Heaven is often described as a place of eternal joy, peace, and the presence of God, where believers experience unending happiness and communion with God, our Creator who created us, according to His image - He knitted us in our mother's womb and knew us before we took our first breath.
Biblical Descriptions of Heaven
A Beautiful City: Heaven is depicted in the Bible as the New Jerusalem, a magnificent city adorned with precious stones and streets of gold. Revelation 21 describes it as having walls made of jasper and gates of pearl, radiating the glory of God.
Presence of God: The most significant aspect of heaven is the direct presence of God. Believers will enjoy intimate fellowship with God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, free from the fears and insecurities of earthly life.
Joy and Peace: Heaven is characterized by joy that is inexpressible and peace that is limitless. There will be no more suffering, pain, or death, as God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of the inhabitants.
Community and Reunion: Loved ones who have also believed in Christ will be present in heaven, allowing for joyful reunions. The emotional experiences in heaven will be positive, filled with laughter and celebration.
A Real Place: Heaven is not just a metaphorical concept; it is described as a real, physical place where believers will reside in glorified bodies. It is a destination prepared by Jesus for those who have faith in Him.
Attributes of Heaven
What will it be like?
“The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were made of pearls — each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light” (Revelation 21:18-23, NLT).
Family in Heaven
Our ability to recognize people in the afterlife is suggested in several passages of Scripture. At the transfiguration of Christ, Moses and Elijah made an appearance, and they were recognizable (Matthew 17:3–4). Though they had departed this world centuries prior, both Moses and Elijah remained distinct persons who had not lost their identity. In Luke 16:19–31, Abraham, Lazarus, and the rich man are all recognizable after death. King Saul recognized Samuel’s description given by the witch of Endor when she summoned Samuel from the realm of the dead (1 Samuel 28:8–17). And, when David’s young son died, David declared, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). David’s words imply that he believed he would recognize his son in heaven. In all these examples, the Bible seems to indicate that, after death, we will still be recognizable to each other.
Our Animals in Heaven
What happens when our loving animals die? Many children and adults mourning the death of their beloved pets have asked about seeing them again in Heaven. We interviewed seven, senior ministers to explore their beliefs on whether we will see our pets again after their deaths. Opinions varied widely because the Bible didn’t specifically address this question and there were conflicting opinions. All the pastors agreed that the answer lies in how one interprets the Scriptures. We posed the same question to Columbia International University’s seminary staff, but there was no consensus amongst the theologians.
Randy Alcorn, the leading expert on the Christian afterlife and author of the bestseller, Heaven, believes that this extends to animals. He writes, “Horses, cats, dogs, deer, dolphins, and squirrels—as well as the inanimate creation—will be beneficiaries of Christ’s death and resurrection.”
Joy for Eternity
We will have eternal joy in heaven. This joy is described in various biblical passages, such as Psalm 16:11, which states, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore". Additionally, Revelation 21:4 promises that "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more". These verses collectively affirm that the joy of heaven is a lasting state of being, free from sorrow and pain, where believers will dwell in the presence of God eternally. We’ll see the promise of endless joy and learn that sorrow and pain won’t exist. The Bible teaches us about joy in the presence of God. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This verse shows us that real joy comes when we are close to God.
Recommended Book, "Imagine Heaven" Near Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future that Awaits You
Heaven is even more amazing than you've ever imagined.
All of us long to know what life after death will be like. Bestselling author John Burke is no exception.
In Imagine Heaven, he compares more than one hundred gripping stories of near-death experiences (NDEs) to what Scripture says about our biggest questions of Heaven, including:
● Will I be myself?
● Will I see friends and loved ones?
● What will Heaven look like?
● What will we do forever?
● What about children and pets?
Burke shows how the common experiences shared by thousands of near-death survivors--including doctors, college professors, bank presidents, people of all ages and cultures, and even blind people--point to the exhilarating picture of Heaven promised in the Bible.
This thrilling journey into the afterlife will make you feel like you've been there, forever changing the way you view the life to come--and the way you live your life today.