Heaven

Heaven is described in The Bible as a physical place, not the ethereal, other-dimensional realm most people think of today.

The Skydome[]

The Bible reflects the primitive view that Earth is flat, covered by a rigid dome.

Genesis 1:6 - And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

The word "firmament" is translated from the Greek "stereoma," meaning "a hard object." That was translated from the Hebrew "rakia," meaning "a thin metal plate," derived from the verb "raga," meaning "to hammer out."

Job 37:18 - Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

This verse too translates from the word "rakia". One can almost imaging God taking a hammer and beating out a thin shell to place over the flat Earth.

Genesis 11:4 - And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven

The Tower of Babel was a threat to God because, if it were tall enough, it could reach all the way up to this dome.

Daniel 4:10-11 - Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth

If the Tower of Babel could reach the dome, why not a tree?

Its Supports[]

The dome is supported by pillars, as an Earthly roof might be.

2 Samuel 22:8 - Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
Job 26:11 - The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

The Dwelling[]

This skydome above the Earth is where the authors thought God lived.

Amos 9:6 - It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven
Psalm 104:3 - Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

He strolls around on top of the dome.

Job 22:14 - Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.

He keeps his throne on it, sometimes sitting in it and watching us from above.

Hebrews 8:1 - ... We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Isaiah 66:1 - Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool

The Storehouse[]

Of course, the main purpose of the dome was to "divide the waters from the waters" so there is a lot of water stored up there.

Psalms 148:4 - Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
Jeremiah 51:16 - When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens;

There is also snow and hail stored on top of the firmament.

Job 38:22-23 - Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

Windows[]

Genesis 7:11-12 - ...and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
Isaiah 24:18 - ...for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
Malachi 3:10 - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

The Stars[]

The stars were thought to be hung from the dome, like burning figs, and that they could fall to the ground.

Isaiah 34:4 - And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
Daniel 8:10 - And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
Matthew 24:29 - Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mark 13:25 - And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Revelation 6:13 - And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Revelation 12:4 - And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.