Heaven – What Is It Like?
Many people think that heaven is a place "good" people go, but this just isn't so. There is no one that is good in the sight of God. All of us have told so-called white lies, all of us have been inconsistent in our lives. God is holy and without sin. He demands that we are as well. We cannot enter heaven without being perfect. Therefore, God has made a way for us to be perfect. That is he sent someone who was perfect to be punished in our place. That person is his Son, Jesus Christ. If you repent and believe in Him you can go to heaven. Yet, for so many people heaven is a somewhat unknown place. This article will teach you the basics of what heaven actually is. So many believers think of heaven as an ethereal, super spiritual place with clouds and we'll sit and play a harp forever. But heaven is a real place that we go to when we die.
According to the book of Revelation chapter 6 (the 5th Seal) people in heaven (even if in a limited way) see events that take place on earth and pray, they also are deeply connected to their previous life on earth. See, you continue to be you only without sin and the fear of death.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 11:9. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Hebrews 8:5. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:11
There are animals in heaven. There is a temple in heaven that Moses was directed to use as the model to build the earthly temple after. You see earth is the shadow and heaven is the substance. The beauty you see here on earth a shadow of the perfection that heaven holds. Some day there will be a New Earth wherein dwells righteousness. Heaven will be on Earth in that day after the Millennial Reign and the White Throne Judgment.
When you see the gorgeous flowers, trees, waterfalls, mountains and animals you long for that to continue forever, to return to Eden. It will return for those who have trusted in Christ as the ONLY WAY to heaven.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Romans 8: 19-22
You don't long for an ethereal heaven, but an earth that lasts, that does not have sin, sickness and death. One day we will certainly have this, but until then we with all creation will groan within ourselves waiting for it to come.
This should help you read the bible in a different manner. When Revelation 21-22 speaks about heaven and the various things in them, you can look at it literally. There will be nations, kings, streets, cities, trees, leaves, the sun, the moon and fruit on the New Earth. It will be this same earth only perfected and redeemed.
About the author: Jason DeMars is the founder of Present Truth Ministries a ministry that declares the message that God brought through William Branham.
