verzanumi24
Advanced Member
Shalom, verzanumi24.
You're right, of course. I was speaking more to the issue of whether we will recognize others, but there is no "Heaven" in the traditional sense. However, we should qualify that:
First, there MAY be a "Heaven" if the spirits of people who have died do, in fact, go to Paradise when they die and if Paradise can be said to be "Heaven."
"Paradise" is an English transliteration of the Greek word "paradeisos," which in turn is a transliteration of the Hebrew word "pardeec" meaning "a park; an orchard." It is a nickname for the New Jerusalem where Yeshua` (Jesus) went after He ascended, because in the New Jerusalem exists the Tree of Life and the Water of Life. He SAID He was going to "prepare us a place in His Father's house," and Yochanan (John) said that the New Jerusalem was the "tabernacle of God." The word "tabernacle" comes from the Greek word "skeenee" meaning a Bedouin "tent," much as that in which Avraham (Abraham) lived.
Second, after the Millennium - the first 1000 years of Yeshua's reign - the New Jerusalem will descend to the New Earth (re-created after the Fire which occurs immediately after the Millennium). At that time, "Heaven," if you will allow it to be called that, will be on earth.
Third, there is no "Heaven," per se, as a non-material, immaterial or other-dimensional place. The word "heaven" comes from the Greek word "ouranos" which means the "sky." No better place is this seen than in the Greek New Testament of Matthew 16:1-4:
The KJV says,
Matthew 16:1-4
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
KJV
The Greek NT says,
Kata Maththaion 16:1-4
1 Kai proselthontes hoi Farisaioi kai Saddoukaioi peirazontes epeerooteesan auton seemeion ek tou ouranou epideixai autois.
2 Ho de apokritheis eipen autois, "Opsias genomenees legete, 'Eudia, purrazei gar ho ouranos.'
3 Kai prooi, 'Seemeron cheimoon, purrazei gar stugnazoon ho ouranos.' To men prosoopon tou ouranou ginooskete diakrinein, ta de seemeia toon karioon ou dunasthe?
4 Genea poneera kai moichalis seemeion epizeetei, kai seemeion ou dotheesetai autee ei mee to seemeion Ioona." Kai katalipoon autous apeelthen.
Greek New Testament (United Bible Societies)
Notice that the SAME WORD translated "heaven" in verse 1 is translated "sky" in verses 2 and 3! (Endings just determine case and number.)
Now, there ARE other Greek words translated as "heaven," "heavens," or "heavenly": ouranothen, mesouraneema, ouranios, and epouranios. However, each of these is based upon "ouranos." The word "ouranothen" means "from ouranos"; "mesouraneema" means "in the middle of ouranos"; "ouranios" is an adjective form that means "of ouranos"; and "epouranios" means "of above-ouranos." The only one that refers to some place other than the "sky" is "epouranios." If it means "of above-the-sky," then it refers to what we call "outer space." This word is sometimes translated as "celestial," as in 1 Corinthians 15:40-41:
1 Corinthians 15:40-41
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
KJV
So, as one can see, "celestial" (epouranios) refers to bodies such as the "sun," "moon," and "stars." It is also currently used of the New Jerusalem:
Hebrews 12:22
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly (Greek: epouranios) Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
KJV
However, when the city comes down to the New Earth, it comes out of the "ouranos":
Revelation 21:2
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven (Greek: ouranos), prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
KJV
Now, I don't know if or why we would be zipping all over the universe, but we could...I suppose. However, one must admit that this is pure speculation because the Scriptures are silent about this part of what you wrote.
Shalom again, verzanumi24.
Sure it is! Why not? Just because Paul chose to leave it nebulous so that it applies to all, that doesn't mean that he meant it in some figurative way! To the contrary, he IS talking about the future, and he is talking about when "that which is perfect (mature) is come." Why would you say otherwise? Please don't be contrary just to be contrary. We have enough of that on this board already!
The structure of the sentence does not support your argument. There is nothing in that chapter where the author was addressing the question that OP is asking. And besides, the belief that mainstream Christians have that they are going to go to Heaven when Jesus returns is not Biblical.