Foundation Topic

Is Heaven for Real?

Yes, heaven is real. In fact, it will be more real than anything we have ever known—a new heavens and new earth where sin and death are no more. Heaven is the place where all those who love him will finally be with Jesus, where God and man will dwell together again forever.

Short Content

What About Heaven?

From the Editor: As a kid, my mom would read the following poem to me, and it gave me hope as a little girl—one day everything bad would become untrue and I would be with the Jesus I read about from my Bible. What’s most wonderful about the content below is that it’s not just a poem for kids—it’s truth from the Word of God, truth that Jesus himself instructs us to receive like a child (Mark 10:15).

So we decided to introduce you to the topic of heaven in this way. Here’s one of our favorite books, which the author generously let us quote in its entirety. Read this out loud to yourself, or to a friend, and take some time to consider eternity through the eyes of a child.

What About Heaven?

I know that God loves me, of this there’s no doubt,
But what about Heaven, what’s that all about?
Is heaven a place that is near or that’s far?
Can I get to heaven by boat or by car?

How will I find it? 
Who’ll show me the way?
Does heaven have nighttime?
And what about day?

Can I have a room that is only for me?
Do I have to pay, or can I stay for free?
Will I look the very same way I do now?
Will everyone know who I am?  If so, how?

What food will I eat and what clothes will I wear?
When I get to heaven, who else will be there?
Does heaven have mountains and trees I can climb?
What will I do there with all of my time?

Is there enough space for the animals too?
Will there be some kind of a heavenly zoo?
Since God is in heaven, it has to be great. 
Can I go there now, or do I have to wait?

All questions have answers but some you won’t learn
‘Til God says it’s time for his Son to return.
Your questions are good ones, so let’s dive right in…
And see what the Bible says. Ready? Begin! (Mark 4:22; 1 Corinthians 13:12)

Though heaven’s a place that you can’t see from here,
It says in the Bible that heaven is near (Matthew 3:2).
You don’t need to know how to fly or to swim,
The way is with Jesus, believing in Him (John 3:16; John 11:25-26; John 14:3).

It always is daytime—there never is night. 
The light of God’s love will be shining so bright (Revelation 21:25; Revelation 22:5).
Jesus will give you a room of your own
With others nearby so you won’t feel alone (John 14:2).

Your body will change so it’s perfect and new,
And yet you will still be the very same you (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:40; 2 Corinthians 5:2-3).
But here’s something different, and this is no trick:
In heaven nobody will ever get sick (1 Corinthians 15:42, 44)!

Our hurts will be healed, and the deaf will all hear.
The blind will see clearly. There’s nothing to fear (Isaiah 29:18; 1 Corinthians 15:53; 2 Corinthians 4:18)!
Everyone there will be able to talk,
To sing and to dance and to run and to walk (Isaiah 30:29; Isaiah 40:31).

In heaven God serves you the very best meal. 
You’ll never be hungry—now that’s a good deal (Isaiah 25:6, Revelation 3:20, Revelation 7:16)!
The clothes that you’ll wear will be white and so clean;
In heaven you won’t need a washing machine (Revelation 3:5; Revelation 7:9)!

Even the animals won’t want to fight;
They’ll all get along—they will not scratch or bite (Isaiah 11:6-7).
Though time has no ending, you’ll never get bored;
For thousands of years seem like days to the Lord (Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8).

Heaven is full of such beautiful things;
The music of millions of angels who sing (Revelation 5:11).
Rivers like crystal and seas smooth as glass,
Emeralds glowing like green springtime grass (Revelation 4:3, Revelation 4:6, Revelation 22:1).

Mountains of jewels of every type,
trees full of fruits that are juicy and ripe (Isaiah 11:9; Revelation 21:10; Revelation 21:19-20; Revelation 22:2).
Sadness and pain will be taken away;
once you are there you’ll be happy to stay (Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 51:11; Revelation 21:4).

All of God’s children, the young and the old,
Will gather together on streets made of gold (Revelation 21:7; Revelation 21:2).
And then there will be such a grand celebration,
When heaven and earth have become one creation (Romans 8:21; Revelation 21:1)!

Life will be perfect, for heaven’s the place
We’ll see God, the Father and Son, face-to-face (Revelation 21:27; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 22:3-4).
For God will be there, everywhere that you are;
And Jesus will shine like a bright morning star (Revelation 22:16).

Heaven is wonderful, don’t you agree?
It’s simply the best place we ever could be (John 14:1; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Revelation 21:4)!

by Kathleen Bostrom, kindly contributed to Bibles.net, from her book “What About Heaven?

OPEN YOUR BIBLE

Theme Verse

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more...And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God..."

REVALTION 21:1, 3 ESV

What Do You Mean by "Heaven"?
Definition

Heaven

When referring to this place, Christians often talk about living with God “in heaven” forever. But in fact the biblical teaching is richer than that: it tells us that there will be new heavens and a new earth—an entirely renewed creation—and we will live with God there.
Quote

We're on the Wrong Side of the Door

At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendors we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in. 

by C.S. Lewis
Messages: 25 Min

City

by Colin Smith

Article: 10 Min

A Biblical Theology of the City of God

by T. Desmond Alexander at Crossway

Image

according
to his
promise
we are waiting
for new heavens
and a new earth

in which
righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:13 ESV

70’s | 80’s | 90’s

New Jerusalem

by Michael Card
Verse
Romans 9:19-21 NLT

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 

Praise & Worship

Messiah / You’re Beautiful

by Phil Wickham
Why Do I Want to Go to Heaven?
Quote

Here's Why We Want to Go to Heaven

For the Christian, heaven is where Jesus is. We do not need to speculate on what heaven will be like. It is enough to know that we will be forever with him.  
 
When we love anyone with our whole hearts, life begins when we are with that person; it is only in their company that we are really and truly alive. It is so with Christ.   
 
In this world our contact with him is shadowy, for we can only see through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12). It is spasmodic, for we are poor creatures and cannot live always on the heights. But the best definition of it is to say that heaven is that state where we will always be with Jesus, and where nothing will separate us from him anymore. 

by William Barclay | Source
Image

We know that
the one who
raised the Lord Jesus
from the dead
will also raise us
with Jesus and
present us with you to himself.

2 Corinthians 4:14 NIV
Quote

The goal
of the Christian life
is not to go to heaven.
It's to know God.
And knowing God
will be fully realized
when we are in heaven. 

FaithLife Magazine
Quote
Something so
grand and glorious
is going to happen
in the world’s finale
that it will
more than suffice
for every pain
we experienced
on this planet.
Infographic

The Joy of Eternal Life

We have made a graphic so you can save or share this portion of the Heidelberg Catechism, which answers two questions about the hope of heaven.

Contemporary

When the Stars Burn Down

by Philips, Craig, & Dean

Chill & Relaxing

Dreaming of Eden

by Tenielle Neda
Verse
John 14:2-3 ESV 

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. 

Verse
John 17:24 ESV

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 

Article: 10 Min

Why Do You Want to Go to Heaven?

by Jon Bloom at Desiring God

Image

They will
see his face,
and his name
will be

on their foreheads.

Revelation 22:4 NIV
What Will Heaven Be Like?
Article: 8 Min

The New
Creation Will
Have None of This

by Chris,
a Friend of Bibles.net
Article: 12 Min

Our Most Destructive Assumption About Heaven

by Randy Alcorn at Desiring God 

Video: 5 Min
by The Worship Initiative feat. Bethany Barnard
Quote

Will We Be Playing Harps in the Clouds?

There is no need to be worried by facetious people who try to make the Christian hope of ‘heaven’ ridiculous by saying they do not want ‘to spend eternity playing harps’. The answer to such people is that if they cannot understand books written for grown-ups, they should not talk about them.

All the scriptural imagery (harps, crowns, gold, etc.) is, of course, a merely symbolical attempt to express the inexpressible. Musical instruments are mentioned because for many people (not all) music is the thing known in the present life which most strongly suggests ecstasy and infinity. Crowns are mentioned to suggest the fact that those who are united with God in eternity share his splendor and power and joy. Gold is mentioned to suggest the timelessness of heaven (gold does not rust) and the preciousness of it. People who take these symbols literally might as well think that when Christ told us to be like doves, he meant that we were to lay eggs. 

by C.S. Lewis
Quote
Everybody wants
to enjoy heaven
after they die,
but they don’t
want to be
heavenly-minded
while they live.
Article: 10 Min

5 Myths About Heaven

by Ian K. Smith at Crossway

Chill & Relaxing

Heaven Song

by Phil Wickham
Quote
Heaven
is my country
and Jesus
is my King!
Quote

Will The New Creation Be Brand New?

All that has enriched and honored the life of all nations in all history will be brought in to enrich the new creation. The new creation will not be a blank page, as if God will simply crumple up the whole of human historical life in this creation and toss it in the cosmic bin, and then hand us a new sheet to start all over again. The new creation will start with the unimaginable reservoir of all that human civilization has accomplished in the old creation – but purged, cleansed, disinfected, sanctified and blessed. And we shall have eternity to enjoy it and to build upon it in ways we cannot dream of now as we will exercise the powers of creativity of our redeemed humanity… 

Think of the prospect! All human culture, language, literature, art, music, science, business, sport, technological achievement,—actual and potential—all available to us. All of it with the poison of evil and sin sucked out of it forever. All of it glorifying God. All of it under his loving and approving smile. All of it for us to enjoy with God and indeed being enjoyed by God. And all eternity for us to explore it, understand it, appreciate it, and expand it. If this is the new creation that the Bible promises, you can understand why I don’t want just to “go to heaven when I die.” Who wants just heaven, when God promises heaven and earth? 

by Christopher Wright | Source

Pop

Made For Heaven

by CAIN

Rap

Brand New

by KB
Article: 10 Min

Your Body Will Be Whole: A Physician’s Meditations on Heaven

by Kathryn Butler at Desiring God 

Messages: 47 Min

All Things New

by Matt Chandler

Verse
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

However, as it is written: 
“What no eye has seen, 
    what no ear has heard, 
and what no human mind has conceived”  
    the things God has prepared for those who love him— 

Quote

How Do I Get to Heaven?

If heaven were by merit, it would never be heaven to me, for if I were in it I should say, ‘I am sure I am here by mistake; I am sure this is not my place; I have no claim to it.’ But if it be of grace and not of works, then we may walk into heaven with boldness.

by Charles Spurgeon | Source
Image

For now
we see in a
mirror dimly,
but then face to face.
Now I know
in part;
then I shall know fully,
even as I
have been
fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
Video: 2 Min

Contemporary

I Can Only Imagine

by MercyMe

Rap

Billion Years

by Trip Lee feat. Taylor Hill

Folk | Indie

Milk & Honey

by Crowder
Messages: 21 Min

Heaven:
Questions and Answers

by R.C. Sproul 

Verse
Psalm 27:4 NIV

One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek: 
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life, 
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord 
    and to seek him in his temple. 

Quote

Do You Have Desires This World Can't Satisfy?

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same.

by C.S. Lewis | Source
Image

Whom have I
in heaven
but you?
And there is nothing
on earth
that I desire besides you.

Psalm 73:25 ESV 
Article: 5 Min

5 Tips for Being More Heavenly-Minded

by Jonathan Edwards, adapted by Bibles.net

Verse
Psalm 102:18-22 NIV

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, 
    so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord: 
that he looked down from his holy height; 
    from heaven the Lord looked at the earth, 
to hear the groans of the prisoners, 
    to set free those who were doomed to die, 
that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord, 
    and in Jerusalem his praise, 
when peoples gather together, 
    and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

Gospel

Forever and Ever Amen

by Maverick City Music feat. Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham

Praise & Worship

Echo Holy

by Red Rocks Worship

Pop

She Waits (Album)

by The Gray Havens
Verse
Revelation 5:11-14 ESV

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, 
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might 
and honor and glory and blessing!”  

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
 
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. 

Image

“When I
saw him,
I fell at his feet
as though
dead.”

Revelation 1:17 NIV
Article: 8 Min

6 Ways to Live Like You’re on a Journey to Heaven 

by Jonathan Edwards, adapted by Bibles.net

Verse
Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Books
Books