Introduction
Heaven is an important part of Christian theology. It is the ultimate destination for believers and the dwelling place of God. In Scripture, heaven is more than a mere location; it embodies the fullness of God’s kingdom and His eternal reign. This exploration into what the Bible says about heaven aims to unfold its significance in our understanding of life after death, the nature of God’s dwelling, and the eternal hope it presents to believers. We’ll examine key passages from both the Old and New Testaments to gain a clearer understanding of heaven’s characteristics, its role in God’s plan of salvation, and its impact on Christian life and eschatology. The biblical perspective of heaven offers profound insights into the character of God, the destiny of humanity, and the ultimate restoration of all creation.
Heaven as God’s Dwelling Place
The Bible presents heaven primarily as the dwelling place of God, a realm where His presence is fully manifested.
• Isaiah 66:1 (ESV): “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?'”
This verse portrays heaven as the majestic throne of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and transcendence. It reminds us of the vast difference between the divine realm and human constructs, highlighting God’s greatness and holiness.
• John 14:2-3 (ESV): “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Jesus speaks of heaven as a place of dwelling, prepared by Him, where believers will live with God. This passage offers a comforting and personal perspective of heaven, depicting it as a home where believers will be in close communion with Christ.
• Revelation 4:1-3 (ESV): “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’ At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.”
John’s vision in Revelation provides a glimpse into the heavenly realm, characterized by majesty and divine authority. The focus on the throne symbolizes God’s ultimate rule and the centrality of His presence in heaven.
• Psalm 11:4 (ESV): “The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.”
This psalm affirms that God’s sovereign rule extends from heaven, where He observes and judges the affairs of humanity. It portrays heaven as a place of divine governance and righteous observation.
The Nature of Heaven: How is Heaven Described in the Bible?
Scripture describes heaven not only as God’s dwelling but also as a place of unique beauty, peace, and joy.
• Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV): “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'”
In this vision, John describes the new heaven as part of a renewed creation where God dwells with His people. This scene depicts the complete restoration of the relationship between God and humanity, free from pain, suffering, and death.
• 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (ESV): “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven… and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”
Paul’s reference to an experience of the third heaven suggests a realm of unspeakable glory and divine mystery. This account highlights the ineffable and sublime nature of heaven, beyond human comprehension.
• Revelation 22:1-5 (ESV): “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life…”
The final chapters of Revelation paint a vivid picture of heaven’s beauty and abundance, where life is sustained and renewed in the presence of God. It portrays a place of unending life and light, free from curses and darkness.
• Hebrews 11:16 (ESV): “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”
This passage reflects the longing of the faithful for a heavenly homeland, a place prepared by God Himself. It emphasizes that heaven is not only a location but also the fulfillment of the deepest desires of the righteous.
What Does the Bible Say We Will Do in Heaven?
• Worshiping God: Revelation 4:8-11 (ESV): “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’ And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.'” This passage describes continuous worship of God by heavenly beings, emphasizing the centrality of worship in heaven.
• Living in God’s Presence: Revelation 21:3 (ESV): “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'” In heaven, believers will experience the direct and unmediated presence of God, living in close communion with Him.
• Experiencing Perfect Joy and Peace: Revelation 21:4 (ESV): “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Heaven is described as a place of complete happiness and tranquility, free from the sorrows and sufferings of the earthly life.
• Partaking in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb: Revelation 19:9 (ESV): “And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the true words of God.'” This event symbolizes the intimate and celebratory fellowship between Christ and His redeemed people in heaven.
• Reigning with Christ: Revelation 22:5 (ESV): “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Believers are promised a share in Christ’s eternal reign, exercising authority and governance in the new heaven and new earth.
• Engaging in Meaningful Service: Revelation 7:15 (ESV): “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.” Heaven is not a place of idleness, but of active service to God, fulfilling roles and tasks that bring glory to Him.
• Enjoying Perfect Relationships: Hebrews 12:22-23 (ESV): “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.” In heaven, believers will enjoy perfect and harmonious relationships with God, angels, and other redeemed individuals.
• Exploring and Enjoying the New Creation: Revelation 21:1-2 (ESV): “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The new heaven and new earth will be a place of exploration and delight, free from the curse of sin and filled with the beauty and majesty of God’s creation.
• Building Houses and Dwelling in Them: Isaiah 65:21-22 (ESV): “They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” This prophecy is part of a larger vision of a new heaven and a new earth, where God’s people will enjoy the fruits of their labor and live in peace and prosperity.
• Enjoying Fellowship with the Saints: Matthew 8:11 (ESV): “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” This verse suggests that there will be a communal aspect to heaven, where believers will enjoy fellowship with the saints from all ages, sharing in the joy of God’s kingdom together.
Heaven and the Believer’s Hope
Heaven is portrayed in Scripture as the ultimate hope and destination for believers, a place of eternal communion with God.
• The Believer’s Citizenship: Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Paul emphasizes that believers’ true citizenship is in heaven. This heavenly citizenship shapes our identity and hope, anchoring our lives in the expectation of Christ’s return and our transformation into glorified bodies. It directs our focus and aspirations towards a heavenly reality.
• The Hope Stored in Heaven: Colossians 1:5 (ESV): “Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.”
The Gospel brings with it the hope of heaven, a hope that is fruitful and transformative. This hope is not just a future expectation but also an active influence in the lives of believers, nurturing faith and godliness.
• An Inheritance That is Imperishable: 1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”
Peter speaks of a living hope and an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven for believers. This inheritance, secured by Christ’s resurrection, is uncorrupted by death and decay, assuring believers of a glorious future beyond the temporal world.
• Seeing Jesus Face to Face: John 17:24 (ESV): “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
Jesus’ prayer expresses His desire for believers to be with Him in heaven, witnessing His glory firsthand. This desire reflects the intimate relationship between Christ and His followers, destined to culminate in their eternal presence with Him in heaven.
The New Heaven and the New Earth
The Bible speaks of a future transformation of both heaven and earth, where God’s presence will fully permeate creation.
• A Renewed Creation: Revelation 21:1 (ESV): “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”
John envisions a radical renewal of all creation, where the old order gives way to a new, unblemished reality. This new heaven and new earth signify the complete fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, a world free from sin, suffering, and death.
• The Promise of Renewal: 2 Peter 3:13 (ESV): “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Peter assures believers of God’s promise to create a new heaven and earth characterized by righteousness. This future reality is the culmination of God’s redemptive work, creating an environment where sin and its effects are absent.
• The Former Things Passed Away: Isaiah 65:17 (ESV): “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.”
The prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s transformative work, which is so complete that the former troubled world will not even be remembered. This prophecy points to the total renewal and restoration that God will bring about, erasing the pains and scars of the old world.
• A River and Tree of Life: Revelation 22:1-5 (ESV): “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life…”
The closing chapters of Revelation describe the new heaven and earth in vivid, symbolic terms, portraying a place of life, healing, and direct communion with God. The imagery of the river and tree of life harks back to the Garden of Eden, symbolizing a return to an unbroken relationship with God.
In the next and final part, we will explore how the reality of heaven influences Christian living and the contrast between heaven and earth.
Access to Heaven: What Does the Bible Say About Heaven After Death?
The Bible delineates who will enter heaven and the basis of this entrance. Some will spend eternal life in heaven and some will spend eternal torment in hell.
• Entering the Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 7:21 (ESV): “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Jesus teaches that entrance into heaven is not about verbal profession alone but about doing God’s will. This emphasizes the importance of genuine faith that manifests in obedience and aligns with God’s desires and commands.
• No One Has Ascended Except Jesus: John 3:13 (ESV): “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.”
This verse underscores the unique role of Jesus as the mediator between heaven and earth. It implies that access to heaven is only possible through Christ, who bridges the gap between humanity and the divine.
• The Righteous Inherit the Kingdom: Revelation 21:27 (ESV): “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Revelation makes it clear that heaven is a place of holiness, where only those who are righteous in Christ can enter. Being inscribed in the Lamb’s book of life is symbolic of being justified and sanctified through Jesus.
• Names Written in Heaven: Luke 10:20 (ESV): “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus tells His disciples to find their ultimate joy not in earthly accomplishments, even spiritual ones, but in their secured citizenship in heaven. This ensures a focus on eternal realities over temporary successes.
Living in Light of Heaven
Understanding the reality of heaven profoundly influences how believers live their lives.
• Storing Treasures in Heaven: Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
Jesus encourages His followers to invest in eternal treasures rather than temporary, earthly ones. This perspective shapes how believers view material possessions, success, and life goals, prioritizing what has lasting value in heaven.
• Pressing Towards the Heavenly Goal: Philippians 3:14 (ESV): “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul exemplifies a life driven by the pursuit of heavenly rewards and calling. His focus on the ‘upward call’ in Christ shapes his priorities, efforts, and resilience in the face of adversity.
• Setting Minds on Things Above: Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.”
This exhortation to focus on heavenly realities over earthly ones is a call to align our values, thoughts, and actions with God’s kingdom. It’s an invitation to live in the present with an awareness and expectation of the eternal.
• Seeking a Heavenly Homeland: Hebrews 13:14 (ESV): “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
The author of Hebrews reminds believers that their true home is not on earth but in the heavenly city God has prepared. This future-oriented mindset influences how Christians engage with the world, understanding their transient status on earth.
Heaven’s Relation to Earth
The Bible often contrasts heaven with earth, providing insights into how these two realms are interconnected yet distinct.
• Heavenly Will on Earth: Matthew 6:10 (ESV): “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches believers to pray for God’s will to be realized on earth as it is in heaven. This prayer acknowledges the distinction between the two realms while longing for the perfection of heaven to influence earthly realities.
• Restoration of All Things: Acts 3:21 (ESV): “whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”
The ascension of Jesus to heaven is seen as a temporary phase until the restoration of all things. This concept bridges the gap between heaven and earth, pointing to a future where heaven fully impacts and transforms the earthly realm.
• Seeking the Above: Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God…”
Believers are called to seek and prioritize heavenly realities, even while living on earth. This directive creates a dynamic interaction between our earthly lives and our heavenly calling.
• The Kingdom of Heaven Reigning on Earth: Revelation 11:15 (ESV): “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
This prophetic declaration in Revelation anticipates a time when the reign of heaven will fully subsume the earthly realm. It points to the consummation of history where Christ’s dominion is established over all creation.
Conclusion
The biblical narrative of heaven offers a multi-faceted view that encompasses God’s presence, a place of ultimate hope and restoration, and the final destination for believers. Heaven is portrayed as both a current reality and a future promise, deeply influencing Christian life and hope. As believers, understanding and anticipating heaven shapes our identity, priorities, and actions, grounding us in the hope of eternal life with God. Heaven reminds us that our lives on earth are part of a larger, divine story that culminates in an eternal, unbroken communion with our Creator. For further study here are some of the best resources on heaven.
