The Concept of Heaven, The Lie, The Myth, and The Truth(Part 2 of 3)

The Concept of Heaven, The Lie,   Part 1

The Concept of Heaven, The Myth Part 2

Usually, when a famous person dies, especially glorified singing stars, friends, relatives and the presiding preacher conspire to place that person in Heaven long before the conclusion of the funeral service.  The deceased is usually elevated to the position of entertaining the masses such as singing in the Heavenly choir, regardless of the life they lived. When I think of the life that the followers of Christ lived, the pain and suffering, the neglect, and to be told that when I die I am going to a place to be entertained by rock stars and drug addicts the question of, "what's the use of trying to serve God", is often suppressed.

One prominent American described Heaven to a group of children as a place where everybody goes when they die.  Assigned to a cloud each person just floats around all day looking down on and caring for their friends.  One preacher justified the untimely death of a young football as, "God needed another quarterback on his team so he called the young man home."  This may or may not have calmed the inquisitive youthful mind of children but it was destructive to the biblically based belief of going to Heaven.  

In an apostate and permissive society, we must be careful what we say so as that we do not hurt anyone's feeling.  This is an impossible task but Christianity has bought into the ideology by toning down its rhetoric, and in some instances like much of the populace,  shamed into silence by those who are quick to apply meaningless labels to the things they don't agree with.  According to some Heaven and Hell is hate speech and unsuitable for use in the presence of Children, and Jesus coming back to establish the Kingdom of God here on Earth to rule over humanity has never set well with the politicians.     

While some believe that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are referring to different things, a careful study of Jesus' use of the phrase will make it clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing.  The confusion surrounding the definition of the two phrases serves no purpose other than to promote the confusion of Christianity and confusion allows the charlatan priests to foster false doctrines.  The lack of reconciliation on this issue and many others are the cause for confusion within the household of faith.  Try to imagine what it would be like if all of this confusion found its way into the presence of God.   

The Hebrew word for “heavens” is shamayim; it is in a plural form, meaning “heights,” “elevations.  A careful reading and study of Genesis 1 seem to indicate, "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."  After his restoration, and creative works Genesis 2: 1 indicate "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them."  Failure to address these entities properly in our bible study has caused many to cast these celestial places aside as irrelevant entities in the overall scheme of things.  In an apostate society, being able to say, "I just want to be able to make it in", might be fine for the true believer, but to the hearer in search of directions, it is often lacking in substance. 

The Bible speaks of three heavens.  The first being our immediate atmosphere, the second is outer space as far as it stretches, and the third is the place where God himself dwells. This is the place that Jesus called the “Father's house.”   "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)  Somewhere in the  Heavens, there is a place of rest for the bride of Christ before it is transformed and presented to the Father.     


Out-of-body experiences are nothing new, like dreams they are a means of transmitting valuable knowledge about God's plan. But in a highly educated society, there is a stigma associated with the acknowledgment of such experiences.   There is a long list of words used to shame the person into silence.  Mention an out-of-body experience in some churches and the pastor will call you into the office.  

Paul wrote, "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven." (2^nd Corinthians 12:2)  It is because of this out-of-body experience he was able to speak so forceful of on the subject of the afterlife.  Paul affirms the thesis that there is more than one Heaven.   Therefore we must conclude that God's Kingdom exists in Heaven.  

In the Lord's Prayer Jesus stated, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)  "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Revelation 21:1-2)

The phrase “Kingdom of God” occurs 69 times in 10 different New Testament books, while “Kingdom of heaven” occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase and the Jewish nature of his Gospel, in an attempt to be profound, some interpreters have concluded that Matthew was writing concerning the millennial kingdom while the other New Testament authors were referring to the universal kingdom. However, a closer common sense study of the use of the phrase would reveal that this interpretation is in error.

For example, speaking to the rich young ruler, Christ uses “the Kingdom of Heaven” and “Kingdom of God” interchangeably. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven’” Matthew 19:23.   In the very next verse, Christ proclaims, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God” (verse 24). Jesus makes no distinction between the two terms but seems to consider them synonymous.

The keys to Understanding the Word of God have always been, "who is talking", "Who it is spoken to", and "What is the subject matter."  We also must honor context and perspective, failure to follow the guidelines of the knowledge of God or "common sense" will result in a polluted interpretation of God's Word.  A polluted interpretation allows for multiple interpretations or convoluted messages using the same scripture or verse as the reference.  

In order to support the financial aspiration of the numerous workers in the field, it was necessary to construct different message that would appeal to different groups.  Different companies don't produce the same or identical products because it is not financially expedient.  In the religious arena, different doctrines or interpretations allows the field to be crowded with workers competing for followers, fame, and financial support.  The elimination of or the reshaping the fire and brimstone message and the justification of sin is a welcoming change to those who are searching for a new and easier direction. The desire is for a direction governed by humanity, rather than a God who may or may not hesitate to kill his wayward children. 

With the increase in the Knowledge of Good and Evil as spoken of in Daniel 12:4, the concept of Heaven here on Earth is becoming more acceptable to the masses.  Working out our Soul's salvation, life after death and the return of Christ to establish his Kingdom are all deemed passé.  The existence of these once noble thoughts now is now nothing more than a figment of an overactive and ancient imagination.  The message emulating from the rabbit hole is God wants you to have it all right here on Earth. From that perspective, a natural perspective, God became a God of giving and money is leading the way.  To some having a good job and an outgoing personality is accepted as God's favor, but what profit does this have in the Kingdom of God?   Are we using it to promote ourselves or are we using it to promote the Kingdom of God?

During the early sixties, many belief structures came under attack as man sought to explore the moon and other "Heavenly bodies."  Today there is no consensus whether a man actually walked on the moon and we will not attempt to debate the issue.  A consensus is not necessary for an act, thought or hateful rhetoric to take root and become destructive to Christian values.  The concept of Heaven and the throne of God came under a new and intense attack when man began to explore the universe.  Christian's values suffered because of these events.  The Sheppard's of the flock was not prepared to discuss the supernatural aspects of, God, Heaven and the throne of God. The search for God or the Throne of God in a natural environment proved futile.  The focus of the church changed as one minister mused out loud, "I wonder where He was hiding."

There has always been a stigma associated with the concept of Heaven and Hell, a God who has shown such great propensity for love would not treat his children in such a horrible manner.   Along the road of arriving at this conclusion, we cast aside the unwanted attributes of God.  The angry God or the God of war concept does not fit a sellable rhetoric.  However, do we all go to Heaven the moment they die, here again, consider carefully Jesus narrative of the events surrounding the rich man and Lazarus death. Luke 16:19-31.  The best interpretation of Abraham's bosom is paradise or a place of rest for the righteous souls. It is not the throne of God.   

To be continued in part 3