What is Heaven like?

Answer

Heaven is a genuine place described in the Bible. The term “heaven” appears 276 times in the New Testament alone. The Scriptures mention three heavens. The apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven,” but he was forbidden from disclosing what he witnessed there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9).

If a third heaven exists, then there must also be two other heavens. The first is most commonly referred to in the Old Testament as the “sky” or the “firmament.” This is the heaven that encompasses clouds, the region through which birds soar. The second heaven is interstellar/outer space, which is the domain of the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies (Genesis 1:14-18).

The third heaven, whose location is undisclosed, is the abode of God. Jesus assured to prepare a place for genuine Christians in heaven «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). Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting in God’s promise of the Redeemer «Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. », (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life «For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. », (John 3:16).

The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth) possesses the “glory of God” «having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; », (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed «And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. », (Revelation 22:5).

The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates «and had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: », (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations «And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. », (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe «But as it is written, 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. », (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Heaven is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow. «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: for the former things are passed away. », (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation because death will be conquered. «Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. », (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior. «Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. », (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.