The term “Heaven” appears 528 times in the Bible. It is mentioned in both the Old and the New Testaments although the theological concept of what it is and how we get there changes between the two. The Old Testament talks primarily of heaven as the abode of God and the dwelling place of the angels. The New Testament, on the other hand, is more focused on the idea of a spiritual realm after death, where believers go when they die.
Hebrew language experts explain that Psalm 25:14 is the first time the word “Heaven” appears in the Bible. It reads: “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” This verse implies that all of God’s secrets, which include eternal life in Heaven, are available to all who live in reverence of his will.
Biblical scholars emphasize that it is important to distinguish between Heaven and the different “domains” of Heaven. Regarding Heaven in the Old Testament, there are two: the physical and spiritual realms. The physical is the abode of God on the earth, with the Garden of Eden and the tabernacle being two examples. The spiritual realm is where angels reside in the air, and is referred to as “the heavens” (Psalm 2:4). In the New Testament, Heaven is the eternal home of believers and Jesus, who is referred to as “the ruler of Heaven” (Luke 10:18).
Theologians and Biblical exegetes say that the Bible demonstrate that Heaven is not just a place but a way of being. Jesus taught His followers about “the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 4:17), which refers to how we should be living our lives on earth. He sets in motion at that time the idea that Heaven is not just a realm after death but belongs to us throughout our lives here on earth.
Most believers will agree that the Bible’s ultimate promise of Heaven is that it is the home of peace, joy, and celebration. This is described in vivid detail throughout the Bible and believers often look to the examples in passages such as Isaiah 25:6 and Revelation 21:22-24 for a glimpse of what this home is like.
Key Verses on Heaven
Heaven is mentioned frequently throughout the Bible, and it is helpful to look to some of the most common verses to gain insight. Matthew 6:20 is often quoted in churches and bible studies as a reminder of who holds true power over our lives: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”
Revelations 21:4 offers one of the most detailed descriptions of Heaven, stating that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death shall no longer exist; grief, crying and pain shall be no more, because the previous order of things has passed away.” Finally, Philippians 4:7 states: “And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”, leaving no doubt that Heaven will be a place of everlasting peace.
The Heaven Jesus Describes
Jesus often spoke of Heaven, most explicitly during the Sermon on the Mount. He sketches out a beautiful picture of Heaven when He reminds his disciples that they need no material wealth to be accepted by God. This reveals Heaven’s ultimate promise—that it is indeed a realm of joy and peace, free from the concept of money and anguish, filled with love and grace.
Moreover, Jesus speaks of Heaven’s exclusivity in Matthew 7:14: “For narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and few are the ones who find it.” He further emphasizes that those who are willing to follow His teachings and accept Him as their saviour will be counted among the few who shall “inherit the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 25:34).
When discussing Heaven, Jesus often tapped into the theme of humility and urged His followers to give up the earthly things they cling to, in order to enter the world beyond: “And everyone who left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for My name’s sake, will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 16:14).
What Did St. Paul Say About Heaven?
The Apostle Paul is credited as the earliest writer to introduce a concept of resurrection of the dead and eternal life in Heaven. In his famous speech on Mars Hill in Athens, known as the Areopagus sermon, Paul describes Heaven in compelling and vivid detail. He states that our ultimate destiny is to be “raised from the dead and receive our portion from the life that is to come” (Acts 17:31).
Paul’s letters are also full of references to Heaven and what it means. In 1 Corinthians 2:9, Paul says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him”. This gives us a sense of the wondrous opportunities that await us in Heaven.
Paul also expresses his hope of one day being reunited in Heaven with other believers: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see the God of Heaven” (Job 19:25-26). In other words, Heaven is to be a place of reunion with those we love.
John’s Vision on Heaven
Heaven is most famously depicted in the visionary works of John, the last of the four Gospel writers. His book of Revelation is perhaps the most concise, detailed vision of Heaven and the way to get there. John opens up a portal to Revelation 21-22, describing the coming of our heavenly home, the New Jerusalem.
John goes even further in sharing his vision, providing a detailed narrative of what it will be like to be in Heaven. He talks of the river of the water of life, the tree of life, and the many mansions of the saints. He speaks of the throne of God and the court of angels, and the “great multitude which no one could number” that will assemble in Heaven’s great stadium.
John’s vision of Heaven is nothing short of inspiring. He promises that Heaven will be full of joy and contentment, a sapphire-blue sky, streets of pure gold, and walls of precious stones. Most importantly, John tells us that Heaven will be populated by our loved ones, and we will walk with Jesus in the glories of eternity.
The Heaven of the Old Testament Prophets
Old Testament prophets often spoke about Heaven and its promises. In Isaiah 60:1-3, the prophet paints a scene of a beautiful future full of joy, in which God will rebuild Jerusalem and fill it with “everlasting joy”. In Jeremiah 33:17, he speaks of the wonders of a “heavenly Jerusalem”.
Isaiah 35:10 is another beautiful description of Heaven, in which the prophet speaks of a time when “the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. Joy and gladness will overtake them and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
The prophets describe, with remarkable detail, semi-romantic images of a place beyond own understanding. They point to a heavenly home that awaits us, and which will be far better than anything on earth or in death.
The Symbolism of Heaven
Symbolism often acts as the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, and it plays a key role in understanding the concept of Heaven. Many traditions and beliefs, from various religions and cultures, use symbols to describe and depict Heaven – from the rainbow and the cross to the sun and the moon.
The primary message these symbols convey is that Heaven is not a specific place, but an intangible and often symbolic concept. They remind us that Heaven is a state of being, a way of living that we can strive for on a daily basis. As theologians argue, it is a realm that we can access right here on earth, through faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Meaning of Heaven
The term “Heaven” may have different meaning for different people, but all believers come to agree on one primary definition. Many argue that Heaven, as described in the Bible, is a place of blessing, joy and peace. It is synonymous with eternity, love, and service to God.
Moreover, Heaven is seen as a reminder of God’s unfailing love for us, and of His many promises to those who put their trust in Him. It points to the ultimate destiny of all Believers – a place of eternal life, where our chief joy will be in seeing Him who is the author and the source of all our blessings. Simply put, Heaven is the reward that awaits us in the life to come.
