Biblical vs. Cultural Visions of Heaven

By Larry Billinger

Biblical Context

Paul writes about being “caught up to the third heaven” and even “caught up into Paradise.” The “third heaven,” in Jewish cosmology, often refers to the dwelling place of God Himself, beyond the physical sky (first heaven) and the stars (second heaven). By mentioning the third heaven and Paradise, Paul is describing an experience of being taken into the presence of God, where he heard “inexpressible things.”

However, Paul speaks in the third person, referring to himself as “a man in Christ.” This rhetorical style suggests humility; he detaches himself from the experience to avoid boasting or appearing prideful. Despite the incredible nature of his visions, Paul emphasizes his reluctance to boast about them, only doing so because it might benefit his readers spiritually.

Paul’s Reluctant Vision

In 2 Corinthians 12:1-6, Paul shares a rare and remarkable glimpse into his personal visions of heaven. He speaks about being “caught up to the third heaven,” which he describes as “Paradise.” Paul states that he heard “inexpressible things,” which he cannot fully disclose. His deliberate vagueness reveals his reluctance to boast about this vision. In fact, he refers to himself as “a man in Christ,” using the third person to detach himself from the experience and avoid drawing attention to his spiritual encounter. Paul’s reluctance shows that the purpose of spiritual visions is not self-promotion but to inspire faith in others.

Unlike many modern stories, Paul does not claim to have died and returned, nor does he describe what he saw. Instead, he focuses on his weaknesses and the sufficiency of God’s grace, leaving readers with the message that the encounter is meant to deepen humility rather than promote personal glory.

Biblical Perspective on Heaven

The idea of heaven as a place where people will be reunited with beloved pets and family members is a comforting cultural belief. While scripture does offer some insights into the afterlife, the Bible doesn’t explicitly confirm the presence of specific individuals or pets in heaven. Here’s a breakdown of the Bible’s teachings on heaven:

1. Family Reunions
   • Resurrection of Believers: The Bible teaches that believers will be resurrected and given glorified bodies at the second coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This implies that Christians will be together in the New Jerusalem, enjoying eternal life with God.
   • Recognizable Identities: Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances (e.g., John 20:19-29) and the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) suggest that personal identities are recognizable in the afterlife.
2. Pets and Animals in Heaven
   • While scripture mentions animals in prophetic visions (Isaiah 11:6-9; Revelation 5:13), there is no explicit reference to pets being in heaven. These verses generally speak symbolically of God’s creation in harmony.
   • The Bible conveys that God cares for all creation (Psalm 36:6), and animals will be present in the New Earth (Isaiah 65:25).
3. Paradise and Joy
   • The Bible describes heaven as a place of joy, fellowship with God, and freedom from pain (Revelation 21:4). Jesus also referred to heaven as “Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
   • The emphasis is on the joy of being with God rather than specifics about meeting particular individuals or animals.

Purpose Of Heaven

Heaven has a profound purpose according to the Bible. It’s where God’s promises are fulfilled, and believers experience joy, peace, and a renewed creation. Here are the key aspects of heaven’s purpose from a biblical perspective:

1. Created for Fellowship: God created humans to have a relationship with Him. Genesis 1:27 says we are made in God’s image, designed to reflect His character and enjoy His presence. In heaven, this purpose is fully realized as believers live eternally in close fellowship with God.
2. Restoration of Creation’s Purpose: In the beginning, humanity’s purpose was to steward creation and cultivate it according to God’s will (Genesis 1:28). Heaven is where this original purpose is restored, as Revelation 21:1-3 describes a new heaven and new earth where God’s people will once again live in harmony with His creation.
3. Living Out God’s Will: God desires people to live according to His will, serving Him and one another in love. In heaven, we see this purpose fully embraced, as Revelation 7:9-10 describes people of every nation and tongue joyfully worshiping and serving God together.
4. Eternal Fellowship with God: God’s original intention was that humanity would live in eternal fellowship with Him, as seen in the Garden of Eden. Heaven fulfills this intention, allowing believers to enjoy God’s presence, where He will dwell with them (Revelation 21:3-4).

Modern Heavenly Narratives vs. Paul’s Vision

The restraint that Paul shows is absent in some contemporary accounts of heavenly visions, which often contradict Paul’s teachings:

1. “Heaven Is for Real” by Todd Burpo
   In this book, a young boy claims to have experienced heaven following a near-death event. However, the specific descriptions presented (like meeting pets and physical details of God’s throne) contradict Paul’s vagueness and suggest embellishment. Moreover, the boy’s father later gained fame and profit from the story, which doesn’t align with Paul’s humility.
2. “Heaven: The Day I Went to Heaven and Came Back” by Steven R
   This book shares a vivid experience of dying and encountering Jesus. However, it provides many details that Paul chose not to share or explicitly mentioned as “inexpressible.”
3. “A Glimpse of Glory” by Rick East
   East recounts visiting a heavenly city and seeing loved ones. The book contains elaborate details not supported by scripture, focusing on subjective experiences rather than aligning with Paul’s biblical restraint.
4. “Proof of Heaven” by Eben Alexander
   Alexander, a neurosurgeon, describes entering a metaphysical “portal” to heaven, using terminology often not rooted in biblical teaching but rather in new-age philosophies. The story is marketed heavily through book deals and appearances.
5. “Heaven Is a Breath Away” by Valerie Paters
   Paters claims to have seen angels and spoken with Jesus after a life-threatening accident. Her account heavily emphasizes culturally influenced images that deviate from the Bible.
6. “To Heaven and Back” by Mary Neal
   Neal describes her vision after a kayaking accident with a detailed narrative not supported by biblical teachings. Her story became a best-seller and led to book tours, unlike Paul’s humility.

What Is Biblical Heaven Really Like?

From a Protestant viewpoint, the Bible presents a well-defined timeline of events regarding what happens after we die and at the end of times. This timeline includes both the current state of heaven before Jesus’ second coming and what believers can expect at and after His return.

Heaven Before the Second Coming

Intermediate State of the Body and Soul:

This refers to the period after believers die but before the resurrection at Jesus’ second coming. In this state, the spirits of deceased believers are with the Lord, as affirmed in 2 Corinthians 5:8 and Philippians 1:23, where Paul expresses confidence that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This intermediate state is thus a temporary, spiritual existence apart from the physical body, which remains on Earth.

What Heaven Is Like Right Now:

Often considered synonymous with the intermediate state, the term “Present Heaven” describes the current dwelling place of God where the spirits of believers reside after death and before the resurrection. In Luke 23:43, Jesus tells the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in Paradise,” indicating that immediately after death, believers enter a state of rest and joy in the presence of the Lord. This temporary phase differs from the final, eternal state that will be established after the resurrection.

Heaven at the Second Coming

Resurrection State of the Body and Soul:

This pivotal event occurs upon Jesus’ return. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:52 describe how the dead in Christ will rise first, their spirits reuniting with glorified, imperishable bodies. This transformation also applies to believers who are alive at His coming, marking the transition from mortal existence to eternal life with physical bodies designed for eternity.

New Jerusalem or Future Heaven:

Following the resurrection, the Bible describes the descent of the New Jerusalem from heaven to a new earth in Revelation 21:1-3. This city represents the ultimate, eternal state where God will permanently dwell among His people. It is characterized by the absence of death, mourning, crying, or pain as detailed in Revelation 21:4. This new heaven and new earth signify the complete renewal of creation, where the believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God.

Development of Cultural Views

Medieval Influence:

During the medieval period, the Catholic Church played a significant role in shaping beliefs about heaven. The church emphasized the concept of rewards for faithful living and punishment for sin, reinforced through art, literature, and teachings. This led to depictions of heaven as an idyllic place where the faithful would receive their reward and be reunited with loved ones. The Bible speaks of heaven as a place of reward for believers (Matthew 6:20, Revelation 22:12), but the emphasis is on the presence of God rather than family reunions. While scripture does suggest we will recognize others (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), the Bible doesn’t elaborate on specific personal relationships in heaven.

Victorian Era and Spiritualism:

In the 19th century, the Victorian era saw the rise of spiritualism—a belief system that advocated contacting the spirits of deceased loved ones. This belief found a receptive audience as the period highly valued family connections. People began to seek assurance that they could be reunited with their loved ones in heaven and communicate with them through séances or mediums. While the Bible suggests that believers will be together in heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:17), spiritualism contradicts biblical teachings by seeking to contact the dead, which is explicitly condemned in Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

Modern Media:

Modern media, including books, movies, and personal testimonies, often portrays heaven as a paradise where people are joyfully reunited. Popular depictions of heaven show it as a place of individual happiness, often highlighting reunions with family members and pets. However, this depiction is often influenced by cultural beliefs rather than strict biblical doctrine. The Bible describes heaven as a place where believers will experience joy in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11, Revelation 21:3-4), and its primary focus is on God dwelling among His people, making all things new.

Catholic View of Heaven

The Catholic understanding of heaven includes the concept of purgatory, a state where souls undergo purification before entering heaven. While I don’t want to go into deep detail about this, here is just a short synopsis of why I haven’t included the Catholic teaching of purgatory in this article. This teaching is rooted primarily in 2 Maccabees 12:45, which describes prayers for the dead to help them be freed from sin and attain a blessed resurrection. The Catholic Church considers this book to be part of its Old Testament canon, while it isn’t recognized in the Hebrew Bible or Protestant Bibles. Because of this, the concept of purgatory is not universally accepted across Christianity.

Reasons for Differences in Belief

1. Canon Differences: The primary text supporting purgatory, 2 Maccabees, is not included in Protestant or Jewish canons. Protestants generally hold that scriptural authority should align with the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament as traditionally defined.
2. Contradictions: Other parts of the Bible suggest that one has the opportunity to choose to follow God during their lifetime on earth. Once life ends, the choice has been made. For instance, Hebrews 9:27 states that after death comes judgment, indicating that our state before God is sealed after death.
3. Christ’s Sacrifice: The doctrine of purgatory can seem to imply that Christ’s sacrifice was insufficient for our sins. However, according to biblical teachings, Jesus’ death and resurrection fully cleanse believers from all sin and make them righteous before God (Hebrews 10:14, Romans 5:1). This eliminates the need for further purification after death.

While the concept of purgatory emphasizes the need for holiness, it appears inconsistent with other biblical teachings. Protestant doctrine generally teaches that the present heaven, resurrection, and New Jerusalem all illustrate God’s desire to bring believers into His presence directly through faith in Christ, without the intermediate step of purgatory. This aligns with Paul’s emphasis on humility and faithfulness in his vision in 2 Corinthians 12, emphasizing that believers are saved by God’s grace through faith.

Conclusion

Paul’s account in 2 Corinthians 12 shows us the importance of humility and spiritual discernment when considering claims about heaven. While some contemporary accounts offer vivid details and personal experiences, Paul’s restraint remains a powerful example. Ultimately, the Bible gives us a vision of heaven that is beyond our current comprehension yet full of hope and joy as we await the second coming of Christ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Won’t Heaven Be Boring?

The idea that heaven will be boring is a common misconception but not one supported by the Bible. Here are a few reasons why heaven won’t be boring:

1. God’s Presence: Heaven is described as a place where God Himself dwells among His people (Revelation 21:3). Experiencing the fullness of God’s glory and love will bring unparalleled joy and satisfaction.
2. Eternal Joy and Peace: Heaven is portrayed as a place where sorrow, pain, and death are gone (Revelation 21:4). There will be joy, peace, and fulfillment beyond anything we can imagine.
3. Purposeful Activity: Heaven is not a place of idleness. Revelation 7:9-10 and 22:3 show that worshiping God will be joyful and deeply meaningful, with people from every nation coming together to serve Him. The “new heaven and new earth” suggest that creative activities and exploration will also continue.
4. Restoration and New Creation: In heaven, believers will experience a renewed creation, which means discovering new things and living out our purpose fully. This new creation will be the fulfillment of God’s promises and the ultimate completion of His plan.

Heaven is ultimately the culmination of God’s loving design for humanity, where we will experience everlasting joy, love, and fulfillment in His presence. Far from being boring, heaven will offer peace, purpose, and joy in ways that are beyond our earthly understanding.

Will My Dogs and Cats Meet Me in Heaven?

The Bible doesn’t provide a definitive answer about pets specifically, so the question of whether your dogs and cats will be in heaven remains uncertain. Here are some points to consider based on biblical teachings:

1. God’s Care for Creation: The Bible emphasizes that God cares deeply for all of His creation. Psalm 36:6 says, “You, Lord, preserve both people and animals,” and Matthew 10:29 points out that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing.
2. Animals in Prophetic Visions: Some biblical passages symbolically depict animals in the context of a renewed creation, like Isaiah 11:6-9, where wolves and lambs lie together, suggesting that animals are part of God’s ultimate plan for the new earth.
3. New Creation: The new heaven and new earth described in Revelation 21 and 22 imply a restored world free of pain, sorrow, and death. Isaiah 65:25 mentions animals living in harmony.

While these points suggest animals might have a place in God’s renewed creation, the Bible doesn’t explicitly confirm individual pets will be in heaven. Ultimately, the focus in heaven is on the joy of being in God’s presence and the fulfillment of His promises. We can trust in His goodness and that heaven will bring us a peace beyond what we can imagine.

Why would heaven have to have Gold Streets? Isn’t that a bit extravagant?

The imagery of gold streets in heaven, specifically in the New Jerusalem, comes from the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 21:21, the apostle John describes the city: “The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.”

The description is not meant to convey literal architectural details but to symbolize deeper spiritual truths:

1. Representation of God’s Glory: The use of gold emphasizes God’s radiant glory and majesty. Gold is often associated with purity, wealth, and value, symbolizing the unparalleled richness of God’s presence.
2. Symbol of Perfection and Beauty: The New Jerusalem is described as a city of ultimate beauty and perfection. Streets of gold symbolize that all things are made perfect and new in heaven.
3. Contrast with Earthly Values: Gold, which people consider precious on earth, is depicted as something ordinary in heaven. This contrast shows that heavenly values far exceed earthly values, and even the most valuable material on earth becomes commonplace in the presence of God.
4. Security and Peace: The streets of gold convey a sense of security and peace, where no corruption or imperfection exists.

So, the extravagant imagery is intended to emphasize the supreme beauty, purity, and majesty of heaven, portraying it as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. It’s not about literal wealth but the richness of life in God’s presence.

If God loves everyone, how could he send people to Hell?

1. God’s Love and Justice:
   The Bible presents God as both perfectly loving and perfectly just. In His love, He desires everyone to be saved and come to know the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Yet, He is also just and cannot overlook evil (Isaiah 61:8). Therefore, He must address sin.
2. Human Free Will:
   God created humanity with the ability to choose, giving them genuine free will. He doesn’t force anyone to follow Him or receive His love. God loves us enough that He would not force us to worship Him for eternity in heaven if we don’t love Him. Hell can be seen as a consequence of rejecting God’s offer of grace and choosing to live apart from Him.
3. Offer of Salvation:
   Through Jesus Christ, God made a way for everyone to be reconciled to Him (John 3:16). Jesus bore the penalty of sin on the cross so that those who believe in Him can receive eternal life. Thus, God provides a solution to avoid separation.
4. Nature of Hell:
   Hell is often described in the Bible as a place of separation from God’s presence (2 Thessalonians 1:9). It is more than physical suffering; it’s an eternal state of being apart from God, who is the source of love, joy, and peace.
5. Divine Patience:
   The Bible reveals that God is patient and desires people to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He doesn’t take pleasure in punishment (Ezekiel 33:11) and is giving humanity time to respond to His call.

In summary, God respects human free will while offering salvation to everyone. Hell is not about God arbitrarily sending people away but about the result of choosing to reject His love and grace. Ultimately, His love and justice are held in balance as He gives everyone the opportunity to respond to His offer.

Why would God give us free will to begin with and give us the option to sin?

The concept of free will and the potential for sin can be challenging to understand. Here’s a perspective on why God may have given us free will despite the risk of sin:

1. Genuine Love and Relationship:
   God desires a genuine, loving relationship with humanity. True love requires a choice; it cannot be forced or coerced. By granting free will, God enables people to love Him voluntarily and authentically, fostering a meaningful relationship.
2. Moral Responsibility:
   Free will allows individuals to make moral decisions and be responsible for their actions. This moral responsibility leads to growth, maturity, and the ability to align with God’s character. Choosing to do good holds value because it’s done willingly.
3. Purposeful Worship and Obedience:
   Worshiping and obeying God should be heartfelt. With free will, obedience and worship become meaningful expressions of devotion rather than mere compulsion.
4. Reflection of God’s Image:
   Humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), reflecting God’s attributes like reason, creativity, and choice. Free will allows us to reflect His character by choosing to act with love and righteousness.
5. Greater Redemption:
   While free will allows for the possibility of sin, it also permits the beauty of redemption. Through Christ, God’s plan of salvation and grace is made evident. The story of redemption brings glory to God as He demonstrates His love, justice, and mercy.

Though free will involves risks, it enables us to pursue meaningful relationships with God and others, reflecting His image. Ultimately, God’s plan incorporates redemption, inviting us to turn from sin and experience life to its fullest in Him.