Matthew 13:24 (KJV) 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Matthew 13:44 (KJV) 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Kingdom of heaven is like- there are several Synonyms of Kingdom – Realm, Empire, Territory, Monarchy and Nation and a few others.
So, when I speak of Heaven, I like to refer to it as a Realm both seen and unseen when used in Scripture and the first time God brings it up is in the very first verse of Scripture.
Genesis 1:1 (KJV) 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
The word here in Genesis 1:1 is singular and not plural as in many other Bible Translations using the word heavens and if one truly understands English then you will understand that the two words are not the same: One Translation is right and the other is Not.
Now, we know that the Scripture speaks of Three Heavens and there will be a Fourth in the future in Revelation
Revelation 21:1 (KJV) 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
In Genesis 1:1 the first mention is the creation of the Realm of Angels before the fall when Lucifer and a Third of the Angels, that followed him, was cast out and cast down to the Earth which was created for the fallen, a “Prison”, a holding area until they will be finally Judged for their rejection of God which Jesus speaks of in the end of our Bible.
Here is Lucifer’s Sin
Isaiah 14:12-15 (KJV) 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Now, John in Revelation reveals the Past, Present and Future of man and of the fallen Angels and this world and Hell we live in.
Revelation 12:7-9 (KJV) 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Did all this take GOD by surprise? If GOD is omniscient knowing everything. Did GOD not know Lucifer and his followers would reject Him? and be cast down to Hell-the Earth. Did He not Know that Adam and Eve would reject Him? and be cast out of Paradise “Heaven here on earth”
What I am sharing with you is not new, it has been in front of our faces, if we would have just spent more time with Jesus and His Word and asking for understanding, I do not know if the questions were never asked or were the right questions never asked.
Now, let us talk about the Third Heaven – Man’s Heaven, he was originally put there otherwise known as Paradise.
Genesis 2:6-9 (KJV) 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Paradise was a Realm created separate from the rest of creation here on Earth, a perfect environment, which Adam was given with only one Commandment or Statute he had to obey and was Free to do anything he wished to do: Except eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and when Adam failed he was cast out along with Eve and a Cherub with a flaming sword keeping them from entering Paradise “Heaven” is still here on Earth it is just unseen.
When one leaves this world that is seen, that is Temporal moving into the Eternal which is unseen, just read the story of the Two men that Died and went into Eternity one was a rich man and the other was Lazarus who was seen in the Bosom of Abraham. There is a Gulf between the two Realms one Paradise the other the place of Torment and we stay there until Judgement Day and we enter the Forth Heaven
Luke 16:19-31 (KJV) 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
The 4th Heaven
Revelation 21:1 (KJV) 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
In Chapter 20 you will find after the Tribulation period and the 1,000 year Reign of Christ here on the earth where those that were in Paradise comes back and rule and reign with Him then, Satan will once again let loose again for a season and will even turn even some of the elect to him. then Jesus will finish His work and cast Hell – this Earth and Satan and all that have are not written in the Book of LIFE into the Lake of Fire once and for all.
This is where Jesus describes the New Heaven and New Earth which will have the streets of Gold, all the Precious Jewels and Crystal sea and all we think Heaven will be.
I can write on and on about these, but you can read for yourself, it is in Scripture.
Jesus invites us to COME, Will You.
Revelation 22:16-17 (KJV) 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
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