Where is heaven located?
While the word heaven can be used to refer to and describe various things such as the stars and sky above, we are talking here about the place of God’s throne. (Psalms 11:4) Where is this place called heaven? The Scriptures tell us a lot about heaven, but it doesn’t give us an exact location, however, it does give us several insights, hints and clues.
First, heaven is referred to as “Paradise”. Jesus told the criminal on the cross next to him, “today you will be with Me in Paradise.”(John 23:43) The apostle Paul told of how he was, “was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell”. (2Corinthians 12:4)
Second, it is where Jesus is. Jesus told the criminal “you will be with me in Paradise.” Ephesians 1:20 tells us He is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Third, it is the place where believers who have died go and live. They go to paradise (heaven) to be with Jesus. 2Corinthians 5:7 tells us, “to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
Fourth, it is above or up. Jesus said, “I am ascending to my father (who is in heaven)…” (John 20:17). Paul speaks of, “being caught up to the third heaven…” (2 Corinthians 12:2).
Today paradise (what most refer to as heaven) is beyond the atmosphere and seems to exist outside of time and space as we know it and it’s not subject to the normal limitations of finite dimensions. It is where God’s throne is, where Jesus is, and is inhabited by angels and believers who have passed from this life.
Fifth, it is a real place (read my post – “Is Heaven Real?” click here). Even thought heaven is beyond our normal understanding it is real. It has a throne, doors, walls, scrolls, and is inhabited by beings. (Revelation 4) Isaiah got a glimpse of heaven and what he saw made him fall to the ground as if he were struck dead. He describes this incredible look at the throne of heaven in Isaiah 6:1-5, “I saw the Lord. high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ,“holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Heaven is not just a state of mind or some fairy tale it is real.
Sixth, there is going to be a new heaven. In Revelation 21 we see heaven and earth as it is now come to an end and the establishment of a New Heaven and a New Earth with the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of the current heaven to become the New Jerusalem. It will be the the final triumphant of God and Jesus will be ruling and reigning as Lord of all. The New Heaven and New Earth will come together establishing the ultimate paradise for all of eternity for all the saints of God to live. It will be magnificent and glorious.
In summary, currently heaven is where God’s throne is and where Jesus is. It is where believers who have died go. This heavenly realm will one day transition into a final state that includes a new heaven,new earth, and the new Jerusalem where God and His children will dwell forever.