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What will Heaven be like?

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  • Wes Bloomquist •
  • Originally published January 23, 2009 at 4:30 p.m., updated January 23, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.

Just as man has always tended to believe there was a supreme being that created this world, man has also tended to believe in a life after this life. The Bible itself in Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has set eternity in man's heart. Blaise Pascal stimulates our thought on the matter by his famous question: "Which is harder, for a man to be born or to rise again?"

Perhaps if we spent a little more time considering the probabilities and possibilities of heaven, we would find this world a little more meaningful.

The life after this life is the real deal for us and for God - everything is building toward this end. This world is just the preview of God's overall plan; heaven is its fulfillment. It's possible that our work in the life to come may involve us in new worlds and new kingdoms. The Bible does hint that we will be involved in bearing the rule over and judging others. I do not believe heaven will be a place of never ending bliss where we spend all our time playing golf or dominoes. We expect our work will not be stressful but fulfilling.

We will have glorified bodies. Romans 8:18 says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" Whatever the description of the bodies we will get, they will not be subject to all the ills and failures of our present bodies.

Our great King will rule in righteousness. All his saints will be judged according to their deeds here on earth. Some will be given more than others, but all will be satisfied as having gotten what they deserved, since there will be no jealousy there. Those rewards may somehow relate to the amount of responsibility each is given. It's probable that we will also grow in knowledge, understanding and abilities.

The book of Revelation describes the beauty of heaven in earthly terms for we are not capable of grasping anything other than what are familiar with. Gold is nice, but as for me, I can take it or leave it. Gems are prettier, especially amethyst, but still I am not terribly impressed. We will have to see the beauty of heaven to appreciate it. Meanwhile, we will simply have to use our imaginations.

We will be more relational there. Here on earth we are protective of our personalities. We may have close friends, but we don't want them too close. There will be no sin or evil there. Love will be pure and unadulterated.

Worship of God will be a central focus. With God on the throne and Jesus seated at his right hand there will be an atmosphere of overwhelming awe, yet at the same time approachability and love. Undoubtedly there will be lots of singing. For those who never discovered the joy of worship here on earth, they will simply have to wait.

Raymond F. Smith is a deacon at Fellowship Bible Church in Victoria and President of Strong Families of Victoria.



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