Christian Cosmology
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
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Heaven
The eternal dwelling place of God and the redeemed, where the divine presence fills all things. Heaven transcends physical space - it is not a location in the universe, but a dimension of existence beyond time and matter, where the faithful dwell in perfect communion with the Creator.
The New Jerusalem
The celestial city described in Revelation, adorned with precious stones and pure gold, where God dwells with humanity. A cube of impossible perfection, 1,400 miles on each side, descending from heaven to a renewed Earth. Its gates never close, and the glory of God illuminates it without need for sun or moon.
The Throne of God
The sovereign seat of divine authority, surrounded by cherubim, seraphim, and the twenty-four elders. From this throne proceeds lightning and thunder, and before it flows the crystal river of life. Here, all creation finds its ultimate purpose and meaning, in the presence of the Almighty who was, and is, and is to come.
The Three Heavens
The traditional understanding of heaven as threefold: the first heaven is the sky and atmosphere; the second heaven contains the stars and celestial bodies; the third heaven is the dwelling place of God Himself, which Paul describes being caught up to in a mystical vision. Each level represents increasing proximity to the divine presence.
Paradise
The place of comfort for the righteous dead, referenced by Jesus in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Also called "Abraham's Bosom," it represents the state of blessed rest for faithful souls awaiting the resurrection. Christ promised the repentant thief, "Today you will be with me in Paradise."
Purgatory
In Catholic theology, the intermediate state where souls undergo purification before entering heaven. Not a second chance for salvation, but a cleansing fire that prepares the saved for the perfection of God's presence. Here, temporal punishment for forgiven sins is satisfied, and the soul is made ready for eternal glory.
Hell
The state of eternal separation from God, described as outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth. Named after the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) outside Jerusalem, where refuse burned continuously. Not merely physical torment, but the ultimate spiritual anguish of existing forever apart from divine love and light.
The Lake of Fire
The ultimate destination of Satan, the Beast, the False Prophet, and all whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Described in Revelation as a lake burning with fire and brimstone, representing the second death - the final, irrevocable judgment. Even Death and Hades are cast into this lake at the end of time.
Eternity
God exists outside of time, in an eternal present where past, present, and future are one. This is not infinite time, but the absence of time - a dimension where a thousand years are as a day, and a day as a thousand years. In this realm, God's nature as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, is fully manifest.
Image Sources
All images used on this page will be sourced from Wikimedia Commons, featuring classical and Renaissance artwork depicting Christian cosmological themes. Paintings include works from masters like Gustave Doré, Hieronymus Bosch, Fra Angelico, and other artists who visualized the spiritual realms described in Scripture. All images are in the public domain or used under Creative Commons licenses.
Planned sources: Wikimedia Commons, Google Arts & Culture, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (public domain collections), and other institutions providing freely accessible religious artwork.