What Does the Bible Say About Our Eternal Home?

If there's one topic that should ignite the passion of every Christian, it's the promise of heaven. If you find yourself less than thrilled about this eternal destination, perhaps it's time to reflect on your faith. Heaven is not just a place; it's our ultimate home, the culmination of our journey with Christ. Every action, every choice in our earthly existence should be directed towards that glorious moment when we meet Jesus face-to-face. He is our eternal reward, and the anticipation of spending eternity with Him should fill us with boundless joy and hope.

Have you ever gazed at the night sky, wondering about the mysteries beyond? Heaven has always been a beacon of hope, offering peace, eternal life, and divine communion. For Christians, this curiosity is not just philosophical but deeply rooted in the promises of Scripture. The Bible provides us with glimpses into this celestial realm, where God's glory reigns supreme, and where believers will partake in everlasting joy and fellowship with our Creator.

To inspire and uplift, let's explore what the Bible reveals about heaven through 21 selected scriptures. These passages not only describe the visual splendor of heaven but also the divine activities and the company we'll keep, offering a compelling reason to live with an eye on eternity.

The Majesty of Heaven

Revelation offers some of the most detailed descriptions of heaven:

"And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel." (Revelation 21:10-14).

"The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass." (Revelation 21:18-21).

Activities in Heaven

While the Bible doesn't provide a complete list of heavenly activities, here are some insights:

Worship and Praise:

"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'" (Revelation 5:13).

Union with Christ and Fellow Believers:

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Celebration of the Lamb's Wedding:

"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: 'Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.'" (Revelation 19:6-8).

Serving God:

"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him." (Revelation 22:3).

These descriptions should ignite our anticipation and hope, knowing that our eternal life will be free from any curse, immersed in God's radiant glory.

Who Inherits Heaven

The Bible is explicit about who will enter heaven:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21).

"Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.'" (John 3:5).

Jesus on Heaven

Jesus himself spoke of heaven, underlining its importance:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" (John 14:1-3).

Living for Heaven

A life focused on eternal rewards is essential:

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." (Colossians 3:1).

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20).

Let these scriptures guide you in understanding heaven, fostering an eternal perspective that shapes your life on earth. Remember, our true citizenship is in heaven, and our focus should be on the eternal glory that awaits us.