When the word heaven is used in Scripture, it does not automatically refer to God's dwelling place. There are three different “heaven” locations in Scripture, depending on the surrounding context of each passage. Heaven can refer to the immediate skies above, where clouds and birds are. It can refer to outer space, where stars and planets are. It can also refer to God's dwelling place, which the Apostle Paul describes as "the third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12:2).
God's heavenly dwelling is a place of complete and total perfection. It is free from all sin, sickness, pain, disease, and death and is filled with His glory and majesty. God's throne is in heaven, with the Father seated upon it and Jesus at His right hand. Day and night, God is worshiped, praised, and served by all of His holy angels.
The souls of all believers who have died are in heaven. They are in the presence of Jesus, surrounded by the fullness of His love, joy, peace, perfection, and righteousness (Psalm 16:11). They never again experience pain, sadness, sickness, disease, suffering, sin, or death as they did on the earth. Although not yet in their glorified bodies until the resurrection, they have been made perfect in every way possible (Hebrews 12:23).
Believers who died in faith before Jesus' death on the cross were not allowed into heaven because their sins had not yet been atoned for by the Messiah. Consequently, they entered the Paradise side of hell when they died (Abraham's Bosom) to await Jesus' birth and death while experiencing comfort and peace. After Jesus died on the cross and His body was in the grave, Jesus descended to the Paradise side of hell to proclaim His victory over sin and death. Afterward, He took believers from Paradise to Heaven to be with Him forever. Since then, all who have placed their faith in Jesus for salvation go immediately to Heaven when they die.
At the end of all things on Earth, God will destroy the present heavens and Earth and create brand new ones. The new heavens and Earth will be the permanent dwellings where God, all born-again believers, and the holy angels dwell forever.
(See the Scripture References link at the top of the page.)
