What will Heaven be like?

No man but only God knows the true answer to “What will Heaven be like?” 

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

The Bible does however, provide some good detail on what we can expect. Before we jump into what will heaven be like, we would like to first start with how you get to Heaven. This is important to note as many are confused in thinking that their good deeds will buy their way into Heaven. The Bible tells us that it is by believing in Jesus Christ and keeping his commandments that we are granted eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7; John 14:6)

Jesus spoke about eternal life several times while teaching on Earth. In one particular scripture he mentions preparing a place for us in his Father’s house [Heaven]. He mentions there are many rooms (John 14:2). Some translations use “mansions” instead of rooms. In the days of Jesus they referred to mansions as dwelling places or rooms. They didn’t refer to mansions how we do today. There are a lot of unanswered questions with this scripture. Hebrews 11:16 provides more detail “…for he has prepared a city”. By looking further at other scriptures we can start to shed some light on what God may have meant by city. The book of Revelation which was revealed to John, is a vision provided by God. These visions are a look ahead at what is to come during the end times. Jesus said to John in Revelation 22:14 “…they will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city”. What we can gather from this scripture is that city is referring to Heaven. When God says he has prepared a city for us, he is referring to the after life in Heaven. 

The New Jerusalem

Jerusalem has long been the Holy City of Israel. Dating back to the early days of the human race where God dwelled and his people lived. In the city of Jerusalem is where Jesus was put on trial and sentenced to be crucified. Just outside the walls of the city in Golgotha, or Calvary, is where he was nailed to the cross.

Revelation 21:1 states that there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth; the old will pass away. Once God has judged the world and defeated Satan, this is when the new Heaven and new Earth will take place. Those who believed in Jesus and obeyed his commands will inherit this new city.

“…And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven”. Revelation 21:2

“So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels.” Revelation 21:10-12

“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. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Revelation 21:22-27

What we can learn from these scriptures is that Heaven is going to be right here on Earth. Since we will have a new Heaven and a new Earth, we can only wonder what this truly means. God will make a new Jerusalem [city] that only his believers whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will live.

Further reading into chapter 22 we learn more about this Heavenly city which we will spend eternity in.

“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 22:1-5

New Heavenly Body

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 provides details of a new Heavenly body that we will put on like new clothing. We will not be spirits in Heaven without a body. Once we take on our new body, which will be after the end times, we will be with the Lord. Our current bodies are of this world and cannot enter into Heaven; they are bound by sin. Will we look the same? We believe that we will, but just in a more glorified way. The reason we think this is due to a few scriptures. In Matthew 26:29 Jesus says to his disciples “Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” This gives notion that we will recognize each other in Heaven and remember Earthly events. We also find in Matthew 17:3 that Moses and Elijah appear before Jesus and talk with him. This is another clue that we will recognize each other with our new Heavenly bodies. 

Conclusion

No one truly knows the full details of what is to come of the promised city in Heaven. We know that Jesus referred to the after life as being in paradise (Luke 23:43). The city will shine with God’s glory. The walls made of jasper and the city made of pure Gold as clear as glass (Revelation 21:18). The foundation of the city will be built on stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: jasper, sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, amethyst. (Revelation 21:19). The city will also have 12 gates that are made of a pearls. Each is made of a single pearl. (Revelation 21:21). Even with these small clues we know our eternal life is going to be glorious and beautiful. But one thing still remains, to be able to enter into this city, Jesus must be Lord and savior of your life. Visit our Salvation page to accept him today and learn about your new journey in Christ.