Heaven is not simply a location - Heaven is a realm/dimension

The book of Ephesians mentions the "heavenly places" or "heavenly realms" several times (Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12). This is from the Greek word epouranios and here refers to "the sphere of spiritual activities." The spirit realm is a real place, and within the spirit realm are holy spiritual beings like the angels as well as evil spiritual beings like the demons. 


We know that the Bible refers to “heavenly places.” We must keep in mind that time and space are finite concepts; God is not bound by them, nor could God live in one physical place, as we think of it, because the physical universe is his creation and cannot contain him. Heaven is a place, but not a particular space somewhere beyond our galaxy.

Surely Heaven is not a physical place. How can it be when the physical is mirage? Heaven is a place of greater awareness. Heaven is a place only obtainable by the spirit man/woman in us all. That is the difference between Heaven and Earth, they are separate dimensions/realms.


We know that Jesus could not have ascended to a physical place called heaven because there is no physical heaven anywhere in the universe. Even ascending at the speed of light, Jesus would still be in the galaxy traveling to heaven, if heaven were a physical place located beyond our planets. From scripture we know that Jesus was immediately seated at the right hand of our Heavenly Father.

(Ephesians 1:20) talks about Jesus being seated in the heavenly realms. God "raised [Christ] from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places." Later in Ephesians, however, Paul talks about evil spirits at work within the same realm: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). 

Since we live on earth, as humans, we have limited knowledge and understanding of the spirit world. What we do know, we learn from the Bible. God Himself is spirit (John 4:24); He is not limited by time and space or physical matter. He is above it all. 


Heaven is not a physical place. Anything physical can be touched, viewed, has dimensions, besides proximity. Heaven is in the Spiritual realm. This exists outside of the Physical Universe. The Spirit realm is not governed by the restrictions of the Physical realm. And flesh and blood cannot enter Heaven. It states anything physical is corrupt while anything spiritual isn't. Because of this, a common view is Heaven must be a spiritual place and not physical place. This view is understandable considering physical things made of the substances of this earth deteriorate. Buildings eventually collapse after a time, even the strongest ones. Metal rusts or corrodes and wood rots.



God lives in heaven (Acts 7:55; Isaiah 63:15), which is its own unique place, different from the heavenly realms where all spirit beings may inhabit, and also different from the heavens (the sky or atmosphere mentioned in (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 148:4). In heaven, God is seated on His throne (Matthew 23:22; Hebrews 4:16) surrounded by worshipping angels (Revelation 7:11; Psalm 99:1). He sometimes sends angels to appear on earth, even taking on the form of men, to share messages from Him with specific people (Genesis 18:2, 16–17; 19:1–2; Daniel 9:10–23). 



Satan and his demons live in a different part of the heavenly realms. It's important to note that Satan and the evil spirits that follow him are no match for God and His angels; they are not God's equal opponents in any way but are created beings who have temporary power (Isaiah 14:12; Luke 22:31; Revelation 12:12). They are hard at work to destroy God's plans for individuals and the world (see John 10:10). There is a real spiritual battle going on in the spirit realm, and this battle impacts us here on earth. We see an illustration of this in (Daniel 10) where we learn that Daniel's angelic messenger was detained by an evil spirit (verse 13). We also see the reality of spiritual warfare in passages like (Ephesians 6:10–19, 2 Corinthians 10:3–6), and in the book of Revelation. 



There are a few things to take away from all of this. First, the heavenly realms are real and have spiritual battles taking place. And second, we are not powerless in the fight. God gives us the weapons we need to fight: "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). He gives us the armor we need to stand strong: "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:13)

Peace & Blessings Friends,

Jeremiah & Co.