What Does the Bible Say about 'Heaven'?

The Jews, it is said, believed in seven heavens. For some, heaven is the opposite of hell and clearly a better alternative. Even by studying the Bible people have come up with many ideas, sometimes conflicting ideas, about heaven.

References to heaven are peppered throughout the Bible. So, what does the Bible say?

First, the Bible uses heaven to describe three distinct expanses beyond the earth.

The third heaven:

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12 about a “man in Christ who...was caught up to the third heaven.” Then, in his very next statement he virtually repeated himself saying that this same man “was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.” So, we can equate one heaven with Paradise, and Paul explicitly called it the third heaven. This heaven is not a part of God’s creation, but rather, His dwelling.

The first and second heavens:

In the opening chapter of the Bible the creation sequence is recorded. The first verse of the Bible distinguishes the heavens and the earth. Later, we discover that there are two distinct created heavens:

• On the fourth day of the creation sequence God placed the sun, moon, and stars in “the expanse of the heavens.”
• On the fifth day of the creation sequence God created birds saying, “let them fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.”

At times it is clear which created heaven is meant. For example, when Absalom, son of King David, was escaping from an adversary on his mule, his head was caught in an oak tree, “so he was left hanging between heaven and earth....” (2 Samuel 18:9) So, when a person leaves the ground, even for a moment, he is in heaven...the first heaven.

In many cases the first heaven is translated into English as sky or air. Of course, that makes sense when the text is about birds (Genesis 8:2; Matthew 6:26) or rain (Matthew 8:20).

We might summarize the three heavens described in the Bible from man’s perspective:

• First heaven: The created, breathable atmosphere above the earth where bugs, birds and bats fly and where clouds, rain and weather events occur.
• Second heaven: The created, uninhabitable space above the earth where the sun, moon, stars, planets and other celestial bodies exist.
• Third heaven: The non-created expanse that exists beyond creation; God’s dwelling place.

Since the Hebrew text always uses heavens (plural), English translators must determine which heaven is being considered. In general, it will be clear from the context whether heaven is the sky, or space, or both, or God’s home. There are a few cases, however, where the precise meaning is uncertain. Such a case is found in 2 Chronicles 6:14 where the writer speaks of God saying, “there is no god like you in heaven or on earth….” Usually when heaven is coupled with earth, it refers to the created heaven(s). Yet, this could be a reference to God’s dwelling beyond earth, sky and space.

These are the literal heavens: the created heavens and God’s home. In general, they are easy to identify in the Bible. However, the term heaven is sometimes used figuratively in ways that challenge our thinking. 

More of what the Bible says about heaven will follow next week.


Mark Stinnett

July 24, 2022

What Did Jesus Mean by the 'Gates of Hell'?

Getting the Text Right

The passage of Scripture in which Jesus used the phrase Gates of Hell is problematic. Some translations of the Bible have Gates of Hell while others have Gates of Hades. Refraining from speculation as to the reason for this difference, the Greek text of Matthew 16:18 is unmistakable. It reads, Gates of Hades. So, let's rephrase the question, “What Did Jesus mean by the Gates of Hades?”

The Occasion

Jesus asked His disciples how other people had identified Him. Then, Peter spoke up with his well-known confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To that declaration of faith Jesus responded, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

The Meaning of ‘Gates of Hades’

In my recent article on Hades I concluded that the Greek term for Hades referred to the temporary place of torment for the souls of the ungodly after death. Simple reasoning would suggest, then, that the Gates of Hades, that is, the entryway into Hades, is a figurative reference to death. In other words, only through death does a person enter into Hades. So, again, by simple reasoning...

Gates of Hades = death.

Of course, there are times in which a phrase takes on a cultural meaning somewhat different than the simple combination of words forming the phrase. Since this phrase, Gates of Hades, is used only once in the Bible, it would be interesting to know if it was used elsewhere in Greek literature. And the answer is, “Yes, it was.”

Going back as far as Homer (800 B.C.) and as recent as apocryphal literature (150 B.C.), the phrase Gates of Hades was used consistently as a figure of speech for death.

The Meaning of Matthew 16:18

Based on the usage in ancient Greek literature, we could substitute the word death for the phrase Gates of Hades without loss of meaning. Unfortunately, the speculation of some scholars over the meaning of this phrase has led to confusion, and perhaps even influenced the way translators have rendered this passage.

Some scholars explain that the Gates of Hades “is an orientalism for the court, throne, power, and dignity of the infernal kingdom. Hades is contemplated as a mighty city, with formidable, frowning portals….” (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament) Some go on to explain that Satan rules over the Hadean realm striving to overcome the kingdom of God. However, these conclusions lack support in Scripture.

Look at the simplicity of Jesus’ statement to Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) shall not overcome it.”

Why Jesus chose to use a figure of speech for death is unclear. Yet, His meaning was clear. Jesus was not talking about a city or kingdom called Hades, but simply death. He said that death would not overcome His church.

The writer of Hebrews stated: “...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment….” (9:27) We probably do not need a verse of Scripture to tell us that we will all die someday. However, there is a question about the power of death. Will death have the final say, or is there hope for something more?

The words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18 provide brilliant hope for those who are a part of His church, the kingdom of God. Death will not overcome! 

Jesus has promised life after death to those in His church!


Mark Stinnett

July 17, 2022

What Does the Bible Say about 'Paradise'?

Our English word paradise originally came from ancient Persia where it described “a wide open park, enclosed against injury, yet with its natural beauty unspoiled, with stately forest trees, many of them bearing fruit, watered by clear streams, on whose banks roved large herds of antelopes or sheep.” (Smith’s Bible Dictionary) This picture, according to Smith was in the mind of the Greek traveler whenever he heard the Greek equivalent, paradeisos.

In the Hebrew Old Testament pardase, again of Persian origin, was used to describe…

• The king’s forest (Nehemiah 2:8);
• Parks built by Solomon (Ecclesiastes 2:5); and
• An orchard (Song of Solomon 4:13).

Perhaps surprising to some, the Hebrew pardase was never used in reference to the Garden of Eden. However, the word paradise would be an accurate description of the Garden of Eden. In fact, when the Jews translated the Old Testament into Greek they used paradeisos in place of the Hebrew phrase Garden of Eden, calling it simply, the paradise. In addition, at the end of the Bible Jesus referred to the tree of life stating that it was “in the Paradise of God.”

On two other occasions the Greek term for paradise is found in the New Testament:

Luke 23:43 — When the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him, Jesus assured him that he would be with Him in paradise. That was clearly a reference to paradise after this life.

2 Corinthians 12:4 — Paul referred to a man who was “caught up into Paradise.” That phrase is an exact parallel to being “caught up to the third heaven” found two verses earlier. The third heaven is the heaven that is beyond the first two created heavens, which are:

• The breathable sky where bugs, birds and butterflies fly and humans breathe; and
• The sky beyond the earth where the sun, moon, planets and stars are found.

There is one other reference to paradise in the New Testament but it is somewhat hidden by Jewish culture.

Jesus told a story that is often referred to as The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). In the story a poor beggar died and was found in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man, after his death, was found in torment in Hades.

For the Jews to be in Abraham’s bosom meant that Lazarus was in close association with Abraham in comfort and safety. (Abraham had died centuries earlier, but was believed to be dining in the kingdom of heaven. See Matthew 8:11.) In short, the Jews used the phrase Abraham’s bosom to refer to the paradise of God. Since Jesus used this Jewish phrase without correction or further explanation, we can safely accept that connection as accurate.

The point of the story was intended to show the futility of earthly wealth in the afterlife, a lesson directed toward the Pharisees who were described as “lovers of money” (v.14). However, the story also gives insight into the afterlife:

• Paradise is a place of comfort and rest;
• A person cannot find relief in Hades, nor can he escape, cross over to paradise or send messages to those living on the earth.

Accepting that the bosom of Abraham and the three occurrences of paradise in the New Testament refer to the same place, then Paradise should not be thought to be a part of Hades, as some have taught. After all, Hades will be cast into the lake of fire, while Paradise is found in the presence of God and contains the Tree of Life. In the afterlife the righteous will be able to take and eat from the Tree of Life that is in the Paradise of God. So, Paradise is the resting place for righteous souls after death.


Mark Stinnett

July 10, 2022

What Does the Bible Say about the 'Lake of Fire'?

Unlike Hades, Sheol and Hell, there is no mystery about the meaning of the words that make up the phrase lake of fire. Yet, what exactly is the lake of fire?

The exact phrase lake of fire occurs only five times in the Bible and only in the book of Revelation. It is described as eternal torment (20:10) and as the second death (20:14). It is a place of destruction into which the following were thrown:

• The evil beast and false prophet described in the vision of John (19:20);
• The devil (Satan) (20:10);
• Death and Hades (20:14);
• Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life (20:15).

The lake of fire is also said to burn with brimstone (19:20 & 20:10). The phrase is only slightly different in 21:8 where it is called “the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.” From that verse we can add the following to the list of those to be cast into the lake of fire: “The cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murders and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars….”

You might notice the similarity between the description of the lake of fire and the way Jesus described gehenna (Hell). While there is no verse that states that gehenna and the lake of fire are the same:

• Both describe God’s ultimate judgment;
• Both are described as places of fire;
• Both are places of destruction and torment;
• Both are unending (eternal).

So, there is little doubt but that gehenna (Hell) and the lake of fire refer to the same thing.

It is easy to look at these verses and conclude that evil beings and all evil things will be thrown into the lake of fire. While that is correct, it may be a little naïve.

• The Cowardly refers to those who at one time believed in Jesus, but later gave up due to external pressure such as persecution or hardship or family pressure. (See 1 Corinthians 15:58.)
• The Unbelieving refers to those who never believed in Jesus. Speaking of Himself Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am He [the Christ], you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
• The Abominable refers to those who desecrate or pollute the holy things of God. They show aggression against Jesus by bringing into Christianity worldly things that God opposes.
• Murderers refers to those who have taken their aggression to the extreme: murder.
• Immoral persons refers specifically to sexual immorality, that is, any deviation from God’s design. It would include sex outside of marriage, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, and all other kinds of sexual perversion seen today.
• Sorcerers refers to those engaged in the use of magical arts. These would include fortunetellers, tarot card readers, astrologers, dream interpreters, those who claim to communicate with the dead, etc.
• Idolaters refers to those who set some other being or thing in place of God and bow, or submit, to that god.
• Liars deceive, mask reality and oppose truth.

The Apostle Paul warned about those who do not know God and do not make a faith response to the gospel of Jesus. He said:

These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.

—2 Thessalonians 1:9

THAT is the lake of fire;

     THAT is gehenna;

         THAT is Hell.

Mark Stinnett

July 3, 2022

What Does the Bible Say about Hell?

In this blog entry, I am using the word Hell as it is commonly used today: the destination of the souls of those who lived ungodly lives; a place of eternal torment. (For other considerations refer to last week’s entry: What is Hell?)

Some translations of the Bible occasionally use the word Hell in place of Sheol or Hades. Unfortunately that does not preserve the distinction that exists in the original languages. To be accurate Sheol is not Hell, nor is Hades. So, this article will address the Greek term gehenna which is most consistently rendered Hell in the NT.

Gehenna was actually the name of a valley off the southern end of Jerusalem. The name is first seen in the Hebrew text as ge-hinnom, translated: valley of Hinnom (ge = valley; Hinnom = the man who possessed the valley). Joshua 15:8 referred to the valley as a land border in Israel.

Later King Ahaz and King Manasseh of Judah gave the valley of Hinnom a bad name. They engaged in the unthinkable practice of sacrificing children in fire to foreign gods. There was a specific location in the valley of Hinnom in which a high place was built for those sacrifices. It was called Topheth.

Of particular interest is God’s use of Topheth in His divine judgment against the nation of Assyria. The prophet Isaiah warned Assyria of God’s judgment saying that “Topheth has long been ready.” He then described the death of the king being burned on “a pyre of fire with plenty of wood; The breath of the Lord, like a torrent of brimstone, sets it afire.” (Isaiah 30:33)

Later, at the time of Jesus, the valley of Hinnom, gehenna, had become the city dump. The carcasses of animals used in sacrifices were dumped there as well as unclaimed dead bodies. Naturally, worms fed on the decomposing flesh. So to manage the stench and consume the bodies fires were kept burning in gehenna.

Jesus used gehenna on five occasions referring to judgment. When we hear references like “9-11” or “Pearl Harbor,” we understand the place-time historical significance; no explanation necessary. In a similar way the Jews of Jesus’ day understood His reference to gehenna; both its use in their day and its historical significance; no explanation necessary.

Jesus referred to gehenna saying, “where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:47-48). That was descriptive of gehenna at that time but was undoubtedly connected to Isaiah’s prophecy against Assyria. It was clear that Jesus was referring to gehenna figuratively as God’s ultimate and final judgment, which will be like His judgment against Assyria. Though figurative, God’s gehenna is not mythical. The colorful language was used to illustrate the horror of God’s gehenna which has the following characteristics:

• A place of torment and destruction;
• A place with an undying worm and unquenchable fire;
• The eternal destination of evil.

Jesus warned his disciples not to fear those who could only kill the body, but to fear the one who has the authority to cast into hell (gehenna) (Luke 12:5). It is clear from the context that Jesus was referring to God. So, Satan has no authority to cast anyone into hell and he does not rule there. (You can just laugh at anyone that barks at you to “go to gehenna.” It’s a curse that won’t work.)

So, Jesus referred to gehenna as God’s ultimate and final judgment against the ungodly. It is a place of eternal torment. The English word Hell is now used where the term gehenna appears in the Greek text of the New Testament.

Mark Stinnett

June 26, 2022