The Doctrine Of Heaven
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, July 2, 2026 (Donate)
What Are Some Misunderstandings About Heaven In Our
Modern Culture?
Nearly everyone has an idea about heaven, but many of those
ideas come from movies, television, songs, false religions, or popular
traditions rather than from the Bible.
Some people imagine heaven as floating on clouds while
playing harps forever. Others picture everyone automatically going there simply
because they tried to be a “good person”. Still others think heaven is merely a
state of mind or that people become angels after they die. These errors
are sadly a commonplace in our culture.
The Bible teaches something very different. Heaven is a real
place created by God where He dwells in His glory. It is not imaginary,
symbolic, or merely an emotional feeling. People do not become angels after
death, nor is heaven earned by good works. Angels and humans are distinct
creations of God (Hebrews 1-2) or different kind and essence.
And getting to heaven—salvation—is by God's grace through
faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9) and definitely
not through any other alleged religion.
Another misunderstanding is that heaven is “boring”. Some
imagine endless church services or sitting around doing nothing. Scripture
presents heaven as a place overflowing with joy, worship, fellowship, purpose,
beauty, action-packed, and perfect peace in the presence of God.
It is the greatest future anyone could ever imagine, yet
even our greatest imaginations fall far short of its reality.
What Are The Three Heavens Described In The Bible?
The English word "heaven" translates Hebrew and
Greek words that can refer to different "heavens" depending on the
context. Scripture describes three distinct heavens (e.g., 2 Corinthians 12:2).
1. The Atmospheric Heaven
The first heaven is the sky surrounding the earth where clouds form, birds fly, rain falls, and weather occurs.
Genesis 1:20 speaks of birds flying "across the face of
the firmament of the heavens." Jesus referred to the "birds of the
air" in Matthew 6:26. This atmospheric heaven is part of God's physical
creation.
2. The Spacious Heaven
The second heaven is outer space where the sun, moon,
planets, and stars are located—i.e., the expanse of heaven.
Genesis 1:14-18 records God placing these heavenly bodies in
the heavens to give light upon the earth and to mark seasons, days, and years.
Psalm 19:1, NKJV declares:
"The heavens declare the glory
of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."
Every star and heavenly body points to the wisdom, power,
and majesty of its Creator. Together with the atmospheric heaven, they are
denoted as the “sky” from an earthly perspective.
3. The Spiritual Heaven
The third heaven is God's dwelling place—still a created
place, where His glory is revealed in a unique way. This is the abode of God or
heaven of heavens.
The Apostle Paul referred to being caught up into the
"third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2-4), clearly distinguishing it from
the physical heavens. Here God's throne is described (Isaiah 6; Revelation
4-5), angels worship continually, and redeemed believers are gathered in His
presence.
God is infinite and spirit and cannot be contained by
creation (1 Kings 8:27), yet He has chosen to reveal His glory from His
heavenly throne.
"I Go To Prepare A Place For You"—How Does This
Relate To Heaven?
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus comforted His
disciples with these wonderful words:
"In My Father's house are many
mansions... 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 to Myself; that where I am, there
you may be also." (John 14:2-3, NKJV)
Jesus was not simply speaking poetically. He promised that
heaven is a real destination prepared specifically for His people.
Through His death, resurrection, and ascension, Christ
opened the way into God's presence. His work on the cross secured salvation,
and His ministry as our High Priest guarantees that believers will one day be
with Him forever.
The greatest promise is not merely beautiful surroundings
but the presence of Christ Himself. Heaven is wonderful because Jesus is there.
Every sorrow, pain, disappointment, and struggle experienced in this fallen
world will be replaced by perfect fellowship with our Savior.
Why Do We Need New Heavens And A New Earth?
Many people wonder why God will create a new heaven and a
new earth if heaven is already perfect. The answer begins in Genesis 3.
When Adam sinned, God's curse affected not only the world
but all creation. The ground was cursed (Genesis 3:17-19), suffering entered
the world, death spread throughout creation, and the entire universe became
subject to corruption because of sin (Romans 8:20-22).
Even the physical heavens belong to the present cursed
creation.[1]
Peter explains that the current heavens and earth are reserved for judgment (2
Peter 3:10-13). After God's final judgment, He will create "new heavens
and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Besides Peter, Isaiah and John mention the new heaven(s) and
new earth too.
“For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah
65:17, NKJV)
“For as the new heavens and the new
earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, “So shall your
descendants and your name remain. (Isaiah 66:22, NKJV)
Now I saw a new heaven and a new
earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was
no more sea. (Revelation 21:1, NKJV)
Revelation 21-22 describes this glorious restoration more specifically.
· The curse introduced in Genesis 3 will finally be removed.
· No more death.
· No more pain.
· No more sickness.
· No more tears.
· No more mourning.
· No more decay.
· No more sin.
The Bible beautifully comes full circle. The curse begins in
Genesis 3 but is completely removed in Revelation 22:3. God's original creation
purposes will be perfectly fulfilled forever.
Nothing Impure Will Enter Heaven—So How Can Sinners Ever
Make It There?
One of the clearest statements about heaven is found in
Revelation 21:27, NKJV:
"But there shall by no means
enter it anything that defiles..."
This creates a serious problem for every human being.
The Bible declares:
"For all have sinned..."
(Romans 3:23, NKJV)
"There is none righteous, no,
not one." (Romans 3:10, NKJV)
If nothing sinful enters heaven, how can sinful people ever
be there? The answer is the gospel. Jesus Christ lived the perfectly sinless
life we could never live. He died on the cross bearing the punishment deserved
by sinners.
When Christ died He took our sin and punishment upon Himself.
When we received Jesus Christ as Lord (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:3), Jesus’
righteousness and purity is transferred to us. This is called imputation—where the
righteousness of God in the flesh is imputed to us. Thus, we are seen as
spotless and pure just like Christ!
How do we know? Jesus rose bodily from the grave, conquering
sin and death. Christ has power of sin and death and has all authority. When
someone repents and places their faith in Christ alone, God forgives every sin
and credits Christ's righteousness to that believer (2 Corinthians 5:21). The
believer is justified, declared righteous before God, not because of personal
goodness but because of Christ's finished work.
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of
Life enter heaven (Revelation 21:27). Salvation is entirely by God's grace
received through faith in Jesus Christ.
How Amazing Is Heaven For Eternity (Consider 1 Corinthians
2:9) And God’s Infinite Blessing?
The Bible describes heaven as far more wonderful than
anything we can fully imagine. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:9
(NKJV):
“But as it is written: “Eye has not
seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which
God has prepared for those who love Him.””
Although Paul is pointing out the greatness of God's wisdom
in Christ, the principle certainly reminds believers that God's eternal
blessings far exceed human imagination. Heaven is not merely an improved
version of life on earth but the perfect dwelling place of God's glory and the
eternal home of all who trust in Jesus Christ.
One of heaven's greatest blessings is access to God's perfect
presence. Revelation 21:3 says that God will dwell with His people, and they
will enjoy perfect fellowship with Him forever. There will be no more sin to
separate mankind from God. Believers will worship Him with joy, intimacy, serve
Him gladly, and behold His glory in ways never before experienced.
The Bible also describes heaven as a place where every
effect of the Fall has been removed. Everything broken by Adam's sin in Genesis
3 will be completely restored.
Heaven will also be a place of unimaginable beauty, perfect
righteousness, and everlasting peace. God's people will receive glorified,
incorruptible bodies fit for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:42-49). They will
enjoy fellowship with all the redeemed throughout history while continually
growing in their knowledge and enjoyment of the infinite God.
Because God Himself is infinite in wisdom, love, holiness,
and glory, His blessings will never be exhausted. Throughout eternity believers
will continually discover new reasons to praise Him. Heaven is therefore not
an endless existence of boredom, but an everlasting life of joy, purpose,
worship, and delight in the presence of the Lord.
Bodie Hodge, Ken
Ham's son in law, has been an apologist defending 6-day creation and opposing
evolution since 1998. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as
a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers
News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.
Bodie
launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal
website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken
on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Mr. Hodge earned a
Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a
Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and
running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic
materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a
grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar,
Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.
His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.
*Images generated by ChatGPT
