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DOWNLOAD THIS STUDY GUIDEAND THE VIDEO ATJOINTHEBIBLEPROJECT.COMHEAVEN& EARTHSTUDY GUIDEThis study guide will be most helpful ifyou work through it slowly with an openBible looking up all the references. Grabsome friends and do it together!STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTH1
1In the Bible the word “heaven” is used in differentways depending on the context.GENESIS 1:1It can refer simply to “the sky.”PSALM 68:34PSALM 148:13It can refer to “God’s space,” using the sky asa metaphor to describe God’s transcendenceover all things.God’s space is in contrast with “earth/land”which is human space.There is also recognition that God isn’t literallylocated in the sky, but rather his presence fillsall creation.STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTHDEUTERONOMY 26:15PSALM 2:4PSALM 115:2-3ISAIAH 66:1PSALM 115:161 KINGS 8:27ISAIAH 6:3JEREMIAH 23:242
2Heaven and earth are depicted as distinctbut overlapping dimensions of divine spaceand human space.Check out the following biblical stories that explore or assume this overlap:MOSES’ ENCOUNTERMOSES’ ENCOUNTERWITH GOD AT THEWITH GOD’S PRESENCEBURNING BUSHON MT. SINAIGENESIS 28:10-17EXODUS 3:1-6EXODUS 19:9-12Notice how the placehe lies down becomesa ‘connecting point’between heaven andearth (28:12). He says“the Lord is in this place”and so he names thisplace, which is locatedon earth, “the gate ofheaven” (28:17).Notice in 3:5 how thespace around the bushis called “holy ground,”i.e. space that is markedby God’s presence. Seethe similar story aboutJoshua near Jericho inJoshua 5:13-15.Note the descriptions ofGod’s presence that areappearing on earth!JACOB’S DREAMOF ANGELS AT BETHELSTUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTH3
3In the Bible these overlapping spaces of heavenand earth are specifically associated with Temples.The garden in Eden is the archetypal place whereheaven and earth fully overlap and humanity andGod dwell together.The two temples described in detail in Exodusand 1 Kings are full of images and materialsdesigned to recreate the garden scene.God says the express purpose of the temple is todwell among and meet with his people.Solomon acknowledges that God’s presencefills all of creation, however he has chosen tobecome uniquely present in his chosen temple inJerusalem.STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTHGENESIS 2EXODUS 25-311 KINGS 6-7EXODUS 25:22EXODUS 29:42-461 KINGS 8:27-304
4Animal sacrifice is established as a means fordealing with Israel’s sin and injustice which enablesGod to remain in their presence.The animal’s life is offered in place of the one offering for their sin.LEVITICUS 16LEVITICUS 17:11On the Day of Atonementtwo animals are sacrificedfor the sins of Israel.Note how in 16:21-22the priest confessesIsrael’s sin and placesit symbolically on theanimal.“For the life of a creatureis in its blood, and I havegiven it to you to makeatonement for yourselveson the alter; it is the bloodthat makes atonement.”STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTH5
5In the New Testament Jesus is described as thetemple where heaven and earth overlap as well asthe animal sacrifice offered for sin.JESUS AS THE TEMPLE“Made his dwelling” is intentionally connecting toExodus 29:44-46.Jesus clears the Jerusalem temple and claimsthat he is the temple.“The fullness of God’s presence” is a reference toIsaiah 6:3.JOHN 1:14JOHN 2:18-22COLOSSIANS 1:19, 2:9JESUS AS THE SACRIFICEJesus is a lamb who carries the world’s sin.Jesus is a Passover LambJesus’ death was like a Day of Atonementsacrifice.STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTHJOHN 1:291 CORINTHIANS 5:71 PETER 1:18-196
6Through the presence of Jesus among his followersby the Holy Spirit, the Church becomes a templewhere God’s space and human space overlap.THE CHURCHTHE CHURCH ATPENTECOSTIS THE TEMPLEACTS 2:1-4EPHESIANS 2:19-22The fiery cloud comingto rest over eachperson refers back tothe divine fire restingover the temple inExodus 40:34-38.STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTHJesus’ followers aredescribed as a templewhere God’s presencedwells by his Spirit.FOLLOWERS OF JESUSAS STONES IN THETEMPLE1 PETER 2:4-5Peter describes Jesus’followers as stones thatmake up God’s temple.7
7New Creation is a rejoining of heaven and earth.1Jesus, Peter, and Paul all speak about God’s future restorationof all creation as the ultimate goal of Christian hope.JESUSPETERPAULMATTHEW 19:28ACTS 3:21ROMANS 8:21the renewal of all thingsthe restoration ofall thingscreation itself will beliberated frombondage to decay2The Christian’s ultimate destiny is resurrection life in the new creation.LUKE 23:42-4332 CORINTHIANS 5:6-9The new creation is described with language and imageryfrom the Garden of Eden and the tabernacle and temple.GENESIS 1-24PHILIPPIANS 1:21-24EXODUS 25-311 KINGS 6-7The Bible ends in Revelation 21-22 with the heavenly presenceof God being fully rejoined and integrated into earth.REVELATION 21:10, 22But what happens when I die?CHRISTIANS HAVE THE COMFORTING HOPE OF BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS AFTER THEY DIE.PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTHROMANS 6:4-51 CORINTHIANS 15:20-288
DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS1WHAT ARE THE IMAGES THAT COME INTO YOUR MINDWHEN YOU THINK OF “HEAVEN”? WHERE DID THOSEIMAGES AND IDEAS COME FROM?2WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE BIBLICAL PASSAGESTHAT SHOW HEAVEN AND EARTH AS “OVERLAPPING”SPACES? IS THIS A NEW CONCEPT FOR YOU? WHAT AREITS IMPLICATIONS?3LOOK UP ALL THE PASSAGES MENTIONED IN POINT5 WHERE JESUS IS DESCRIBED IN THE LANGUAGE OFTEMPLE AND SACRIFICE: WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCEOF JESUS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THIS WAY?4IS THE IDEA OF HEAVEN AND EARTH REJOINING ATTHE END OF THE BIBLICAL STORY A NEW CONCEPTFOR YOU? READ REVELATION 21-22 AND DISCUSS HOWIT DIFFERS FROM POPULAR CONCEPTIONS OF THEEND OF THE WORLD.STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTHGENESIS 28:10-17EXODUS 3:1-6EXODUS 19:9-12JOHN 1:14JOHN 2:18-22COLOSSIANS1:19, 2:9REVELATION21-229
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STUDY GUIDE FOR HEAVEN & EARTH 4 In the Bible these overlapping spaces of heaven 3 and earth are specifically associated with Temples. GENESIS 2 EXODUS 25-31 1 KINGS 6-7 EXODUS 25:22 EXODUS 29:42-46 1 KINGS 8:27-30 The garden in Eden is the archetypal place where heaven and earth fully overlap and humanity and God dwell together.
