What will Heaven be like?

Since we have studied Revelation together, there has been discussion on Heaven.  So I thought I would explore it a bit more.

What is Heaven?

We see all kinds of images of heaven in movies and books.  They picture clouds, angels with wings and halos, harps playing, gold streets, and pearly gates with St. Peter standing guard.  We even picture ourselves in heaven with wings.  Some of man’s interpretation of Heaven is true, but for a true picture of what Heaven is like we need to look at God’s Word for the real truth.   

It is a physical place that God is preparing for His people, those who believe in Jesus as their Savior.  In John 14:2-3 Jesus tell us, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

It will be a place where believers will see Him face to face and all our questions will be answered.  All will be revealed to us.  “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” – 1 Cor. 14:12.

 It will be where God will live with believers for all eternity.  “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.” – Rev. 21:3

Rev. 21:4 tells us it will be a place of joy and peace and without suffering.  “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Rev. 21:4 

Yes, music is played and there will be singing and lots of praising and worshiping of God.  See Revelation 4 - 5.  No, we will not have wings.  Nowhere in the Bible does it say we will have wings.  Jesus rose from the grave and He didn’t have wings.  Only angels have wings.

Where is Heaven?

In Rev. 21 John saw a vision of a New Heaven and a New Earth.  The old heaven and old earth had gone and now there were new ones.  In Romans 8 Paul tell us that creation groans to be free from the bondage of decay and evil and eagerly awaits liberation from God.  John saw the New Jerusalem or the Holy City coming down from heaven from God.  This New Jerusalem is Heaven.  This will happen after the final White Throne Judgment where God will judge all unbelievers.  In this New Heaven, God will live with His people forever.  It will be perfect as God intended for it to be in the Garden of Eden.  The Lord is the source and Creator of all life, the only Redeemer, and the source of our hope of re-creation.

This Holy City of Jerusalem will be the center of the New Earth.  It will be a place where God’s people will dwell with Him.  We will receive our inheritance and reign with Him in His kingdom.  “… Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” – Matt. 25:34.

What will Heaven be like?

It will be like the original Garden of Eden.  The sky, stars, rivers and oceans, plants, trees, fruit and vegetables, and animals all were created for God’s pleasure.  It was a place of perfect harmony with beauty and purity.  The New Heaven will be like that again.  There will be no sin and now worries. People will live united and in perfect harmony.  There will be no locked doors, no passwords or nothing to disrupt our lives.  We will worship God passionately and unashamedly.  Everything and everyone will be holy as God is holy.  We will constantly give Him glory and praise.  It will be our perfect home as God intended.

In John’s vision he described that it as having brilliance like precious jewels, clear as crystal.  It had a high wall with 12 gates with 12 angels at the gates.  On the gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Three gates were on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.  The city wall had 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.  The city was laid out in a square, as long as it was wide.  It measured 12,000 stadia in length, wide, and high.  Its wall was 144 cubits thick and made of jasper.  The city was made of pure gold as pure as glass.  The foundations of the walls were decorated with all kinds of precious stones – jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst.  The 12 gates were pearls.  The streets were pure gold like transparent glass.  (Rev. 21:9-21)

John didn’t see a temple, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  It didn’t need the sun or the moon for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp.  It’s never nighttime.  The Lord’s glory will illuminated the city.  This city is full of the glory of God.  At no time will be gates be closed, because there will be no enemy to enter.  Nothing impure will ever enter it, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:22-27)

John saw the river of life.  It was as clear as crystal that flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the street.  On each side was the tree of life which bearing 12 crops of fruit yielding fruit every month.  The leaves are for the healing of the nations.  No longer be any curse.  The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the holy city and servants to serve Him.  They will be able to see His face.  His name will be written on their foreheads.  (Rev. 22:1-4)

There will be no sea, sun, or moon.  There will be no more death, suffering or pain.  There will probably be no gravity, since we see it described as a cube.  I think there will be eating in heaven, since we read about the wedding feast of the Lamb.  I also think all the things we love will be there – like our pets, our hobbies, anything that brings us joy.

What will we be like and will we recognize our loved ones in Heaven?

Our current bodies are perishable, weak and natural.  But in heaven we will have new bodies.  They will be perfect imperishable bodies that will be glorified, powerful, and spiritual.   “So will it be with the resurrection, of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” – 1 Cor. 15:42-44.  “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” – 1 Cor. 15:52.  I think we will still recognize people.  After Jesus’ resurrection he appeared to many people who recognized Him.

In heaven will be no racial differences.  There will be no marriage or sexual differences, because reproduction is unnecessary.  “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” – Matt. 22:29-30.

In heaven not only will we receive a new body, but we will receive a new name and will be incapable of committing sin.  We will be able to enjoy each other without fear of being hurt.  It will be great to be physically and morally perfect and have perfect fellowship with others.

What will we do in Heaven?

First we will help judge the world, even the angels. “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?  And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?  Do you not know that we will judge angels?...” – 1 Cor. 6:2-3.

Then we will reign with God in heaven and will serve Him.  “You have made them to be a kingdom of priest to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” – Rev. 5:10.

Heaven will be a big celebration.  Revelation 4 - 5 tell us of all the rejoicing and worshiping that will be going on.  We cannot imagine exactly what it will be like.  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” – 1 Cor. 2:9. 

The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about Heaven, but since it will be a place of pure happiness and joy I am sure in Heaven we will have everything we enjoy from our hobbies to sports to pets and much more.  It will not be boring.  We will have work to do, but it won’t be burdensome.  It will be enjoyable and rewarding.  We will serve Him and have access to Him at all times.  We will even have access to the stars and the galaxies.  Can you imagine?

Do you want to live in Heaven?

We cannot enter heaven and the presence of the Holy God by our own efforts, but God has provided a way for us.  Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3.  He went on to explain that it is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual birth.  We are born once and will die physically.  Those who are born twice (both physically and spiritually) will die physically, but will be live spiritually forever.  “For God so loved the world, that he have His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.

If you want to go to Heaven, you must believe in the gospel – That God send His only Son, Jesus to earth in human form, that He died on the cross for your sins, that He was raised to life after 3 days, and that He now sits on the right hand of God. 

You must:

Admit you are a sinner – Rom. 3:23, 6:23

Confess Jesus is Lord – Rom. 10:9-10

Repent of your sins – Luke 13:5

Believe in Jesus – John 3:16; 14:6

Then be baptized in obedience as a testimony.  Then He wants us to walk with Him daily.  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” – John 14:15.  Then to promote your spiritual growth – pray, read the Bible, and witness.  These things are not required to keep your salvation, but they will help you grow in your faith and experience more joy as you walk with Him.

We all have eternal life, but it’s your choice where you will spend it.  Heaven is not the default place.  Your certain future awaits you – Hell or Heaven.  God promises all those who trust and obey Him will live in Heaven with Him forever.  Where do you want to spend eternity?

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Revelation 21 – New Jerusalem

This chapter describes the New Jerusalem following the Millennium and the final judgment.  Heaven and earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth.  Everything is now cleansed from all sin and is ready for God’s people.  Everything is made new!  Earth had been the domain of Satan and now is purified so God can come down to the new earth.  It will be like the Garden of Eden. 

John saw a new heaven and a new earth.  The 1^st earth and the 1^st heaven were now gone.  Even the sea was gone.  2 Peter 3:13 says the earth will be destroyed by fire.  It will be consumed, destroyed, and completely forgotten.  Why then do we try to build riches of houses, cars, large bank accounts?  Nothing on earth is going to survive this fire.

Then John saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.  This city is called holy because everyone who in it is holy.  It is Christ’s Kingdom.  John heard a loud voice 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.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Rev. 21:1-4   

New Jerusalem comes down from heaven to us just like Jesus came down to earth to us.  God desires to dwell with us ever since the garden.  With the New Jerusalem God will be with us continually and believers will literally see Him as He is.  All sin will be gone and all tears, pain, sorrow, fear, and death will be removed.  God repairs creation and re-creates it for His children.  There will be eternal life there for all believers.  God’s dwelling with His people is His grand plan of redemption, which He has stated throughout the Bible.

How much time do you spend with Him each day?  He wants to be with you all day long every day.

What in your life needs to pass away?

John was told by God to write these words because they are trustworthy and true.  God said, “I am making everything new!” – Rev. 21:5  Everything that He said will happen.  Then He said, “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” – Rev. 21:6  God has completed His final work.  He completed creation in Genesis.  He completed His work on the cross.  Now His has completed His plan for renewing creation.  His plan is complete.  He leaves nothing unfinished.

Alpha and Omega is the A to Z in the Greek alphabet meaning He is the first and the last.  The water of life is free.  People today are thirsting for so many things that won’t give them fulfillment – like money possessions and even relationships.  Only Jesus can give you satisfaction to never thirst for anything again.  All you need to do is ask God to deepen your thirst for Him.  Then He will fill your life with satisfaction and joy.

The overcomers will inherit all this, but the unbelieving have their place in the fiery lake, the 2^nd death. (Rev. 21:7-8)  There are 2 kinds of people – believers and unbelievers.  They experience 2 different lifestyles on earth and go to 2 different eternal destinies.  Believers go to eternal life.  Unbelievers will experience the 2^nd death - the lake of fire, because they are vile, murderers, sexually immoral, practice magic arts, idolaters, and liars as described in verse 8.  Those whose lives are characterized by such things are evidence they are not saved and will not enter the heavenly city.  All who prefer sin to Jesus Christ are assured of the 2^nd death.

How can we be overcomers?  If you have belief, faith and trust in Jesus, you have overcome the temptations of the world.  Your inheritance of eternal life is sure.  The promise of eternal fellowship with God is the believer’s reason for living and motive for witnessing to others.  Accepting Him is the most important thing you will ever do.

We all will have eternal life, but where will you spend it?

Then one of the 7 angels who had the 7 bowls of plagues called John to come and he would show him the wife of the Lamb.  At this point the marriage had already taken place.  John was carried away in the Spirit to a mountain where he saw the Holy City of Jerusalem coming down from heaven.  I am sure John had a hard time describing what he saw with human words.  He said it shone with the glory of God.  It had brilliance like precious jewels, clear as crystal.  It had a high wall with 12 gates with 12 angels at the gates.  On the gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Three gates were on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.  The city wall had 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. (Rev. 21:9-14)  The Lamb’s wife is described as the new city of Jerusalem.  This is where the bride of Christ, the church will live forever.

This world is not our home.  Our home is in heaven.  There is nothing like going home.  There is no place like home.  There is a peace, joy, rest, tranquility, and a sense of belonging.  The best part is that Jesus will be there with us.  That is what heaven will be like.  John gives us a beautiful description of our heavenly home.

The city was laid out in a square, as long as it was wide.  It measured 12,000 stadia in length, wide, and high.  Its wall was 144 cubits thick and made of jasper.  The city was made of pure gold as pure as glass.  The foundations of the walls were decorated with all kinds of precious stones – jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst.  The 12 gates were pearls.  The streets were pure gold like transparent glass.  (Rev. 21:15-21)

Who is serving as the foundation in your life?

The number 12 is considered a perfect number indicating completeness and symbolizes God’s power and authority.  There are 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, Jacob had 12 sons, the woman in chapter 12 wears a crown with 12 stars, the Holy City has 12 gates with 12 angels, and 12 precious stones mentioned here.  The 144,000 we saw sealed in chapter 12 is 12,000 cubed.  A stadia or furlong is about 1,200 miles in length.  The city then is approximately 1,200 miles times 12,000 on each of its 4 sides so there is plenty of room for billions of God’s people who are not limited by gravity.  I love how the Bible ties everything together in a neat bow.  God leaves nothing to chance or coincidence. 

I looked up what all these precious stones were:

Jasper = Diamond

Sapphire = Brilliant blue stone

Chalcedony = Sky blue with colored stripes

Emerald = Bright green stone

Sardonyx = Red and white striped stone

Carnelian = Various shades of Red

Chrysolite = Transparent gold or yellow

Beryl = Shades of green, yellow and blue

Topaz = Yellowish green

Chrysoprase = Gold tinted green

Jacinth = blue or violet colored

Amethyst = Purple stone

Precious stones like these are highly treasured and sought after.  God treasures His people.  We are precious to Him and He seeks after us. 

John didn’t see a temple, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  It didn’t need the sun or the moon for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp.  It’s never nighttime.  The Lord’s glory will illuminated the city.  This city is full of the glory of God.  At no time will be gates be closed, because there will be no enemy to enter.  Nothing impure will ever enter it, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:22-27) 

What is your source of light?

How are you letting the light of Jesus shine in your life?

This is not a city that we can really understand.  Even John probably had a hard time describing it in human language.  The city is very large, because it would have to be since it is a place for all of God’s people.  It will be the center of the new earth and a place where the Lord will be the King over all nations.  He has already dealt with the unholy and only clean and good will exist there.

Do you want to live there?  I sure do.  It will be a place of rest, a place of complete security, a place of refreshment for God’s people, a place without fear, a place of true worship, and a place of joy and holiness.  God will provide security and stability and lavish provisions for His people.  We will enjoy its beauty and unity with other believers for eternity.  We will walk in His presence.  We will have unending fellowship with Jesus.  Hallelujah! 

Why would anyone want to miss out of this?

Will I see you there?

John’s revelation says eternity is real!  Believers will go to an eternal heaven forever, but unbelievers will go to eternal punishment forever.

Next week we will study Revelation 22.  Hope to see you here.

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