Introduction

People often ask the question, "What will heaven be like." Although the Bible discusses heaven, it is not possible to understand the full nature of heaven from a human perspective. Since heaven is where God lives, it must contain more physical and temporal dimensions than those found in this physical universe that God created. We cannot imagine, nor can we experience in our current bodies, what these extra dimensions might be like. Even so, we are given enough information in the Bible to understand many of the things that will be different in heaven compared to our lives today. Some of the information on this page is speculation (with alternative possibilities), but is based upon what the Bible says about heaven.

The end of the seventh day

Genesis, the first book of the Bible says that God created the universe in six days.¹ By examining all the passages of the Bible that describe the creation of the universe, one can conclude that the six days of creation are six periods of time or ages that God created the universe, the earth, and life on it. The Bible tells us that we are currently in God's seventh day of rest² and encourages us to enter into that rest.³ God's plan for the universe is to allow a large number⁴ of spiritual beings (both angels and humans) to choose to spend eternity with Him.⁵ At the appointed time, God will call an end to the universe⁶ and judge those who reject His invitation.⁷

The eighth day

On the eighth day God will create again - this time an entire new universe.⁸ The new universe will have entirely different physical laws. Here are some of the differences that stand out:

• The new earth will have no sea⁸
• There will be no Sun or moon⁹
• Gravity will be absent or greatly reduced¹⁰
• No more death, suffering, pain¹¹
• Believers will receive a new body¹²

Heaven - the new creation

The characteristics of the new creation tell us that it will be vastly different from what we are used to on earth. Probably most noticeable difference will be the lack of gravity. The New Jerusalem is described as a 1,500 mile cube. Structures of this size would automatically become a sphere in this universe, because of gravity.¹⁰ Therefore gravity will either be absent or significantly reduced in the new creation. There will be no Sun or moon. This makes sense, since there will be little or no gravity. Without gravity, the new creation would not be bound to its source of heat and light. The lack of the Sun is not a problem for the new creation, since the Bible tells is that the glory of God Himself will provide illumination¹³ and that there will be no night.¹⁴ The illumination provided by God is probably not the same kind of electromagnetic radiation (photons) that we call light. The illumination provided by God certainly involves the wisdom and knowledge that He possesses.¹⁵ With this kind of light, there would be no need to visually see things, since this would severely restrict our ability to "see" everything as God sees them. There will be no sea, which means that there will be no water cycle. It would be difficult for a water cycle to operate without gravity. There will be the river of the water of life, which flows from the throne of God.¹⁶ Given its source, it seems likely that this is not water as we know it.

The laws of thermodynamics seem to be absent from the new creation, since the Bible tells us that there will be no heat.¹⁷ In this universe, the second law of thermodynamics controls virtually everything that happens. The law states that heat flows from hot bodies to cold bodies. Stars cannot shine, animals cannot consume food to produce energy to move, and chemical reactions cannot occur, since all these processes require the exchange of heat. This law is also called the law of entropy or decay, since the ultimate result of heat flow is that the universe continues to become more and more disordered. Science tells us that the universe as we see it now is temporary. It has a moment of creation, and without God's intervention, will eventually expand to produce a collection of cold, lifeless matter. Obviously, such a universe would not be acceptable for housing eternal beings, such as those described in the new creation. As discussed previously, the processes requiring heat flow seem to be absent from the new creation. These include the Sun, the sea and a water cycle, and growing old and dying.¹¹ Although there is described a tree (the tree of life) that bears fruit in heaven, it doesn't seem to be there for eating. In fact, the Bible says, "the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."¹⁸ Given all the violence and genocide that has been perpetrated on the earth over the centuries, there will be need for healing among all the people groups. The lack of eating in heaven¹⁹ goes along with the idea that thermodynamics will be absent there. Finally, the Bible says "the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption,"²⁰ suggesting a release from the laws of thermodynamics.

The new creation will be a place of awesome beauty and is described in terms of precious jewels and metals. For a preview of the description, see Revelation, chapter 21.

What will people be like in heaven?

With physical laws being so different in heaven, it is apparent that our current bodies would not be acceptable in such a place.²¹ The Bible poses the question, "But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?" (1 Corinthians 15:35). The answer to the question is given in a series of comparisons:²²

Mortal Body	Resurrection Body
perishable	imperishable
dishonor	glory
weak	powerful
natural	spiritual

To a certain degree, we will be given some of the characteristics of God in heaven.²³ Without at least the dimensional characteristics of God, we would not be able to see Him, which the Bible says we will do.²³

Contrary to the Mormon view of heaven,²⁴ it doesn't seem that people in heaven will be either male or female. Jesus was asked a complicated question about heaven by the Sadducees (a religious sect that did not believe in the resurrection of the dead) that directly leads us to this conclusion.²⁵ The Sadducees  gave a scenario of a woman who married 7 men (sequentially, since they all died prematurely) in her lifetime. They asked whose wife she would be in heaven. Jesus answered:

"You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God. "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:29-30)

In other words, there will be no marriage or sexual differences among those in heaven, since reproduction is unnecessary. This concept is supported by other biblical verses that indicate that males and females are spiritually equal.²⁶ The same concept applies to the races.²⁷ I doubt that there will be racial differences in heaven.

The idea that we will no longer be married is disturbing to some people. Personally, I like to be married. From an earthly perspective, the dissolution of marriage in heaven doesn't sound like a good thing. However, in heaven, we will be "married" to Jesus, who will be our spiritual "husband."²⁸ If you are not currently a follower of Jesus Christ, you cannot understand what this will be like, and it will probably not have any appeal for you. However, if you have experienced the "highs" of following Jesus as He leads you, you will have a glimpse of how awesome this experience will be. God would not take away something good if He did not replace it with something better.

Besides receiving a new body, those who enter heaven will be given a new name²⁹ and will be incapable of committing sin.³⁰ Therefore, all the problems with have by being mean to each other will be gone. We will be able to enjoy each other's company without the fear of being hurt by anyone.

Who will be in heaven?

Obviously, since heaven is God's kingdom, He will be there. What is remarkable is that we have the opportunity to be there³¹ and see God as He is.²³ 

Who will be in heaven with God? The angels will be there,³² and have been there since God created them. The Bible gives several lists of people who will not be in heaven.³³ A summary of the activities that keep people out of heaven is listed in the table below.

The list is fairly extensive and includes some things that all of us have done. At the end of the first creation we will appear before the great white throne of God.³⁴ God will go through the "books" to see if we have committed any of the deeds listed in the table above.³⁵ In addition, the names were checked to see if they were in the book of life. Anyone whose name is not found in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire, based upon the deeds that they had done in their lives.³⁶ God does not grade on the curve, so all people who have been guilty of any one of the violations above will be sent to the lake of fire, which is the second death.³⁷

So how can we enter into heaven and into the presence of the Holy God? What we cannot do for ourselves, God has already done for us. Jesus said, "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."³⁸ Jesus went on to explain that the second birth is to be born spiritually. Those who are born just once will die physically then will die spiritually at the second death,³⁷ following the Great White Throne judgment.³⁴ Those who are born twice (both physically and spiritually) will die physically, but will live spiritually forever.

How are people born again spiritually? Jesus said:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Belief in Jesus removes us from the White Throne Judgment,³⁹ because Jesus took the penalty (death) for our sin at the cross.⁴⁰ Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are justified (declared righteous on the basis of faith)⁴¹ before God and can come before Him boldly⁴² through the grace⁴³ that He has offered to all.⁴⁴ By accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we give Him permission to change us into perfect beings in the new creation. Those who reject God's provision for sin will be judged on the basis of that sin and will be separated from God forever (the second death³⁷), since God cannot allow sin into the new creation.

How do we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ? We do this through prayer to God:

1. Repent of your sin and selfishness. Repentance is agreeing with God that you have been wrong and being willing to turn from that old life to a new life⁴⁵ in Christ.
2. Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord (God and Master) and Savior (who takes away your sin).
3. Receive the Holy Spirit as the promise⁴⁶ of what God will do in your life.
4. Thank God for His grace and the free gift that He has given you.

Once you receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you should walk with Him every day. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Talk to Him every day in prayer and do what He says. Find a good Christian fellowship (church) and read from your Bible every day. These things are not required to keep your salvation, but they will help you to grow in your faith and obedience and to experience more joy in your walk with Christ. When we come before God's throne in the new creation, it will be good to hear the words...

...Well done, good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy lord.⁴⁷

References

1. "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Exodus 20:11)
2. The seventh day of Genesis is not closed. In all other days, "there is the evening and the morning, the n day."
3. In the book of Hebrews, the author tells us to labor to enter into God's seventh day of rest. "For He has thus said somewhere concerning the seventh day, 'And God rested on the seventh day from all His works'... Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience." (Hebrews 4:4-11)
4. After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. (Revelation 7:9-11)
5. In Jesus' parable of the banquet, the master of the house (representing God) invited a large number of guests. Most of the invited guests made excuses and did not want to go to the banquet (representing heaven). Jesus said, "Then the master [God] told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'" (Luke 14:23)
6. But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)
7. And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds... And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
8. "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)
   But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)
   And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1)
9. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation 21:23)
10. Revelation describes the New Jerusalem as a cube 1,500 miles on each side. Under the current laws of gravity, any structure that size would immediately become a sphere. Therefore gravity would be either absent or greatly reduced.
    "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband... And the city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal." (Revelation 21:2, 16)
11. for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17)
    and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
12. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
13. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation 21:23)
14. And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)
15. For Thou dost light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. (Psalms 18:28)
    For with Thee is the fountain of life; In Thy light we see light. (Psalms 36:9)
    Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105)
    Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)
    And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
16. And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, (Revelation 22:1)
    O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake Thee will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:13)
    And it will come about in that day that living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter. (Zechariah 14:8)
    "He who believes in Me [Jesus], as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'" (John 7:38)
17. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; (Revelation 7:16)
18. ...On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2)
19. for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
20. For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. (Romans 8:20-22)
21. Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
22. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
23. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2)
24. The Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) believe that obedient Mormon men will become gods in heaven with their own kingdoms and wives. In fact, a neighbor recently offered my wife to become his queen when he becomes a god in his own kingdom. The only thing she had to do was to be baptized in the Mormon church. She declined the offer.
25. On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Him and questioned Him, saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'IF A MAN DIES, HAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE, AND RAISE UP AN OFFSPRING TO HIS BROTHER.' "Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother; so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. "And last of all, the woman died. "In the resurrection therefore whose wife of the seven shall she be? For they all had her." But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God. "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:23-30)
26. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
27. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; (Romans 10:12)
    --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11)
28. for the Lamb [Jesus Christ] in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17)
    "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:7)
    And he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are true words of God." (Revelation 19:9)
    And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I shall show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." (Revelation 21:9)
    FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31-32)
    "For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth. (Isaiah 54:5)
29. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' (Revelation 2:17)
30. ... as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
    But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)
    "In that day you will feel no shame Because of all your deeds By which you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from your midst Your proud, exulting ones, And you will never again be haughty On My holy mountain. (Zephaniah 3:11)
31. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them. (Revelation 21:3)
32. And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, (Revelation 5:11)
33. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
    The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
    "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
34. And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. (Revelation 20:11)
35. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. (Revelation 20:12)
36. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)
    and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)
37. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.' (Revelation 2:11)
    Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
    And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14)
    "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
38. Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
39. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)
40. For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
    and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. (Ephesians 2:16)
    and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)
    having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14)
41. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Romans 3:28)
    For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." (Romans 1:17)
    even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; (Romans 3:22)
    being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. (Romans 3:24-25)
42. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
43. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, (Ephesians 1:7)
    For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8)
44. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (Titus 2:11)
    even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; (Romans 3:22)
    The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
45. Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
    and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:24)
46. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13)
47. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23)

Last updated 05/29/01