By Wesley Walker
There are few things in life that elicit more speculation than the afterlife. Since all people face death, interest in what happens beyond the grave is never ceasing. There are a multitude of books, articles, and television specials that have tackled this subject. Curiosity and speculation are not always good things however. They tend to blur the line between fact and fiction and leave people confused as to the true reality of heaven.
In the face of so much speculation you might wonder what someone can know about the Great Beyond. The truth is only God can reveal to us what happens when we die. Although there have been many books written where people claim to die, go to heaven, and then come back to life in order to tell their story, the truth is these accounts are unable to provide us with any accurate information on the future home of the saints. Instead, we must turn to God and His revelation to learn what heaven is like. So allow me to share with you ten truths we know about heaven.
First, we know that heaven is the dwelling place of God. Jesus often described his Father as being in “heaven” (Matthew 5:45, 6:9; et al.). When the Ark of the Covenant was brought to the temple, Solomon prayed and declared that God’s dwelling place is heaven (1 Kings 8:30). When the righteous enter heaven they are entering the dwelling place (home) of God.
Second, we know that heaven will be a place where righteousness reigns. In 2 Peter 3, Peter describes the end of this age. He discusses the destruction of this earth and our anticipation of the “new heavens and new earth” (3:12, 13). Peter states that in this new place “righteousness dwells.” Each day we live in a world with increasing unrighteousness. Sin seems to be on the rise in our land. Greed, sexual immorality, violence and other transgressions are not only committed but also glorified. It can be said that our world is a place where unrighteousness dwells. However, there is a new reality that awaits followers of Christ in heaven. We will enjoy an abode of righteousness.
Third, we know heaven will be an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading place. This is what we are told in 1 Peter 1:4. Peter, encouraging the Christians of his day to stay faithful during a time of persecution, reminded them of the pristine nature of their future home. We are used to things that wear out, rust out, and fade out. In heaven none of these will happen. Heaven will be as glorious the first moment we are there as it will be 10,000 years later.
Fourth, we know that heaven will be eternal. Jesus states that heaven is eternal (Matthew 25:46). Paul speaks of our eternal abode in heaven (2 Corinthian 5:1). There is no expiration date. Once we enter heaven this will be our new home forever. Imagine the greatest time of you life, your fondest memory. Then imagine that it is immeasurable better. Then imagine that the moment never ends. This is what heaven is like.
Fifth, we know that we will be with Jesus. “We will always be with the Lord.” That is how Paul describes our reunion with Jesus on the last day (1 Thessalonians 4:17). When Jesus returns and we meet Him in the air our eternity will be spent with Jesus. “The one whom we have not seen, yet we love, (1 Peter 1:8)” will become the one whom we will always see and love. Jesus prepared heaven for us (John 14:2) and we will live in this prepared place with our perfect Savior. Our faith will become sight.
Sixth, we know we will be united with those who have died in Christ. In the same section of 1 Thessalonians where Paul tells us we will always be with the Lord, it also declares that a great reunion will take place. It seems the Christians in Thessalonica were concerned about their fellow disciples who died before the return of Jesus. Paul writes to encourage them. He does so by describing the happenings of the final day. We are told that the dead in Christ will rise to meet the Lord and then those who are alive at the return of Jesus will join them. A grand reunion would take place between the dead in Christ and the saints that remain. This is the hope of the Christian when death strikes in this world. We have confidence in a day we will be united with those whom we have lost. Heaven will be a great family reunion for the faithful in Christ!
Seventh, we know that we will see the glory of God. Revelation 21:11 tells us that our future home “shines with the glory of God.” The early disciples and eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus beheld the glory of Jesus in a way that we all wish we could (John 1:14). We are able to gain insight into that glorious condition through their writings (1 John 1:3, 4). In heaven, though, we will fully experience and truly behold God’s glorious nature.
Eighth, we know that we will no longer face death, pain, and suffering. Fresh on our minds is the tragedy in Newtown, CT. The death of the innocent rightly makes us long for a better day. Anytime we see someone suffer, live in pain, or die, we are sorrowful. We know that these things are a result of sin entering into God’s good creation. We are promised by God that these occurrences will not stretch into the afterlife. In Revelation, where John describes our future abode in magnificent terminology, we are told that God will wipe away all tears and that the tree of life will be available for the healing of the nations. The removal of pain, suffering, and death is another magnificent truth we can know about heaven.
Ninth, we know that temptation will no longer be there. A fact of life in the flesh is that we still do the things “we hate” (Romans 7:15). As Christians our desire is to please our Father in all things (Colossians 1:10). Yet the reality of our life is that we still sin (1 John 1:8). It is frustrating to us to desire to do right, but so often do wrong (Romans 7:22, 23). In heaven this will no longer be the case. Since we are removed from this body of flesh and given glorified bodies, we will no longer battle temptation and we will be able to do that which we desire, namely glorify God in all things (Romans 11:36).
Tenth, we know that heaven is promised to those who are faithful. Recent surveys make it clear that a large majority of people believe they are going to heaven. It is hard for people to fathom that God would punish them. The truth is God’s desire is that all men be saved (2 Peter 3:9), but the reality is that few will find salvation (Matthew 7:14). Heaven is reserved for the righteous. These are people who have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus and then practice righteousness in their lives. Salvation is given to those who trust and confess Jesus and respond in faith through repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38).
There are numerous aspects of heaven that we might long to know more about. However, what we can know about heaven is so amazing that speculation about those aspects seems foolish. Heaven, as described in Scripture, is already beyond our feeble comprehension and rightfully results in our astonishment. Just reading the descriptions we have of heaven in the Bible reminds us how difficult it is for man to describe the glorious splendor of the final home of the righteous. When we think of heaven, in comparison to the place we know dwell, my prayer is that we, like John, say with all excitement, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
