9a : All about Heaven – What does Heaven look like?

In this article, we explore:

– The things/attributes about heaven

– The names of heaven in the Bible

– The size of heaven

– What is heaven like?

– What does heaven look like?

– What kind of body will saved believers have when they’re in heaven?

– Who is going to be in heaven

It is to be noted that the Bible states that heaven is a physical place and not a spirit realm or heavenly realm as many are led to believe.

 

Things about Heaven

• Heaven is described as having been in existence since the very beginning, predating Adam, Eve, and even Satan.
  

  Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

• The Bible emphasizes the eternal aspect of heaven.
  

  2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

• Heaven is a special place prepared and reserved for believers.
  

  John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

• This eternal residence, heaven is made by God himself.
  

  2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

• It is a place where God lives.
  

  Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

• It has buildings in Heaven
  

  2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

What are the names of Heaven in the Bible?

There are several names of heaven in the Bible from third heaven, garner, kingdom of Christ and of God, Father’s house, a rest, and paradise as shown in the following Bible verses.

• Third heaven
  

  2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

• Garner
  

  Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

• Kingdom of Christ and of God
  

  Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

• Father’s house
  

  John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

• A rest
  

  Hebrews 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

• Paradise
  

  2 Corinthians 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

What is the size of Heaven?

Jeremiah (Jer 31:37) speaks of heaven’s immeasurable expanse, emphasizing its vastness. Additionally, New Jerusalem, a component of heaven, spans an astounding 12,000 furlongs in every dimension (Rev 21:1-2, 21:16).

• Immeasurable
  

  Jeremiah 31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

• New Jerusalem (part of heaven)
  12,000 furlongs (1,200 miles) length x width x height

  Revelation 21:1-2 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
  Revelation 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

What is Heaven like?

Heaven is described as a high and holy place reserved for the saved believers (Isa 57:15). It promises an existence free from sin, night, hunger, thirst, and the repercussions of sin (Rev 7:16, 22:3). Those who inhabit it are assured satisfaction, pleasure, and an existence devoid of death, sorrow or pain (Psa 65:1-4, Rev 21:4).

In heaven, saved believers will rule over angels (1 Cor 6:3, Heb 1:14) and reign over nations (5:10, Rev 22:5).

• The high and holy place
  

  Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

• Our reservation in heaven for eternal life
  

  Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
  1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

• Holy (without sin)
  

  Psalm 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

• There will not be night or pure black darkness
  

  Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

• No more hunger, thirst, or heat
  

  Revelation 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

• No more curse or consequences of sin
  

  Revelation 22:3 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:

• Be satisfied and have pleasure in it
  

  Psalm 65:1-4 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David.) Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
  Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

• No more tears, death, sorrow, or pain
  

  Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

• We will rule over angels
  

  1 Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
  Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

• Reign over nations forever
  

  Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
  Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

What Heaven looks like

The visuals of heaven are described as nothing short of spectacular. An array of jewels (Rev 21:19-21), many mansions (Joh 14:2), a crystal river (Rev 22:1), streets of pure gold (Rev 21:21), 12 gates of 12 pearls (Rev 21:21), a perfect rainbow (Rev 4:3) and are just a few of its majestic features.

• Ornamented by all kinds of jewel
  

  Revelation 21:19-21 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

• There are many mansions
  

  John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

• A crystal river
  

  Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

• Street of pure gold
  

  Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

• A tree bearing 12 kinds of fruits for healing
  

  Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

• 12 gates of 12 pearls
  

  Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

• Perfect rainbow
  

  Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

What kind of body will saved believers have in Heaven?

Upon entering heaven, believers acquire bodies devoid of sinful desires (Rom 7:23-24). These bodies are imbued with an ethereal glow (1 Cor 15:40-41), power (1 Cor 15:42-43), and resemble the physique of Jesus Christ himself (Phil 3:21). We are also the army of the Lord (Joe 2:3-11, Rev 19:8, 14). With these new forms, they will have a mind akin to Jesus Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and a comprehensive understanding that transcends earthly knowledge (1 Cor 13:9-10).

• A body that doesn’t want to sin anymore.
  

  Romans 7:23-24 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
  Rom 8:18-23 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
  

• The glory of the body (a body that glows like the sun or star).
  

  1 Corinthians 15:40-41 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

• Body with power.
  

  1 Corinthians 15:42-43 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

• Army of the Lord.
  

  Joel 2:3-11 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
  

  This passage shows that the army is us.

  Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
  Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

• A (human form) body like Jesus Christ.
  

  Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
  1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

• We will have a mind like Jesus Christ.
  

  1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

• Right now we only know in part, but in heaven, we will know everything.
  

  1 Corinthians 13:9-10 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

What is going to be in Heaven?

Heaven promises perfect fellowship with God the Father (Matt 6:9), Jesus (Acts 3:20-21), God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16), angels (Matthew 18:10), Old Testament saints such as Enoch (Gen 5:24), Moses, Elias (Matt 17:3), Elijah (2 Kings 2:11), and departed loved ones (1 Thess 4:14). On top of that, mythical creatures (Rev 4:7-9), horses of fire (2 Kin 2:11) and creatures will dwell in harmony in heaven (Isa 11:6).

Sinners will not be in heaven (Rev 21:8), neither will Satan (Rev 20:10). The eye and ears have not seen or heard anything like heaven before (1 Cor 2:9).

Perfect fellowship

• God the Father
  

  Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

• Jesus
  

  Acts 3:20-21 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

• God the Holy Spirit
  

  Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

• Angels
  

  Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

• Old Testament saints
  Enoch

  Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

  Moses, Elias

  Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

  Elijah

  2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

• Departed loved ones
  

  1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

• All these sinners won’t be in heaven
  

  Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

• Horses of fire
  

  2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

• Mythical creatures
  

  Revelation 4:7-8 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

• All creatures will be in harmony
  

  Isaiah 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

• Satan won’t be there
  

  Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

• Things that our eyes and ears have not seen or heard before
  

  1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.