Is Heaven a Real Place? YES!  More Real Than You  Can Imagine! 

Is Heaven a real place, or just a figment of imagination in the minds of people? 

Is it a place where people sit around on clouds playing harps all day, as Hollywood and the media would have you believe. 

Or is something more?  Something that we were originally made for?

Why do people hope for a heaven anyway? 

And what does the Bible have to say about heaven?  Where are the references, and did Jesus speak about it?  Where can I find the references?

Is there any evidence for heaven, for life after death?  Or are people just deluding themselves?

What the World Tries to Tell You About Heaven

The popular media, through books, films and records, would have you believe 1) that heaven is a boring place that is not worth going to, or 2) that it doesn’t exist anyway.

But is this a reasonable position to take, given the evidence? The Bible says that the LORD has “put eternity” in our hearts, and thus people seem to have almost an inherent longing for something more than this very brief existence on Earth.  When asked if they believe in an after-life, most Americans say they do.

In fact, throughout history peoples of all races, creeds and nationalities have entertained beliefs about heaven.  It seems that this belief is almost an integral part of human nature.  Even the Greeks, via Plato, taught about the existence of an eternal soul that transcends the existence of the physical body and life on earth.

Popular Beliefs that are Wrong About Heaven

Some claim “There is no God, or Heaven -we just die.  Period.”

Is this a reasonable position?  If those that trust in God are right, and there is an after-life and an
accountability to God, then they have a rich and rewarding faith in this life, and an eternity of
blessings to gain if they put their trust in Him.  If on the other hand they are wrong about this, then they have little to lose: they just die like the rest.

On the other hand, if those who say there is no God or Heaven are WRONG, then they have much to lose – not only in this life, but in the eternity to come!  Who has more to lose?  Which is the more reasonable position?

One of the most famous scientists of all time, Blaise Pascal, wrote a document that epitomizes this argument.  It’s called “Pascal’s Wager”.  Read more at this link http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/pascals-wager.htm

Others claim “Heaven is boring.  I am looking forward to being in Hell with all my friends, having a good time.”

Really.  Those who say such things are fooling themselves.  Heaven will be anything but boring.  It will be the most fantastic, most fulfilling life possible.

In fact, the Apostle Paul writes “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Cor 2:9)

In other words, we can’t imagine how wonderful, exciting and beyond our wildest dreams it will be!  It will be anything but boring.  We will have new “celestial” bodies that will never age, and be able to transcend time and space.

The Bible Describes Three Heavens, and a NEW Heaven and Earth

Heaven is a REAL PLACE. The word “Heaven” is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. And Scripture refers to not just ONE Heaven, but three Heavens!  And then a “new heaven and new earth”, as the final destinations for all those that believe, and have been “born again” spiritually. 

The first heaven is most commonly used to refer to the “sky”, or the “firmament”. This is the sky that we look up to, filled with clouds, birds, and which sometimes bring us rain and storms.

The second heaven is the abode of the sun, moon, galaxies and stars beyond – the heavenly bodies that fill the known universe, as described in Genesis:

When asked about Heaven, Jesus spoke about going away to prepare a place for His followers, so that where He would go, we may follow:

John 14:2-3:  “In my Father’s house are many rooms 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 unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.”

Its Beyond Our Four Dimensions of Time and Space

One must keep in mind that when we pass from this earthly existence, we pass into eternity and beyond the four dimensions of time and space we all now occupy.  We will enter a new time and space, outside of what we have known in this reality.  In fact, the Bible points out that we cannot even imagine what this will be like:

1 Cor 2:9:  “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Paul also wrote that “now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see face to face”.  In other words, in our current four dimensional biological existence, its practically impossible to imagine what heaven will be like.  Imagine you were a caterpillar trying to visualize what it would be like to be a butterfly!  Impossible – but one day that caterpillar will change into beautiful creature that will fly effortlessly through space!  That’s just a lame example of what your fantastic transformation will be like!

Or consider the following example.  Suppose you existed as a two-dimensional creature, with only length and width.  And someone tried to explain to you what “depth” was like, and what its like to exist in three dimensions.  As a 2D creature, how do you get a grip on what it would be like to live in 3 dimensions?  Hard to imagine for a 2D being, as 3D existence is not to be compared with anything they can imagine.  Now, extrapolate this to 10 or 11 dimensions, at a minimum.  Heavenly existence will transcend our limited dimensions of time and space, allowing us a form of fantastic existence which is beyond our capacity to imagine.

However, the Bible does give us glimpses of what we can expect in heaven, and thus hope for a fantastic life of eternal joy and excitement.

Will People be Disembodied Spirits in Heaven?

We Will Have Transformed “Celestial” Bodies

The Bible states that we will have transformed bodies in heaven, not unlike Jesus was endowed with after His resurrection.  We don’t know much about these now, but we will “shall be like Him” in this respect (see below).  And although these are “celestial” bodies, these are indeed bodies nevertheless – so as with Jesus after His resurrection, we will also be able to eat, drink, and yet pass through walls!  In the following passages, John and Paul the Apostles speak about the new bodies we will inherit …

1 John 3:2:  “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear [Jesus], we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

1 Cor 15:40: “[There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another.”

1 Cor 15:42-44: “So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

1 Cor 15:49: “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

We will NOT be Disembodied Spirits, but We Will Have a New Kind of Body 

Contrary to what the media would have you believe, we will not be disembodies “ghosts”.  Our new celestial bodies will have the ability to touch an be touched, and will be able to manifest physical bones and flesh:

Luke 24:36-38:  “Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst, and said unto them ‘Peace to you.”  But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.  And He said unto them, “Why are you troubled?  And why do doubts arise in your hearts?  Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.  Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

We Will Have Bodies That Can Materialize/Dematerialize!

While we will have bodies that can touch and be touched, we will also have some fantastic abilities.  One example will be the ability to materialize or dematerialize at will, and to pass through walls!

There are several instances in Scripture where Jesus dematerialized and then materialized.   The first instance of this was His initial Resurrection.  Jesus’ body was dematerialized from a dead, corruptible body and materialized into a new celestial body.  That dead body was no more in the tomb, leaving behind only the linen shroud.  What appeared to His disciples was His new, resurrected body – one that could dematerialize (disappear) and materialize (appear) at will.

Other instances of this include His appearances to His followers after the Resurrection:

Luke 24:31: “Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.”

Luke 24:36: ““Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst…”

Mark 16:14: “Afterward He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table …”

John 20:19: “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you”‘.

John 20:26: “Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you”.

So just as Jesus was able to materialize or dematerialize at will, due to the nature of His new celestial body, so too will we!

We will Eat and Drink if We Want to – But We Won’t Have To!

According the Scriptures, when Jesus appeared to His followers after His resurrection, He asked for food, eating and drinking with Him:

Luke 24:41: “But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said unto them, “Have you any food here?”  So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb.  And He took it and ate in their presence.“

So since we will have a celestial body like Jesus, and He ate and drank, it follows that we will be able to do likewise.  But since our new bodies will be of a new spiritual substance no longer subject to things corruptible, we will not HAVE to eat or drink to survive. 

The laws of our existence will be turned upside down in heaven.  In the earthly existence, the body’s demands drive much of our activity, with the mind following and the spirit in tow.  In heaven, our subsistence will be based on a spiritual union with the Lord.  The Spirit will power our existence, and the mind will act in concert with the spirit and the celestial body. 

We Will Have Emotions, But So Much More Deeply!

The Bible tells us that we are created in God’s image, and so just as God feels emotion, so do we in this earthly life.  When we pass to Heaven, there is every reason to believe that emotions will be transformed into a higher state, just as the rest of our earthly body will.

Rather than controlling us, our emotions will be controlled by
our spirit -as our spirit will be leading our existence, rather than our flesh.

Just as our earthly body is a shadow of what we will become, our emotions will operate in perfect harmony with our whole being – and as we are led by the spirit, allowing us to feel deeper joy, and overflowing happiness.

Our New Body Will Resemble the Old, but Will Be So Much More!

After His resurrection, Jesus appears a number of times to people who at first don’t immediately recognize Him.  Then, when something familiar triggers their remembrance, suddenly they recognize Him for who He is … 

Luke 24: 30-31: “Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him.  and He vanished out of their sight.”

In the previous passage Jesus broke break, and no doubt they saw the marks in his hands as He passed the bread to them.

His new resurrection body has no doubt taken on a dramatic new look, than resembles the old, but is so much more vibrant!  The old body is …

1 Cor 15:43-44: “…sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power”

Its no wonder that His new resurrection body was so much more vibrant, and not recognized at first.  Just as we have to take a second look when we see a photo of ourselves at a young age, the astonishing look of our new body will far exceed the appearance of our old earthly body!

The New Heaven and New Earth – The Believer’s Ultimate Destination!

Although the third Heaven, or Paradise, will be awesome, the final destination for believers is the “New Heavens and the New Earth”.  Second Corinthians 5 points out that while in heaven, away from the body, we look forward to our resurrection body. Too often, eternity with God is pictured as sitting on clouds and playing harps. Human beings were created with physical bodies, and those who have become children of God by faith in Christ are waiting for new “celestial” bodies – much like we have now, but far better.  We also know that the current heavens and earth (as referred to in Genesis 1:1) will be destroyed and replaced with new heavens and a new earth “where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:12–13).

The new heavens and earth are the eternal home for the believer. The creation of this new reality will take place AFTER the Great Tribulation – a final 7 year period which will come upon the earth. During this time, an Anti-Christ will arise from the sea of nations, and due to the world wide calamities, pandemics, and lawlessness, people around the world will give their allegiance to this imposter. He will be posessed by the evil one, and claim to be God in the middle of this terrible period.  During the last 3 1/2 years of this final period, God will caste judgement upon the earth, and all those that have worshipped this “Beast”, and the False Prophet.  The last book of the Bible, Revelation, recounts the terrible series of Judgements than come upon the earth and its inhabitants. 

At the conclusion of the Tribulation, Jesus the Messiah, the eternal Son of God, will come once again with thousands of His saints back to the earth. His feet will touch down on the Mount of Olives in Israel, and He will put down the Anti-Christ and the wicked that have given him their allegiance.  A thousand years of peace and prosperity will occur during this timeframe, but then their will be a final rebellion. Satan will agin be defeated, and caste out from the earth into eternal darkness. A final Great White Throne Judgement will take place, during which all those who have ever lived will be judged based on what they had done during their life.  Those that placed their trust in Jesus are not judged, because their judgement was placed on Jesus when died and paid for their sins.  They are the redeemed, and pass into the New Heavens and New Earth. 

The imagery in Revelation 21—22 seems to point to Eden-like conditions. Once again God will dwell among His people. Adam and Eve were given the job of tending the garden and subduing the earth before the fall, and there is every reason to believe that the people of God who inhabit the new earth in resurrection bodies will continue the work of Adam and Eve before the fall, enjoying the work they do and the unhindered fellowship with God. On the new earth, we will continue to work, learn, grow, develop, and accomplish things. Since there were animals in Eden, there may very well be animals on the new earth as well.

As Christians we know that this present world is not out permanent “home”.  The Bible says that Gods has placed “eternity in our hearts”, and that we await our eternal home with our Lord. When believers die and leave their bodies behind, they will go to a heavenly Paradise – but this too will be a place that we are just “passing through” as we await our new bodies made to live, work, worship, and fellowship on the new earth. In this sense, what we think of as heaven—a place of full enjoyment of the presence of God—will not be in heaven but on earth—the recreated new earth.

Revelation 21:1–5 records this scene:

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’”

Please note that “heaven comes to earth” only through God’s miraculous intervention and re-creation. No amount of human effort, as noble is it may be in some cases, will ever be able to create “heaven on earth.” Through the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians have access to God and experience freedom from many of the effects of sin, but we still only have a glimpse of what is yet to come.

The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city that will be part of the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth) possesses the “glory of God” (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God.  Because heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).

The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. As the New Earth, Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of the new heaven and earth are beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Our ultimate destination is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Heaven

Will We Recognize Loved Ones?  Yes!

Jesus said to one of the thieves hung on a cross next to Him, “Today thou salt be with Me in Paradise” – indicating that He would see (and recognize) the thief in Heaven after they passed from this earthly life. 

Jesus loved each person individually, and since we are made in the image of God, we too love each other individually.  There is no reason to believe that this capability for recognition will be removed or diminished in Heaven; rather, like other capabilities, this ability will be enhanced, so that we will know each other even more deeply.

Won’t We Be Sad for the Loved Ones Not in Heaven?

The Bible says that in Heaven God “will wipe every tear from our eyes” – so their will be no sadness in heaven, and we will not remember those that did not join God’s family. 

Rev 21: 3-4: “He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be nor more pain, for the former things have passed away”

While we are hear on earth, each of us will have an opportunity to know the Lord and join God’s family.  Those that do will join God’s family in Heaven, and be ‘found written in the Book of Life’; those that choose not to know the Lord while hear on Earth will simply be lost to our remembrance.  So pray for your loved ones, and ask God to bring them into His kingdom!

Will There Be Music in Heaven? 

Most probably yes.  And very beautiful music I might add.  David, “a man after God’s own heart“, was a prolific musician.  He wrote most of the Psalms, which are poems designed to be sung.  He was also famous for dancing and singing before the LORD.  Here is just one example …

1 Chron 13:8 “Then David and all Israel played [music]before God with all [their] might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets”.

The Apostle Paul also records a time when he “was caught up into the third heaven“.  In the Bible, the “first heaven” is understood to be the sky above. The “second heaven” contains the sun, moon, and stars (outer space).  The “third heaven” is beyond our time-space continuum – the abode of the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We don’t know if this was a vision of heaven, or in fact transportation into the heavenly dimension.  But 2 Cor 12:4 records “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which is no lawful for a man to utter..”

Paul is saying that he heard unspeakable words (musical words?) that were beyond his capacity to describe (presumably because they were so beautiful).  Many other visionaries who have been “caught up” into heaven have reported hearing beautiful music that was beyond ability their ability to describe. 

Will There be Animals in Heaven?

There is no reason to suppose that there will not be pets in heaven.  In Isaiah, the prophet wrote that ‘the lion will lay down with the lamb’.  Also, in the New Testament, Paul wrote that ‘the whole of creation groans for the revealing of the sons of man’.  The conclusion one can draw from these accounts – both Old and New Testaments – is that all of God’s creation is anticipating the return of the Savior, and the redemption of the creation.  All will participate in the new Heavens and New Earth.

What Can We Conclude About Heaven?

In sum, we can conclude the following about the existence of heaven:

It is a REAL place.  The heaven that believers pass into is a real place, beyond our current time & space dimension.  Its is the “third heaven”, or “paradise” as Jesus labeled it.  

It is designed and prepared for God’s creations, and especially humankind – His most beloved of all creations.

Whether it is Paradise, or the “New Heavens and New Earth”, you can be sure It is beyond our wildest dreams!

We will populate it in new, supernatural “celestial” bodies that will have special powers far beyond our natural bodies!

Want to Be Certain That You Will Go to Heaven?

If you died today, would go to Heaven?  Did you know that you can be sure you can?  Jesus said “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my father honor.” (John 12:26)

God has done and will do everything possible to save us and provide eternal life to his creatures.   He is all loving, but also all pure and righteous and holy.  He cannot tolerate evil and wickedness, and thus must punish sin.  Yet He loves His creation and desires to save everyone if possible.  How did He accomplish this?  But being BOTH the Just and the Justifier for all, and taking the penalty for sin in our place. 

Indeed, He loves each of us so much that ‘He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever puts their trust in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16 paraphrased).  The ultimate LORD paid the ultimate price for sin, dieing once for all mankind for all time.  He died for us so that we didn’t have to die – so that by trusting in Him, we could inherit eternal life.

Are you  a follower of Jesus, and do you know Him?  If you do, then you have everything to look forward to – in this life, and in the life to come!  You were made for a purpose, and receiving the Lord into your heart and walking daily with Him will help you come to realize His purpose in your life and fulfill it.  If you don’t have a relationship with your Creator, you can!  Here is a link to Billy Graham’s web site that can show you how you can accept the Lord into your heart, and begin a right relationship with Him…

Go To Steps to Peace with God ==> http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp

Helpful Resources and Links

God and Science – Discussion on Heaven and Supporting Resources:  http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/heaven.html

Christianity Today – Philosopher Peter Kreeft agreed to write this chapter because Christianity Today still capitalized Heaven. In this essay, Kreeft addresses (often whimsically) 35 frequently asked questions about Heaven.  See the article  “What Will Heaven Be Like”

Got Questions.org – See the page “What is heaven like”?

Got Questions, org – “Will heaven be on earth?” https://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-on-earth.html

Got Questions.org – “What is Paradise?” – https://www.gotquestions.org/paradise.html

Peter Kreeft –Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Boston College. He is a regular contributor to several Christian publications, is in wide demand as a speaker at conferences, and is the author of over 45 books.  He
discusses the question – “Is there sex in heaven”

Article on pets in Heaven:  http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/do-animals-or-pets-go-to-heaven-a-biblical-analysis/