I. HEAVEN IS a PLACE.

John 14:3 says, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Somewhere beyond the limits of our visible creation is a place which Jesus describes as "Heaven." It is a locality. It is the Christian’s home—our destination.

Heaven is a real place with mansions for us to dwell in! It is the abode of God Himself. In Isaiah 57:15 we read, "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Everything about Heaven indicates it is a real place. In Revelation 21:18-21 we are told the foundations are garnished with all manner of precious stones. It says the walls of the city are made of jasper and other stones. Three gates are said to be on the east, three on the west, three on the north, and three on the south. We are also given the measurements of the city. Surely, this is a real place. It is somewhere and it is substantial because Jesus is living there now. Roy Laurin in his commentary on John says, "Heaven is a place. It is not simply a state of mind or a condition of life. The Heavenly life is not going to be less than our earthly life, which is not a state of mind. It is in a body, and that body is in a place."

Some people argue that Heaven is simply a state of mind. But William Edward Biederwolf said, "Well, it is a condition—sure; it’s a state of mind and heart, but it’s more: If Jesus went anywhere, He must have gone somewhere. He couldn’t go nowhere, where is nowhere? Heaven is a place." The great Evangelist D. L. Moody said, "Heaven is as much a place as Chicago. It is a destination; it is a locality." But regardless of what preachers may say, regardless of what scientists may say, regardless of what philosophers may say, regardless of what skeptics may say, Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place" (John 14:2). Jesus is the authority, and He says that Heaven is a place.

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