If the Bible really is God's Word-- and the God of the Universe is communicating and revealing himself to us through this book, then what it says about our lives and our future (heaven and hell) is pretty important. A lot of people wonder about heaven. They wonder what it's like or even if it's going to be good. Some people are even a bit worried that it'll just involve sitting on clouds and playing harps all day. The Bible tells Christians that we should "set our sights on the reality of heaven" (Col 3:1)-- that when life is difficult and challenging, thinking about the future God has in store for us can give us a lot of hope-- but what exactly is the REALITY of heaven?
1. What happens to Christians when they die?
The Bible presents us with two possible options depending on how we read and interpret those passages.
OPTION 1: When Christians die, they'll be "asleep" until Jesus returns and they are resurrected.
Psalm 6:5, Psalm 115:17, Eccl 9:5-6, Isaiah 38:18-19 all refer to death as a kind of sleep. Jesus hints at this in John 14:3 saying that we'll go to the place he has prepared for us "WHEN HE RETURNS". In 1 Thess 4:16 it says that when Jesus returns, "from that time on we will all be with the Lord forever".
OPTION 2: Christians immediately experience heaven/paradise when they die.
Jesus told the thief on the cross in Luke 23:43 that, "Today you will be with me in paradise". In 2 Cor 5:8 Paul says that when Christians are "away" from their earthly bodies they will be "present with the Lord". Jesus' parable in Luke 16:19 was about a man who was carried to "paradise" when he died. Elijah never died but was carried up to heaven (2 Kings 2:11). If heaven doesn't kick in until Jesus' return, where did he go? Jesus actually was seen talking to Moses and Elijah by three of his disciples in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36). Wouldn't they be asleep? The Bible also tells us that Jesus is in heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father (Col 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 12:2), so heaven must exist.
2. Is heaven some place in the clouds?
If you subscribe to OPTION 2, then heaven is some spiritual place that exists now, but the Bible never tells us that it's a place in the clouds. In addition to that, the Bible says that the heaven that exists now, isn't the place where we'll spend eternity. Rev 21:1-4 says that God creates a new heaven and earth for us to live with him forever. Romans 8:20-22 talks about how the earth will be renewed (no more death and decay). Revelation 21-23 describes heaven as having mountains, water, fruit trees, people, houses, and cities. Isaiah 11:6-8 describes specific animals- wolves, lambs, lions, bears, cows, and even snakes, but that all animals will be at peace with each other. What will heaven be like? Think about life as it is now, but without sickness, death, disease, sadness, pain, corruption, evil, injustice, selfishness, and sin! Sounds perfect!
3. Will you get hungry in heaven? Is there food there?
Revelation 22:2 talks about fruit trees. Jesus ate bread and fish after he was resurrected (Luke 24:40-43, John 21:10-15) and the disciples ate and drank with him (Acts 10:40-41). In the Garden of Eden, before sin entered the picture, God gave fruit and vegetables to Adam and Eve to eat (Genesis 1:29-30). However, if the Bible says that animals won't attack other animals (Isaiah 11:6-8) and that even lions will eat straw, will we eat steak in heaven? Deep thoughts. Revelation 7:16 says that there will be no hunger or thirst, so eating might be done out of enjoyment rather than for survival.
4. Will there be jobs/money in heaven?
In the garden, God gave Adam a job to do, to care for creation and even name the animals. (He was a taxonomist!). While the Bible doesn't tell us anything about it, it makes sense that we'll have jobs that are fulfilling and meaningful. The work we do probably won't be terrible, as the Bible says that the hardship of work is a result of sin. (Genesis 3:17-19).
5. Will there be marriage/childbirth in heaven?
This question was specifically asked to Jesus in an attempt to trick him. In response, Jesus said in Matthew 22:30 that there would be no marriage in heaven. That said, we were made for relationship, Adam and Eve were created to be together in marriage before sin entered the picture, and Isaiah 11:8 talks about children being in heaven, so it's a real head scratcher.
6. Will there be naked angel babies in heaven?
There's no mention of angel babies in the Bible. It does describe heavenly creatures though-- including "flaming creatures with six wings" (Isaiah 6:2).
7. What will we do in heaven?
A great question with no definitive answer. It will involve worship (not just in singing, but in living our lives in thankfulness to God). We'll likely have jobs to do that suit our interests and abilities. Everything the Bible seems to indicate is that heaven will be like life now, without all of the evil, pain, and hardship.
8. What will we look like in heaven? Halos? Wings?
The Bible never says anything about people with halos or wings. White robes are often mentioned (Rev 7:9) which symbolize purity and holiness. Probably the best thing to think about is that after Jesus was resurrected, he was recognized and the Bible says that our bodies will be like his (1 Cor 15:20, 48-49, Phil 3:21, 1 Joun 3:2).
9. Will my pet be in heaven?
There is mention of animals in heaven, but no mention of pets. If animals had souls, we would probably have been forbidden to eat them. If there's no death in heaven, animals probably won't die either- so there's some good news for pet lovers!
10. Will there be sleeping? Will we get tired?
Heaven without rest and relaxation doesn't seem very heavenly, but Revelation 22:5 says that there won't be any night. If we don't hunger or thirst, it makes sense we won't require sleep. At the same time, Adam slept (but that sleep was caused by God in Gen 2:21), so who knows?
11. How big is heaven?
If heaven on earth is a physical place that has a huge city on it (Rev 21) it would have to be large enough to accommodate all of those who have believed in Jesus throughout history. John 14 says that Jesus is preparing a place for us with many rooms, so hopefully we won't be squeezed in like sardines.
12. What will we wear?
White robes are often mentioned (Rev 7:9). Since clothing design is an art form, it makes sense that there will be fashion and creativity, although it wouldn't serve to draw attention to yourself. Aside from the robes however, there isn't mention of heavenly clothes.
13. Can you sin in heaven?
If there is no temptation, the assumption is that there would be no sin. Without temptation, wouldn't we always do what's right and make choices that would honor God and others?
14. Can you see/remember what you did before you were in heaven?
Revelation 6:9-11 implies that people who were killed for their belief in Jesus will remember what happened to them and even ask God for justice, so it sounds like you will remember things.
15. Can we physically see God?
Revelation 22:3-4 says we'll worship him and see him "face to face", which implies friendship and relationship. Talking about the difference between Jesus and the Father in a physical sense is a head scratcher. I think we'll definitely see Jesus though.
16. Is heaven 2D, 3D,... 10?
If the resurrected Jesus is the way we understand what life will be like, we see him eating and being touched, but also appearing in rooms that were closed (John 20). I'm not sure what D that is, but it sounds cool.
17. Can you break bones in heaven?
Revelation 22:2 describes trees whose leaves heal the nations, so it's possible that you could require healing, but Rev 21:4 specifies that there will be no death, mourning, crying or pain, so a broken bone probably wouldn't hurt or be life-threatening.
18. Is there gravity in heaven?
Jesus appeared in a locked room (John 20), ascended into heaven (Mark 16:19. Acts 1:9-12), and walked on water (Matthew 14:24-33). God also created gravity and it would be weird if everything floated around. There really is no way of knowing.
19. Can we see hell?
If OPTION 2 (above) is accurate, then before Jesus returns, we might be able to see between heaven and hell because Jesus mentioned this in his parable in Luke 16, but there isn't any mention of this afterwards (when the new heaven and earth is created).
20. Can we make things exist by thinking about them?
We're not going to be God or have his power and abilities, but we're also very creative. It makes sense that art, music, design etc... will be a part of our lives, but we probably won't be able to make things appear out of nothing. There's nothing in the Bible that talks about this.
21. Can we continue our education in heaven?
Because we're not God, we likely won't be all-knowing. 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 says that we're going to know and understand God better, but 1 Peter 1:12 says that even angels don't know everything.
22. Can we play video games in heaven?
If we can create awesome technology now, it makes sense that we'll be able to continue to do so, but it wouldn't be corrupted- it would honour God. It doesn't make sense that 'M' rated video games full of horror and violence would exist. I think we can rest assured that, if this life is fun, a life without evil/sin/death etc... will be even more fun and fulfilling.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. When you think about heaven and what it's like, what are the things that really stand out to you? Why?
2. Colossians 3:1 says that we should "set our sights on the hope of heaven" when life is difficult or hard. Ask your teen how that might help them when they're going through stressful or difficult situations in life?
3. Take the time to pray and thank Jesus that, despite some uncertainty and mystery, we can trust him with our future and we can rest assured that the eternal life he has planned for us won't be terrible. It won't be worse than the life we're living now-- it'll be far better! Take the time to pray for friends or family members who seem far from God-- that they would come to know the God who loves them and be a part of heaven too.
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