Heaven This substantive occurs in Greek literature from Homer onward.

Its exact etymology is unclear; however, some conjecture that it has an Indo-European root meaning "water-(Bietenhard, Colin Brown, 2: 188), or that it derives from horos meaning "boundary" and ano meaning "above," thus "the boundary above" (Aristotle de Mundo 400.a7; d. Traub, "ouranos," Kittel, 5:498f.). Classical Greek Throughout classical Greek literature the term ouranos carries a dual sense. Simply put, it occurs in a literal, cosmological sense to describe what can be seen, the realm visible to mankind. It also occurs in a figurative, mythological sense to describe what cannot be seen, the realm pertaining to the gods. In the former sense ouranos may refer to the starry vault of heaven, the outermost regions of the earth, or to the entire order of creation. In the latter sense ouranos may occur as an appellation for the pre-Homeric god Uranus, the abode of the gods, or as a mantle for the world. The term never occurs in the plural in classical Greek (cf. Liddell-Scott) .. Septuagint Usage In the Septuagint ouranos, occurring more than 400 times for the Hebrew shamayim, is used to denote heaven in at least three various senses. First, ouranos may refer to the firmament in which are foundations (2 Samuel 22:8 [LXX 2 Kings 22:8]), windows (cf. Genesis 7:11), and pillars (Job 26: 11). In this sense it corresponds closely to the classical Greek concept of heaven as a vault stretched out over the earth. Second. it may refer to the area in which the birds fly, the atmosphere between the firmament: and the earth (d. Genesis 1:26,28,30). And third, ouranos may refer to a region without boundaries, a region in which God resides and from which God descends, possibly the region beyond the firmament (d. Genesis 19:24; Exodus 19: 18). In the Septuagint the term occurs for the first time in the plural, possibly in order to correspond with its Hebrew counterpart shamayim which is also in the plural, thereby denoting completeness, fullness, or its various aspects. New Testament Usage In the New Testament three concepts may be expressed by ouranos. The first is the atmosphere that surrounds the earth. It is the place where the birds move (Matthew 6:26) and men observe the weather patterns (Matthew 16:2,3). Secondly, it denotes the cosmos and is mentioned with the earth to express God's creation (Matthew 5:18; Acts 4:24; Revelation 14:7). The third use of ouranos expresses the spiritual habitations. It is the place of God's throne (Matthew 5:34) and temple (Revelation 11:19). From heaven God the Father speaks (Matthew 3:17), sends forth good gifts (Luke 11:13), and reveals His wrath against all ungodliness (Romans 1: 18). After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11). He sits at the right hand

of the Father and appears before Him on our behalf (Hebrews 9:24). A place is being prepared there for His followers (John 14:2,3). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), and He will one day be revealed from heaven (2 Thessalonians 1:7). The Third Person of the Trinity also has His habitation in heaven. He descended from there upon Jesus as He came up out of the waters of baptism (Matthew 3:16). After His ascension, Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit upon His waiting disciples (Acts 2:4,33). Thus, as the One sent from heaven (1 Peter 1:12), He is called the "heavenly gift" (Hebrews 6:4). The angels also reside in heaven. Those that appeared to the shepherds in the field are described as a "heavenly host" who returned after making their announcement (Luke 2:13-15). They surround the throne of God singing His praises (Revelation 5:11). Those that rebelled with Satan against God were expelled from heaven (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:4). The believer's hope is "laid up ... in heaven" (Colossians 1:5), an imperishable inheritance being reserved (1 Peter 1:4). Even now, the believer is seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6)! Treasures and great rewards are laid up in heaven (Matthew 6:20; Luke 6:23) as well as a resurrected body that will one day clothe the believer (2 Corinthians 5:1,2). The great goal of Biblical prophecy is the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1). This earth, groaning from the corruption of sin (Romans 8:21ff.), will one day be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:11). It will be replaced by a new heaven and earth, characterized by righteousness (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). From The Complete Biblical Library Springfield, Missouri, USA In much of Christianity, heaven is a return to the pre-fallen state of humanity, a second and new Garden of Eden, in which humanity is reunited with God in a perfect and natural state of eternal existence. Christians believe this reunion is accomplished through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ in having died for the sins of humanity on the cross. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven
THE LORD'S PRAYER (One Possible New Translation From The Aramaic***) by Neil Douglas Klotz 1a*) Abwoon d'bwashmaya... 1b**)O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos, 1c***) Our Father which art in heaven. 2a) Nethqadash shmakh... 2b) Focus your light within us-make it useful, 2c) Hallowed be thy name.

3a) Teytey malkuthakh... 3b) Create your reign of unity now, 3c) Thy kingdom come. 4a) Nehwey tzevyanach aykanna d'bwashmaya aph b'arha... 4b) Your one desire then acts with ours, as in all light, so in all forms, 4c) Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 5a) Hawvlan lachma d'sunqanan yaomana ... 5b) Grant what we need each day in bread and insight, 5c) Give us this day our daily bread. 6a) Washboqlan khaubayn (wakhtahayn) aykanna daph khnan shbwoqan l'khayyabayn... 6b) Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others' guilt, 6c) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 7a) Wela tahlan l'nesyuna, ela patzan min bisha... 7b) But free us from what holds us back, 7c) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 8a)Metol dilakhie malkutha wahayla wateshbutkhta l'ahlam almin. AMEYN!... 8b) From you is born all ruling will, the power and the life to do, the song that beautifies all, from age to age it renews... Truly-power to these statements-may they be the ground from which all my actions grow. Amen! 8c) For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Legend: *a)=Aramaic; **b)= English Translation of the Aramaic; ***c)= King James Version