Don Stewart :: What Will It Be like in Heaven?

The Bible tells us many things about the character, or nature, of heaven, the presence of God.

1. No Death

In heaven there will be no death.

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. . . there shall be no more death (Revelation 20:14, 21:4).

2. No Tears

Sadness and pain will be a thing of the past for there will be no tears in this new heaven.

And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes . . . nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be nor more pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).

This fulfills what the prophet Isaiah said.

Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 25:8).

3. Free From Impurity

Heaven will be pure.

But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life (Revelation 21:27).

4. Free From Darkness

Heaven is a place that is free from darkness.

And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:5).

5. Home Of Righteousness

Scripture calls heaven the home of righteousness.

But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).

6. Reunion With Saved Loved Ones

It will be a place where saved loved ones will be re-united.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

7. Perfect Rest

Heaven will be a place of perfect rest.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord." "Yes," says the Spirit, "They will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them" (Revelation 14:13).

The is not cessation of activities but rather the completion of a goal. Our earthly labors are finished, we are now in His presence. All spiritual battles are over.

8. Believers Will Be Perfected

Heaven will also be the place where perfected believers will live. The Bible says that believers who enter heaven will be changed.

Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51).

Three changes will take place: a change of the body, a change of the mind, and a change of the character.

Body Changed

The bodies of believers will be changed. They will be like that of the resurrected Christ. The Bible says.

Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when He is revealed, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2)

New Mind

Our mind will be free from sin.

Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

We will have a full knowledge of God in heaven.

New Character

Heaven will also be a place where believers will have a new character. Everyone there will be pure.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates (Revelation 22:14).

9. All Our Needs Met

Heaven will be a place where all of our needs will be met.

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 7:16-17).

10. We Shall See God!

In heaven, we shall see God. Jesus said.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8).

Jesus said believers will be with Him.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:3).

He prayed to His Father.

Father, I desire that those also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory, which You have given Me because you loved Me before the foundation of the world (John 17:24).

Face To Face

The Apostle Paul spoke of a day when we will be face to face with God.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).

The Book of Revelation records this happening.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God (Revelation 21:3).

They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads (Revelation 22:4).

11. Service

Although heaven will be a place of rest there is still service to God that will be performed.

And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him (Revelation 22:3).

12. Worship

Heaven is an opportunity where we will have perfect worship of God.

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him (John 4:23).

13. Experience The Richness Of His Grace

The Bible says that believers will continually experience the riches of God's grace in heaven.

So that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7).

14. Singing

Singing will be a part of our heavenly experience.

And they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying (Revelation 15:3).

15. Ruling

We will rule with the Lord in the next life.

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).

16. Eating And Drinking

It is possible, though not necessary, to eat and drink in heaven.

And let him who thirsts come, And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).

Down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).

Jesus told His disciples.

For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes (Luke 22:18).

The Bible speaks of the marriage supper of the Lamb where the believers are banqueting.

Then the angel said to me [John], "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God" (Revelation 19:9).

17. No Boredom

Eternity will not be boring. Believers will be busy as servants of the most high God.

For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them (Revelation 7:15).

There will be no boredom in heaven because everyone wants to be there.

Summary

The Bible describes heaven as a wonderful place. The best thing about heaven is that believers will enjoy God and His presence in heaven.