WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE?

Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word “heaven” is found 276 times in the
New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three heavens. The apostle Paul was “caught up
to the third heaven,” but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2
Corinthians 12:1-9).
If a third heaven exists, there must also be two other heavens. The first is most frequently

referred to in the Old Testament as the “sky” or the “firmament.” This is the heaven that

contains clouds, the area that birds fly through. The second heaven is interstellar/outer
space, which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects (Genesis
1:14-18).
The third heaven, the location of which is not revealed, is the dwelling place of God. Jesus
promised to prepare a place for true Christians in heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the
destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer
(Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John
3:16).
The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city (Revelation
21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth) possesses the “glory of
God” (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because heaven has no night and the
Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).
The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has
twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of
the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life
is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation
22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is
beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Heaven is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more
sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be
conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and
Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and
sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.