Let’s take an honest look at this topic and see what really is the reward of the saved. You may be astounded and shocked at the truth. Let’s take a look at what the Bible really says about heaven.  

Three Heavens

Would it surprise you that the apostle Paul said that there are three heavens?

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago; whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows; such a one was caught up to the third heaven. {3} And I know such a man; whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows; {4} how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2 Cor 12:2-4 NKJV).

The apostle Paul mentioned the third heaven indicating that there are three heavens. What are these three heavens? The first heaven is our atmosphere that surrounds the earth where the birds fly. "Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens" (Genesis 1:20 NKJV).

This first heaven gives rain so the earth can produce its fruit (James 5:18). In the book of Daniel we can read about the "dew of heaven" (Daniel 4:15) and "the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven" (Daniel 7:13).

The second heaven is our universe and this is described in the book of Genesis. "Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; {15} "and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. {16} Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. {17} God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, {18} and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:14-18 NKJV).

The third heaven is where God’s throne is. Jesus said: "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne" (Matthew 5:34 NKJV).

Revelation 4:1-11 describes God’s throne room in the third heaven. The apostle John saw a vision of God sitting on His throne. Let’s notice verses 3-6: "And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. {4} Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. {5} And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. {6} Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back" (Revelation 4:3-6 NKJV).

Let’s notice who is at the right hand of God’s throne: "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV).

The apostle Paul, while addressing the gentile-born converts in Galatia, was inspired to write: "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ." .... {29} "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:16, 29 NKJV)

From these two scriptures we see that God made promises to Abraham and those promises are passed on to Christians, those who are Christ’s, and Christians then become heirs according to the promise. God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants, was the "land of Canaan" (Genesis 12:2-3, 14-15) which was called the "Promised Land". The apostle Paul revealed that this promise to Abraham was expanded to include the whole earth (Romans 4:13).

The writer of Hebrews states that Abraham, his descendants, and the faithful righteous men and women listed in Hebrews 11 had not received the promises. Let’s notice this: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13 NKJV). From this verse we can see that Abraham and all of these people died and did not receive their reward at death. They did not die and go to heaven.

(For more detail on this topic request our Free Bible Study on: What is the Reward of the Saved?)

The book of Mark begins with the statement about the gospel: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1 NKJV). "Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, {15} and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel"" (Mark 1:14-15 NKJV).

Did you notice what Jesus was preaching? He was preaching the gospel. The gospel of what? He was preaching the gospel of "the kingdom of God"!

The word "gospel" means "good news", "glad tidings" or "good message". So Jesus came preaching the "good news" of the "kingdom of God".

Notice in verse 15 that we must "repent and believe this gospel".

All Christians are very familiar with Jesus’ model prayer, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. Chances are that you pray this prayer everyday. In this model prayer Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for God’s kingdom to come. Let’s notice it: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. {10} Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10 KJV) .

We are to pray "Thy kingdom come". Come where? We are praying that God’s kingdom will come to the earth. In essence we are praying for God’s Son, Jesus Christ, to return to the earth and to set up God’s kingdom and rule for 1,000 years as "King of kings and Lord of lords!" (Rev. 19:16).

God’s government on earth will last 1,000 years. It will be a millennium of world peace, prosperity, good health, a land of "milk and honey." There is a new world coming and it will be a "utopia".

Jesus told His disciples to pray for God’s kingdom, His realm, His government to come to this earth, then as He continued in His "sermon on the mount" He admonished His disciples to: "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Mat 6:33 NKJV). So, we are to "pray" for the kingdom and to "seek first" the kingdom of God.

(Request our 8 page feature article: "Thy Kingdom Come" that will go into detail about the return of Christ and the millennium).

Our third point from Jesus in His "Sermon on the mount" is that He said "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5 NKJV). Notice that Jesus did NOT say that His disciples would inherit heaven! He said that they would inherit the earth. Did you notice the word "inherit"?

If Abraham, his descendants, and the faithful righteous men and women listed in Hebrews 11 have not yet received the promises, then the question is, when will they receive the promises and their inheritance? As we have already seen, the apostle Paul indicated that Christians, who are spiritual descendants of Abraham, are "heirs according to the promise" (Genesis 3:29) and that this promise was the "land of Canaan" which Paul expanded to be the whole earth (Romans 4:13).

We have also seen that Jesus in His "Sermon on the mount" indicated the God’s kingdom is coming to the earth.

As Jesus was giving the people some parables He made reference to the fact that "Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets" would be "in the kingdom of God" (Luke 13:28; Mat. 8:11).

Now let’s ask the ultimate question, when will we inherit the kingdom of God on earth?

The apostle Paul gives us the answer in his letter to the Church of Corinth: "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:50-53 NKJV).

Paul is talking about the first resurrection, when we are raised from the dead and are changed to spirit. We then will have eternal life and be immortal (Romans 6:23). We will then inherit the kingdom of God and the promise that God gave to Abraham which is the earth.

The apostle Paul also revealed the following regarding the first resurrection: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16-17 NKJV).

We see here that Jesus Christ returns to the earth, He descends from heaven, the first resurrection occurs, the saints raise to meet Him in the air and will always be with Him from that point on.

And then what happens? We have the answer in the book of Zechariah: "And in that day His (Christ’s) feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south" (Zechariah 14:4 NKJV).

We see from this passage that Christ will descend to the earth and His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives at Jerusalem. Remember that the saints are with Him.

Now let’s notice the saints role in the kingdom: "Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. {9} And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, {10} And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:8-10 NKJV). The saints role will be in leadership positions as kings and priests ruling under Jesus Christ who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

What is the reward of the saved? When Jesus Christ returns to the earth, the saints will be resurrected to eternal life and will rule with Him over all of the earth. This is our promise and our inheritance from God.

It is interesting that in the Psalms 37 there four references that the earth is the inheritance of the righteous: "For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth" (verse 9 NKJV) ... "For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off" (verse 22 NKJV) .... "The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever" (verse 29 NKJV) .. "Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it" (verse 9 NKJV).

Some people who believe in the theory of when you die you will go to heaven will point to the term "the kingdom of heaven" as a proof text. Let’s take a look at what this term really means.

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by preaching about the kingdom of heaven. Matthew recorded: "In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" {3} For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight'" (Mat 3:1-3 NKJV).

There are four parts to a kingdom. A kingdom includes a king, territory to rule over, subjects and law. Jesus is the king. The territory that He will rule over when He returns will begin with Jerusalem and then will grow to include all of the earth. The subjects that Jesus will rule over will be all of mankind and He will rule by the laws of God.

It is interesting to note that the term "Kingdom of Heaven" is only used in the book of Matthew. All other references in the New Testament refers to the "Kingdom" or the "Kingdom of God".

Why did Matthew use the term "Kingdom of Heaven"?

The NIV Study Bible relates, under the section Purpose: "Matthew’s main purpose is to prove to his Jewish readers that Jesus is their Messiah. He does this primarily by showing how Jesus in his life and ministry fulfilled the O.T. Scriptures."

Matthew primarily wrote to the Jews. He did not want to offend them so he used the term "Kingdom of Heaven" in lieu of the phrase "Kingdom of God".

Luke recorded Jesus’ ascension to heaven in the book of Acts: "Now when He (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they (the disciples) watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. {10} And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, {11} who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11 NKJV).

Jesus went to heaven and as these scriptures indicate, He will return in the future from heaven coming back to the earth and then He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).

Now let’s notice what Jesus said to the Jews and to His disciples: "The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. {33} Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. {34} "You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come." {35} Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? {36} "What is this thing that He said, 'You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come'?" (John 7:32-36 NKJV).

Jesus told the Jews that where He was going they could not come. Where was He going? He was going to heaven.

Again Jesus predicts His departure and He tells the Jews that where He is going they cannot come: "Then Jesus said to them again, "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come." {22} So the Jews said, "Will He kill Himself, because He says, 'Where I go you cannot come'?" (John 8:21-22 NKJV).

At Jesus’ last Passover that He spent with His disciples, the night before His crucifixion, Jesus now tells His disciples that where He is going they cannot come: "Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come,' so now I say to you" (John 13:33 NKJV).

Where was Jesus going? He was going to heaven and He told His disciples that they could not follow Him there.

This should be proof enough that when you die you are not going to heaven.

Does the Bible say anything about anybody else going to heaven besides Jesus?

The apostle John records Jesus as saying: "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven" (John 3:13 NKJV). From this clear scripture Jesus said that no one has gone to heaven except Himself.

You would think that if anyone went to heaven it would be David who was a man after God’s own heart: "And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will'" (Acts 13:22 NKJV). David was very devoted to God and served Him faithfully.

What did the apostle Peter in his Pentecost sermon say about David: "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day" .... "For David did not ascend into the heavens ..." (Acts 2:29,34 NKJV).

The apostle Paul agrees with what Peter said about David: "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption" (Acts 13:36 NKJV). Paul was saying that David died, was buried and his body decayed. Paul did not contradict what Peter said. These scriptures are clear and we would have to conclude that after David died he did not go to heaven.

If someone has gone to heaven then they would have seen God. But what does the scriptures say?

The apostle John records Jesus as saying: "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1:18 NKJV).

What man has seen God? Jesus was God in the flesh (1 John 4:2-3) and only He has seen God the Father: "Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father" (John 6:46 NKJV).

The apostle John refers to this point in his later writings: "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us" .... "If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:12, 20 NKJV)

These scriptures are clear and we would have to conclude that no man on the earth has ascended to heaven and seen God except for Jesus Christ.

God has designed it for all men to die (Hebrews 9:27). After a man dies his body returns to dust (Genesis 3:19, Eccl. 3:19-20).

Solomon, who was very wise and had must wisdom (Matthew 12:42) wrote: "For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. {6} Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun" .... "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (Eccl 9:5-6, 10 NKJV).

We see from these scriptures that those who are dead know nothing.

What did David, who was a man after God’s own heart, have to say about death? "For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks?" (Psalms 6:5 NKJV).

David knew that when you die you don’t go to heaven. David knew that man is like animals that perish: "Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish" (Psalms 49:12 NKJV).

The apostle Peter said that our inheritance is reserved in heaven: "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4 NKJV). Let’s notice a very important point, this passage does NOT say that you are going to heaven to get your reward. Let’s notice now that Jesus will be bringing our rewards with Him when He returns to the earth: "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" (Revelation 22:12 NKJV). We will receive our rewards at the first resurrection.

Some people will point to the transfiguration on the mountain where Peter, James and John saw Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah as proof that Moses and Elijah went to heaven. Let’s notice this passage: "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; {2} and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. {3} And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. {4} Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." {5} While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" {6} And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. {7} But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." {8} When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. {9} Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead" (Matthew 17:1-9 NKJV).

Notice that this passage does NOT say that Moses and Elijah went to heaven or are now alive in heaven. What is says in verse 9 is that this was a VISION. Strong’s Concordance #G3705 defines vision as: something gazed at, a spectacle, especially something supernatural.

A vision or a dream is not reality, it is not real, it is like a trance, it is a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation.

The revelation that Jesus was making to His disciples in this vision was to show them what it would be like after the resurrection and they would have their glorified spiritual bodies.

Everybody who believes that they are going to heaven will quote the following: "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. {4} "And where I go you know, and the way you know"" (John 14:2-4 NKJV).

What is the Father’s house? The apostle John recorded: "And He (Jesus) found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. {15} When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. {16} And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" (John 2:14-16 NKJV).

This event occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. What does this passage say was the Father’s house? It says the Temple was the Father’s house. Now let’s look at a similar event that occurred at the end of Jesus’ public ministry. Matthew wrote the following: "Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. {13} And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves'" (Mat 21:12-13 NKJV). Notice that Jesus says that God’s house, which is the Temple, is a house of prayer. See also Luke 19:46 and Isaiah 56:7 which says that God’s house is a house of prayer.

What is the Bible definition of the Father’s house? It is the Temple. The Temple in Jerusalem was an earthly type (Hebrews 8:5) of God the Father’s house in heaven.

Now let’s look at the word "mansions". Strong’s Concordance #G3438 defines the word "mansions" as: "a staying, i.e. residence (the act or the place):--abode, mansion."

The word "mansion" comes from the Greek word "menein" which means "to remain" The word "abode" is a place where one abides, like a home, a place to live.

The word "mansion" is referring to a room, where a person could dwell or abode, in the Father’s house which is the Temple. The Temple contained many rooms or chambers.

1st. Kings 6 tells of King Solomon building the Temple and it mentions the chambers: "Against the wall of the temple he built chambers all around, against the walls of the temple, all around the sanctuary and the inner sanctuary. Thus he made side chambers all around it. {6} The lowest chamber was five cubits wide, the middle was six cubits wide, and the third was seven cubits wide; for he made narrow ledges around the outside of the temple, so that the support beams would not be fastened into the walls of the temple" (1 Kings 6:5-6 NKJV).

The prophet Jeremiah records the following: "Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink." {3} Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, his brothers and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites, {4} and I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door" (Jer 35:2-4 NKJV). Notice the rank or position of leadership of the people who dwelt in these chambers or "mansions". It mentions "chamber of the princes" and "the keeper of the door". See also Ezra 8:29 and Jeremiah 36:10.

Referring back to John 14:1, Jesus said: " I go to prepare a place for you." Jesus went to heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and is at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). He is in the position of our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11). One of the functions of His job in heaven is to prepare a place for His disciples as He promised and then as He also promised to return to the earth (Acts 1:9-11).

Now let’s see what is being "prepared". Jesus said: "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Mat 25:34 NKJV). Notice the words "inherit the kingdom". This again ties in with our inheritance promised to Abraham (Galatians 3:29) and as we have already seen, this Kingdom is going to be on the earth, where Jesus is coming to be King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16) and the saints will be with Him and will rule with Him on the earth (Revelation 5:10) for one thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).

Now let’s notice what else is being "prepared" for us. The apostle John wrote the following: "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2 NKJV).

Jesus is in heaven "preparing a place" for us. He is obviously preparing place or a position of authority for each true converted Christian disciple as part of the reward that He will be giving to us when He returns to the earth at His second coming (Revelation 22:12) which is when we inherit the Kingdom. Revelation 19 and 20 pertains to Jesus’ second return and setting up the Kingdom that will last one thousand years.

Our reward will also include a "mansion" or chamber in the new temple, the holy city, New Jerusalem which will descend from heaven to the earth after the millennial kingdom of God on the earth (Revelation 21 and 22). The New Jerusalem will contain the throne of God and of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:3.

In Conclusion: What the scriptures indicate is that we, the disciples of Jesus, do NOT go to heaven, but that Jesus is going to return to the earth and set up the Kingdom of God and will rule for one thousand years, then the holy city, New Jerusalem will descend from heaven and God the Father will then come from heaven to dwell on the earth.

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