Thinking of Home: What is Heaven? 9

What are the names for Heaven?

The Bible contains several names for Heaven. They include the following from not only the Old Testament, but also the New Testament.

First, heaven is referred to as a barn or a granary in Matthew 3:12 and Matthew 13:24-30. This is because God views believers as His wheat or treasure.

Secondly, heaven is called the kingdom of Christ and of God/Beloved Son. The following Scripture references refer to this particular description of Heaven.

Ephesians 5:1-5. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:1-5, ESV).

Colossians 1:13. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV).

Thirdly, heaven is also called a heavenly country/kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:18 says, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18, ESV).

Hebrews 11:13-16 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:13-16, ESV).

Fourthly, one of the most beloved concepts of heaven is that of our Father’s house. John 14:1-2 says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (John 14:1-2, ESV).

House refers to inhabited edifice or dwelling. Within this dwelling of God are many places of security and indestructibility.