven.

Sunday after Ascension Day. These all Confessed that they were ...
... [93]Schmolck.1731. trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855. Heavenward doth our journey
tend,. ... Yonder is our native land. Heavenward stretch, my soul, thy wings,. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/sunday after ascension day these.htm

Of the Power of Prayer.
... every creature prays; cattle and wild beasts pray and bend their knees; and when
they issue from their layers and lairs, [8958] they look up heavenward with no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter xxix of the power of.htm

Liii.
... HEAVEN. LIII. HEAVENWARD. Rwy'n morio tua chartre'm N?�r. ... Or of thy guidance tire;
Kept in the course that heavenward leads,. Through gulphs of flood and fire. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/liii.htm

Whit Sunday I Will Pray the Father, and He Shall Give You Another ...
... When speaking Jesu's name! And lead us up the heavenward road. ... O'er all the land
may take deep root,. And mighty branches heavenward shoot. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/whit sunday i will pray.htm

Prentiss
... Prentiss. Prentiss, Elizabeth Payson, the author of Stepping Heavenward,
was the daughter of that saintly man, Rev. Edward Payson ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/prentiss.htm

The Pattern of Service
... now. I. We have here set forth, in the Lord's heavenward look, the foundation
and condition of all true work for God. The profound ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the pattern of service.htm

Lost Earnings
... Perhaps here I ought to say definitely, that the Bible does not tell us of any stage
in our heavenward journey at which we can be saved from the possibility of ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xiv lost earnings.htm

A Call to Prayer and Testimony
... Now let them lift their hearts heavenward on behalf of the Lord's cause and kingdom. ...
As speakers heavenward and earthward, never hold your peace day nor night. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a call to prayer and.htm

The Bread of the Presence
... For the Christian life is to be no life of cloistered devotion and heavenward
aspiration only or mainly, but is to manifest its still devotion and its ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of the presence.htm

Star of Wisdom
... STAR OF WISDOM. Star that of the birth of Vishnu, Birth of Krishna, Buddha, Jesus,.
Told the wise ones, Heavenward looking,. Waiting, watching for thy gleaming. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/star of wisdom.htm

Heavenward (4 Occurrences)
...Heavenward (4 Occurrences). Philippians 3:14 with my eyes fixed on the goal I push
on to secure the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus. (WEY NIV). ...
/h/heavenward.htm - 7k

Discerned (17 Occurrences)
... their eyes from afar and have not discerned him, and they lift up their voice and
weep, and rend each his robe, and sprinkle dust on their heads -- heavenward. ...
/d/discerned.htm - 11k

Push (23 Occurrences)
... WEY). Philippians 3:14 with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure
the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus. (WEY). ...
/p/push.htm - 14k

Secure (78 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Philippians 3:14 with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure
the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus. (WEY). ...
/s/secure.htm - 30k

Rend (35 Occurrences)
... their eyes from afar and have not discerned him, and they lift up their voice and
weep, and rend each his robe, and sprinkle dust on their heads -- heavenward. ...
/r/rend.htm - 18k

Fixed (284 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Philippians 3:14 with my eyes fixed on the goal I push on to secure
the prize of God's heavenward call in Christ Jesus. (WEY). ...
/f/fixed.htm - 35k

Heaven's (1 Occurrence)

/h/heaven's.htm - 6k

Heave-offering (55 Occurrences)
Heave-offering. Heavenward, Heave-offering. Heave-offerings . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (Root in JPS DBY YLT). Heavenward, Heave-offering. Heave-offerings ...
/h/heave-offering.htm - 26k

Robes (124 Occurrences)
... their eyes from afar and have not discerned him, and they lift up their voice and
weep, and rend each his robe, and sprinkle dust on their heads -- heavenward. ...
/r/robes.htm - 39k

Is forgetting the past biblical? Does the Bible instruct us to forget the past? | GotQuestions.org

What is spiritual maturity? How can I become more spiritually mature? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that we are not to love the world? | GotQuestions.org

Heavenward: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus