What Does The Bible Say About Heaven?

What does the Bible say about heaven?  It it a physical place?  An idea?  A state of being? The truth is that the Bible has a ton to say about heaven.  The Scriptures tell us that heaven is an actual physical place and that God was the one who made it.  The Scriptures also tell us that heaven is where God has His throne.  According to the Scriptures, heaven is the destination for Christians when they die.  But what even most Christians do not realize is that heaven is not the final destination for those who believe in Jesus Christ.  In fact, the Bible tells us that God is going to build a new heaven and a new earth.  The highlight of the new earth will be a massive city known as the New Jerusalem that will be the ultimate destination for those who belong to the Lord.  But perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves.  Let's take a look at what the Bible says about heaven one step at a time.....

In Genesis 1:1, the Bible tells us that God is the one who created the heavens and the earth.....

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Not only that, but in 1 Chronicles 29:11 the Scriptures say that everything in heaven and on earth belongs to the Lord.....

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that God listens to us from heaven.....

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

In Matthew 23:9, the Lord Jesus Christ told us that God the Father lives in heaven.....

And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.

But even though Ecclesiastes 5:2 tells us that God is in heaven and that he listens to us, we are to treat Him with the utmost respect.....

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Throughout the Scriptures God is referred to as the "God of heaven".  For example, Nehemiah 1:5 says this.....

Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands

In Ezra 1:2, we read that even the king of Persia knew that God lived in heaven.....

"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: " 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.

Psalm 103:19 tells us that God's throne is in heaven.....

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

But although God has a throne in heaven, Jeremiah 23:24 tells us that not even all of heaven can contain Him.....

Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.

God looks down on us from heaven and watches what we are doing as Psalm 14:2 says.....

The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Jesus declared that he was setting up "the kingdom of heaven".  Matthew 4:17 is one example.....

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 5:19 tells us that those who break God's commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.....

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:9 to address God the Father as "Our Father in heaven".....

"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name

Those who are Christians will have rewards waiting for them in heaven according to Matthew 5:11-12.....

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

In fact, the Lord Jesus instructed us to store up treasures in heaven in Matthew 6:19-21.....

"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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Jesus also said in Matthew 10:32 that those who acknowledge Him on earth will be acknowledged by Jesus in heaven.....

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

Luke 15:7 tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents and turns to God.....

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Jesus also said that He came from heaven in John 6:38.....

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead He returned to haven.  In Acts 1:11 we read this.....

"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

In addition, according to Acts 7:55 Jesus is at the right hand of God right now.....

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

2 Corinthians 5:1 tells us that heaven is the destination for those who belong to Christ.....

Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

In fact, Philippians 3:20 tells us that our citizenship is in heaven.....

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

Revelation 19:11-14 explains that one day the Lord Jesus Christ will return to this earth from heaven and that the armies of heaven will be following Him.....

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

Ultimately, the final destination for believers will be a new heaven and a new earth as 2 Peter 3:13 tells us.....

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

After the new heaven and new earth are created, all mankind will worship the Lord there as it tells us in Isaiah 66:22-23.....

"As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me," says the LORD.

Daniel 12:2-3 explains that those who have led many to righteousness will experience a great reward.....

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Revelation 21:1-3 tells us the final destination for those that belong to Jesus.  Without a doubt you will want to be there on that day.....

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

So how can one get to heaven?  Is there a way to know for sure that one is going to go to heaven?

Well, the truth is that there are some really good answers to those questions.  To learn how you can have your sins forgiven and be assured that you will go to heaven someday, check out our article entitled "What Does The Bible Say About Salvation?".  It will explain how you can have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Heaven is very real and you do not want to miss out on it.  Is there anything more valuable than eternal life in heaven?  Do not take this article or this website lightly.  Now is the time to decide what you are going to do about God.  He is very real and He loves you very much.  Please reach out to Him today.

If you have any questions please let us know.  It is our hope and our prayer that we will see you on the streets of heaven someday.