What is Heaven like?

Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word "heaven" is
found 276 times in the New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three
heavens. The apostle Paul was "caught up to the third heaven," but he
was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians
12:1-9).

If a third heaven exists, there must also be two other heavens. The
first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the "sky"
or the "firmament." This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area
that birds fly through. The second heaven is interstellar/outer space,
which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects
(Genesis 1:14-18).

The third heaven, the location of which is not revealed, is the
dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true
Christians in heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the destination of
Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer
(Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but
have eternal life (John 3:16).

The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city
(Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth)
possesses the "glory of God" (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of
God. Because heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light,
the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).

The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal
clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve
foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is
restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of
life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that
"heal the nations" (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in
his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is beyond the ability
of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Heaven is a place of "no mores." There will be no more tears, no more
pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more
separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The
best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John
3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and
sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for
eternity.