We know that the earth in which we live is real because we can experience its reality through our five human senses. But it needs something beyond our senses to know that heaven is also real. Many religions believe in a heaven, but only Christianity gives a clear understanding of what and where it is because of the revelation in the Holy Bible.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen. 1:1) Notice the word "heavens" is plural.

The First Heaven is the firmament or atmosphere above the earth. "Then God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.' Then God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day." (Gen. 1:6-8) The first heaven consists of the clouds above the earth.

Psm. 147:8 - "Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains."

Isa. 45:8 - "Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it.

Jer. 10:13 - "When He utters His voice, There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: "And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries."

The Second Heaven is called the "firmament of the heavens" where the sun, moon, stars and other planets are in this galaxy. We call it the Outer Space. "Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good." (Gen. 1:14-18)

The Third Heaven is called "Paradise". The apostle Paul wrote: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago - whether in the body I do not know, God knows - such a one was caught up to the Third Heaven. And I know such a man - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows - how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (2 Cor. 12:2-4) This is the resting place of the dead in Christ (Rev. 14:13). "And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Lk. 23:43)

The Heaven of heavens is where the Almighty God dwells (Deut. 10:14; 1 Kg. 8:27, 30; Psm. 115:16; 148:4). This is the Heaven that no one has ever ascended except the Lord Jesus Christ. "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is the Son of Man who is in heaven. (Jn. 3:13) "He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things." (Eph. 4:10)

When we think about heaven what kind of images come to mind? In describing heaven the apostle Paul quoted Isaiah and wrote: "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." (1 Cor. 2:9; ref. Isa.64:4; 65:17) In Isaiah 65, Revelation 21 and 22 the picture of heaven include the following attractive images.

• Joy and rejoicing in the presence of God (Isa. 65:18; Rev. 21:3)
• An end to weeping and crying (Isa. 65:19; Rev. 21:4)
• No more death, sorrow, pain and curse (Rev. 21:4; 22:3)
• "And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever." (Rev. 22:5)

God's way for going to heaven is really simple.

First He gets rid of man's sin. Two things are required to remit sin - a perfect sacrifice and the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22; Lev. 17:11). There was no one on earth to provide this perfect sacrifice and shed pure blood to atone for man's sin, therefore God was manifested in the flesh as the Lord Jesus Christ. God said: "I, even I, am the LORD. And besides Me there is no savior." (Isa. 43:11) When Jesus was born an angel proclaimed: "For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Lk. 2:11) The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Savior in the world. (Acts 4:12)

Here are the important steps every person must take in order to receive God's salvation and go to Heaven.

• "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)
• Repentance is necessary for salvation. Jesus asserted, "I tell you, no; unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Lk. 13:3,5)
• "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38).
• Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:5) Our Lord explained "born of water and the Spirit" refer to water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).
• Holy Communion is partaking of the "flesh and blood" of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 6:53-56)
• Washing of Feet is to have a part with the Lord Jesus Christ who spoke to Peter: ". . . If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." (Jn. 13:8)
• Keep all the Ten Commandments that include the Seventh Day Sabbath observance (Ecc. 12:13; Mt. 19:16-19; Jas. 2:1-13; Heb. 4:3-11; Rev. 22:14)
• "Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." (Heb. 12:14)

John 14:1-6

1. "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

2. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3. 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.

4. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

5. "Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"

6. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.