here is a bit of what I was trying to get across
“In the beginning God created the heaven. and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1 KJV
understanding these two elements of creation as realms of existence, is in my humble and unqualified opinion is essential To understanding the doctrine of the Bible that comes afterwards even to the end when this is much more revealed
some scriptural references that begins to shape biblical understanding of heaven and earth and how things are ordered in Gods creation with less interpretation needed and more so acceptance of scripture
“The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's:
but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”
Psalms 115:16
Gods creation has an order as we see there . We see this order of God dwelling in the heavens , observing the children of men in the earth and sometimes visiting them by means of angels or men sent from heaven with a message of some kind from God.
But God isn’t dwelling among men the same as he did in the beginning with Adam when the creation was new and had not yet sinned . Now he is observing us
“ The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.”
Psalms 33:13-15 KJV
his habitation is a heavenly kingdom
“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens;
and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
Psalms 103:19 KJV
“The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psalms 14:2-3
there are many many others to establish this same understanding of Gods kingdom in heaven , and mans God given kingdom on earth which we cursed by transgressing his word
Acceptance and belief of scripture like these we can begin to see that heaven is a real place where Gods kingdom is established . also we see a functionality of God observing us from the heavenly realm , we who are on earth being observed and tried by the lords eyes.
Even from the book of genesis there is the doctrine Christ preached about not having to face death but instead being translated into this realm of the heavens men being saved from death and translated into his kingdom
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:
for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
Hebrews 11:5 KJV
Enoch had “ walked with God “ as a
Man before this translation and never died but was “translated” this is what Jesus Christ promises believers
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
John 8:51 KJV
like Enoch
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
John 5:24 KJV
if there is no condemnation on a person there is no death upon them , and the grave is for the dead , but the kingdom of God is for the living.
we understand it’s about being translated into the heavenly kingdom for us in the church also
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
Colossians 1:13-15
those people who have believed though their flesh has been left to decay they are here alive and well according to his true promises since he was seated on his throne after his birth , death and resurrection
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ:
for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Revelation 12:10-12 KJV
Through belief of the gospel we are delivered from this dark power in the world
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
..Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Ephesians 6:11-12, 16-17 KJV
who seeks to do destroy and devour us
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
1 Peter 5:6-9 KJV
we see in revelation 12 we are those people on earth who are being warned about satans presence in the world , while at the same time celebration is happening in heaven for the redeemed. They are those who believes and were baptized for remission of sins and died in the lord and were translated into the heavens shouting about salvation and warning the earth.
there’s only one heaven and earth , they in the Bible go through a form of a death and resurrection making all things new in Christ Jesus
“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
2 Peter 3:7 KJV
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
2 Peter 3:13 KJV
The transformation of heaven and earth will be like the changing of mans form
“Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:”
Psalms 102:25-26 KJV ( Hebrews 1:10-12)
Heaven is already new as we see with Christ being seated in heaven and Satan being cast out and barred forever . In the end when Jesus returns the earth will be destroyed utterly and made new again by the lord and those in heaven will then inhabit the new creation and things will be as in the beginning before sin and death
we’re saved into heaven when we pass away from earth , and we will fill the new earth when the time of its restoration restoration comes. The en once again creation will be in harmony both heaven and earth made new through resurrection