What Is Heaven Like?

What Will Heaven Be Like?
Revelation 21-22

“Heaven is the place where God most fully makes known his presence to bless.” Wayne Grudem

The Bible speaks of the eternal home of believers as: A New Heaven and A New Earth (Revelation 21:1-4)

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17, ESV)

“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Romans 8:19–23, ESV)

God’s children are destined to live as Resurrected people in a Restored creation

“Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” (Acts 3:21, ESV)

A Believer’s Eternal Home Is A Place Of…

1. Rejoicing
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

2. Reunion
“I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,”
(Matthew 8:11, ESV)

3. Relief (21:3-4)
“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” (2 Corinthians 5:1–4, ESV)

4. Renewal (21:1, 5)

5. Reward (22:12)

Chart from Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2004)

For Personal Reflection:

• Do you know for certain that you have eternal life and that you will go to heaven when you die?
• Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” What do you think you would say?
• What difference has the fact that this brief earthly life is preparation for eternity made in your life in the past seven days?
• What do you sense God is calling you to adjust in your life right now in light of eternity?