Have you ever wondered "What's The Big Deal About Heaven?" There's actually 3 heavens mentioned in the Bible (you can read more about that here), but the heaven we'll discuss today is God's home. If you've never stopped to think about God's dwelling place - take a moment to read what the Bible says about it here. It's not a place you'll want to miss!

​​​

Heaven is Beautiful

 

The Bible says that within heaven, there's a city made out of pure gold (Revelation 21:18, 21) which has precious stones like sapphire, emerald, and amethyst as its foundation. Even the street of this heavenly city is pure gold, too!  (Revelation 21:19-21) Further, Jesus tells us that in heaven there are many mansions reserved for Christians: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2) If you're saved, you've got a heavenly mansion awaiting you with your name on it!

​

Heaven is Peaceful

 

The Bible says in Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  When you first walk into heaven, you'll notice there's no sorrow, crying, death, or pain. You also notice that there's no more cancer centers, funeral homes, hospitals, nursing homes, or rehab centers in heaven. The reason for this? The cause of all suffering, sin, won't be in heaven! The Bible says "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:27). There will be no more bullying, stealing, lying, cheating, abuse, divorce, sexual sin, or any other sin that could be named, only perfect peace. 

​

Heaven is Reuniting 

 

​If you've ever lost a loved one - you know it can really hurt. Yet, if your loved one was a Christian, and you are too, you can rest assured you'll see them again in heaven. Consider Hebrews 12:23, which says: "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven..."   Your friend or loved one that was part of God's family is happily at home with God - and because of that, you don't have to sorrow as a non-believer would! The Bible says: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13."

 

Heaven is God's Home  

 

The Bible says that "The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven..." (Psalm 11:4) The best part about heaven is that God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are all there. For all eternity, the redeemed will be able to worship their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who is sitting at the right hand of God. (Luke 22:69) One day, the saved will join in on a chorus praising Jesus Christ: "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." (Revelation 5:12)

​

How Does One Get to Heaven? 

​

The location of heaven isn't revealed in the Bible, but that's not important to know. In fact, when Jesus' disciple Thomas asked Him how to get to heaven, Jesus didn't hand him a roadmap or give him the address of his heavenly mansion. Instead, Jesus told Him the only way to get to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ:  ​"Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  (John 14:5-6) 

​

Although many people try to get to heaven by doing good works or trusting in someone other than Jesus, the Bible is crystal clear: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). Only through the Lord Jesus Christ can one gain entrance into heaven.  ​

​

Did You Know?

​

There's a book that Jesus keeps, called The Lamb's Book of Life. To enter into heaven, your name has to be written inside this book. If it's not, you won't be allowed entrance into the pearly gates: "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."  (Revelation 20:15) 

​

You may be wondering, how then can I get entered into this book? Well, first, you have to recognize that you're a sinner. Sin is anything we've done to break God's law (1 John 3:4), and it can't be allowed into heaven. (Revelation 21:27) The Bible says ""For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23), and, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10) ​Whether it's by lying, stealing, cheating, lust, or by breaking any other of God's commands, we've all become guilty of sin. 

 

Sin may not seem like a big deal, but the Bible makes it clear that the penalty for breaking God's law is an eternal death in hell: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8) 

 

But here's the good news - God loves you! In fact God loves you SO much that He sent His only true Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for your sins: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) When Christ died on the cross, He paid in full your sin debt! ​"And he [Jesus] is the propitiation [payment] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)  ​

 

​

After Jesus died on the cross, He was laid in a tomb - but He didn't stay there for long. After 3 days, Jesus Christ rose again from the grave and defeated death. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, you now can have new life in Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) 

​

What Will You Do With Christ?

 

Jesus did the hard part, now it's up to you if you'll simply trust in Him alone for salvation. Jesus said, ​"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). The moment you accept Christ as your Savior, you will be saved: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Don't wait - it's a free gift, and all you have to do is accept it: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) ​ 

 

If you've truly put your trust in the Lord Jesus alone for salvation from your sins, you can rest assured you can spend an eternity in heaven. You've got a name written down in the Lamb's Book of Life, and a mansion in heaven with your name on it!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​

For further thought: Did you know that there are 3 different heavens listed in the Bible? ​​

 

When the Apostle Paul visited heaven, he referred to it as the third heaven: "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago...such a one caught up to the third heaven." At first glance, it would be easy to think that there's three levels of heaven, as in, if you're really good, you might make it to the third heaven. However, the Bible teaches that there is only one place Christians go after they die. So what are the other two heavens? 

​​