Thinking of Home: What is Heaven? 10

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.

Thirdly, heaven is also called a heavenly country/kingdom. Fourthly, one of the most beloved concepts of heaven is that of our Father’s house.

Fifthly, heaven is noted as being a place of rest. This is predominately found in Hebrews 4:1-10. Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” (Hebrews 4:1-5, ESV).

The writer of Hebrews continues explaining this concept in vs.6-10 when he writes, “Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:6-13, ESV).

The rest the writer speaks of is the heavenly rest of salvation offered by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ. This is in contrast to the heavy and taxing burden or works righteousness.