Who wouldn't want to go to Paradise? The memory of the Garden of Eden is still in the human consciousness and we long to return to the wonderful environment where all is love, joy, peace, and beauty.

However, the emphasis of the New Testament is not on the return of man to Paradise (which we call Heaven) but on the gaining of eternal life. Our goal is not a change of location but a transformation of personality. There may be no greater need in Christian thinking than that concerning the goal of salvation.

The Use of the Terms Heaven and Paradise

"Heaven" may be the most frequently used word in the Christian vocabulary. When Christians use the term "Heaven," they are thinking of Paradise, the Paradise that at one time was on the earth in the country of Eden.

We desire to go to the beautiful garden of God where the Lord Jesus and the Father are—and perhaps some of our loved ones.

One of the most revealing studies of the Bible one could make would be of the use of the term "Heaven." Two problems are encountered immediately.

Neither the Hebrew nor the Greek language differentiates between the physical heaven above us and the spiritual Heaven, the abode of spirits. We must tell from the context which heaven is meant.

The word translated "heaven" is often plural. For example, examining the Greek text of the Lord's prayer we find, "Our Father who are in the heavens." Not in heaven but in the heavens.

In the beginning God created the heaven [the heavens] and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

The word "heaven," in the preceding verse, is plural and refers to the sky.

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep the windows of heaven [the heavens] were opened. (Genesis 7:11)

The word "heaven" in the preceding is plural and refers to the sky.

And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven [the heavens] the second time, (Genesis 22:15)

The word "heaven" is plural and may refer to the spiritual Heaven but probably to the sky.

Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven [the heavens] standing on his right hand and on his left. (II Chronicles 18:18)

Micaiah probably was seeing into the spiritual Heaven at this point.

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2)

Actually "the kingdom of the heavens."

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (Acts 1:10)

Looked steadfastly "into the heaven." Probably the sky.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:2)

"Out of the heaven." We know the Holy Spirit came from the spiritual Heaven. But since there was a "sound," the reference may be merely to that which came from above them.

To be continued.