What Will We Do in Heaven According to the Bible?

The question of what believers will do in heaven has intrigued Christians for centuries. While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive list, it offers several insights into the activities and experiences that await us in heaven. Let's explore this topic by examining various biblical passages and theological insights to paint a picture of life in heaven for the redeemed.

Worship and Praise

First and foremost, the Bible emphasizes that heaven is a place of unending worship and praise to God. Revelation 4:8-11 vividly describes the heavenly worship where the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders continuously praise God, saying:

"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8, ESV)

The elders cast their crowns before the throne, declaring God's worthiness to receive glory, honor, and power. This scene underscores that one of the central activities in heaven will be worship. Our earthly experiences of worship, though profound, are merely a shadow of the perfect and unceasing worship we will partake in when in God's presence.

Rest and Peace

In addition to worship, the Bible suggests that heaven will be a place of rest and peace. Hebrews 4:9-11 speaks of a "Sabbath rest for the people of God," indicating that believers will experience a profound sense of rest from the toil and struggles of earthly life. This rest is not just physical but also spiritual and emotional, fulfilling Jesus' promise in Matthew 11:28:

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, ESV)

In heaven, we will experience the fullness of this rest, free from the burdens of sin, suffering, and sorrow.

Fellowship with God and Others

Another significant aspect of heavenly life is the intimate fellowship with God and with other believers. Revelation 21:3 beautifully captures this reality:

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" (Revelation 21:3, ESV)

This verse highlights the close communion we will have with God in heaven. There will be no separation or barrier between us and our Creator. We will enjoy perfect fellowship with Him, experiencing His love and presence in ways beyond our current comprehension.

Moreover, heaven will be a place of reunion with loved ones who have gone before us in faith. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 provides comfort and hope for those who have lost believing family and friends:

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, ESV)

This passage assures us that we will be reunited with our loved ones in the Lord's presence, together enjoying the eternal blessings of heaven.

Meaningful Service

Beyond worship, rest, and fellowship, the Bible hints at the possibility of meaningful work and service in heaven. Revelation 22:3 states:

"No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him." (Revelation 22:3, ESV)

The term "servants" implies roles and responsibilities to fulfill in heaven. Unlike the often frustrating work in this fallen world, our service in heaven will be joyful and fulfilling. We will use our God-given talents and abilities to glorify Him and contribute to the beauty and harmony of the heavenly kingdom.

C.S. Lewis, in his book "The Great Divorce," offers an imaginative and thought-provoking depiction of the afterlife. Although not a theological treatise, Lewis's work provides valuable insights into the nature of celestial existence. He suggests that heaven will be a place of continuous growth and transformation, where we become more fully ourselves as we draw closer to God. This idea resonates with the biblical concept of sanctification, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in heaven. As 1 John 3:2 declares:

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)

In heaven, we will be completely conformed to the image of Christ, experiencing the perfection of our redeemed humanity.

Unimaginable Beauty and Glory

Finally, the Bible describes heaven as a place of unimaginable beauty and glory. Revelation 21:18-21 provides a stunning description of the New Jerusalem, with its jasper walls, streets of pure gold, and pearl gates. This imagery conveys the splendor and majesty of heaven, a place where God's glory is fully revealed and where we will dwell in the midst of His radiant presence.

In summary, the Bible paints a multifaceted picture of what we will do in heaven. We will engage in unceasing worship and praise to God, experiencing the fullness of His presence and glory. We will enjoy deep rest and peace, free from earthly burdens. We will have intimate fellowship with God and other believers, reuniting with loved ones who have gone before us. We will find joy and fulfillment in meaningful service, using our talents to glorify God. We will undergo continuous growth and transformation, becoming more fully ourselves as we are conformed to Christ's image. And we will dwell in a place of unparalleled beauty and splendor, where God's glory is fully revealed.

Though our finite minds cannot fully grasp the wonders of heaven, the glimpses provided in Scripture offer us profound hope and anticipation. As we await our eternal home, let us live our lives in faithful obedience to God, seeking to glorify Him in all we do, knowing that the best is yet to come.