Traditionally,
Christianity has taught that Heaven is the location of the
throne of God as well as the holy
angels,
[16][17] although this is in varying degrees considered
metaphorical. In traditional Christianity, it is considered a state or condition of existence (rather than a particular place somewhere in the
cosmos) of the supreme fulfillment of
theosis in the
beatific vision of the
Godhead. In most
forms of Christianity, heaven is also understood as the abode for the redeemed dead in the
afterlife, usually a temporary stage before the
resurrection of the dead and the
saints' return to
the New Earth.