Re: What type of existence will we have in the present Heaven before the Resurrection
This is lengthy but I wanted to be complete in writing this
NO ONE GOES TO HEAVEN
We know Jesus sits at the right hand of God, Mark 16:19, (some verses say stands at the right hand) and the reason for this is that Jesus is our mediator, John 14:6, between man and God as man cannot look upon the face of God and live, Exodus 33:20, as God can not look upon the flesh of man for it is sinful, Habakkuk 1:13, and Gods countenance is to brilliant for man to look upon. It would be like trying to look at the sun as it is too bright for us to look at with our own eyes. In Exodus 33:20, 23 God told Moses that he could see Gods back parts only as God placed Moses in the crevices to shield him as he passed by him as no one could see his face and live. Gods back parts that we still see today as Moses saw then is Gods grace and mercy on his people that even though we might not be able to see God we always know that he is always with us as his word says he will never leave us or forsake us, Hebrews 13:5.
The only ones who will ever see the throne of God are those of a heavenly spiritual creation in the third heaven, (Bible speaks of three heavens as explained below) which are the angels, Jesus, as now he is in his glorified state, Matthew 17:2, that shines like the sun without flesh and bone, but will return visible for all to see him, Acts 1:9-11, in the same way he ascended visibly and was consumed by the clouds and could no longer be seen by anyone as this is when Jesus was changed from flesh and blood to his immortal state of being spirit once again, 1Corinthians 15:50. Satan, who is also spirit form, can be found at times standing before the throne of God accusing the brethren, but even though he is still in heaven he only has limited access to the throne room of God as he goes to and fro between heaven and earth for now, Job 1:6; Revelation 12:7-12.
No one has or ever will enter into the third heaven where God sits on his throne as it is not a literal place we can see with our own eyes, but that of a Spiritual realm reserve only for that which is created Spiritual. According to John 14:2 Jesus is preparing a new heaven (Atmosphere) and a new earth that he will usher down after the tribulation of those days before his return, Matthew 24:29-31, as when Jesus comes back in the clouds as they have seen him leave he will raise up his Bride into the clouds to meet him in the air, 1Thessalonians 4:14-18, and than will he come down to plant his feet on the Mount of Olives to make an end of the abomination of sin once and for all and ushers down from the third heaven the new Jerusalem and new earth, Zechariah 14:4; Revelation 21:1,2. Those that are in Christ that have died to the grave and those alive will the angels gather from the four winds of the heavens, Matthew 24:31, and then will be changed in a twinkling of an eye as mortality will put on immortality, corruption will put on incorruption, 1Corinthians 15:51-55 and we will reign with Christ in our new bodies in the reward of the inheritance of the new heaven (Atmosphere), new Jerusalem and new Earth as we will reign with Christ for eternity, Isaiah 65:17-25; 1Corinthians Chapter 15.
With all this said I know many of you think that Elijah and Philip were taken up to heaven in a whirlwind and what about the Transfiguration of Jesus, Moses and Elias (Elijah). First let’s look at Elijah. 2Kings 2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. The sons of the prophets had a leader named Elijah who was also a prophet sent by God to King Ahab who was a wicked ruler along with Ahab’s son Ahaziah. God needed Elisha to take over the office of Elijah in Israel for the next fifty years as Elijah was old in years and king Ahaziah had died. The work God had for Elisha had to start under a new king. God had to separate Elijah from the people as Elisha held his office now and since God never takes an office away from someone who is performing his duties well he had to remove Elijah by using a whirlwind to take him up into the first heaven so the people did not think he was unqualified anymore for that duty of the office he held, 2Kings 2:1-18. When Elijah was taken up his mantle fell from him and Elisha picked it up and resumed the duties of Elijah. Now, Elijah was caught up to the first heaven (atmosphere) and no one ever knew where he landed, even though many went out to look for him, but could not find him as God saw to it that he was placed where no one knew him. We know he was still alive living here on earth as 2Chronicles 21:12-15 states that Jehoram received a letter from him years later.
Philip was also taken up in a whirlwind (first heaven) according to Acts 8:39,40 and placed at Azotus some thirty miles away preaching in all the cities until he ended up in Caesarea where he married and had daughters who prophesied. It was there that he lived out the rest of his days. Ezekiel according to Ezekiel 3:12 was caught up into the first heaven and brought to Jerusalem to the door of the inner gate, Ezekiel 8:3, and then again taken up and taken to Chaldea, Ezekiel 11:24. Then we have the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-9 where Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother up to the mountain and then in a supernatural vision (emphasis on vision) there appeared Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus. What Peter, James and John saw was a glimpse of Jesus in his glorified state as he stood praying to the Father and showing the three disciples that he was come to fulfill the law through his death on the cross as being made the final blood sacrifice taking all our sin upon himself for the fulfillment of the law as Moses stood there representing the law as the law giver and Elijah representing the greatest prophet to the Jews as keeping all the law and teachings others to do so as well until the fulfillment in Messiah would come. The disciples never really knew who Jesus was and what his purpose of coming was all about. All they knew was that Jesus was a prophet teacher sent by God as somewhat a renewed Elijah. This is why Jesus told them to tell the vision to no man of what they saw.
Jesus had to be the firstfruit of the resurrection to eternal life for all who are dead as by Adam all have died, but through Christ all may live as the last enemy is death and Jesus must reign until all his enemies are under his feet, 1Corinthians 15:20-26. Moses, Elijah, Philip are all yet in their graves as are all those who have gone before us that are in Christ and have yet not received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, Hebrews 11:13.
Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 34:6 and he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.
Hebrews 11:23-28 talks about Moses living by faith. Further down in verses 39 and 40 say that Moses did not receive the promise of a resurrection unto eternal life and perfection.
2Kings 13:20 and Elisha died and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year.
2Kings 13:21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John 3:13 and no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Hebrews 9:27 and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
Scripture for Jesus sits/stands at the right hand of God - Exodus 33:17-23; 2 Chronicles 18:18-21; Psalms 110:1; Job 1:6,7; Mark 12:35-37; Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55,56; Romans 8:34; Revelation 12:10ist and who are alive in
Scripture for all that are in Christ who have died will sleep until His return for His bride: Deut 31:16 (Moses); 2Samuel 7:12 (King David); Job 7:21; Job 14:12 (Job); Daniel 12:1,2; 1 Cor15:51; 2Peter 3:4; 1Thess 4:13-15; John 5:28,29; Rev21:1 (end time saints of God)
THREE HEAVENS
First heaven - The firmament, Earths atmosphere which is the immediate sky, where the fowls of the heaven, Genesis 2:19; 7:3, 23; Psalms 8:8, and the eagles of heaven, Lamentations 4:19, fly. It is our atmosphere that surrounds the earth.
Second Heaven - Outer Space, the starry heavens, Deuteronomy 17:3; Jeremiah 8:2; Matthew 24:29. The second heaven is the starry heavens, where our atmosphere ends. It is the heavens in which the sun, moon, and stars are fixed in orbit.
Third Heaven - This is where God dwells. It is called the heaven of heavens, Deuteronomy 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalms 115:16; 148:4. 1Kings 8:27 the heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. (Psalm 2:4) The One enthroned in heaven laughs; The LORD scoffs at them. The third heaven is beyond the space and stars where no man has seen by telescope. This heaven is the dwelling-place of God.