Four texts from Mark 11 and 12 bring us back to the big idea of what heaven refers to. Here they are:
Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.?
Mark 11:30 John’s baptism?was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!? 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, ?If we say, ?From heaven,? he will ask, ?Then why didn’t you believe him?? 32 But if we say, ?From men?….? (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, ?We don’t know.? Jesus said, ?Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.?
Mark 12:25When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
First, heaven is where God is.
Second, heaven is the source of John the Baptist’s prophetic ministry. That is, it is from God.
Third, it is where the angels are, since they are in God’s presence.
Thus, heaven is where God is, where God’s authority is, the place from which God’s power comes to earth.