Week #3: Heaven
Blog Series Intention Recap
What happens after you die? Is it nothingness? Is it a conversation with St. Peter? Are there really pearly gates?
So You’re Dead, Now What?
The afterlife is cloaked in mystery. What happens moments after we die? What is Heaven really like? What about Hell? And does what we do in this world matter in the next? Join us as we spend four weeks uncovering the life-altering answers to these questions.
This post is part of the series “So You Are Dead, Now What?” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #3:
Heaven is a glorious place prepared by God for those who love Him.
Why it matters:
Heaven is indescribably wonderful.
Many myths about heaven are incorrect.
The Bible provides glimpses of heaven.
Heaven will be a place of eternal joy and peace.
Go Deeper
In his book, "The Great Divorce," C.S. Lewis creates a Christian allegory about a bus ride from hell to heaven. The story's narrator finds himself in a grey town (which is revealed to be hell or purgatory depending on your view) and joins a group of souls on a bus trip to the outskirts of heaven. Upon arrival, the passengers encounter heavenly beings who try to persuade them to abandon their sinful ways and embrace redemption. However, many of the visitors struggle to let go of their earthly attachments and choose to return to hell. While the book explores themes of choice, free will, and the transformative power of God's grace. Lewis uses vivid imagery and dialogue to illustrate the stark contrast between heaven's joy and hell's misery.
“The Great Divorce” provides a jumping-off point for our discussion about Heaven. What is heaven like? Some interpretations of scripture tell us that heaven is a beautiful and amazing place God has prepared for those who love Him. Understanding heaven can give us hope and joy as we live our lives. Other interpretations say our view of heaven will be mitigated by this life. Let’s jump in:
Heaven Is Indescribably Wonderful
1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Heaven is beyond anything we can imagine. It is a place of incredible beauty and joy, where we will be with God forever.
Early church fathers emphasized the glory of heaven. Augustine wrote, "There we shall rest and see, see and love, love and praise. This is what shall be in the end without end. For what other end do we propose to ourselves than to attain to the kingdom of which there is no end?"
Myths About Heaven
Heaven Can Wait
Some people think heaven is not very exciting and that life on earth is better. But the Bible says otherwise. Psalm 84:10 tells us, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." Heaven is far better than anything on earth. Psalm 16:11 adds, "You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Heaven is a place of endless joy and pleasure in God's presence.
Most People Are Going to Heaven
Another myth is that most people will go to heaven. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Not everyone will go to heaven. Only those who follow Jesus and believe in Him will enter.
A Glimpse into Heaven
The Bible gives us a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and a new earth. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"
John Calvin, the Protestant Reformer, emphasized the joy and peace of heaven: "Whatever we are deprived of in this world, the infinite treasures of heaven are stored up for us, so that we shall lack nothing."
Heavenly Conclusions
God Will Establish a New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 21:1 tells us, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away." Isaiah 65:17 also says, "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth." And 2 Peter 3:13 adds, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." God will create a new heaven and a new earth where we will live with Him forever.
God Will Do Away with Death, Mourning, and Pain
In heaven, there will be no more suffering. Revelation 21:4-5 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." God will make everything new and perfect. 1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." The joys of heaven will be beyond our wildest dreams.
God Will Dwell with Us
The best part of heaven is that God will be with us. Revelation 21:3 says, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." We will see God face to face and enjoy His presence forever. Revelation 22:3-4 adds, "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. They will see his face."
Thomas Aquinas, another influential theologian, wrote, "The blessed in heaven possess all things in the Word; for they have God Himself, and by seeing Him, they see all things."
Alternative Christian Views of Heaven
While the traditional view of heaven is widely accepted, alternative Christian perspectives offer different insights.
Eastern Orthodox Perspective
The Eastern Orthodox Church emphasizes the transformative and unifying experience of heaven. They see heaven as participation in the divine nature through the process of theosis, where believers become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). This view focuses on the continuous growth in holiness and intimacy with God.
Roman Catholic Perspective
The Roman Catholic Church teaches about different degrees of beatific vision. They believe that all the saved will see God and experience eternal joy, but the intensity of this experience can vary based on one's earthly life and spiritual state. The concept of purgatory also plays a role, where souls are purified before entering the fullness of heaven (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Protestant Variations
Within Protestantism, views on heaven can vary significantly. Some emphasize the "already but not yet" aspect, where believers experience a foretaste of heaven now through the Holy Spirit but await the fullness of heaven in the future. Others focus on the physical resurrection and the renewal of creation, aligning closely with the biblical vision of a new heaven and new earth.
How does this help me understand, “So You Are Dead, Now What?”
Heaven is a wonderful place prepared by God for those who love Him. It is full of joy, peace, and the presence of God. Many myths about heaven are incorrect, but the Bible gives us a true glimpse of what it will be like. In heaven, there will be no more suffering, and we will live with God forever. This hope should inspire us to live faithfully and share the good news of Jesus with others. Let’s look forward to heaven and live each day in a way that honors God. Understanding the various Christian views of heaven can deepen our appreciation of this glorious promise and encourage us to live with eternity in mind.
