The idea of what Heaven is has been debated for centuries. Many people have their own idea of what heaven is like. Some people believe that heaven will be a place devoid of any sadness or pain. While others might imagine something different. But the truth is that nobody on earth really knows for sure. In order to find out what heaven is like, we need not look into god's word, the bible, and see what it says about the afterlife. Since humans cannot fully comprehend what heaven looks like. This article "What does heaven look like" will explore what some bible verses and other ideas say about the afterlife and how they describe it.
What does heaven look like according to the Bible?
The Bible tells us that heaven is as follows:
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." (Corinthians 2:9)
So, god has prepared for his children what is beyond words, and even our imaginations cannot comprehend. Doesn't this sound really incredible? This is what heaven is like.
It says that heaven will be a place of perfect peace and joy where there is no pain or sadness (Isaiah 25:14).
This means heaven is a place with no more tears, death, and pain! This sounds so amazing for those who have no belief in God, but also for those who do. We have a place where we will not experience pain, death, or sadness again! A tear from their eyes will be wiped away and they will not cry or be sad from that day onward.
A place of beauty
Entering Heaven must therefore be absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and magnificent. Similar to what we see in paintings or pictures about Heaven. Heaven must be a place of beauty nothing on earth can compare to. That is what we can expect from a place that's prepared by God himself for his children!
Bible verses about Heaven
There are also other things we can expect in Heaven. The Bible tells us that it will have an abundance of fruit trees and streams of water (Revelation 22:17). You might say this is a really good place to live! According to the Bible, it's a place where our God lives with us. In John 14:2-3, Jesus said:
"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself."
It sounds like there is plenty of room in Heaven!
Acts 24:15 states, "There is nothing unclean of itself; but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean." This Scripture passage tells us that there are no bad things in heaven and only good people go there. Nothing impure can get to heaven, everything needs to be clean to get there. Paul also talked about what Heaven looks like in Philippians:
"But I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ." It's a place of total freedom!
Theologians believe this place will also have God's glory shining down upon it for all eternity. So, we can't know for sure what this place will be like. However, we have some ideas based on Scripture and our imagination!
Eternal home for believer
The Bible describes what Heaven is like as an eternal home for believers with the Lord Jesus Christ. A place where there will be no more pain and suffering, a place of unimaginable joy. We’ll have the chance to see our Savior face-to-face. Live alongside our loved ones who died before us and won't ever experience sickness again.
What does heaven look like in Revelation?
The best idea and picture of what Heaven might become from the book of Revelation in which John describes a city with twelve gates guarded by an angel to each gate. A name inscribed on them all: one named “Life”; another named "Healing"; then "Truth" and so forth - giving us some insight into how God views life on earth after we die.
The new Jerusalem
One day I was reading this verse where Jesus said he would prepare "a city for us" which many take to mean it's like an apartment building where each person has their own unit but on a much grander scale in this holy city. It sounded so nice yet at the same time, what did this really mean?
It's hard to know for sure because we don't really have any perfect examples of what awaits us. But I've found a few clues here, there, and everywhere that help me imagine it can be anything but boring!
Glorious God's Palace
First off, Revelation 21 says "the tabernacle (which is called Heaven) was opened." When you think about what an earthly temple looks like with its beautiful architecture and design - this must surely give some idea as to how much more the glory of God and his glorious God’s palace will be! Not just one building but many buildings housing. Heaven is a place of unimaginable beauty with streets paved in gold and jeweled gates on every side. And even though there will be no more tears. When we see God, our Savior, and King for the first time, I bet those gates will open wide with a huge welcoming smile!
The promise of the Lord Jesus Christ
We can't really imagine what Heaven looks like. But as believers in Jesus Christ who have been given eternal life through his sacrifice on the cross, it is not difficult to understand that eternity exists. Because he has promised us that "the Lord Himself goes before you; he will be with you; he won’t leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:11)
Facts about Heaven
- Heaven is a place of eternal life and perfect peace.
- There are no tears, no death in heaven.
- Christians will be reunited with loved ones who have passed away before them.
- There will be no time as we know it, and there will be no need to eat, drink or breathe.
- We'll never get sick again, we won't age ever again.
What does heaven look like according to other ideas
Near-death experiences?
This section gives you an idea of what Heaven could be like through some people's near-death experiences. It seems to vary from person to person, but most seem in agreement about feeling peace and hearing beautiful sounds and music as their leave their bodies
Near-death experiencers often describe a feeling of being in heaven. Not all people who have near-death experiences feel that they are in Heaven, but many do say that their experience felt like it was spiritual and very peaceful. They also mentioned seeing bright lights and hearing beautiful music as from an orchestra.
For some, it is a place with trees, mountains, or flowers. For others, it's just white light or nothing at all. Some talk about meeting long-lost loved ones. Others have seen the throne of God and met Jesus. Some people who've had near-death experiences have said that it was the most spiritual thing they ever experienced. Others say it's not at all what you think. A person’s experience of death can vary greatly from person to person.
How to get to Heaven ?
Nothing impure will enter it
Revelation 21:27 tells us that “nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Impure means a soul full of sins; impure thoughts, deeds, and desires.
What this means is that Heaven has a way to make sure no one enters its gates unless they deserve a place there. "To get into Heaven you need your name written down in Christ's book of life. Not just because you were baptized as an infant! You have to accept Jesus' offer for salvation and live out His values every day." (Rick Warren)
Therefore, it is important to understand that we need to wash our souls and confess our sins in order to be ready for the Day of Judgement. Have your names written down in Christ's book of life. Have a place to go when this world has passed and be with Him for eternity.
"Heaven's new earth will have many amazing features that can't exist on the sinfully polluted planet Earth."
(John Phillips)
Live a good life
The Bible tells us in John 14:23 that Jesus said, “If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him.” This new home will be the new Jerusalem.
The New International Version of the Bible says it this way: “Now if someone claims, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar because the person who doesn't love a brother or sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they haven't seen." We need to follow Christ's teachings as best we can while on earth so that He'll take us into heaven when the time comes. Not just those who have never sinned but those who have come to repentance and been forgiven.
Again Rick Warren about how to find your way home: “Live out His values every day." That means being honest, loving others, and lastly, leaving the world a better place than it was when you found it. So for those who wonder what Heaven feels like. Don't worry or fret about that because God has promised us eternal life and we know what eternity is:
"I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 56:11).
Never lose hope in our Father's promise through our Lord Jesus Christ, for if we do so then we've lost everything.
Heaven or hell
If there is a heaven there must be his counterpart, hell. What is the difference between heaven and hell? Heaven has been described as a place where we will live with God for eternity in perfect happiness. Hell is often used to describe an eternal dwelling of punishment, sorrow, and torment that awaits those who reject God's love. Both are described as being places of extreme comfort (heaven) and extraordinary discomfort (hell).
I'll see you in heaven one day, momma
When a person we loved passed away it's also hard to come face-to-face with the idea of our loved one not existing anymore at all. But what if I told you that by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and living your life for him - then after a death we'll see all again? (although, prayer for the dead are still necessary). Live on forever as a part of his eternal kingdom? That would be so awesome!
So don't worry about where you're going when you die because God has promised us eternity through Jesus Christ. Jesus promised us eternal life through him. If you believe, and live your life for Christ, then after a death we'll live on forever as a part of his kingdom in the new Jerusalem! I'll see you in heaven one day momma. Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus Christ!
Conclusion of what does heaven look like
It's impossible to know exactly what Heaven is going to look like. But somehow just knowing where I'm headed gives me great peace of mind. The Bible gives us enough indications of what Heaven is like to know that we'll be living in a place where there will be no more sorrows or death. Every tear will be washed away. All the pain and sadness that we've experienced in this life will be gone. Replaced with unimaginable joy. Therefore, it is already going to feel good to live without the fear of dying. I'm excited about it and can't wait until that day comes when I see all my loved ones who are up with God right now. God bless you!