What does the Bible say about Heaven?
The Bible gives us some clues but does not go into great detail about Heaven. Heaven will be so great and glorious that our minds cannot grasp the blessings and riches of heaven. There is no material concept of heaven that will do it justice. The Bible talks about streets of gold as clear as crystal and walls made out of precious stones (see Revelation 21:18-21), whole modern people have often pictured it as hanging round on clouds playing harps. The apostle Paul put it this way: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (I Corinthians 2:9). However the Word of God does have some clues and even a brief description of heaven.

John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

1. HEAVEN IS A PLACE WHERE GOD LIVES.
He is the light of heaven, the joy of heaven. Heaven is his home and it is where he is preparing to spend eternity with those who have chosen to love and follow him (through accepting Jesus Christ – the ONLY way to Heaven). Being in God's presence will bring an intensity of delight that will far exceed anything we could know here on earth. Furthermore, in heaven there will be neither death, nor sorrow, nor sickness, nor poverty.
"He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be nor more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:3-4). See also Deuteronomy 26:15 & Matthew 10:32,33.

2. HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF EXCEEDING JOY.
We do know that we will be able to recognize our loved ones in heaven, and we will experience great joy over being reunited with them (see Luke 23:42-43, Hebrews 12:22-23). Your real self will live on in heaven, not some shadowy part of you. You will never feel so alive as when you enter into the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem God has prepared for the saints. Heaven is a place of hanging out with God and our friends and family … forever! With no more sin, death or pain, it is a happy place full of joy and goodness. The Bible also describes it as a place of reward for those who love God, a place where God is worshipped and a place where the names of the saved are written.
See Jude 1:24, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 5:12, Luke 6:23, Revelation 4:8-11 & Luke 10:20.

The fullest description of Heaven in the Bible is found at the end of Revelation – check out Revelation 21:1-27 and 22:1-21 to see how John described Heaven in his words.

What is heaven like? It is better than anything any human being could ever imagine when he tries to picture the best thing that could ever happen to him. Beyond that, there is not much else we could say until we get there!

Blogs Based on actual questions asked by young people:
Hopefully these considerations to some big questions asked by young people are helpful to you. Please note that while I have done my best to be true to what the Bible and the Seventh-day Adventist church teaches, I may not always have got it 100% right. So please don’t just take what I say but keep searching out answers from God for yourself.
If you have any further questions, on these topics or any other, please feel free to:
1. Keep exploring the answers using a Bible, Christian books, Google, prayer, friends, family, youth leader, pastor, school chaplain, and an open heart.
2. Come say hi and chat to me in person when I am at your church or in your region.
3. Email me at LanceBoulton@adventist.org.nz
Don't be afraid to ask questions. God is bigger than your biggest question and isn't afraid of what you are wondering. Let your questions drive you into a fuller knowledge and experience of God (rather than driving you away from God).