What does the Bible say about heaven? It it a physical place? An idea? A state of being? The truth is that the Bible has a ton to say about heaven. The Scriptures tell us that heaven is an actual physical place and that God was the one who made it. The Scriptures also tell us that heaven is where God has His throne. According to the Scriptures, heaven is the destination for Christians when they die. But what even most Christians do not realize is that heaven is not the final destination for those who believe in Jesus Christ. In fact, the Bible tells us that God is going to build a new heaven and a new earth. The highlight of the new earth will be a massive city known as the New Jerusalem that will be the ultimate destination for those who belong to the Lord. But perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let's take a look at what the Bible says about heaven one step at a time.....
In Genesis 1:1, the Bible tells us that God is the one who created the heavens and the earth.....
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Not only that, but in 1 Chronicles 29:11 the Scriptures say that everything in heaven and on earth belongs to the Lord.....
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that God listens to us from heaven.....
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
In Matthew 23:9, the Lord Jesus Christ told us that God the Father lives in heaven.....
And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
But even though Ecclesiastes 5:2 tells us that God is in heaven and that he listens to us, we are to treat Him with the utmost respect.....
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Throughout the Scriptures God is referred to as the "God of heaven". For example, Nehemiah 1:5 says this.....
Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands
In Ezra 1:2, we read that even the king of Persia knew that God lived in heaven.....
"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: " 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.
Psalm 103:19 tells us that God's throne is in heaven.....
The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
But although God has a throne in heaven, Jeremiah 23:24 tells us that not even all of heaven can contain Him.....
Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
God looks down on us from heaven and watches what we are doing as Psalm 14:2 says.....
The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
Jesus declared that he was setting up "the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 4:17 is one example.....
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 5:19 tells us that those who break God's commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.....
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:9 to address God the Father as "Our Father in heaven".....
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
Those who are Christians will have rewards waiting for them in heaven according to Matthew 5:11-12.....
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
In fact, the Lord Jesus instructed us to store up treasures in heaven in Matthew 6:19-21.....
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus also said in Matthew 10:32 that those who acknowledge Him on earth will be acknowledged by Jesus in heaven.....
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
Luke 15:7 tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents and turns to God.....
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Jesus also said that He came from heaven in John 6:38.....
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead He returned to haven. In Acts 1:11 we read this.....
"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
In addition, according to Acts 7:55 Jesus is at the right hand of God right now.....
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
2 Corinthians 5:1 tells us that heaven is the destination for those who belong to Christ.....
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
In fact, Philippians 3:20 tells us that our citizenship is in heaven.....
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ
Revelation 19:11-14 explains that one day the Lord Jesus Christ will return to this earth from heaven and that the armies of heaven will be following Him.....
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
Ultimately, the final destination for believers will be a new heaven and a new earth as 2 Peter 3:13 tells us.....
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
After the new heaven and new earth are created, all mankind will worship the Lord there as it tells us in Isaiah 66:22-23.....
"As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me," says the LORD.
Daniel 12:2-3 explains that those who have led many to righteousness will experience a great reward.....
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
Revelation 21:1-3 tells us the final destination for those that belong to Jesus. Without a doubt you will want to be there on that day.....
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."
So how can one get to heaven? Is there a way to know for sure that one is going to go to heaven?
Well, the truth is that there are some really good answers to those questions. To learn how you can have your sins forgiven and be assured that you will go to heaven someday, check out our article entitled "What Does The Bible Say About Salvation?". It will explain how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Heaven is very real and you do not want to miss out on it. Is there anything more valuable than eternal life in heaven? Do not take this article or this website lightly. Now is the time to decide what you are going to do about God. He is very real and He loves you very much. Please reach out to Him today.
If you have any questions please let us know. It is our hope and our prayer that we will see you on the streets of heaven someday.
i understand that heaven is real and i am sure of my salvation,but what do we do in heaven for all eternity?I mean yes worshipping God and all ,but do we do anything all day but sing and worship?Will we have jobs?will we just visit people?fishing?hunting?sports?Just trying to be real.Most people can’t wait to get out of church on sunday to do what they want to do.We are talking an eternity here.I run ouit of stuff to do if I have vacation for a week.
Dear brother Keith,
You ask great questions. I would highly recommend the book “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn. It is the most definitive book on the subject that I know of. He answers the same questions you have asked based on what the Bible has to say on the subject. He admits in his introduction that there is some speculation in the book based on his understanding of scripture and invites anyone who has a scriptural objection to anything in the book to contact him. He is definitely humble yet knowledgeable and I think you would enjoy the book a great deal. I haven’t read it all the way through but I plan to do so soon.
well when we get to heaven we will be change we want have a fleshly body we will have a mind in sprit of worship in who will want to work im just trying to see jesus i just want to get in this body is tired i want to just rest in my fathers presence
I believe that we will be new when we are in heaven and the distractions of this world will not be anymore. In other words we will only see the Lord. We will no longer have the desire for things like sports, fishing, hunting, shopping. We will be comepletley consumed by the love for our Father in heaven. It wont even be a problem.
So…like North Korea? No thanks.
Amanda start reading your bible and tell others what it says not what you believe its gonna be like because everytime someone gives there opinion or advice about something they are teaching them and Jesus said teachers will undergo stricter judgement…
God did not make us to be just “mind and spirit” souls floating around in Heaven, if heaven and the new earth are a physical place, so we be physical too. We will be reborn and not under the curse of the first fall. Our bodies will be in the perfect image God intended for us to be. And yes, there will be sports, food, worship ect. All the things that are good on earth we have yet to experience in a perfect place, and yet we will experience even more than we ever knew. Food wont taste the same, we will experience what an Apple tasted like before the fall of adam. God intended us to be human and spirit, he is not a God that Destroys, he intends to keep us and the world as it were before sin.
We are earthly beings. We must understand that in the new earth, we will still be earthly. As in, just the same but without sin. That is why he is making a new earth and a new Heaven. God will still reside in Heaven and we will still reside on the new earth. All the recreations we have today, we will have on the new earth, for we are earthly beings. The only difference is that our vanity, our search for self wealth and praise, will not be something we desire. Sin will be no longer, for we will be righteous on the new earth and have a knowledge of what really is good before God.
Wow, thank you, Cody! I loss my son this year, he had a heart problem…which caused a sudden death. He was seventeen years old. I needed to read your post!
I do not mean to come across as rude or anything like that but the scriptures don’t really say anything about what heaven is like or where it is.
The closest is the part about there is no longer any sea and the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
But it is “coming down out of heaven” not a description of heaven.
Are there any scriptures that are more specific about what heaven is really like?
The thought of death scares me. I am a Christian I was baptised Christian however; I’ve only read bits and pieces of the bible since some of the old testament didn’t make sense to me. My finance’ knows the bible inside and out. I was raised Catholic however; never baptised catholic from my gradmother or parents.
What happens to all the people that are different religions? Buddust, Mormon, Hindu, Catholic, Johovah’s Witness and so on? Does this mean they studied the wrong faith? Does this mean god won’t let them come to Heaven? or all religions are treated equal since, we all believed in GOD ?
just curious.
Lori:
There are all answers to all of these questions. The articles on this website will help you with many of them, but most important of all is for you to pick up a Bible and to start reading. I would start by reading the four gospels at the state of the New Testament.
Also, for a good introduction to the evidence for the Christian faith, I would recommend “More Than A Carpenter” by Josh McDowell.
Michael
Jesus refers to us as sheep in John chapter 10. He says others have tried to get in, but did not try to get in through the right door, Jesus goes onto to say I am the door. In John 14, Jesus says, He is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Him. John 3:16 says, for God so loved the world the He gave His only Son Jesus that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. You can pick up a bible and read this for yourself. All religions are created by man, to worship a deity, or deities, Christianity is personal, because, it allows us through Jesus to have a personal relationship, with the one and only true God. Why because Jesus is God. Don’t take my word for it, pickup a bible and read the gospel of John. May the Lord open your eyes to understand His word. May He bless you and keep you, always.
Because I have a TRUE desire to know what God’s best if for me…He confirms and/or reveals what it is that I need to know. In short, check out Dr. Myles Munroes book(s)on “Rediscovering the Kingdom”. I believe that this information will answer many of the questions you’ve had about who, what, where, why, and how God plans on doing what He promises. This book will help you fill in the blanks in regards to what’s been left out of teachings/preachings in our churches, prayer meetings, life’s, etc. God will hold those accountable who know what is needed but withhold the information to keep us “religious”. Religion is a heavenly way to get into hell. TREMENDOUS blessings come to those who ask, seek, and knock. In all your getting…get understanding!
Will we be reunited with our husbands and wifes when I didn’t get along with him in the first place?
I’ll be waiting for your answer.Sarah B.
Dear Sarah,
I know it is almost two months since your question was posted, and the Admin already responded to your post, but I wanted to offer another perspective, perhaps even in direct opposition to Admin’s response.
Your question was will we be reunited with our spouses when we die. While the Lord says that “they neither marry nor are given in marriage” there are plenty of places in the Old Testament especially which announce that one who has passed away is “gathered unto his people” (Gen 25:8, 49:33; Num 20:24; and other places).
This saying implies that we will be reunited with others. And we do have reason to believe that the people we will meet again will be people that we knew in this life. Consider the Lord’s story about the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-29.
In this story, both the rich man and Lazarus die. From Hades where he is being tormented, the rich man recognizes Lazarus from afar. He mentions him by name to Abraham, and even remembers that he has five brothers still on earth! This story makes it clear that people continue to know and remember each other after death.
So here’s my answer to your question, Sarah (not that you asked me in the first place). Based on these teachings, and more, I believe that we will know each other after death. I believe even that you will meet your husband after death, even if you do not continue to be married to him. I believe this because The rich man and Lazarus weren’t particularly close: Lazarus was a beggar at the rich man’s gate, that’s all. You and your husband, even though you may not have gotten along while he was still alive, were much closer than the rich man and Lazarus ever were!
(The rich man was in hell, and Lazarus was in heaven. That’s how far apart they were.)
So even if you do not remain together, I wholeheartedly believe from the Bible that you will meet again, even if it’s only to say goodbye one last time.
Sarah:
We will not be married in heaven. Jesus said the following in Matthew 22:30….
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
The spirit after death appears to be pure data to use a computer analogy. Everything I understand about the afterlife appears to be bereft of matter, or pure spirit. I like to think of it as infinite random access memory because all of creation would be possible within that. I hesitate to call it a matrix because people would confuse it with parts of the movie that goes by that name. But an infinite abstract matrix of a generic type could contain all of us, all of creation, all of heaven and could unite us in a way that is described in the Bible.
All of matter, all of the sub-atomic particles and all of the intervening space in the universe could be expressed in such an abstract matrix. Such a matrix would either contain God or be God.
would like to know questions people have about heaven such will we see our relatives there? and so on. Please email me your questions
my live-in parter died in an motorcycle accident, we have a son, he died when our son was only 8days old..i love him so much that a question come into my mind if there is still a chance that we will meet again in other life even if we are not married here on earth..(take note: we are not married but decided to get married this may 2012 but unfortunately he died ladt january 7, 2012)..
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.”
See this is why I’m not afraid to pray in public before I eat. It’s all good. I pray, give thanks to God. Everybody sees. Every makes small comments and point fingers behind my back or sometimes at my face.
It’s cool because one day, Jesus gonna acknowledge me before God. ^_^
People will interpret these things from the Bible about Heaven according to their own understanding of reality. Everything that is given in the Bible was given to people of the Bronze Age who did not have the same ability to conceptualize reality that we do in an age when many physical laws have been discovered through the application of the scientific method.
The scientific method is an application of Aristotelian logic that is consistent with everything in the Bible as reconciled by Roger Bacon and Thos Aquinas, both men of Christ and member of the Church, one having been sainted.
I think God could violate physical laws but does not, that is my opinion. I think God and Heaven reside in the quantum space where physical laws do not seem to apply. Will Heaven be a reincarnation? Some of the things said in the Bible suggest that it will be. I hope to find out.
YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT AND ACKNOWLEDGE GODS SON,JESUS,BEFORE YOU CAN ENTER INTO GODS KINGDOM.YOU ALSO HAVE TO FOLLOW THE TEN COMMANDMENTS,WHICH IS GODS LAW.ASK FOR FORGIVENESS EVERYDAY, FOR WE ARE ALL SINNERS AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.
All my life I’ve been afraid of dying. It wasn’t something I dwelled on daily but when I thought about it I would be afraid of the pain or aloneness of it. I had accepted Christ as my Savior as achild. In 2009, I had a tumor removed and all was going .well until 2 weeks later while recovering something went terribly wrong and I was rushed to the hospital. It was lke faster than a split second and I was standing and seeing the most amazing thing. There were so many people it was like an ocean. They were all facing the same direction and the sound was like laughter but not like a funny ha ha but the sweetest joyful sound. Then in the same quick way I was back. I had been rushed back into surgery and when I awoke one nurse said I had been praying and another said I told her that Jesus was the living water.
Patty:
Thank you for sharing that wonderful story with us. Hopefully it will get more people thinking about the world to come.
Michael