Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

The Clarinda Herald Journal, publication date : 1/4/06

 

Heaven’s Address

 

Dear Pastor Scott,

       Where is heaven? --Z. D. of Kentucky

Dear Zee,

       Consider a riddle. Heaven’s address is both unknown and known. Heaven cannot be contained by any universe, yet can be found in the smallest of places. Heaven is outside of all created matter and yet in one specific corner of creation. Where is it?

       Scripture teaches that God lives separate from His creation, and yet lives within His creation—to be specific, in the lives of His children. Let’s explore these two realms.

       First, heaven is simply the dwelling place of God, existing in a different dimension, beyond our comprehension. Heaven is a supernatural realm, the seat of God’s throne, where His full glory is unveiled, and His will fully performed. With Him in this realm are those He has redeemed from among mankind, along with the heavenly beings He has created.

       Heaven is Paradise, Abraham’s Bosom, God’s House, the Better County, and the Holy City. It is there we are to lay up treasures, to put our hope, and to look forward to its coming.

       Furthermore, heaven is the eternal dwelling and true home of believers, where they are citizens, both now and in the life to come. There God’s people will be clothed with immortality, and will live age upon age without end in complete joy, rest, peace, righteousness, and glory. Heaven is the believer’s reward and inheritance for faithful obedience. Heaven is the presence of all that is good and the absence of death, pain, sorrow, night, and wickedness.

       The second place where heaven may be found is in the hearts of those who believe. God no longer lives in a temple built by man [Acts 17:24] but in our hearts by faith [Eph 3:17], making us His holy temple on earth.

       These two realms of God’s dwelling show Him to be both remote and accessible—far and near—exalted and personal. It is a fact we should never cease to marvel at, that the Holy One, who is separate and distinct from all that is not Himself, should choose to draw so near to us, as to live inside us.

       When all is said and done, perhaps we should be less concerned about heaven’s location than whether we ourselves have a heavenly vocation. Are we knowing and walking with God in this life, so that we may glorify and enjoy Him forever in the life to come? Are you going to heaven?

       --Pastor Scott

To submit your question for Pastor Scott, you may write to Ask The Pastor, PO Box 98, Shambaugh, IA 51651, or harvest@heartland.net, and on the web at www.askpastorscott.com