Jesus gives us some pretty straightforward instructions around how we should view our lives in light of eternity. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus lets us know that our lives here are an opportunity to invest in our eternal future in Heaven.
In light of Jesus’ words and the painful reality that our time here on Earth is short, we can see that Heaven matters. If this place informs how we should live now and is the ultimate destination for our souls, then knowing what Heaven is like is so important. While there is a mystery around Heaven, the Bible does give us some helpful insights into what this place is like.
Let’s explore what God’s Word teaches us about Heaven.
1. Heaven Is Something We Are Living for Now
There are so many passages of Scripture that implore us to live righteously because what we do now has an eternal impact. Every person on this planet is born with the nagging feeling that their actions have meaning. They want who they are to make an impact in this world. This feeling is Heaven calling! It is an internal instinct that tells us that now matters in ways that we can’t always see or fully comprehend.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 says, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
Luke 12:33-34 says, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
These verses illustrate the fact that how we choose to live in this world makes a difference in the heavenly realms. Our lives are not meaningless; we have eternal value. When we live in a way that honors God, he stores up for us an unfailing treasure that we will receive when our time on earth has finished.
2. Heaven Is a Real Place
Heaven is a destination. It is not a dream or an abstract idea. The Bible describes it as a place with homes, rivers, creatures, and even a city.
Revelation 22:1-5 says, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
This passage gives us a lot of details about what is to come. We can look forward to enjoying God’s creativity in a tangible way in the life to come. There will be water, fruit, trees, a throne, and our good God to encounter.
Jesus even talks about a home that God has prepared for each of us (John 14:2). We have an eternal home that we will reside in. A place where all our needs are met, and God’s joy is forever available to us.
3. Heaven Is a Good Place
Heaven is a good place! This matters because when it comes to the afterlife, we have options. The Bible talks about Heaven, and also describes a place void of God where souls face eternal destruction (Revelation 21:8). This place is where people who reject God and live evil lives find themselves when their time is up on Earth.
The Bible lets us know that we can look forward to coming home to Jesus at the end of our lives. Revelation 21:4 says, “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, for the former things have passed away.” We can rest assured that God has created a beautiful home for our souls.
1 Corinthians 2:9 adds, “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” God’s love is displayed for us in the creation of Heaven.
4. God’s Throne Is in Heaven
One of the most important things about Heaven is that it is a place that we get to live in God’s presence. In Revelation, John – one of Jesus’ disciples – is brought up to see the Heavens. He describes God’s majestic throne (Revelation 4) surrounded by twenty-four other thrones. These thrones are surrounded by lampstands and covered in what John describes to be jewels.
This out-of-this-world scene is just a glimpse of God’s majesty that we will be able to behold in Heaven. God doesn’t just save us from sin and death, but he brings us home to be with him forever. He makes us part of his family because he loves us.
Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” When we grow weary of being here on Earth, we can be encouraged because our true citizenship is in heaven. We joyfully await the day that we get to meet our Savior face-to-face.
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