Where is Heaven?

While Muslims definitely believe in an afterlife, they also believe the earth will be destroyed in the future leaving just paradise and hell remaining throughout eternity.

The Bible paints a much different future of planet earth. Let’s put it in perspective.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“So God created man in His own image…” Genesis 1:27

“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” Genesis 1:31

“The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden…and out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food…” Genesis 2:8-9

“Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden…” Genesis 2:10

“Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Genesis 2:15

“And they (Adam and Eve) heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” Genesis 3:8

We all know the Biblical account of Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience and the consequence.

“Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.” Genesis 3:17-18

“…therefore the LORD God sent him (Adam) out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.” Genesis 3:23

In brief summary, God created the heavens, earth, and man in His own image to tend and keep His creation on earth. God looked upon His creation and found it to be ‘very good’. God and man initially walked together in the garden but because of man’s sin he was separated from God and expelled from the garden so he couldn’t access the tree of life, and the earth was cursed. Does that warrant the ultimate total destruction of the earth?

The prophet Isaiah was given the answer to that question.

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD…‘For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.’” Isaiah 65:13a, 17

Then God confirmed that the new heavens and new earth would remain as long as Israel, i.e. forever.

“For thus says the LORD…‘For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me’, says the LORD, ‘So shall your descendants and your name remain.’” Isaiah 66:12a, 22

The Apostle John saw the future fulfillment of those prophecies.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people…Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new…’” Revelation 21:1-5

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” Revelation 21:10

“The city had no need of the sun…for the glory of God illuminated it…And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” Revelation 21:23-24

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse…” Revelation 22:1-3

Comparing the Biblical description of New Jerusalem and the new earth with the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator, there is a striking resemblance.

• Both contain the tree of life
• Both contain a river in their midst to water the trees
• Both contain trees that provide food and sustenance
• There is no curse on man or the ground in either
• God dwells directly with man in both

So then, where is heaven? It is where God dwells and the Bible states very clearly that He will dwell forever and ever in New Jerusalem which will descend down out of heaven. Those who dwell in New Jerusalem and the new earth will have direct access to God as in the Garden of Eden before sin entered.

As the wise King Solomon said:

“One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever.” Ecclesiastes 1:4

Life after Death for Muslims

Muslims believe very strongly in the afterlife. They also believe the Koran is the primary source for God’s revelation to humanity concerning afterlife as per the following quote.

“While what has come down to us of the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel – The scriptures revealed to early prophets – all speak of a hereafter. It is only through God’s final revelation to humanity, the holy Koran, as revealed to his final prophet, Mohammed, that we learn most about the afterlife. And as the Koran is, and will forever remain, preserved and uncorrupted by human hands, the insight it gives us into the world of the unseen is, for the believer, as factual, real and true as anything that can be learned through any scientific endeavor (and with a zero margin of error!).”

Muslims heartily believe in paradise and hell. In fact their primary focus is on the future. They consider the existence of one’s life to be in three stages, i.e. physical life on earth where a person’s actions determine where and how they will spend eternity, the time between physical death and their resurrection on the day of judgment, and the time span of eternity after their deeds have been judged.

Paradise is described eloquently in the Koran in terms that appeal to the senses, i.e. companionship of members of the opposite sex, unlimited exotic food and drink, lavish furniture, etc. Muslims believe that everything that a person desired during their lifetime will be available to that person in paradise. Muslim paradise is succinctly summarized in the following verse:

“…And therein (in paradise) is what each soul desires and delights the eyes…” Koran 43:71

Students or varied religions find it interesting that the writer of Genesis addressed that very issue within a different context.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes…she took of its fruit and ate…” Genesis 3:6

The Apostle John confirmed the Genesis account which described mankind’s first sin.

“For…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes…is not of the Father…”
I John 2:18

It should be noted that paradise in the eyes of Muslims is only available to believers in Allah and his prophet Mohammed. The determination of whether or not a Muslim is qualified to enter paradise is accomplished with a brief interview.

Between death of a Muslim and their resurrection on judgment day two angels named Munkar and Nakeer visit the deceased and ask several questions:

• What is your religion? Only acceptable answer: Islam
• Who is your Lord? Only acceptable answer: Allah
• Who is your prophet? Only acceptable answer: Mohammed
• How did you come to know these things? Only acceptable answer: I read the book of Allah and I believed.

The incorrect and damning answer to any of the above is, “Alas, alas I don’t know.”

If and when the departed passes the above test a voice from the heavens will call out:

“My slave has spoken the truth, supply him with the furnishings from paradise, clothe him from paradise, and open a gate for him in paradise.”

The Koran is equally adamant about the probability of a non-Muslim entering paradise. The religion of the Muslims leaves absolutely no provision for paradise for anyone but one of their own.

For the disbeliever, “The gates of heaven will not be opened to them and they will not enter paradise until a camel can pass through the eye of a needle.”

Hell is also described in great detail in the Koran. It is described as the temporary abode for Muslims whose evil deeds out weighed their good deeds and the permanent abode for all non Muslims. Muslims believe any Muslim who is sent to hell is sent there only temporarily. After suffering for a time, their misdeeds on earth are forgiven and they are then reassigned to paradise.

Hell according to Muslims is divided into seven regions to receive the different classes of the damned. For example, the first region of hell is where wicked Muslims are sent initially prior to their transfer to paradise. The second region of hell is the region reserved for Jews. The third region is specifically designated for Christians.

As previously stated, tolerance of varied religions in the United States including Islam is allowed by our constitution. Problems arise, however, when such tolerance is one sided and one religion attempts to force its adherence on others. We’ll discuss the tolerance issue in more detail in future columns. The religious aspect of Islam, however, is just the tip of the iceberg.

For a wealth of information, Google ‘describe paradise and hell for Muslims’.

The Bible's Dire Expectation

The seemingly endless battle between good and evil is very evident in the world today. The Bible clearly reveals that ‘good’ will ultimately prevail. However, before the final victory is won the battle will intensify until God openly intervenes at the appointed time and emerges the victor.

The Bible states that God will permit ‘lawlessness’ to escalate just before the return of Christ in victory.

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God…showing himself that he is God…For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…”
II Thessalonians 2:1-7

A sobering truth is “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…”

The seven year time period signaling the climax of the battle of good and evil was first revealed in the book of Daniel. The angel Gabriel was dispatched by God to reveal to Daniel the future of his people, i.e. the Jews. Gabriel is the angel that bears good news to God’s people. Gabriel summarized God’s plan to Daniel for the Jews with a 490 year time period. 483 years were fulfilled at the death of Christ. Between the death of Christ and His return is an unspecified gap of time. The beginning of the last 7 year period can be identified when the ‘son of perdition’ mentioned above signs a 7 year treaty with the Jews.

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (7 years); but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Daniel 9:27

Jesus Himself warned of this deceitful one when asked by His disciples when He would return:

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many…Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet... let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matthew 24:3-21

Jesus calls the deceiver ‘the abomination of desolation’, Paul calls him ‘the son of perdition’, the Apostle John in his epistles calls him ‘the Antichrist’ and in the Revelation he is called ‘the beast’.

In the Revelation, as Jesus opens the seven seals of the scroll, the first seal known also as the first horseman of the apocalypse, is identified as the Antichrist.

“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals…And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” Revelation 6:1-2

The above verses begin the 7 year tribulation period. Notice that the rider was given a crown. He carried a bow without arrows indicating he would begin his 7 year reign by offering a deceitful ‘peace’ treaty. But as Gabriel announced to Daniel, after 3½ years the treaty would be broken and total chaos would break out.

“And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name…And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation…If anyone has an ear, let him hear...he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword.” Revelation 13:5-10

Notice again that this beast is given his authority by the sovereign God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

One tactic of the Antichrist will be to control all economic activity. The Antichrist will have a partner called the false prophet to enforce his edicts.

“Then I saw another beast…He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast…” Revelation 13:11-17

Christ will return at Armageddon to end the 7 year period of chaos and destroy the Antichrist and false prophet.

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod or iron…Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who…deceived those who received the mark of the beast…These two were cast alive into the lake of fire…” Revelation 19:11-21

There will be countless individuals who will refuse to worship the Antichrist during the 7 year tribulation period. Those who choose martyrdom will be beheaded during the tribulation but afterwards rewarded when Christ returns and establishes His kingdom in Jerusalem.

“…Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness of Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on the foreheads or on their hands…And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” Revelation 20:4

In summary, the Bible’s dire expectation will come to a head with the appearance of Antichrist. He is described in the Bible as one who blasphemes God by denying the deity of Jesus Christ. The Bible states that the spirit of Antichrist is already present in the world. The Bible further states that Antichrist will initiate a false 7 year peace treaty with the Jews. After 3½ years the treaty will be broken and Antichrist will claim to be God. All those who align with Antichrist will receive a mark on their forehead or hands to show their allegiance. Many of those that refuse will be beheaded. Christ will return to earth at the end of the 7 year tribulation and destroy both the Antichrist and false prophet. He will then establish His millennial kingdom headquartered in Jerusalem.

Islam's Great Expectation

According to Islamic literature, teachings, and traditions, there will in the future appear an Islamic Messiah figure called al-Mahdi, or simply Mahdi. The term ‘Mahdi’ is a title meaning ‘The Guided One.’ It is written that Mahdi will “bring in true and uncorrupted guidance to all mankind, creating a social order and a world free from oppression in which Islam will be the norm for all nations.”

Quoting from Islamic literature:

“The coming of the Mahdi is established doctrine for both Sunni and Shia Muslims, and indeed for all humanity.”

“A figure more legendary than that of the Mahdi, the Awaited Savior, has not been seen in the history of mankind…He has been the dream of all the dreamers of the world. For the ultimate salvation of mankind he is the Pole Star of hope on which the gaze of humanity is fixed…”

“He will reappear on the appointed day, and then he will fight against the forces of evil, lead a world revolution and set up a new world order based on justice, righteousness and virtue…ultimately the righteous will take the world administration in their hands and Islam will be victorious over all the religions.”

“The Mahdi will be victorious and eradicate those pigs and dogs and the idols of this time so that there will once more be a caliphate based on prophethood as the hadith states…Jerusalem will be the location of the rightly guided caliphate and the center of Islamic rule, which will be headed by Imam al-Mahdi…That will abolish the leadership of the Jews…”

“Imam Mahdi will distribute the spoils of war after the battle. He will lead the people according to the Sunnah and during his reign Islam will spread throughout the world. He will remain till seven years (since his emergence). He will pass away…”

Islam’s prophet Mohammed spoke of the coming Mahdi:

“The Mahdi will be of my family, of the descendants of Fatima (one of Mohammed’s wives).

“There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans (West). The fourth agreement will be mediated through a person who will be from the progeny of Hadhrat Haroon (Moses’ brother Aaron) and will be upheld for seven years.”

“He will divide the property, and will govern the people by the Sunnah of their Prophet and establish Islam on earth. He will remain seven years, then die, and the Muslims will pray over him.”

“He will be from my progeny and will be forty years of age. His face will shine like a star and he will have a black spot on his left cheek. He…will appear exactly as a person from the Bani Israel…”

“Armies carrying black flags will come from Khurasan (from the East, i.e. Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan). No power will be able to stop them and they will finally reach Eela (Jerusalem) where they will erect their flags.”

“There will be many armies after me. You must join that army which will come from Khurasan.”

“While the people will be pledging their allegiance to Imam Mahdi, a voice from the unseen will call out: ‘This is the representative of Allah, the Mahdi, listen to him and obey him.’”

Other relevant Islam teachings (‘Izzat and Muhammad Arif):

“I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophets…For instance, the Book of Revelation says: ‘And I saw and behold a white horse. He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer.’ It is clear that this man is the Mahdi who will ride the white horse and judge by the Qur’an (with justice) and with whom will be men with marks of prostration on their foreheads…”

Iran’s current president Mahmoud Ahmadinajab is a Shiite Muslim who believes very strongly that Allah has appointed him to usher in Islam’s Mahdi. When he spoke the first time before the UN in September, 2005 he claimed that he felt the presence of Allah during that speech as if he were basking in an aura of light. He commented during his speech that his audience was so moved that none could even blink their eyes. During this speech he called to the ‘mighty Lord’ to hasten the emergence of the ‘promised one’ who ‘will fill this world with justice and peace’ referring to Islam’s Mahdi. In a following speech in Tehran he confirmed that he considers his main mission to ‘pave the path for the glorious reappearance of Imam Mahdi. May Allah hasten his reappearance.’

I have purposely not added any commentary to this column in an attempt to present as objectively as possible the teachings of Islam regarding their coming savior, or Mahdi.

For further enlightenment Google ‘Islam’s Mahdi, his person, mission, longevity’ etc.