The short answer: the Bible says the best thing about heaven is that God is there. When believers die, they go to be with Jesus, which Paul called "far better" (Philippians 1:23, ESV). At Jesus' return, God will raise His people with new bodies and make a new heavens and a new earth, where "he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more" (Revelation 21:4, ESV). Heaven is a free gift for everyone who trusts Jesus.
Heaven Is Being With Jesus
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.
That is John 14:2–3, ESV. Jesus' promise is not mainly about a place but about a Person: "that where I am you may be also." The centre of heaven is God Himself. "They will see his face" (Revelation 22:4, ESV).
What Happens When a Christian Dies?
The Bible teaches that believers go to be with the Lord. Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43, ESV). Paul wrote that he "would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8, ESV), and "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21, ESV).
That is why Christians grieve with hope: "that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14, ESV).
A New Heavens and a New Earth
The Bible's story does not end with souls floating in the clouds. It ends with God making everything new.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... 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."
That is Revelation 21:1–3, ESV. Heaven comes down to earth. God lives with His people forever.
What Will Heaven Be Like?
- No more tears, death, or pain. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore" (Revelation 21:4, ESV).
- No more sin or curse. "No longer will there be anything accursed" (Revelation 22:3, ESV).
- New, resurrected bodies. "What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power" (1 Corinthians 15:42–43, ESV).
- Worship. "The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him" (Revelation 22:3, ESV). See what worship is.
- People from every nation. "A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9, ESV).
- More than we can imagine. "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9, ESV).
How Do I Get to Heaven?
Heaven is not earned by being good enough. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23, ESV). Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, ESV). Anyone who turns from sin and trusts Jesus receives eternal life as a gift. See Know Jesus and how to know you are saved.
Heaven and the Mission
Revelation 7:9 is one of the reasons we do what we do. Heaven will be full of people from every nation, tribe, and language. Every outreach night, festival, and conversation about Jesus is part of filling it. See the Great Commission explained.
Common Questions
What does the Bible say heaven is like? The Bible says heaven is where God is, and its greatest joy is being with Him (John 14:3, Revelation 22:4). It describes no more tears, death, mourning, or pain (Revelation 21:4), no more curse (Revelation 22:3), resurrected bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42–43), and worshippers from every nation (Revelation 7:9).
What happens when a Christian dies? The Bible teaches that believers go to be with the Lord, which Paul called "far better" (Philippians 1:23). Jesus told the thief on the cross, "today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). At Jesus' return, believers will be raised with new bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14).
Will we have bodies in heaven? Yes. The Bible promises a bodily resurrection when Jesus returns. Believers will be raised imperishable, in glory and power (1 Corinthians 15:42–43), to live with God in a new heavens and a new earth (Revelation 21:1–3).
How do I get to heaven? Heaven is a free gift, not a reward for being good enough (Romans 6:23). Jesus is the way to the Father (John 14:6). Anyone who turns from sin and trusts Jesus as Lord and Saviour receives eternal life.
Where He is, we will be. Every tear wiped away.
