Answer: Heaven is real!
And Jesus even called it “Paradise.” The dictionary defines the word as bliss, happiness, and delight. The Bible confirms this description is not only true, but it’s even better than that! You don’t want to miss out on heaven, and how you can make sure you’ll be there is coming up.
As Jesus hung on a cross, He told the man next to Him that the two of them would arrive in Paradise that very day: “One of the criminals who hung [on the cross] heaped abuse on Him. ‘Are You not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save Yourself and us!’ But the other one rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ ” Luke 23:39-43
The youngest disciple, John, wrote the final book of the Bible about the glimpse of heaven Jesus gave him. The scriptures relate that others, too, saw part of heaven and its glory while they lived on earth. Among those were Enoch, Jacob, Elijah, Elisha, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Stephen, and Paul. The apostle Paul wrote that God has prepared a future full of wonders for those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ, and that includes the rewards of heaven: “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.’ ” I Corinthians 2:9
Also from Paul: “… I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.” 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
The Biblical record reveals a good bit about heaven, and the Holy Spirit, the author of the scriptures, decided it is enough information for us right now! The following are just a few highlights.
Our Arrival in Heaven
You will be escorted into heaven by angels and welcomed! You will see people you knew from your life and many you will get to know for the first time. The account Jesus shared in Luke 16 of a beggar, Lazarus, reveals much (see Luke 16:19-31).
“And you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:11
An intriguing account of the murder of a godly man named Stephen is included in Acts 7:54-59. Before he died, Stephen saw heaven opening and the glory of God, with Jesus Himself standing to the right of God’s throne to welcome him into Paradise.
Who and what will we see in heaven?
The Bible documents that Jesus spoke seventy times about heaven in the book of Matthew alone. Our Christian loved ones and friends who are residing there now will be relocated to earth when Jesus returns one day in the future. The Bible in Revelation, chapter 21, says He will rule on earth for one thousand years and then bring the New Jerusalem, a breathtakingly beautiful city, down from heaven, with many delights to behold – light radiating from God, sparkling jewels, golden pathways, and crystal-clear water. Even before that chapter’s description, Revelation 4 includes some details:
“I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones – like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled His throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded Him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder…” Revelation 4:2-5
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”– Revelation 21:23
“For the Lamb at the center of the throne [Jesus] will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” – Revelation 7:17
God is there, and so is Jesus! We will see and experience things we have never encountered before, such as creatures, unlike any we have ever seen, who continually worship God.
”Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying,
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:6-8
What will we do in heaven?
We will live among God’s people who are joyous and are enjoying fellowship. During our present lives, fun fellowship with others usually includes good food! So, just in case you thought about whether we will be able to eat, here are several examples:
“I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7
“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” Revelation 22:2
Will I have a place in heaven to live?
We can be assured and comforted that Jesus has a place ready for us when we get to heaven. In John 14:1-31, Jesus’ own words are recorded: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 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, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
False beliefs about heaven
Since fifty-four of the sixty-six books of scripture mention heaven, there are plenty of descriptions of it to read and enjoy. You have most likely heard of some of the misconceptions we should recognize as untrue and formed from human imagination. The Bible affirms that…
Everyone does NOT go to heaven when he or she dies. But all people will die and be ushered into one of two permanent destinations – heaven or hell. There is no in-between and no waiting or holding area.
People are NOT sent back to the earth to watch or help people. Those are assignments God gives to angels. And speaking of angels…
People do NOT become angels after they die. God created the angelic beings as unique and are tasked to serve Him and the people He created.
Heaven is NOT boring or monotonous. God will assign services and work to be done, and it will all glorify Him! We will have plenty of opportunities to rest, thank God, and express our honor and worship.
Now, this is the most important question of all which YOU must answer:
How can I be absolutely sure I will go to heaven when I die, and not hell?
This is not hard. You don’t have to earn God’s favor by working to become worthy so He will accept you. All you need to understand is you have a crucial choice to make that determines where you will spend eternity. The Bible promises you CAN know for sure when you put your trust in the Savior Jesus Christ, whom God sent to us.
“God loved the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus in John 3:16
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through Me.” Jesus in John 14:6
Don’t put this off!
You may not have another chance to make certain you are right with God. Once you die, it is too late to change your mind. If you would like to tell God that you want to be with Him in heaven, say something like this:
God, I know that I have sinned against you and other people during my life. I am very sorry for all of this. I have lived with this guilt for long enough, and today I am admitting to you that I need you in my life. Please forgive me. I know that Jesus is your Son who died on the cross to take the punishment that I deserve. Thank you for raising Him back to life so I can see the wonderful future I can also have by putting my trust in you. I am asking you to take control of my mind, my heart, and my life and show me, every moment, that you are with me and guiding me. I will follow your lead from now on! Thank you for wiping my record clean and allowing me to begin again as a new person!
“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ ”
Romans 10: 9-13
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
