So, what is heaven really like? No one knows exactly what heaven is like but the bible gives us some clues. Our preacher often says it is a place that is so wonderful that it is beyond our comprehension. This is certainly so because we cannot fully imagine what the realm beyond this life and our physical existence is like, but we are promised a place of sweet rest and relief from all the cares and troubles that beset us in this life.

Jesus said in John 14:1,2: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” He was speaking to His disciples that were to become His Apostles, but we can, I believe, also apply what He said to all who are faithful.

The Greek word translated mansions here can also mean just an abode, but I think that the use of the word mansions may add a little to its meaning. Jesus is not saying that heaven is a place of  great material wealth, but is rather explaining it in a way that we can relate to in this physical life. It is most certainly a place of great spiritual wealth , glory and comfort that we can look forward to with certainty and is understood perhaps in the context of being a mansion in this life.

Jesus also says that it is a place where we can be with Him. He is preparing to leave this world and return to heaven (after His suffering on the cross) in this passage and is promising that He is going to prepare a place for His disciples that they may be there also. So, we know that heaven is a place where we may be with Jesus and God as opposed to the alternative place where the soul is cut off permanently from the presence of both (2 Thessalonians 1:9). This is reward enough that will make heaven a great place to be.

We are also told in Revelation  when speaking of the new Jerusalem or heaven: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” ( Revelation 21:4). So, we know that in heaven there will be no more of the many problems that plague our souls in this life. We will live a life of perpetual happiness and joy because the “former things have passed away.”

Beyond these two passages of scripture we know very little of what heaven will be like. We know that the street will be made of pure gold among other rich attributes of the city and there will be no night there (Revelation 21:10-27). Again, the rich, material things described here probably are presented in a way that we can easily understand and do not represent material wealth, but spiritual wealth. It is really enough to know that we will either be with God and Jesus or we will be without them.

It is enough to know that we don’t want to be separated in eternal torment from the God and eternal creator of all that was, is and will be.If we are serving Him in this life and love Him and all that He is as we come to do, then it is fitting that we will want to be with Him and serve Him forever. He has created us to do just that and because He is the creator, He has the right to decide our eternal destiny. We just need to ensure that we may be accepted in heaven by living our lives in righteousness by obeying God in all things and ultimately we will be saved from eternal torment in hell.

Perhaps the scriptures do not tell us more about heaven itself because the Holy Spirit could not put into words that we can understand while we live on this earth just what it will be like. Yet, we know that we have been told all that we need to know to keep us on the path of righteousness that will get us there some day if we do not falter and lose our way. We should keep the promise of heaven ever before our eyes as we make our way through the trials and temptations of life, knowing that these things will trouble us no more when we receive our reward in the end (Philippians 3:12-14).

May God bless and keep you until next time.