What Is Heaven?
In Scripture, the word heaven can refer to three different realms:
-
The atmospheric heaven—where birds fly and clouds move.
“The fowls of the heaven…” — Genesis 1:26
-
The celestial heaven—where the sun, moon, and stars are.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” — Psalm 19:1
-
The third heaven—the dwelling place of God.
“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago… such an one caught up to the third heaven.” — 2 Corinthians 12:2
When Christians commonly speak of “going to heaven,” they mean the present dwelling place of God, where Christ is seated and where the souls of departed believers are with Him.
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” — Matthew 6:9
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” — Mark 16:19
Heaven Is Where Jesus Christ Is
The greatest glory of heaven is not its beauty, its riches, or its freedom from sorrow. The greatest glory of heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ.
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” — John 14:3
Paul said that departing this life would mean being with Christ:
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” — Philippians 1:23
For the believer, death means being absent from the body and present with the Lord:
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8
What Is Heaven Like?
Heaven Is a Real Place
Heaven is not merely a state of mind, a symbol, or a religious feeling. Jesus called it a place.
“I go to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:2
Christ physically ascended into heaven, and He will physically return from heaven.
“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” — Acts 1:11
Heaven Is Holy
Nothing sinful, defiled, false, or rebellious belongs in God’s presence.
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie…” — Revelation 21:27
Heaven is characterized by perfect holiness because God Himself is holy.
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” — Revelation 4:8
Heaven Is a Place of Worship
The inhabitants of heaven worship God and the Lamb.
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things…” — Revelation 4:11
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” — Revelation 5:12
Heaven will not be boring or empty. It will be filled with joyful worship, service, fellowship, and the glory of God.
Heaven Is a Place of Rest and Comfort
Believers who die in the Lord rest from the suffering and labour of this present world.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth… that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” — Revelation 14:13
Lazarus, after suffering in this life, was comforted after death.
“But now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” — Luke 16:25
Heaven Is Conscious
The dead are not unconscious or annihilated. Those in heaven know, speak, worship, remember, and wait for God’s purposes to be fulfilled.
“I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God… And they cried with a loud voice…” — Revelation 6:9–10
Moses and Elias appeared with Christ and spoke with Him.
“And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias.” — Luke 9:30
Heaven Is a Place of Recognition and Fellowship
Scripture indicates that believers retain their personal identity. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Elias, and others remain recognizable individuals.
“Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 8:11
Believers will be reunited with saved loved ones, though every earthly relationship will be perfectly ordered under Christ.
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds… and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Heaven Is Beautiful Beyond Human Description
Paul was caught up into paradise and heard things that human language could not adequately communicate.
“How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” — 2 Corinthians 12:4
Scripture gives glimpses of heavenly glory: the throne of God, a crystal-like sea, precious stones, brilliant light, angels, saints, and unceasing praise.
“And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne…” — Revelation 4:3
The Present Heaven and the Eternal State
A distinction should be made between the present heaven and the believer’s final eternal home.
At death, the saved go to be with Christ in heaven. At the resurrection and rapture of the church, believers will receive glorified bodies.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body…” — Philippians 3:21
After Christ’s literal thousand-year reign and the final judgment, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, and the New Jerusalem will descend from God.
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” — Revelation 21:1
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…” — Revelation 21:2
The eternal destiny of the redeemed is not to remain forever as disembodied spirits floating among clouds. God’s final plan includes resurrected, glorified bodies dwelling in His presence in the new creation.
What Will the New Jerusalem Be Like?
Revelation 21–22 describes:
- A great and holy city
- Streets of pure gold
- Gates of pearl
- Foundations adorned with precious stones
- The river of the water of life
- The tree of life
- No temple, because God and the Lamb are its temple
- No need for the sun or moon, because God’s glory gives it light
- Perfect service and fellowship with God
“And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” — Revelation 21:21
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” — Revelation 21:23
“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” — Revelation 22:3
“And they shall see his face…” — Revelation 22:4
What Will Not Be in Heaven?
There will be:
- No death
- No sorrow
- No crying
- No pain
- No curse
- No darkness
- No sin
- No separation from God
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain…” — Revelation 21:4
“And there shall be no more curse…” — Revelation 22:3
Who Will Enter Heaven?
Heaven is not earned by morality, religion, baptism, church membership, good works, or sacraments. Salvation is the free gift of God, received by faith in Jesus Christ.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” — Acts 16:31
A person must be born again.
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3
Jesus Christ alone is the way to the Father.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6
Summary
Heaven is a real, holy, glorious place where God dwells and where Jesus Christ is seated at the Father’s right hand. Departed believers are consciously present with Christ. They await the resurrection of their bodies, Christ’s return, His earthly kingdom, and finally the new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem.
The chief joy of heaven will be this:
“And they shall see his face…” — Revelation 22:4
Comments are closed