Symbolic Use of ‘Heaven.’

‘Heaven’ used in various ways in scripture: 1.As referring to the created heavens 2.Heavens used symbolically to describe

earthly rulers and Governments in power. 3.Revelation’s special uses of Heaven. 4.Heaven may refer to the place where God

the Creator dwells. 5.Heavens or the heavenlies sometimes refers

to the dwelling place now of God’s people.

Uses of ‘Heaven.’

1.Created heavens - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen 1:1)

2.Applied to Earthly Rulers. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth (Isa 1:2) -

physical heavens and earth have no ears - appeal is to God’s people, rulers and subjects.

To AD70 these ‘Israelitish heavens’ ruled - afterward - ‘times of the Gentiles’.(Lk 21:24).

New rulership over earth forseen- refers to people on earth - For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth… (Isa 65:17).

Sir Isaac Newton 1733.

“For understanding the Prophecies, we are, in the first place, to acquaint ourselves with the figurative language of the Prophets. This language is taken from the analogy between the world natural and an empire or kingdom considered as a world politic…

‘Newton on Heaven.’

…Accordingly, the whole world natural consisting of heaven and earth, signifies the whole world politic, consisting of thrones and people ... For the heavens, and the things therein, signify thrones and dignities, and those who enjoy them ...”

New Heavens - WHEN? 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the

night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise …(2 Peter 3)

Man’s rule of the earthly heavens to cease. To take place in the day of the Lord - at the return of

the Lord Jesus Christ - to become world King and rule from Jerusalem. (Acts 1:11).

The Earth Not Burned Up. 10 “ But the day of the Lord will come as

a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Pet.3)

Plainly - symbolic description as the ‘heavens’ are also to pass away.

The Earth To Survive. RESULT - “For the earth shall be

filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD…(Hab 2:14)

3. Revelation use of ‘Heaven’. ‘Heaven' referred to, over 50 times

usually applied symbolically. Heavens depart. 6:19 Woman gives birth in heaven. 12:1 War flares between Michael and dragon

in heaven. 14:17 (cf Acts 17:24) Armies march to war in heaven. 19:11,14 Heavens flee away. 20:11

4. ‘Heavens’ - God’s Dwelling Place.

Symbolic heavens not to be confused with dwelling place of God.

“No man hath ascended up to heaven.” (John 3:13) Not even David has gone to heaven - “For David is not ascended into the heavens.” (Acts 2:34)

Only Jesus has gone to heaven- Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21)

5.The Present ‘Heavenlies.’ For believers, call of the Gospel is to

enter now into present heavenlies in Christ by belief, repentance, confession, baptism and living new life.

Anticipates time when saints eject rulers from present seats of power - reign “... And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev.5:9,10).

Earthquakes in Scripture. Often scripture speaks symbolically of an

earthquake as standing for a great social upheaval among the people.

Zechariah prophecies a physical earthquake - splitting of the Mount of Olives - followed by symbolic earthquake - Kingdom of God.

Revelation predicts four earthquakes - social upheavals - eg overthrow of Paganism (AD 312), French Revolution (1789) etc.

Mount of Olives