Many of us often view heaven simply as a destination — a grand house where we go after life on Earth. Many people desire to go to heaven, not necessarily because they want to have a relationship with God and see Him in His domain, but rather out of a fear of going to hell. It’s important not to limit our understanding of heaven to just a place of refuge from hell. Instead, we should embrace a broader, deeper vision and view of heaven as it is meant in the Biblical sense. This shift can cultivate a richer appreciation and yearning for the King of Heaven, beyond merely desiring to reside in His kingdom.
To illustrate this, consider the distinction between a house and a home. A house is merely a structure, whereas a home embodies relationships, connection, communion, belonging, and unity.
What if heaven is less about a location or a place and more about the central figure who resides there — God — and the reasons for our presence there in the first place? Imagine heaven not just as a house, but as a home for God’s two important families: the redeemed in Christ and the faithful angels. Heaven is more like a home than a house because God is relational and personal. We, too, are created in His image and likeness, as we are inherently social beings.
One of the main reasons Jesus will return is to bring us to our eternal home with God, our Father, in heaven — His holy dwelling where His redeemed believers in His Son and His faithful angels gather under the King who knows and loves us. This view should encourage us to move beyond a fear-based approach of merely escaping hell towards a faith-based relationship and into communion with God in heaven forever and ever.
There are many references to heaven throughout the Bible, and our focus will be on it in the book of Psalms. First and foremost, we need to understand that God is the uncreated Creator, eternal and external, which means He is forever and exists outside of His creation. God created both the heavens and the earth, yet He remains beyond them — eternal and transcendent, never confined by any place.
God is the Creator of all three levels of heaven and the earth. He is omnipresent, meaning He is present everywhere at once. Because God made the heavens and owns them, He is greater and higher than the heavens themselves. As Psalm 68:33 clearly states, God rides on the heaven of heavens. The glory of God is above both the earth and the heavens (see Psalms 148:13). The heavens also declare God’s glory. Therefore, God cannot be confined to a single location; He dwells in the heaven of His choosing. His holy angels and believers, who the blood of the Lamb has washed, will worship and live with Him in His holy home in heaven.
There are three levels of heaven. The first level is the atmospheric heaven, which is visible to us; we see the sky, the sun during the day, and the moon and stars at night. This corresponds to the firmament in Genesis 1:6–8, where God spoke it into existence, dividing the waters and calling the expanse “Heaven.”
The second heaven is where the powers and rulers of darkness operate; it is the realm where spiritual hosts of wickedness reside, as described in Ephesians 6:12.
The third heaven is where God resides and reigns. This is the heaven that the Apostle Paul referred to as the third heaven, where he had an experience of God’s abode.
A key step in understanding the three heavens is recognizing the visible sky, the spiritual realm of conflict, and the third heaven where God abides.
Now, let’s move on to asking the question: Where is God, or where can we find Him? We cannot find God on earth, in rocks, trees, plants, animals, or in any wooden carved images, nor in the sea. The Bible clearly states that God is in heaven.
Psalms 115:3 (NKJV): “But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.”
The Psalmist reminds us that God is in heaven, desiring to be with no one other than God Himself. One key attribute of God’s dwelling in heaven is its holiness (see Psalms 20:6). Heaven represents the height of God’s sanctuary, His sacred and elevated space from which He observes the earth and all its activities (see Psalms 102:19).
Not only is God’s residence in heaven, but His rulership also originates there. The throne of God, located in heaven (see Psalms 11:4), serves as His royal seat where judgment is executed and governance is exercised both in the heavens and on earth. This throne is where decrees are issued, destinies are weighed, and justice is administered. God has established His throne in heaven firmly (see Psalms 103:19). He, as the King of the entire universe, operates according to His will from this throne, overseeing all that happens on earth, in the seas, and in the depths. Nothing escapes the vision or authority of God, the Creator and Ruler over all (see Psalms 135:6).
Now, let’s explore what heaven reveals about God’s interactions with the human race. Several verses in the book of Psalms illustrate God looking down from heaven at humanity for various reasons. It’s essential to recognize that God is very mindful and watchful of His image-bearers, the human race.
Psalms 33:13 (NKJV) states, “The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.”
God observes all people — male and female, young and old, rich and poor, small and great. He looks down to see whom He can visit (see Psalms 80:14). God tests the sons of men (see Psalms 11:4) and searches for anyone who understands or seeks Him (see Psalms 14:2; 53:2). His righteousness also examines if anyone is deemed good or righteous in His sight. Furthermore, God observes the earth to witness what transpires on our planet (see Psalms 102:19).
Now, let’s examine what God does from heaven and what exists there. God thunders from heaven, and this thunder symbolizes His voice (see Psalms 18:13) when He speaks. He answers His anointed from His holy heaven (see Psalms 20:6) and sends angels to protect and save His people (see Psalms 57:3). God’s judgments are executed from heaven. In the end times, many judgments on earth will proceed from heaven (see Psalms 76:8 and the Book of Revelation). God also opens the doors of heaven and sends down manna, much like He provided for the children of Israel in the wilderness, which the Bible calls the “bread from heaven” (see Psalms 78:23–24; Psalms 105:40). The word of God is settled in heaven (see Psalms 119:89).
In summary, the Psalms portray heaven as more than just a place; it is God’s residence, temple, throne, court, and active place of operation, with even more aspects that cannot be seen or explained. From heaven, God observes and tests humanity, examining the motives behind their actions. Heaven functions as a court where decrees are made, a temple where worship rises, and a command centre where angels are sent out to protect and deliver His people. The heaven where God dwells, along with all other heavens and the earth, is called to praise God, the Creator of all (Psalms 136:26). This serves as a reminder to all humans — believers and non-believers alike — that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He not only resides in heaven but also has access to hell. The Psalmist David reflects on this, pondering whether he can escape God’s reach by going to heaven, where God dwells, or to hell, where God also has access but does not reside (see Psalms 139:8).
Contributor: Brahim Kallon
