Heaven: Holy
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Topical Encyclopedia
Heaven, as depicted in the Bible, is the dwelling place of God, characterized by its holiness and purity. The concept of holiness in heaven is central to its nature and is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. Holiness, in the biblical sense, refers to being set apart, sacred, and free from sin. Heaven, as the abode of God, embodies these attributes perfectly.

God's Holiness in Heaven

The holiness of heaven is primarily derived from the presence of God, who is inherently holy. In Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This thrice-repeated declaration of God's holiness underscores the absolute purity and separateness of God from sin. In heaven, God's holiness is fully manifest, and His glory permeates the entire realm.

Heavenly Beings and Holiness

The inhabitants of heaven, including angels and redeemed saints, reflect the holiness of their environment. Angels, as ministering spirits, are often depicted as holy beings who serve God and execute His will. In Revelation 4:8, the four living creatures around the throne of God continually say, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!" This ceaseless worship highlights the reverence and awe that God's holiness inspires among heavenly beings.

The Holiness of the Redeemed

The redeemed, those who have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ, are also made holy and are promised a place in heaven. In Ephesians 1:4, Paul writes, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence." This verse emphasizes that believers are set apart for holiness and will ultimately dwell in the holy presence of God in heaven.

Heaven as a Holy Sanctuary

Heaven is often described as a sanctuary, a holy place where God's presence is fully realized. In Hebrews 8:1-2, it is written, "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man." This passage highlights the heavenly sanctuary as the true and ultimate place of worship, contrasting it with earthly sanctuaries.

The New Heaven and New Earth

The holiness of heaven is also a key feature of the eschatological vision of the new heaven and new earth. In Revelation 21:1-3, John describes a vision of the new creation, where God will dwell with His people: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... 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.'" This future reality emphasizes the ultimate fulfillment of God's holy presence with His people, free from sin and death.

The Call to Holiness

Believers are called to live in holiness as they anticipate their future home in heaven. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is exhorted, "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.'" This call to holiness reflects the believer's identity as citizens of heaven and their desire to reflect the character of their holy God.

In summary, heaven is depicted in the Bible as a place of unparalleled holiness, where God's presence is fully realized, and His glory is eternally celebrated. The holiness of heaven is reflected in its inhabitants and serves as the ultimate hope and aspiration for believers who seek to live in accordance with God's holy nature.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 26:15
Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the land which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land that flows with milk and honey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 20:6
Now know I that the LORD saves his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 57:15
For thus said the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
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
Library

Heaven Invisible and Holy, 1 Cor. 2 9 10 Rev. 21 27
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:105. Heaven invisible and holy, 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. Rev.
21. 27. 1 Nor eye has seen, nor ear has heard, Nor sense ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 114583333 heaven invisible and.htm

Heaven Invisible and Holy. 1 Cor. 2:9,10; Rev. 21:27
... HYMN 105 Heaven invisible and holy. 1 Cor. 2:9,10; Rev. 21:27. CM Heaven invisible
and holy.1 Cor.2:9,10; Rev.21:27. Nor eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard,. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 105 heaven invisible and.htm

Father of Heaven, who Hast Created All
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Holy Baptism 342. Father of heaven, who hast created all.
10.6.10.6.8.8.4 [1289]St. Francis: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874. ...
/.../holy baptism 342 father of.htm

Bread of Heaven, on Thee we Feed
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Holy Communion: The Communion 332. Bread of heaven, on
thee we feed. Six 7's [1258]Bread of Heaven: William D. MacLagan, 1875. ...
/.../holy communion the communion 332.htm

Whether the Gifts of the Holy Ghost Remain in Heaven?
... heaven, according to Is.11:9: "They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all My
holy mountain." Therefore there will be no gifts of the Holy Ghost in heaven. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the gifts of the 3.htm

How is the Kingdom of Heaven Opened and Shut by the Preaching of ...
... Lord's Day 31 Question 84 How is the kingdom of heaven opened and shut
by the preaching of the holy gospel? How is the kingdom of ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 84 how is the.htm

All I desire is God's Holy Will, and if in Heaven I could no ...
... LETTERS TO HER BROTHER MISSIONARIES IV All I desire is God's Holy Will, and if in
Heaven I could no longer work for His glory, I should prefer exile to Home. . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/iv all i desire is.htm

Why the Holy Ghost Should have Been Mentioned after the Mention of ...
... Book XIII. Chapter VI."Why the Holy Ghost Should Have Been Mentioned After
the Mention of Heaven and Earth. 7. But what was the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi why the holy ghost.htm

Separated unto the Holy Ghost
... to Seleucia. Oh, what fellowship! The Holy Spirit in Heaven doing part
of the work, men on earth doing the other part. After the ...
/.../murray/absolute surrender/separated unto the holy ghost.htm

The Holy Catholic Church.
... Such was the life of the first subjects of "The Kingdom of Heaven." And this record
of it in Holy Scripture sets it forth as the pattern for all future ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter ix the holy catholic.htm

Resources
Eternity in Heaven ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Are books such as 90 Minutes in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, and 23 Minutes in Hell biblically sound? | GotQuestions.org

Where is heaven? What is the location of heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Heaven: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Heaven

Heaven and Hell

Heaven is Called: A Garner

Heaven is Called: A Heavenly Country

Heaven is Called: A Rest

Heaven is Called: Paradise

Heaven is Called: The Father's House

Heaven is Called: The Kingdom of Christ and of God

Heaven: Angels are In

Heaven: Christ is All-Powerful In

Heaven: Christ: As Mediator, Entered Into

Heaven: Created by God

Heaven: Enoch and Elijah Were Translated Into

Heaven: Everlasting

Heaven: Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit

Heaven: God is the Lord of

Heaven: God: Answers his People From

Heaven: God: Fills

Heaven: God: Reigns In

Heaven: God: Sends his Judgments From

Heaven: God's Dwelling Place

Heaven: God's Dwelling-Place

Heaven: God's Throne

Heaven: Happiness of, Described

Heaven: High

Heaven: Holy

Heaven: Immeasurable

Heaven: Lay up Treasure In

Heaven: Names of Saints are Written

Heaven: New Heavens

Heaven: Physical Heavens, Creation of

Heaven: Physical Heavens, Destruction of

Heaven: Repentance Occasions Joy In

Heaven: Saints Rewarded 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 Physical Heavens

Heaven: The Wicked Excluded From

Heaven: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Related Terms

Heaven's (1 Occurrence)

Heaven (653 Occurrences)

Starry (14 Occurrences)

Contain (19 Occurrences)

Arch (24 Occurrences)

Shouldst (61 Occurrences)

Seas (40 Occurrences)

Voices (76 Occurrences)

Baal (94 Occurrences)

Ascended (48 Occurrences)

Queen (59 Occurrences)

Bind (68 Occurrences)

Confusion (71 Occurrences)

Beheld (95 Occurrences)

Skies (36 Occurrences)

Kol

Believed (135 Occurrences)

Below (52 Occurrences)

Shouldest (79 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Bath (13 Occurrences)

Stars (64 Occurrences)

Sky (278 Occurrences)

Seventh (123 Occurrences)

Swear (99 Occurrences)

Breast (71 Occurrences)

Bound (175 Occurrences)

Beneath (73 Occurrences)

Circuit (27 Occurrences)

Bathed (45 Occurrences)

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)

Quake (23 Occurrences)

Supplication (71 Occurrences)

Beware (51 Occurrences)

Belongeth (36 Occurrences)

Consume (136 Occurrences)

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Celestial (3 Occurrences)

Arrayed (46 Occurrences)

Ashe'rah (18 Occurrences)

Sinner (88 Occurrences)

Stedfastly (23 Occurrences)

Sell (58 Occurrences)

Smallest (16 Occurrences)

Sheet (9 Occurrences)

Suffer (195 Occurrences)

Saves (19 Occurrences)

Seest (52 Occurrences)

Ascension (1 Occurrence)

Apostles'

Alone (232 Occurrences)

Creator (19 Occurrences)

Certainly (415 Occurrences)

Believe (239 Occurrences)

Kept (891 Occurrences)

Citizenship (4 Occurrences)

Kingdoms (65 Occurrences)

Solemnly (62 Occurrences)

Shut (237 Occurrences)

Knoweth (152 Occurrences)

Story (92 Occurrences)

Saying (2162 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Stretching (84 Occurrences)

Store (134 Occurrences)

Cosmological

Angels (99 Occurrences)

Built (299 Occurrences)

Broke (153 Occurrences)

Assemble (77 Occurrences)

Sodom (49 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Congregation (347 Occurrences)

Seat (256 Occurrences)

Seated (252 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Clouds (99 Occurrences)

Ago (61 Occurrences)

Blessed (338 Occurrences)

Heaven: High
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