What Is Heaven Like?

Scripture repeatedly makes clear that heaven is a realm of unsurpassed joy, unfading glory, undiminished bliss, unlimited delights, and unending pleasures. . . . It will be perfect existence. We will have unbroken fellowship with all heaven’s inhabitants. Life there will be devoid of any sorrows, cares, tears, fears, or pain.[1]

Here are some passages of Scripture that give us a glimpse of heaven:

Matthew 5:12a
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great.”

Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.”

Luke 23:42-43
And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

“Life [in heaven] will be devoid of any sorrows, cares, tears, fears, or pain.”

John 14:2-4
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  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. And you know the way where I am going.”

Hebrews 9:24 (Isa. 25:8-12)
For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.

Revelation 21:4
“And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

In Scripture heaven is depicted as a real place, a place where Jesus Christ is, and a place where believers will be with Him. It is called “Paradise” (Greek Paradeisō). This term evokes the restful and serene image of a garden or park, which is meant to convey the idea that heaven is a place of freedom from the stresses and struggles of earthly existence. It is a place with no sorrow, pain, or loss. Best of all, in heaven there is no sin because it is always and everywhere a holy place. Moreover, it is a place of “reward” (Greek misthos), or benefits and blessings, for those who have served faithfully and remain faithful to Christ.

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[1] John MacArthur, The Glory of Heaven: The Truth About Heaven, Angels, and Eternal Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 84.