Heaven is For Real: A Three Story View of Heaven, The Heavens, and the Earth (Gen 1:6-8)

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Heaven is For Real: A Three Story View of Heaven, The Heavens, and the Earth (Gen 1:6-8)

October 1, 2023 • David Schrock • Genesis 1:6–8

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Heaven is a place like earth. Have you heard that (sung) before? In some ways, it is exactly right. God made man for the earth, and one day, when death is dead and sin is no more, he will remake the heavens and the earth, so that we spend eternity with him on a glorified earth.

At the same time, earth is a place like heaven. Or it should be. God made the world to reflect the glory of heaven, and redemptive history was always aimed to bring God’s image bearers into his heavenly presence. Think Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. Each of them were given visions of heaven—a reflection of what is to come!

In Christ, a man would finally come into God’s heavenly throne room. And more incredible: He would stay!

Going back to the beginning, God had always came down from heaven to the earth. But finally, in Christ, God raised a man—the God-man—into his presence when he ascended in Acts 1:9-11. Indeed, the whole Bible tells a story of heaven and earth. And this Sunday we are going to begin to look at that story as we study Genesis 1:6–8.

In these three verses, we find the separation of heaven and earth, a separation that sets the context for the story of joining heaven and earth in Christ. Indeed, this is what we will see on Sunday.

To prepare for this message, take time to read Genesis 1:6–8 and then think about all the places in Scripture where heaven is discussed. Consider what the heavens look like and spend time in Job 36–37 reading about what God says about his heavens. Too often we ignore God’s testimony about the heavens we see, and on Sunday we are, by God’s grace, going to learn about what God says about the heavens that stand above our heads and under God’s feet.

As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

For His Glory and your joy in Christ,

Pastor David

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Discussion & Response Questions: Genesis 1:6–8

What is heaven? And where is it?

What is the difference between heaven (where God dwells) and the heavens (what we see)? Is the word different, or the idea?

What is the relationship between God’s heaven and the heavens above us? Cf. Jeremiah 10:11-13; Isaiah 40:21-23; Psalm 102:25–27; Psalm 104:1–5; Job 37:1–14.

How do these passages change the way you think of heaven and the heavens?

Could you explain how the cosmos is a three-story house? Where does Scripture explain this?

What is the relationship between heaven, the temple, and the cloud? Where do we see the cloud of God coming to earth?

What do the clouds represent? How does understanding the glory of heaven inform your understanding of the world?

How does a proper understanding of heaven and the heavens inform scientific inquiry?

What does the creation of the heavens do in the story of salvation?

What does this study of Genesis 1:6–8 teach us about God? About the Bible? About how to see the world God has made?

More from Creation & Covenant: Genesis 1-3

The Way Out Reveals the Wisdom, Justice, and Mercy of God (Genesis 3:20-24)

March 3, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 1—3, Genesis 3:20–24

The Way of God: A Threefold Curse and Consolation (Gen. 3:14-19)

February 25, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 3:14–19

He Gets Us: Reimagining the Fallout of Adam and Eve's Sin (Gen. 3:7b-13)

February 18, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 3:7–13

Dear OBC Family, If I had to outline Genesis 3, it would fall under the following headings. Genesis 3:1–6: The Fall. Genesis 3:7–13: The Fallout. Genesis 3:14–24: The Way Out. In these three steps, we get a sense of what happens to the first man and woman. First, seeking to be wise, they became fools. They broke God’s law, ate of the fruit, and invited judgment. Yet, before death came, God came. He entered the garden to find the fallout of sin. And then, after questioning the couple, he pronounced a judgment. That judgment led to Adam and Eve’s removal from the Garden. Yet, in that good judgment, the Lord God also pronounced good news. In Genesis 3:15 he declared that salvation was coming through the woman’s seed. Next week, we’ll see that promise in full. But this Sunday we must consider the fallout of Adam’s sin and Eve’s deception. And by looking square in the face of wreckage, it will reveal much about our own sin and its effects. Wonderfully, we can approach this Garden with the full knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet, we still need to learn afresh how heinous sin is. And so, as you prepare for Sunday, pray for God to see our sin and to hate our sin. For truly, sin is the source of all death, despair, and destruction. And yet, because we are born in Adam, we do not hate sin—our sin!—as we ought. And that is our aim for Sunday. To prepare, go ahead and read Genesis 3. You may also find it helpful if you read Matthew 6, which will be connected to Genesis 3 on Sunday. As the Lord allows, I hope to see you Sunday. For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 3:7 – 13) What does 3:8 reveal about the fellowship with God that existed prior to sin? What does this text reveal about the effects of sin upon mankind’s relationship to God? Consider Adam and Eve’s response to their shame. What is the effect of their clothing? Does clothing allow them to walk with God? God knows all things. Consider then the significance God’s questions for Adam and Eve in verses 9, 10, and 13. Why does God ask questions? In what ways do we seek to hide because of our sin? What happens when we hide? What happens when our sin is exposed? Instead of taking responsibility for sin, consider the blaming that takes place. Who is blamed? Does blaming another remove one’s responsibility? Why or why not? How does God deal with our guilt and shame in the Gospel? What does the Bible teach us about clothing? (Consider how Scripture speaks about clothing from Genesis to Revelation). How ought we to respond to this text?