Since most of Christendom equates salvation and going to heaven, we thought it profitable to look into the matter and see what the Scriptures have to say about it.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, two spheres. But they were overthrown in the great overthrow of Genesis 1:2 and 2 Peter 3:6.
Six days were given to the task of bringing back order on the earth and establishing a new heaven or firmament (Genesis 1:6). This is what we now call the sky. Some day, the present heavens and earth will pass away, and there will be a new creation (2 Peter 3:13). The new heavens will be The Third Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2).
But there is another sphere Far above all. It is over and above all the universe or creation. The first mention is in Deuteronomy 10:14, being mentioned only ten times in the OT. The expression is usually Heaven of heavens. It is the place of God's Glory.
We know very little about the inhabitants of the heavens and earth created in Genesis 1:1.
The man Adam was created to dwell in and rule over the present earth (Genesis 1:26). There is nothing about man ever inhabiting the firmament or heaven above us. But Satan has his headquarters there and rules there with his angels. He is the prince of the powers of the air (heaven). Some day, he will lose his place there and, with his angels, be cast to the earth (Revelation 12:9).
Now, what is the way to heaven? There is no hint in all the OT that any man would ever dwell in The Heaven of heavens. Satan had ambitions in that direction but failed. See Isaiah 14:12-15.
No one has ascended to heaven except the Lord Jesus (John 3:13). But as we read through The Gospels, we find no gate to heaven for man to enter. It is unheard of. We read on through Acts and some of the Epistles, and then we stop at Ephesians 1:3. Here is something new. A people were chosen from before the overthrow and have been chosen to be blessed in The Heavenlies, The Heaven of heavens.
The gate to The Heavenly Place was opened when the Salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28). Since God's Earth's purpose was that all nations should be blest through Israel, and Israel failed, then this Earth's purpose has been suspended for the time being and the secret purpose, hidden for ages and generations, was put in motion.
So, are we to the point of answering the question of how to get to Heavenly Places? It is by Grace through faith. And faith comes by hearing, and the hearing by the Word of God. Paul was entrusted with The Gospel of The Dispensation of The Mystery after Israel was divorced at the end of the Book of Acts. And it is This Gospel that one must receive and believe. And to those who believe, the Word says, Quickened us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus. And for The Hope? See Colossians 3:4.
