What Will Heaven be Like?
What Will Heaven be Like?
Introduction
People often ask the question, &What will heaven be like.& Although
the Bible discusses heaven, it is not possible to understand the full nature of
heaven from a human perspective. Since heaven is where God lives, it must
than those found in this physical universe that God created. We
cannot imagine, nor can we experience in our current bodies, what these extra
dimensions might be like. Even so, we are given enough information in the Bible
to understand many of the things that will be different in heaven compared to
our lives today. Some of the information on this page is speculation (with
alternative possibilities), but is based upon what the Bible says about heaven.
The end of the seventh day
Genesis, the first book of the Bible says that God created the universe in
six days. By examining all the passages of the Bible that describe
the creation of the universe, one can conclude that the six days of creation are
created the universe, the earth, and life on it. The Bible tells us that we are
currently in God's seventh day of rest and encourages us to enter
into that rest. God's plan for the universe is to allow a large
number of spiritual beings (both angels and humans) to choose to
spend eternity with Him. At the appointed time, God will call an end
to the present universe and judge those who reject His invitation.
The eighth day
On the eighth day God will create again - this time an entirely new universe.
The new universe will have entirely different physical laws. Here are some of
the differences that stand out:
The new earth will have no sea
There will be no Sun or moon
Gravity will be absent or greatly reduced
No more death, suffering, pain
Believers will receive a new body
Heaven's characteristics
The characteristics of the new creation tell us that it will be vastly
different from what we are used to on earth. Probably most noticeable difference
will be the lack of gravity. The New Jerusalem is described as a 1,500 mile
cube. Structures of this size would automatically become a sphere in this
universe, because of gravity.
Therefore gravity
will either be absent or significantly reduced in the new creation. There will be no Sun or moon. This
makes sense, since there will be little or no gravity. Without gravity, the new
creation would not be bound to its source of heat and light. The lack of the Sun
is not a problem for the new creation, since the Bible tells us that the glory
of God Himself will provide illumination. The illumination provided by God is probably not the same
kind of electromagnetic radiation (photons) that we call light. The illumination
provided by God certainly involves the wisdom and knowledge that He possesses.
With this kind of light, there would be no need to visually see things, since
this would severely restrict our ability to &see& everything as God
sees them. There will be no oceans, which means that there will be no water cycle.
It would be difficult for a water cycle to operate without gravity. There will
be the river of the water of life, which flows from the throne of God.
Given its source, it seems likely that it may not be liquid water as we know it.
The laws of thermodynamics seem to be absent from the new creation, since the
Bible tells us that there will be no heat.
In this universe, the second law of thermodynamics controls virtually everything that
happens. The law states that heat flows from hot bodies to cold
bodies. Stars cannot shine, animals cannot consume food to produce energy to
move, and chemical reactions cannot occur, since all these processes require the
exchange of heat. This law is also called the law of entropy or decay, since the
ultimate result of heat flow is that the universe continues to become more and
more disordered. Science tells us that the universe, as we see it now, is
temporary. It has a moment of creation, and without God's intervention, will
eventually expand to produce a
. Obviously,
such a universe would not be acceptable for housing eternal beings, such as
those described in the new creation. As discussed previously, the processes
requiring heat flow seem to be absent from the new creation. These include the
Sun, the sea and a water cycle, and growing old and dying. Although
there is described a tree (the tree of life) that bears fruit in heaven, it
doesn't seem to be there for eating. In fact, the Bible says, &the leaves
of the tree are for the healing of the nations.& Given all the
violence and genocide that has been perpetrated on the earth over the centuries,
there will be need for healing among all the people groups. The lack of eating
in heaven goes along with the idea that thermodynamics will be
absent there. Finally, the Bible says &the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption,&
suggesting a release from the laws of thermodynamics.
Some Christians believe that there will be eating in heaven. They cite the
great wedding feast of the Lamb. Is this meant to be taken literally? Of course,
the most important part of the wedding is not the feast, but the marriage. Are
we going to be married in a literal physical marriage to ? I think
most males would feel uncomfortable with this concept. We will be with our
Savior and our Father in heaven and see Him face to face. I believe that the
Jewish wedding was chosen to represent the celebration that will happen in
heaven, since it was a most joyous and lengthy event known to the people for
whom the message was given. One can be certain it will be a great celebration,
whether or not we actually eat food.
The new creation will be a place of awesome beauty and is described in terms
of precious jewels and metals. Although the description may not represent
literal earthly jewels, it is intended to represent the amazing beauty of its
appearance, as John, the apostle, saw it. For a preview of the description, see
Heaven exists outside the dimensions of both space and time. The Bible
and created time, probably as the means of implementing cause
and effect. Without cause and effect, actions don't have consequences and
choices don't have repercussions. So, the universe was created temporally
for people to choose to love or reject God. Once the choices have been made,
there is no longer a need for time to exist at all. So, when the Bible says
God destroys the present universe, that includes the universe's dimension of
time. So, in fact, it does not matter when you die, you will end up in
heaven with all the other people you know who went to be in heaven&either
before or after you (relative to this universe's time scale). This includes your ancestors and descendants.
Since we are not restricted by time in heaven, could you look back at your
life on earth and watch it happen? Probably not, since the Bible says that
&the former things will not be remembered or come to mind& (Isaiah 65:17).
When God destroys the present universe, it will have been as if it had never
existed. Not even God would have access to it (Isaiah 43:25). How do things
happen in the absence of time? Good question! Obviously instantly! There
will be no more waiting for anything. Everybody will be able to talk to
Jesus for an infinite &amount of time& all &simultaneously.& The English
language doesn't even have the proper words to describe how things will be
in heaven.
Where is heaven?
Asking where heaven exists is a little like asking where the center of
the universe is. In fact, the universe doesn't have a center, since
everything is moving away from every other thing. The Bible indicates that
heaven does not exist in this universe, but is God's abode. In fact, the
Bible indicates that even the highest heavens (of this universe) cannot
contain God. Since we human beings are
restricted to the space time dimensions of this universe, we can never go in
a spaceship and find heaven, since it is not any place to which we can
travel. However, there is a way .
What will people be like in heaven?
With physical laws being so different in heaven, it is apparent that our
current bodies would not be acceptable in such a place. The Bible poses the
question, &But someone will say, &How are the dead raised? And with
what kind of body do they come?& (1 Corinthians 15:35). The answer to the
question is given in a series of comparisons:
Mortal vs. Heavenly Bodies
Mortal Body
Resurrection Body
perishable
imperishable&
To a certain degree, we will be given some of the characteristics of God in
heaven, since we will be like Him and the glorified Jesus. Without at least the dimensional characteristics of God, we
would not be able to see Him, which the Bible says we will do.
Contrary to the Mormon view of heaven, it doesn't seem that
people in heaven will be either male or female. Jesus was asked a complicated
question about heaven by the Sadducees (a religious sect that did not believe in
the resurrection of the dead) that directly leads us to this conclusion.
The Sadducees gave a scenario of a woman who married 7 men (sequentially,
since they all died prematurely) in her lifetime. They asked whose wife she
would be in heaven. Jesus answered:
&You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of
God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in
marriage, but are like angels in heaven.& (Matthew 22:29-30)
In other words, there will be no marriage or sexual differences among those
in heaven, since reproduction is unnecessary. This concept is supported by other
biblical verses that indicate that males and females are spiritually equal.
The same concept applies to the races. I doubt that there will be
racial differences in heaven.
The idea that we will
is disturbing to some people.
Personally, I like to be married. From an earthly perspective, the dissolution
of marriage in heaven doesn't sound like a good thing. However, in heaven, we
will be &married& to Jesus, who will be our spiritual
&husband.& If you are not currently a follower of Jesus
Christ, you cannot understand what this will be like, and it will probably not
have any appeal for you. However, if you have experienced the &highs&
of following Jesus as He leads you, you will have a glimpse of how awesome this
experience will be. God would not take away something good if He did not replace
it with something better.
Besides receiving a new body, those who enter heaven will be given a new name
and will be incapable of
committing sin. Therefore, all the problems we have by being mean to each other will be gone. We will be able to enjoy each
other's company without the fear of being hurt by anyone. It will be great to be
physically and morally perfect and to have fellowship with others who have been
likewise transformed.
What will we do in heaven?
People have the impression that heaven will consist of people sitting
around on clouds, playing harps. However, the Bible does not describe
clouds, although some of the angels and the 24 elders and some of the saints
are described as having harps in heaven.
of our first acts in heaven will be to help judge the world - specifically the angels.
Why do the angels need to be judged? Before God created the earth, He
created the angels, who, initially, all worshipped God,
being led by the most beautiful angel, Satan.
However, Satan (aka, the devil) became jealous of God and sought to take His place.
Satan managed to convince one third of the angels to join him in rebellion.
At this point, there was war in heaven, as the rebellious angels of Satan
fought against the archangel Michael and the angels of God.
Satan and his angels were cast from heaven onto the earth,
where they attempt to persuade humans to follow him in rebellion against
God. These rebellious angels are now
referred to as demons. Since there are no
rebels in heaven, the angels who rebelled against God will be judged by
God's people
and cast into the lake of fire.
Besides acting as judges in heaven, the Bible says that we will reign
with God in heaven.
Exactly what this reigning entails is not defined.
However, we will also be serving God directly.
Although this may sound boring at first glance, it obviously won't be, since
we will have direct access to the Creator of the universe. The book of
Revelation
specifically says that Jesus will be our shepherd, who will personally lead us.
Paul in 1 Corinthians says that we will see Him &face to face& and &now I
know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully
known.& In essence, this verse is telling us
that we will have the full knowledge of God, even as He currently knows each of us.
This is amazing! Why atheists would not want to be part of this baffles me. Hebrews describes heaven as consisting of &thousands upon thousands of
angels in joyful assembly.& So, heaven
will be a big celebration. However, we know it will also be a place of
righteousness and peace. The Bible says that
we cannot imagine what heaven will be like, but that it will exceed our
expectations. Each of us in heaven will be &revealed in glory.&
Who will be in heaven?
Obviously, since heaven is God's kingdom, He will be there. What is
remarkable is that we have the opportunity to be there and see God
Who will be in heaven with God? The angels will be there, and
have been there since God created them. The Bible gives several lists of people
who will not be in heaven. A summary of the activities that keep
people out of heaven is listed in the table below.
Sins That Keep One From Heaven
sexual immorality
prostitution
homosexual offenses
drunkenness
witchcraft
fits of rage
selfish ambition
dissensions
factions and envy
abomination
The list is fairly extensive and includes some things that all of us have
done. At the end of the first creation we will appear before the great white
throne of God. God will go through the &books& to see if
we have committed any of the deeds listed in the table above. In
addition, our names will be checked to see if they are in the &Book of Life.& Anyone
whose name is not found in the &Book of Life& will be thrown into the lake of
fire, based upon the unrighteous deeds that they had done in their lives. God
does not grade on the curve, so all people who have been guilty of any one of
the violations above will be sent to the lake of fire, which is the second
death. However, those who trust (believe) in
Jesus escape judgment and inherit eternal life in heaven (see below).
How do we get to heaven?
So how can we enter into heaven and into the presence of the Holy God? What
we cannot do for ourselves, God has already done for us. Jesus said, &unless
one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.&
went on to explain that the second birth is to be &born spiritually.& Those who
are born just once will die physically then will die spiritually at the second
death, following the Great White Throne judgment. Those who are born twice (both
physically and spiritually) will die physically, but will live spiritually
How are people born again spiritually? Jesus said:
&For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Belief in Jesus removes us from the White Throne Judgment,
because Jesus took the penalty (death) for our sin at the cross.
Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are justified (declared righteous on
the basis of faith) before God and can come before Him boldly
through the grace that He has offered to all. By
accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we give Him permission to change us into
perfect beings (&the spirits of the righteous made perfect,& Hebrews
12:22-23) in the new creation. Those who
reject God's provision for sin will be judged on the basis of their sin and will be
(the second death), since God cannot allow sin into the new
How do we enter into a relationship with ? We do this through
belief in Him:
Repent of your sin and selfishness. Repentance is agreeing with God that
you have been wrong and being willing to turn from that old life to a new
life in Christ.
as your Lord ( and
Master) and
(who takes away your
Receive the Holy Spirit as the promise of what God will do in
your life.
Thank God for His grace and the free gift that He has given you.
Once you receive
as Lord and Savior, you should walk with Him
every day. Jesus said, &If you love Me, you will keep My commandments&
(John 14:15). Talk to Him every day in prayer and do what He says. Find a good
Christian fellowship (church) and read from your Bible every day. These things
are not required to keep your salvation, but they will help you to grow in your
faith and obedience and to experience more joy in your walk with Christ. When we
come before God's throne in the new creation, it will be good to hear the
...Well done, good and faithful servant... enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord.
Related Pages
by Anthony Destefano. A biblical examination of
what heaven might be like. It is non-technical, and somewhat speculative, as
all examinations of heaven must be.
References
&For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and
all that is in them, and reste therefore the LORD
blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.& (Exodus 20:11)
The seventh day of Genesis is not closed. In all other days, &there
is the evening and the morning, the n day.&
In the book of Hebrews, the author tells us to labor to enter into God's
seventh day of rest. &For He has thus said somewhere concerning the
seventh day, 'And God rested on the seventh day from all His works'... Let
us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through
following the same example of disobedience.& (Hebrews 4:4-11)
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one
could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and
palm branches and they cry out with a loud voice,
saying, &Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the
Lamb.& And all the angels were standing around the throne and around
the elders and the f and they fell on their faces
before the throne and worshiped God. (Revelation 7:9-11)
In Jesus' parable of the banquet, the master of the house (representing
God) invited a large number of guests. Most of the invited guests made
excuses and did not want to go to the banquet (representing heaven). Jesus
said, &Then the master [God] told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and
country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'& (Luke
But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire,
kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will
pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat,
and the earth and its works will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)
Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which
the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with
intense heat! (2 Peter 3:12)
&For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the
smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is
accomplished.& (Matthew 5:18)
&Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass
away.& (Mark 13:31)
&Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass
away.& (Luke 21:33)
And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying,
&YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE
HEAVEN.& And this expression, &Yet once more,& denotes the
removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order
that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:26-27)
And all the host of heaven will wear away, And the sky will be rolled up
All their hosts will also wither away As a leaf withers from
the vine, Or as one withers from the fig tree. (Isaiah 34:4)
And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose
presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I
saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books
and another book was opened, which is the Book of L and the
dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according
to their deeds... And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of
Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)
&For behold, I create new hea And the former
things shall not be remembered or come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth,
in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)
And I saw a new he for the first heaven and the first
earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (Revelation 21:1)
And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for
the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation
Revelation describes the New Jerusalem as a cube 1,500 miles on each side.
Under the current laws of gravity, any structure that size would immediately
become a sphere. Therefore gravity would be either absent or greatly
&And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband... And the city is laid
out as a square, and its length is a and he measured
the city with the rod, f its length and width and
height are equal.& (Revelation 21:2, 16)
for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and
shall guide them to springs
and God shall wipe every
tear from their eyes.& (Revelation 7:17)
and He shall wipe away every
and there shall no longer
there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, the
first things have passed away.& (Revelation 21:4)
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it
it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in
it is sown in weakness, i it is sown a natural
body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is
also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for
the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. (Revelation
And there shall no and they shall not have need of
the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall
and they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)
For Tho The LORD my God illumines my darkness. (Psalm
For with Thee is
In Thy light we see light. (Psalm
Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, &I am the light of the
he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the
light of life.& (John 8:12)
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God
is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming
from the throne of God and of the Lamb, (Revelation 22:1)
O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake Thee will be put to shame. Those
who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the
fountain of living water, even the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:13)
And it will come about in that day that living waters will flow out of
Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the
it will be in summer as well as in winter. (Zechariah 14:8)
&He who believes in Me [Jesus], as the Scripture said, 'From his
innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'& (John 7:38)
&They shall hunger no more, ne neither shall the
sun beat down on them, nor any heat; (Revelation 7:16)
...On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops
of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for
the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2)
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but
because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will
be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of
the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers
the pains of childbirth together until now. (Romans 8:20-22)
&But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven
and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I
have built! (1 Kings 8:27)
&But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest
heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him,
except to burn incense before Him? (2 Chronicles 2:6)
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
G nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it
it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in
it is sown in weakness, i it is sown a natural
body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is
also a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a
building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in
this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed
but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be
swallowed up by life. (2 Corinthians 5:1-4)
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what
we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we
shall see Him just as He is. (1 John 3:2)
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from
there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring
everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they
will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)
(Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints) believe that obedient Mormon men will become gods in
heaven with their own kingdoms and wives. In fact, a neighbor recently
offered my wife to become his queen when he becomes a god in his own
kingdom. The only thing she had to do was to be baptized in the Mormon
church. She declined the offer.
On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Him
and questioned Him, saying, &Teacher, Moses said, 'IF A MAN DIES,
HAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE, AND
RAISE UP AN OFFSPRING TO HIS BROTHER.' &Now there were seven brothers
and the first married and died, and having no offspring left his
so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh.
&And last of all, the woman died. &In the resurrection therefore
whose wife of the seven shall she be? For they all had her.& But Jesus
answered and said to them, &You are mistaken, not understanding the
Scriptures, or the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither
marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.& (Matthew
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there
is nei for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians
For there is no distinction between Jew and G for the same Lord is
Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon H (Romans 10:12)
--a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew,
circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but
Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 3:11)
for the Lamb [Jesus Christ] in the center of the throne shall be their
shepherd, and shall guide them to springs
shall wipe every tear from their eyes.& (Revelation 7:17)
&Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage
of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.& (Revelation
And he said to me, &Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the
marriage supper of the Lamb.'& And he said to me, &These are true
words of God.& (Revelation 19:9)
And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last
plagues, came and spoke with me, saying, &Come here, I shall show you
the bride, the wife of the Lamb.& (Revelation 21:9)
FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO
HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. T but I
am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31-32)
&For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD And
your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the
earth.& (Isaiah 54:5)
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to
the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden
manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the
stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' (Revelation 2:17)
... as Christ also loved the church and gave H that He
might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the
word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having
no spot or wrink but that she should be holy and
blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth,
in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)
&In that day you will feel no shame Because of all your deeds By which
you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from your midst Your
proud, exulting ones, And you will never again be haughty On My holy
mountain.& (Zephaniah 3:11)
And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a
loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing
their harps. (Revelation 14:2)
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders
fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden
bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8)
And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing
beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image
and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God and sang
the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: &Great and
marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your
name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.& (Revelation 15:2-4)
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to
judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not
know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! (1
Corinthians 6:2-3)
According to the Bible all of the sons of God
(i.e., all the angels, including Satan) shouted for joy at the creation of
the Earth. However, Satan had fallen by the time humans were created.
&Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if
you have understanding... When the morning stars sang together, And all
the sons of God shouted for joy?& (Job 38:4, 7)
&Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say
to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, &You had the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. &You were in Eden, the garden
of G Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz, and
The beryl, the onyx, The lapis lazuli, the
turquoise, And the gold, the workmanship of your settings
and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were
prepared. &You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you
there. You were on the holy mountain of G You walked in the midst of
the stones of fire. &You were blameless in your ways From the day you
were created, Until unrighteousness was found in you. &By the
abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you
Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And
I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of
fire. &Your heart was lifted up be You corrupted
your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I ca I put
you before kings, That they may see you. &By the multitude of your
iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade, You profaned your
sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire f It has
consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of
all who see you. (Ezekiel 28:12-18)
Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven
heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of
the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth... And there was war in
heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and
his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their
place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent
called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled
to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelation 12:3-9)
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to
carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not
holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks
his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas
Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. (John 13:2)
Then Peter said, &Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that
you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money
you received for the land?& (Acts 5:3)
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you
may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will
not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5)
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven--if there
was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his
schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
(James 4:7)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the
faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing
the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or
Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his
angels with him. (Revelation 12:9)
If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say
this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. Now if I drive
out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then,
they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God,
then the kingdom of God has come to you. (Luke 11:18-20)
&Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are
cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'& (Matthew
And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning
sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will
be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)
&You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they
will reign on the earth.& (Revelation 5:10)
I answered, &Sir, you know.& And he said, &These are they who have come
out of t they have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of
God and serve him day and and he who sits on the throne
will spread his tent over them.& (Revelation 7:14-15)
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to
now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have
been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of
the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in
joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in
heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of
righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to
the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel...
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be
thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God
is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:22-29)
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven
and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)
But the wisdom that comes from heaven
peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
The mystery and glory of heaven:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
(Romans 8:18)
but just as it is written, &THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR
HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT
GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.& (1 Corinthians 2:9)
For now we see in a mirror dimly, b now I know
in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully
known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal
weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the
things which are seen, but at the thing for the
things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not
seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait
for a Savior, the Lord Jesus C who will transform the body of
our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the
exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to
Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be
revealed with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the
glory that is to be revealed, (1 Peter 5:1)
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace,
who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect,
confirm, strengthen and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, &Behold, the
tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be
His people, and God Himself shall be among them.& (Revelation 21:3)
And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and
the living crea and the number of them was myriads of
myriads, and thousands of thousands, (Revelation 5:11)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do
not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers
nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor
drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1
Corinthians 6:9-10)
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and
ido hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of
rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, drunkenness, orgies,
and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this
will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
&But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and
immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will
be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death.& (Revelation 21:8)
And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose
presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. (Revelation
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne,
a and another book was opened, which is the Book of L and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the
books, according to their deeds. (Revelation 20:12)
And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of
Life, he was
thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)
and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall
ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book
of Life. (Revelation 21:27)
'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He
who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.' (Revelation 2:11)
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in th over
these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of
Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second
death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14)
&But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and
immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will
be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death.& (Revelation 21:8)
Eternal life is through belief in Jesus Christ:
&And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or
mother or children or farms for My [Jesus] name's sake, will receive many
times as much, and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)
&For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
&He who believes in the S but he who does not obey
the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.& (John 3:36)
&Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who
sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed
out of death into life. (John 5:24)
&You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have
it is these that testify about Me; (John 5:39)
&Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures
to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the
Father, God, has set His seal.& (John 6:27)
&For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and
believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on
the last day.& (John 6:40)
&Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. (John
&My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give
eternal life to them, and th and no one will snatch
them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28)
&This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3)
so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through
righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus
Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who
would believe in Him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16)
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in
righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration
and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through
Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be
made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7)
Whoever denies the Son does not have the F the one who confesses
the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you
heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in
you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise
which He Himself made to us: eternal life. (1 John 2:23-25)
This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. (1 John
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this
life is in His Son. (1 John 5:11)
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of
God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding
so that we may know H and we are in Him who is true, in His
Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)
keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. (Jude 1:21)
Jesus answered and said to him, &Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.& (John 3:3)
&He who believes in H he who does not believe has
been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God.& (John 3:18)
For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but
to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it
having put to death the enmity. (Ephesians 2:16)
and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace
through the blood of H through Him, I say, whether things on earth
or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)
having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us
and whi and He has taken it out of the way, having
nailed it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14)
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the
Law. (Romans 3:28)
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed as it is
written, &BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.& (Romans
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those
for the (Romans 3:22)
being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in
Christ J whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood
through faith. (Romans 3:24-25)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, (Ephesians 1:7)
For by grace you have been and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of G (Ephesians 2:8)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (Titus
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those
for the (Romans 3:22)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is
patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to
repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general
assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God,
the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, (Hebrews
Therefore if any man is in Christ,
the ol behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in
righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:24)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of
truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed
in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13)
His lord said unto him, Well done, good
thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23)
We are what we think.
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http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/heaven.htmlLast Modified October 3, 2011