What is Heaven Like?

 

What will it be like in heaven? This question has spawned many books, articles, podcasts, television episodes, and certainly captivated the minds of many. There is a lot of speculation about it, but very little definitive substance offered. Some believe it will simply be a continuation of life on earth, one that has been renovated and prepared to last forever, where one can golf, ride roller coasters, hunt, fish, camp, travel, and do all the same physical things one engaged in during this existence. I recently heard one religious program’s host say that, while there is no such thing as marriage relationships in heaven, it will be like we’re all married, with the same sense of intimacy, not sexually, but a closeness in knowing, that everyone will have of everyone. It seems one can pick whatever one wants it to be, as there is no end to the conjectures that are out there.

 

We know that which is physical is not part of that which is eternal. While our bodies will be resurrected on the last day (1 Thess. 4:13-18), they will be changed into a perfect spiritual body (1 Cor. 15:42-44), in the image of our Lord Himself (1 John 3:2). The Lord and His angels will take us out of this existence (1 Thess. 4:17), to be with Him forever. Jesus told the apostles He was going to prepare a place for them, as well as all who are in Him, and that He would come back to take us to where He would be (John 14:3). Flesh and blood cannot inherit His eternal kingdom (1 Cor. 15:50), as we have citizenship in heaven, a spiritual place (Phil. 3:20-21). The earth will be set free from its dominion by sin in being destroyed by fire, having served its purpose (2 Pet. 3:10-12). All things will be new. Just as the human mind had never imagined the glories of the gospel age (1 Cor. 1:21; 2:9), neither can it imagine the glories awaiting in eternity.

 

So, while there is much that we must wait to understand and experience regarding eternal life, two things are revealed in Scripture. What is closest to heaven isn’t based on this carnal existence, but the spiritual. In the church, the body of Christ, we see two elements happening today that will happen in eternity. As we praise God in worship today, so shall we praise Him in worship in heaven (John 4:24; Rev. 7:9-17). As we serve God today, so shall we serve Him in eternity (1 Cor. 15:58; Rev. 7:15; Rev. 22:3).

 

We aren’t given specifics in Scripture regarding the details of life in heaven, other than we will be joined together forever to praise God and serve Him. The fact God and Christ are there should be sufficient for us to desire being there, above everything else. Whatever is planned for us is perfect, and perfectly suited to how God created us in His image. Satan would have us substitute what is eternal for what is temporal, incomplete, carnal, and destined to perish. We should long for the eternal each day, because how we live now should reflect our desire for heaven. Have we been deceived into thinking heaven will be like life is in the here and now, so it’s okay to live as we want? Instead of this, we are being transformed to think like Christ (Phil. 2:5) and live for what is eternal (Col. 3:1-4).

 

Paul said of himself he “was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak” (2 Cor. 12:4). If it was not lawful, not allowed, for Paul to reveal what he heard, then anything that comes from our opinions and thoughts are mere speculations not worth considering. It will be far more than anything we can conceive. It is the place where God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit dwell. It is the place God has prepared for us. It is the place where we can worship and serve unhindered by sin. It is the place where the saved of all ages will be gathered together for all eternity, where our fellowship together with each other and Deity will never end. What more can the child of God want? Why fetter our thoughts with anything less? May we be content with what God has revealed, and live to be there. That is enough.

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

Robert