Is Heaven A Physical Place?

[Quantum_Entity]

Short answer: Yes and No (Mostly yes).

Long answer (Hold onto your socks!):

In my opinion, Heaven exists in a physical and spiritual state. However, it probably differs from our state of being. Heaven could exist in a quantum state in relation to our universe, one that is linked to our space-time, but is also a different space-time body in its own right. Heaven (and Hell) could be considered 'meta-verses', I suppose, as opposed to a standard physical universe, such as our own. Thus, even if one subscribes to the theory of multiple realities and universes (we're moving into sci-fi ground here...), Heaven, as a physical/spiritual meta-verse, would exist in all spaces and all times regardless of one's point of reference.

This would fit with God's omnipresent state, in which He exists in all places and all times. For God, there is no past or future, no near and far, physical or immaterial, for Him it is always the present as all eras and locations, regardless of distance, are equally accessible. Thus, as God is a being that transcends space-time in His own right, I would assume that the realm in which He resides would exist in a similar state.

Now, the 'no' part of my answer applies only to our universe, that is, our point of reference. To the earth and our universe, Heaven is NOT physical, for it does not (to our knowledge) occupy a designated physical space in our universe (like the Earth, moon, Jupiter, Milky Way, Kuiper Belt, etc.). However, it may be linked to our universe via a spiritual or 'transcendental' means.

When we transcend our physical forms after death (pre-Resurrection) we undergo a change from matter to energy (physical to spiritual) and enter Heaven. When Christ returns and initiates the Resurrection, Heaven may then become physical to our universe, as our universe may be reformed, or even fused with the meta-verse that is Heaven. At that point our bodies may return to a physical/spiritual state, such as they are now, but with less of an emphasis on the body, such as we presently know.

That was a really long-winded and...well, crazy answer. If you don't follow me, that's alright. I think I've been watching too much of 'Noein: To Your Other Self,' which is an anime dealing with parallel universes and quantum physics.

Then again, I guess I am Quantum_Entity for a reason. I have spoken.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='MissyP89' post='1883298' date='Jun 4 2009, 02:52 PM']I am of the personal opinion that heaven, hell and purgatory are states of being, but if I am wrong, I have no problem going to a physical place.[/quote]
Just to make clear my position: I believe that heaven and hell are physical in the sense that the saints and the damned both have immortal physical bodies, but that does not mean that I see heaven and hell as geographical [i]places[/i].

Edited June 5, 2009 by Apotheoun

[kafka]

[quote name='Quantum_Entity' post='1883453' date='Jun 4 2009, 08:15 PM']Short answer: Yes and No (Mostly yes).

Long answer (Hold onto your socks!):

In my opinion, Heaven exists in a physical and spiritual state. However, it probably differs from our state of being. Heaven could exist in a quantum state in relation to our universe, one that is linked to our space-time, but is also a different space-time body in its own right. Heaven (and Hell) could be considered 'meta-verses', I suppose, as opposed to a standard physical universe, such as our own. Thus, even if one subscribes to the theory of multiple realities and universes (we're moving into sci-fi ground here...), Heaven, as a physical/spiritual meta-verse, would exist in all spaces and all times regardless of one's point of reference.

This would fit with God's omnipresent state, in which He exists in all places and all times. For God, there is no past or future, no near and far, physical or immaterial, for Him it is always the present as all eras and locations, regardless of distance, are equally accessible. Thus, as God is a being that transcends space-time in His own right, I would assume that the realm in which He resides would exist in a similar state.

Now, the 'no' part of my answer applies only to our universe, that is, our point of reference. To the earth and our universe, Heaven is NOT physical, for it does not (to our knowledge) occupy a designated physical space in our universe (like the Earth, moon, Jupiter, Milky Way, Kuiper Belt, etc.). However, it may be linked to our universe via a spiritual or 'transcendental' means.

When we transcend our physical forms after death (pre-Resurrection) we undergo a change from matter to energy (physical to spiritual) and enter Heaven. When Christ returns and initiates the Resurrection, Heaven may then become physical to our universe, as our universe may be reformed, or even fused with the meta-verse that is Heaven. At that point our bodies may return to a physical/spiritual state, such as they are now, but with less of an emphasis on the body, such as we presently know.

That was a really long-winded and...well, crazy answer. If you don't follow me, that's alright. I think I've been watching too much of 'Noein: To Your Other Self,' which is an anime dealing with parallel universes and quantum physics.

Then again, I guess I am Quantum_Entity for a reason. I have spoken.[/quote]
Good thoughts. Good effort. You might want to consider and add into your thoughts the truth that after the General Resurrection God creates a New Heaven and a New Earth, described in Isaiah, the Epistle of Peter, and Revelation. You might want to read up on those verses and incorporate them into your speculations. I think the New Heaven and New Earth will be fused, in that the Elect will freely be able to descend (to New Earth) and ascend (to New Heaven) between the two according to God's will.

I'm not sure Heaven or Hell could be described as a meta-verse, and I'm not familiar with physics, but I dont like this sort of speculation and meditation on Heaven. Maybe in the future new discoveries in science or philosophy will help aid us describe the nature of Heaven better, but ultimately the best sources is Divine Revelation.