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LESSON  107:  HEAVEN AND HELL
 
I. HEAVEN - Where To Set Your Sights - Colossians 3:1-3; and where your heart should be focused -
                         Matthew 6:19-21.
 
NOTE: Scripture does not say much about heaven, nor give any description other than what Paul said that there are not words to describe it.  Some first hand descriptions are available from Dr. Richard Eby's testimony in his two books:  CAUGHT UP TO PARADISE and DIDN'T YOU READ MY BOOK.
 
   A.  Heaven is a literal place with a specific location and is the dwelling place of God the Father - Matthew 5:34 
         and Matthew 6:9.
 
         1. It is also where Christ is NOW - Acts 1:9-11; 7:55-56, Romans 8:34 and Ephesians 1:20.
 
             a. This is where we go after death until the resurrection.
 
         2. Heaven is NOT a planet as has been misrepresented by some in the past.
 
              a. Heaven is not an element of this existing universe – it transcends our universe and is in a superior                                dimension.           

   B. Heaven is NOT the future eternal dwelling place of the saints as is traditionally taught - John 14:2-3.
 
        1. Heaven is the temporary dwelling place where we go to be with Jesus when we die - John 14:3.
 
             a. That temporary dwelling place used to be called "Paradise" until Jesus took it from its old place beneath                        the earth and brought it with Him to heaven when he ascended - Ephesians 4:8.    

                   i. Those held captive in sheol/hell (paradise) - Luke 16:22-23; 23:43. 
 
Note: don't confuse the current use of the word "hell" with what scripture calls hell which means that holding place of the departed saints within the earth.         

          b. Heaven is the Father's place where Jesus now is and intercedes for us there, preparing us for the Father's                     abode - John 14:12 & 16:5.
 
      2. The Marriage Supper and Judgment Seat of Christ, handing out rewards and crowns, probably occurs there.
 
            a. It is where our spiritual citizenship (our heart and mind) is to be centered – Philippians 3:20, (Note: the                      word "conversation" = citizenship).
 
            b. The rewards and crowns are earned (not gifts) based on our obedience and walking in His righteousness                       having overcome Satan, sin and self (flesh).
                  
                 i. Many will make it to the marriage supper, but will not earn rewards and crowns.       
 
       3. Where will Jesus be after Armageddon - here on earth to rule and reign.
 
             a. Who returns to earth with Him - the saints. 
  
                  i. To rule and reign with Him.
 
              b. The saints are no longer in heaven after His return to earth!
 
         4. Our heavenly abode is only temporary while He is there.       
 
II. The mansions of John 14:1 are not literal buildings or houses.
 
NOTE: The word Mansion " comes from the word monai which refers to an "abode" as used also in John 14:23 (moneen). John 14:2 literally reads, "In my Father's dwelling place are many abiding places...".
 
    A.  Our abode is in HIM and His abode is in us - John 17:21-23.
 
          1. Our dwelling is in the presence of the Father and Son- NOW.
 
          2. Jesus was returning to the Father to prepare room for us in and with the Father to function as our Great                       High Priest representing us to Him  and making intercession (pleading for us) as we accept Him and call
               Him.
 
               a. Jesus is also preparing us as an abode for the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to do that work in us -
                   1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20.           
 
                   i. If we abide (continue our abode) in Him, the Vine, then He prepares a place of abiding (abode or                                     mansion) for us in the Father; great blessings are a result - John 15:1-7.
         
                        aa. Our mansion (dwelling or abode) is in the Father, in His "house" – John 14:2.
 
                               ii. It does not say "in heaven"!
                               
NOTE: The traditional view of "making it to heaven" is a distortion of what Jesus was saying in John 14.  We have been focusing on a future change of our EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT where Jesus as actually referring to a present change of our INTERNAL RELATIONSHIP with the Father.  Moving us from a relationship with Jesus only, to a relationship with both HE and HIS FATHER - John 14:23 note "our abode". Jesus desires to introduce s to His Father.  He laid down His life so we could experience a relationship with the Father; the same kind of relationship He had with the Father while on earth.
 
III. There are three heavens - 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
 
       A. First Heaven is the physical one which we see with our natural eye.
 
             1. It consists of the atmosphere around earth and extends all the way out into space encompassing our solar                   system, the stars and other galaxies.
 
                 a. These are the physical heavens that compose what he call the universe.  

            2. The Second Heaven is the spirit realm which is not seen by the natural eye.
 
                a. It covers the exact same area that the first heaven does; it has been referred to in the past as the Fourth                         Dimension.
 
                b. This is the heaven in which the demons, angels, (both of God and of the devil), and Satan himself                                   operates in.
 
                     i. This is the realm of the unseen.  

Note:  Lucifer, now called Satan was cast out of the Third heaven which is God's place - Luke 10:18.  Satan was then limited to the second and first heavens but will soon be cast out of the second  one too - Revelation 12:7-9, 12.  Then He will be mad because he will not be able to conceal himself from man by hiding in the unseen second heaven.  This is when the anti-christ begins his severe activities working in and through a man, it is Satan at work being fully exposed and revealed operating in the first heaven - this earth.
 
         3. The Third Heaven is God's place.
 
              a. It is where His throne is.
 
              b. It is where Jesus is preparing a place (paradise) for His own.
 
              c. It is where the New Jerusalem is being built - Revelation 21:1-3, and 9-10.
 
IV.  HEAVEN IS IN ANOTHER DIMENSION – (it is not a planet out in space).
 
      A. Whereas the "second" heaven is the unseen or fourth dimension, the "third" heaven is in a dimension beyond.
 
            1. The first heaven, space is unlimited, without end; likewise the second heaven, invisible to us in this
                limited 3-dimensional life.
 
                 a. Subject to the limitations of time and space (distance).  

            2. The third heaven is a whole different dimension that completely surrounds, envelops and encompasses
                 our 3-dimensional physical universe.
 
                a. From the dimension God is in, He can observe the entire scope of the first and second heaven all at the                        same time.
 
               b. Thus he can see the beginning of events and the end of events (or time) all at the same time.
 
               c. Einstein and other physicists have theorized that there are multiple dimensions beyond our customary                         three.
 
                    i.  Dimensions where time and space (distance) do not apply and are not items that can be measured.  

      B. His heaven will be revealed - Revelation 6:14
           
            1. The first and second heaven are eliminated as we are brought into the realm of God's heaven or dimension.
 
                a. The first heaven that is visible (sky and space with stars, etc. will be peeled back to reveal the dimension                       of God - Revelation 6:14.
 
             2. God brings us into His dimension where all things a new and different.
 
NOTE:  Theory of Rotation - the center of the physical universe.  We know that all stars, planets and moons are round or circular.  We also know that they all rotate, most around their own axis or another heavenly body. We also see that whole galaxies appear to rotate about a point in their center.  Rotation seems to the standard of movement of heavenly bodies.  Therefore, theoretically, it could be concluded that all the heavens are in a state of rotation about a central point. However, this is not possible to observe since in order to determine such movement or rotation there must be a fixed point of reference to compare movement to. But since all heavenly bodies are in rotation simultaneously we are not able to find that unmovable fixed point of reference.  That fixed point would have to be the center of the universe which would be a most interesting place to find.  
 
 
V.  WHAT ABOUT HELL ?
 
      A.  The Old Testament Hebrew word SHEOL and the New Testament  Greek word HADES both refer to                           HELL.        
 
NOTE: this is not the grave, the resting place of the dead body which is typically in the ground.  The hell referred to here is for the departed soul and spirit that has separated from the body.
 
             1. Hell is the unseen realm of departed souls of the unjust or unrighteous.
   
                  a. Those who have died without faith in Jesus Christ.
 
            2. Where their souls are kept in a conscious state of torment until their resurrection at the end of the
                 seventh millennium – Revelation 20:5-6.
 
                a. The righteous experience their resurrection a thousand years earlier.       

      B. Hell is a retaining compartment within the heart of the earth - Matthew 12:40.
 
           1. Is there fire in hell ?  YES !  Luke 16:24.
 
              a. It is a foretaste of the "lake of Fire" which is the eternal destiny of both death and hell and all that is in                           them - Revelation 20:14-15.
 
                   i. Hell is like the trash pit for the refuse of humanity.

                       aa. It is a fire that we are not familiar with since it burns and torments but does not consume.

                              ii. Remember the burning bush that got Moses' attention?                  

              b. Since souls are immortal, they are not annihilated or eliminated but are enveloped in torment.
 
                  i. What kind of fire does not consume - Exodus 3:2.
 
      C. Hell was not made for man, but for the devil and his angels - Matthew 25:41.
 
          1. God made provision for all mankind to avoid hell and the second death.
 
             a. By the terms of the Law established under the Old Testament Blood Covenant.
  
             b. By faith in Jesus after His atoning sacrifice and resurrection – Romans 10:9-10.
 
             c. All who end up in hell have had their sins paid for but they didn't acknowledge, accept or receive the
                 gift of life.
 
         2. Angels - Those who rebelled with Lucifer are the rightful inhabitants of hell with their leader.
 
         3. There is a special compartment (lower hell) for certain angels who worked with Satan to pervert the human                 race in effort to stop the promised seed of the woman from coming - 2 Peter 2:4  and  Jude 4.
 
               a. Their sin is listed in Genesis 6:1-4 and will be covered in a later lesson.
 
                    i. These are probably a certain level or rank of angels that had specific abilities; (more later).
 
               b. This hell is called Tartarus, (translation from 2 Peter 2:4); the abyss or the bottomless pit -
                    Revelation 9:1-2; 11:7; 17:8 and 20:1-3.
 
NOTE:  A good description of hell is available from Dr. Richard Eby.  Read his testimony of when he died and went to Heaven, and year later when Jesus showed him hell.  Dr. Richard Eby  P.O. Box SVL 8155  Victorville, CA 92392
 
VI.  HELL IS NOT THE LAKE OF FIRE
 
       A. The "Lake of Fire" is located in "outer darkness" - Matthew 8:12.
 
           1. Called outer darkness because of its separation from God who is LIGHT.
 
           2. Hell is located in the heart or core of the earth.
 
       B. Hell itself will be cast into the Lake of Fire - Revelation 20:14.
 
            1. With all of its inhabitants - Revelation 20:15.
 
       C. Hell (sheol in Greek) is where the wicked await their resurrection to appear before the Great White Throne                  Judgment - Revelation 20:13.
 
            1. The bottomless pit appears to depict this holding place of torment; they may be one and the same -                                 Revelation 9:1-2; 11:7;  17:8  and  20:1-3.
 
                 a. This will be Satan's address for 1000 years.
 
       D. The Lake of Fire is known as Gehenna (Geenna) to the Jews.
 
             1. It is named after the Jerusalem's trash dump outside the city in the Valley of Hinnom.
 
                 a. The trash fires burn day and night and never seem to go out, (burn forever).
 
             2. The Lake of Fire is the eternal spiritual trash pit for all the enemies of God.
 
                 a. For all that reject Him or oppose Him.
 
            3. Is it possible that this Lake of Fire is also in another dimension?
 
VII. THE ULTIMATE DESTINY OF CHRIST'S ENEMIES
 
      A. Death and hell are cast into the Lake of Fire.
 
           1. Both are enemies of Christ and represent all that is contrary to our righteous God – 1 Corinthians 15:26.
 
               a. No more death, SEPARATION from GOD forever!
 
      B. Satan gets a new permanent address - Revelation 20:7-10.
 
           1. And the unrighteous get some nasty company for eternity