Christian Quotes About Heaven
My home is in Heaven. Im just traveling through this world. Billy Graham
Joy is the serious business of Heaven. C.S. Lewis
For the Christian, heaven is where Jesus is. We do not need to speculate on what heaven will be like. It is enough to know that we will be forever with Him. William Barclay
Christian, anticipate heavenWithin little time you will be rid of all your trials and your troubles. C.H. Spurgeon.
The doctrine of the Kingdom of Heaven, which was the main teaching of Jesus, is certainly one of the most revolutionary doctrines that ever stirred and changed human thought. H. G. Wells
Those who go to Heaven ride on a pass and enter into blessings that they never earned, but all who go to hell pay their own way. John R. Rice
Let heaven fill your thoughts instead. Because when you do, everything on earth gets placed in its proper perspective. Greg Laurie
With Christ as your friend and heaven as your home, the day of death becomes sweeter than the day of birth. Mac Lucado
Heaven is not a figment of imagination. It is not a feeling or an emotion. It is not the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere. It is a prepared place for a prepared people. Dr. David Jeremiah
I believe the promises of God enough to venture an eternity on them. Isaac Watts
On Earth As It Is In Heaven
Get ready for the answer.
There is not even one passage in the Bible that talks about going to heaven after you die. The phrase go to heaven doesnt appear anywhere in the Old or New Testaments about death. Not once. This doesnt mean the Bible has nothing to say about what happens to Gods people after they die. It just means that going to heaven isnt the way biblical authors thought about it. Lets look at the New Testament passages that speak to what Jesus followers will experience after they die.
-
Jesus spoke to the repentant criminal being crucified next to him, saying, Today youll be with me in paradise. – Luke 23:42-43
-
Paul discussed his possible execution in a Roman prison, and he said death wouldnt be so bad. It would make the Philippians sad, but he would get to be with Christ. – Philippians 1:21-24
-
Paul talked about the true hope that drives Christian faithfulness, even in the face of death. The result of death, he said, was being with the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:6-9
Notice the consistent factor is not that people will go to heaven, its that they all use the same phrase: Our hope is about being with Jesus. Both Jesus and Paul believed that not even death could separate people from Gods love, and that Jesus followers would be with him after death.
But what about the interim period, when our mortal bodies rot in the ground?
Heaven Descends To The Earth
After the Kingdom of Heaven begins on earth, after Christs return, the New Jerusalem descends out of heaven and heaven, in the New Jerusalem, will then be on earth. Revelation 21:1-2 describes this: 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. The very tabernacle of God will be with humans then and heaven is any place where God is . All pain, suffering, and tears will absent there .
John was carried away to heaven in Revelation chapter 21 and this chapter is perhaps the best description of heaven that we know of at least the heaven that will be seen by those who are Christs today. John describes it in Revelation 21:10-27:
Read Also: Free Bible Studies By Mail
What Are Heaven And Hell Like
The Bible tells us a lot about heaven and hell. But before we jump into those facts, Id like to toss some mental stowaways overboard.
First, lets make clear what isnt true about heaven.
- Heaven isnt now. Somewhere in the world, between twenty-five and thirty wars are being fought right now. Enough said.
- Heaven isnt for everyone. Some people wont be there. I know that sounds harsh and exclusive, but its the truth. Well get to this more later.
- Heaven isnt cute and ethereal. Im not judging you if you have Precious Moments figurines on your bookshelf or mantle Im just saying heaven will not look like those. Nor will heaven look like what we see in cartoons or movies, where we float on clouds and God is Morgan Freeman.
- Heaven isnt a state of mind or a mindless state.In some forms of Eastern thought, people aspire to be liberated from cravings, anger, and afflictive states. Nirvana is where there is nothing and where nothing is grasped. However, heaven is not nirvana.
Similarly, lets shed some extra baggage on hell:
Now, back to our question What are heaven and hell like?
We should begin by keeping the big picture in mind. Heaven and hell are not ideas tacked onto a religious faith, manipulating people into adherence to some moral code. They are part of the larger story we see through the pages of Scripture. Heaven and hell are the final, ultimate, and logical ends of the story ends we all decide for ourselves without coercion.
How You Can See Heaven
There is only one way for you to see heaven and Jesus Christ is the one and only access to it . There is no other way possible to get to heaven but by the Son of God. Getting to heaven is a one-way trip. If you die before Jesus Christs Second Advent you will go directly to heaven and be in the presence of God. If you never see heaven, you will most certainly see hell and that is also a one-way trip from which there is no return.
Revelation 21:7-8 shows the fate of those not going to heaven: Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liarsthey will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.
Recommended Reading: Be The Light Bible Verses
The Problem Of Passages Exactly Parallel
At least five passages in Matthew referring to the kingdom of heaven seem to be precisely parallel to passages in the other gospels in which the expression kingdom of God is used. These passages are Matthew 4:17 , Matthew 11:11 , Matthew 13:11 , Matthew 13:31 , and Matthew 10:7 . How can these parallels be explained, if the terms are not precisely the same in meaning?
Where Is Heaven In The Bible
The Bible doesnt specifically tell us where heaven is, except up. We have numerous scriptures about God looking down from His glorious home in heaven and angels coming down from heaven . Jesus came down from heaven , ascended back up into the sky and into a cloud , and will return from heaven on the clouds of the sky with great power and glory .
Regarding location, we are bound by our limited human concept of geography. For one thing, our earth is a sphere, so how do we determine up? Up from where? Going straight up from South America would be going in a different direction that up from the Middle East.
35. 1 Corinthians 2:9 What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceivedthe things God has prepared for those who love him.
36. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
37. Isaiah 63:15 Look down from heaven and see, from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.
Recommended Reading: The Church Of What’s Happening Now
How Can I Be Sure I Am Going To Heaven
This is the most important question of all. Here is a wonderful truth: God has made it easy for you to go to heaven. He did the hard part when he sent his Son to die on the Cross for you. He paid the price for your sins so that you could one day stand before God in heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” . He also said, “I am the door if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved” . Jesus is not only the way to heaven, but he is also the door to heaven. If you want to go to heaven, you’ve got to go through the door marked “Jesus Christ.” There is no other entrance.
Suppose you were to die and found yourself at heaven’s door. If God were to say, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ what answer would you give?
Picture the scene. You are standing at the very gates of heaven. It’s more beautiful than you ever dreamed possible. This is where you want to spend eternity. This is where you belong. But before you enter, the Lord himself asks what possible reason you have to claim admission. You pause, knowing that all eternity hangs on your answer. What will you say?
Let me make this very personal. If you were to die tonight, do you know for certain that you would go to heaven? I’ve already said that this is too important to say “I think so” or “I hope so.” If you’re wrong, you’re going to be wrong for a long, long time.
One of our most beloved hymns puts it this way:
Revealing Bible Verses From The Book Of Revelation
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lambs book of life
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and his servants shall serve him
Revelation 5:9-13 NIV
Revelation 7:13-17 NIV
Revelation 21:4-8 NIV
Revelation 22:1-5 NIV
Recommended Reading: How Many Names Does God Have In The Bible
Psalm 1: 4 Heaven Is A Place Where God Dwells
Jehovah is in his holy temple Jehovah, his throne is in heaven His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
~ Psalm 11:4
This verse describes heaven as a place where God resides. The Bible tells us that He is omnipresent, that is, He exists everywhere at once .
But there are times when He chooses to be present in certain places more than others. For example, when Jesus ascended into heaven after His death and resurrection, He went to the Fathers side and sat down at His right hand .
This shows us that He has a special relationship with the Father and has been given authority over all things . This also shows us that heaven is more than just an invisible place it is a physical location where God dwells.
How Big Is Heaven In The Bible
You cant even begin to imagine how huge the city of heaven must be. To get an estimate, look at Revelations 21:15-16. It says that the city is square-shaped with equal length and breadth. In NLT versions, the angels measurement of the bases length is 12,000 stadia or 1,400 miles. KJV and some versions say 12,000 furlongs, which translates to 1,500 miles. That makes it wider than a country like Argentina.
Whats even more amazing is that it is also as high as 1,400 miles. Using the earth to illustrate the height, the Citys height goes beyond the earths atmosphere and far into space. Experts say a structure like that could probably fit more than 600,000 stories.
You May Like: The Church Club In Denver
Living With A Heavenly Perspective
57. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry .
58. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints .
59. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” .
60. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming .
61. Beloved, now we are children of God and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure .
May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
64. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless .
65. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your steadfastness but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ .
Heaven Has Mansions Where We Will Dwell With Jesus
In My Fathers house are many mansions 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 to Myself that where I am, there you may be also .
From my back window, I can see impressive-looking homes dotting the landscape of the foothills. Considered mansions by the worlds standards, I know they dont even come close to the mansions prepared for the saints in heaven.
Before His death, Jesus comforted his disciples with the promise that he would go and provide a place for them. The most beautiful part was His assurance that He would return for them and receive them unto Himself.
No matter how spectacular the mansions in our Fathers house, dwelling with Jesus will be the most beautiful habitation of all. Welcomed into heaven by the Way, the Truth, and the Life, will be the culmination of the hope we have in Christ.
Read Also: Glory To God Bible Verse
Heaven Description In The Bible
The Bible contains many descriptions of heaven, but what is it really like? Is there a physical place to go after death? Is heaven just a spiritual realm or is there also a physical presence? And what about hell?
The Bible tells us that we will have a resurrected body in heaven. This means that it will be similar in appearance and function to our current bodies, but with some added benefits. It will be made of flesh and bone with the ability to feel pleasure and pain . It will be able to communicate with other beings in heaven . It will also be able to interact with physical objects such as cars, houses, streets, etc..
Right here on Churchgist, you are privy to a litany of relevant information regarding , and so much more. Take time out to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
It seems like people often confuse heaven with other concepts such as paradise or utopia . However, these are not the same thing as being in heaven. In fact, some people who have died say they were disappointed when they arrived because they were expecting something else instead!
What Does The Bible Say About Heaven
Why should we think about heaven? Gods Word tells us to! Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Its easy to get distracted by whats going on here on earth. But the Bible reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. In fact, if we become too consumed with earthly things, we are enemies of the cross of Christ. .
God wants us to explore what the Bible says about heaven because this directly impacts our values and how we live and think.
You May Like: How Many Languages Is The Bible Translated Into