What About Heaven? — Bible Study Express

Every human heart longs for a place called home … a place of retreat from the battles and wounds of life … a place to remember memories … a place to be especially close to the people you love and who love you. But for many today, home is not a center of happiness and hope. Whether in the heart of the cities or in the quiet of the country, homes are too often centers of trouble … financial problems … hatred. Too often home is a place of loneliness and discontent. No matter where home might be, disaster can strike at any moment. Death may take us from even the wealthiest home.

God created the home in the Garden of Eden when he brought Adam and Eve together. Since then, through the ages, our hearts have longed for a secure, happy place for ourselves and our loved ones. On this earth we may have some measure of a home like that. But Jesus promised us a home where happiness would be full - John 14:2

KJV ² In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. WEB ² In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
..Jesus wants us to be with him in that new home. This is his promise - John 14:3

KJV ³ 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. WEB ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.

Friend, Jesus is preparing a place for you. Someday soon he will come and say to those who love him, "Come, your home is ready. Come, now we can be together." What will that home be like? What will you be like in that new home? Let's go to the Bible and find out. Let's discover your new home in a beautiful new world.

In trying to get a clearer picture in mind of our new home, we must remember that our words can't even come close to describing it. This is the way Paul explained it - 1 Corinthians 2:9

KJV 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. WEB ⁹ But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.”
..You can be sure that your new home will be happier than you can ever imagine. Your new home will be in a world that is perfect. The apostle John wrote this about it - Revelation 21:1

KJV ¹ 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. WEB ¹ I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.

No sin will exist anywhere in the universe. All the effects of sin and all the wicked will be forever destroyed, never to be seen again. The apostle Peter affirmed this - 2 Peter 3:13

KJV ¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. WEB ¹³ But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
..The new earth will be given to the righteous. Jesus' promise will be fulfilled - Matthew 5:5

KJV ⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. WEB ⁵ Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
..The new earth will be ours throughout eternity - Psalm 37:29

KJV ²⁹ The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. WEB ²⁹ The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

Our new home will be a very real place. We will be very real people who live there. The Bible gives us a clear picture what we will be like. We shall be like our resurrected Lord 1 John 3:2

KJV 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, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. WEB ² Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.

We shall be like him! Paul says that this change will come when Jesus comes the second time. Our bodies will be "changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." The Bible says that our bodies will be immortal, eternally free from sin, sickness, suffering and death. Yet, just like Jesus, our bodies will be real.

Read what Jesus told his disciples after his resurrection in Luke 24:39

KJV ³⁹ Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. WEB ³⁹ See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”
..Christ's disciples saw a real, physical person, not a spirit. That's how we will be. Job of Old Testament times knew it would be this way - Job 19:26-27

KJV ²⁶ And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: ²⁷ Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. WEB ²⁶ After my skin is destroyed, then I will see God in my flesh, ²⁷ whom I, even I, will see on my side. My eyes will see, and not as a stranger. “My heart is consumed within me.

The promise is sure, because Jesus has made it. If we are faithful to him, he will "change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body." - Philippians 3:21

KJV ²¹ Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. WEB ²¹ who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
..Then death will have no more hold on God's redeemed people. We will live forever with no pain, no sickness, no temptations. But even though we are changed, and our bodies are glorified, yet we will be ourselves, individuals called by distinctive names. We will know our loved ones who will be there, and we will be known by them - 1 Corinthians 13:12

KJV ¹² For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. WEB ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.

After his resurrection, Jesus was recognized by those who loved him--by Mary at the tomb who knew his voice … by his disciples when he ate with them. We will be like him. The marks of sin will be forever removed, but we still shall know and understand one another. We shall live in a place of perfect happiness with our loved ones and friends who will be with us for eternity.

But what will we do throughout the endless ages of eternity? We will not be happy for long if we have nothing to do. We were created to work, to accomplish, and to learn. We can be sure we will have all of these opportunities in our new world. The Bible tells us that our home in the new earth will be a very productive place - Isaiah 65:21

KJV ²¹ And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. WEB ²¹ They will build houses and inhabit them. They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

We shall have homes with perfect security. No one will ever steal or destroy or endanger our homes or lives - Isaiah 11:9

KJV ⁹ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. WEB ⁹ They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.
..Knowledge – the deepest longings of the human heart to know and to learn will be satisfied. Yet, ever before us there will be more to learn, more to challenge us. We will be able to develop every talent, every power of mind and body. Not only will our classroom be this earth, but the entire universe will open to us.

We will also continue to worship and learn more of our Creator and Redeemer. We will continually grow in our appreciation for what Jesus has done for us. In worship, the highest aspirations of the human heart will be fulfilled - Isaiah 66:23

KJV ²³ And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. WEB ²³ It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me,” says Yahweh.
..We will meet around the throne of God every Sabbath. We will see our Lord and Savior face to face. We will praise him and rejoice. Worship … study … work – these will be our activities and our joys.

In every nation today citizens flock to the capital. The capital city is usually the center of government, of museums, and of historical collections. It is a place of monuments. So, too, our new earth will have a capital city – the new Jerusalem! This city will be built by the Master Architect of the universe. He will build it for us. Thousands of years ago, Abraham looked forward to this city - Hebrews 11:10

KJV ¹⁰ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. WEB ¹⁰ For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

This city will come from heaven to this earth. John the Revelator described it this way - Revelation 21:2

KJV ² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. WEB ² I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
..John goes on to describe this city as having walls of precious stones, foundations of twelve of the most beautiful jewels, and twelve gates of pearl. It will be beautiful beyond description, and it will be our capital.

Our new home will also be a place of continual health and joy - Isaiah 65:17

KJV ¹⁷ For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. WEB ¹⁷ “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered, nor come into mind.
..The former things--suffering, pain, disappointment, death--will be no more. In fact, the joys of our new home will be so great that we will not even be able to recall the trials and tears we faced in this life - Isaiah 33:24

KJV ²⁴ And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity. WEB ²⁴ The inhabitant won’t say, “I am sick.” The people who dwell therein will be forgiven their iniquity.
..No more worries about your loved ones … no more doctor's visits and hospital stays. No more staying up through the night with a feverish child.

No more deformities or physical weaknesses will exist - Isaiah 35:5

KJV ⁵ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. WEB ⁵ Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
..No more will you feel the ache in your heart at the sight of a crippled child - Revelation 21:4

KJV ⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. WEB ⁴ He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”

Does your heart ache, friend? Do you feel the pain of having lost a loved one? Do you dread the future because you know there will be pain and sorrow? Be assured, in your new home in the new earth you will be freed from all these sorrows. You will experience happiness without end. Right now the question is, How can you be sure to be there? The new earth will be a place where everyone loves and obeys God. There can be no other way to assure a place of continual peace and love - Revelation 21:3

KJV ³ 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. WEB ³ I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Those in the new earth must be at peace with God. They must be seeking to live in harmony with his way of righteousness. The apostle Peter described it this way - 2 Peter 3:14

KJV ¹⁴ Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. WEB ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight.
..Read what Jesus said - Matthew 5:8

KJV ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. WEB ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
..Jesus is coming again soon. In his presence nothing evil will survive. That's why the Bible urges us to give up our sinful ways, to follow our Savior and depend upon him for forgiveness and strength - 1 John 3:3

KJV ³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. WEB ³ Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.

We must let Jesus, the Holy One, live in us and direct our lives - 1 John 3:6

KJV ⁶ Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. WEB ⁶ Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him and doesn’t know him.
..Only those who live in the way of Jesus can be allowed to enter the new earth - Revelation 21:27

KJV ²⁷ 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 Lamb's book of life. WEB ²⁷ There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Friend, do you want to have a new home in the new earth? You can. Your key is Jesus Christ. You must accept his way of righteousness for your life, and do his will. You must give your life to him so he can take out sin and rebellion. When you do that, and when you continue following and obeying him, then you can be sure of a new home in the new earth. You can be sure of eternal life in a perfect place. Isn't that what you want? Everything else is so insignificant, so small, in comparison with everlasting life.

Remember, too, that your decision may influence the destiny of others – of those you love. Why not decide for Jesus Christ right now? Why not decide for eternal life right now? Right now - Revelation 22:12

KJV ¹² And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. WEB ¹² “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.

Jerusalem, my happy home,
O how I long for thee!
When will my sorrows have an end,
Thy joys when shall I see?

Thy walls are all of precious stone,
Most glorious to behold;
Thy gates are richly set with pearl,
Thy streets are paved with gold.

Thy garden and thy pleasant walks
My study long have been;
Such dazzling views by human sight
Have never yet been seen.

Lord, help us by Thy mighty grace,
To keep in view the prize,
Till Thou dost come to take us home
To that blest paradise.