What does the Bible say about heaven?

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As you read the Bible, you will see verses about heaven from Genesis to Revelation.  While there are many things you will never know until you actually go to heaven, there are some concrete truths you can hold onto that are found in Scripture.

We know from Scripture that, “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him” (I Corinthians 2:9).  Heaven is not something we can fully grasp as humans. But you can be confident that heaven is real and is the intended eternal home for the children of God.

In the very first verse of the Bible, it states that God created the heavens (Genesis 1:1).  It is also evident that Jesus lives in heaven.  Since Jesus is eternal, He was always in heaven with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.  He came to earth to live, died on the cross, and was resurrected.  When Jesus ascended, He went to heaven and lives there now.  He is seated next to God the Father (John 6:38, Hebrews 12:1-2).

You can find a first-hand glimpse of heaven is found in Acts chapter seven. Stephen was the first person to be martyred for his faith in Jesus.  As he was being stoned, Stephen declared, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

With our limited human understanding, it is hard to fully grasp a perfect place where God lives where there is no brokenness, pain, or sin.  So, what do we know about heaven?  The Bible often uses phrases or symbolic language to help us have a glimpse into heaven.  We know that Jesus is preparing a place for His children and there are plenty of rooms in God’s house (John 14:2-4).  We know that there in heaven there are no more tears, no suffering, and no more dying (Revelation 21:4-7).  Jesus is making all things new as He is seated on the throne in heaven (Revelation 21:5-7).  The Lord God Himself will be the light in heaven and there will be no need for any kind of light source like a lamp or the sun (Revelation 22:5).

The one main thing you have in common with heaven today is worship.  Just as God has called us to give Him glory and praise in our everyday lives, the angels are always singing in worship, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8).

Everyone in the Bible from Moses to Solomon to Jesus to Peter to Paul all believed in the same heaven.  We will meet them there some day.  If you are a believer in Jesus, then heaven will be your eternal home with God Himself.

Revelation 21:1–4 beautifully describes what awaits you as God’s child saying, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. . . 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. 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.”

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