What is Heaven Like?

For many, heaven is a state of being; for others, it’s a destination. If I were to ask 20 people on the street to tell me about heaven I would probably get 20 different answers, that is unless they used the same “guidebook” to give them answers about life and death.

The guidebook I use is the Bible. Why the Bible? Because the Bible outlines the doctrine of Christianity. It is an amazing collection of fulfilled prophetic and historical writings of a Man that was born to take away the sins of the world—at no cost—to those who would follow him.

Other guidebooks such as the, the New World Translation of the Bible (Jehovah’s Witness), the Book of Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints), Pali Canon (Buddhist) and the Quran (Islam), to mention just a few of the more well-known religions, have one thing in common—heaven. The word heaven may not be used, it may be other words like heavenly Kingdom, telestial/terestial/celestial, Nirbana or Nirvana. However, the idea is the same—a trouble-free time in the afterlife.

The difference, however, is that all of these teachings include the follower doing deeds or works in order to gain this desired resting place of the soul. Additionally, all of the founders of these religions are dead and in a grave somewhere. This is not so with the teaching of the Bible nor its founder Jesus Christ (see Trilemma article).

So what is heaven like? With nearly 700 references to “heaven” in the Bible, one begins to get an idea that it is a place like nothing humans can imagine, yet if we imagine a life without fear, tears or mourning we begin to envision it emotionally. Rust does not destroy and moths do not eat our clothes. Locking our doors is a thing of the past.¹

Finally, heaven is, "the dwelling of God with men; [where] 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."²

What is heaven like? I’m not sure words can capture it, but it sounds like a place that will surpass life even on my best day. If you read the end of the book (the Bible), you’ll see there is hope for all who believe there is a God and that belief is followed up with an active faith in Jesus the Christ.

What do you think? Is heaven in your future? I’d like to hear your thoughts.

You can find more intriguing writings like this at http://www.keytofreedom.org/resources.html

¹ Matthew 6:19-21

² Revelation 21:1-5