Ask the expert

Senior Pastor of New Springs Church, Loughborough, Phil Weaver explores what Scripture really says about heaven—and how Christianity must reshape the world around us.

How many heavens are there?
The opening line of Scripture says, “In the beginning God created the heavens…” With this being written in the plural sense, does it therefore suggest there are actually several ‘heavens’? The Apostle Paul seems to agree in 2 Corinthians 12:2. He speaks about a ‘third heaven’. But what of the first and second heavens then? And are there any more?

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Heaven here speaks of the skies and the clouds we can see. Meanwhile, Psalm 8:3 says, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place…” This second heaven begins beyond what can be seen, it’s speaking about the solar system.

The Bible speaks of another realm that is referred to as heaven as well. In the Greek, the word ‘heaven’ can also be translated as ‘air’ or ‘realm’ which is where we are told the spirits dwell. The Bible also speaks of believers being seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). This isn’t referring to heaven as in the place we go to after we die, but rather a realm, a domain, a sphere. So, the word ‘heaven’ here is referring to the spiritual realm, ‘the air’, where the spirits operate. Interestingly, in Ephesians 2:2, Satan is described as the ‘prince of the power of the air’.

Meanwhile, this third heaven referred to in 2 Corinthians 12 is the place where God dwells, where his throne is (see also Isaiah 6:1 and Acts 7:55–56). This is the place where God reigns and resides.

Most religions have a concept of heaven. For most, heaven is gained by working your way there. Christianity is the only religion where heaven is not obtained by what you do but by what has already been done for you. Heaven is not the reward for your good works, it is gained through the one you put your trust in. The Bible is clear — Jesus is the only way!

What is the role of Christianity in culture?
Christianity should impact every aspect of our culture. As authentic followers of Christ, we are not called to merge into the world’s culture and way of thinking. We are not to replicate the behaviour, customs, attitudes and mindset of this world in any way. We are instructed to let God transform us into a new people by changing the way we think (Romans 12:2). This is at the heart of being ‘counter-cultural’. We are called to be set apart; we are called to be different.

Jesus is our ultimate example. He lived in a counter-cultural way. He elevated women in a misogynistic society, he preached love in response to hate, he accepted and sat with those who were unacceptable, he stood up for the vulnerable, he was a passionate advocate for social justice and human rights. He prayed for those who mistreated him, he blessed those who cursed him. He wasn’t scared to speak truth to power and call out hypocrisy. And therefore, we too, as his followers should live counter-cultural lives (1 John 2:6).

Without doubt, Christianity must profoundly shape all cultural norms and practices, influence individual lives and social structures, and provide a moral and ethical foundation. We must also continually respond to the ever-changing contemporary challenges in a godly manner according to the Scriptures and with Jesus as our example.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.