At first sight, the radiant brilliance overwhelmed me as my feet walked on what seemed like liquid gold. The resplendent hues of a majestic rainbow left me speechless.
Like streaming ribbons of iridescent hues, waterfalls cascaded along the azure river that flowed from the throne above a crystal-clear sea.
Glorious music called me closer, a seamless fusion of immersive praise from every resident. Thousands upon thousands of adoring worshippers were singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is to come.”
In a moment, everything became still. God responded with great delight, singing over His children, much like the adoration of a parent for their child.
Then, I saw Jesus. He looked straight at me. His loving gaze, like bolts of lightning, transcended to my core, and I bowed before Him. He drew me to Himself and said, “Welcome home, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of your eternal home.”
As if singled out among the throngs of people around the throne, I saw my loved ones. Embracing, the joy of knowing farewells were forever banished.
Jesus was with us. A loving unity of belonging and oneness with God and each other.
Someone nearby with sparkling eyes told us how every talent or skill blossomed into creative genius, with never-before-imagined abilities, graced by the Spirit.
Music of incomparable rapture and harmonies poured forth from worshippers in ceaseless adoration, as an endless, seamless fusion of immersive praise.
Clara, a dear saint whose life was cut short by cancer, now walked perfectly, glowing in God’s light and wholeness.
It may have been a month or just a few hours before Jesus left our gathering of loved ones. The incomparable beauty, penetrating peace, and welcomed satisfaction mesmerized me. This was the beginning of eternal life, a perfect paradise. I was home. Forever!
We may ask, what will we do in heaven? Although human understanding limits comprehension, Scripture confirms eternity will be beyond our grandest imaginations.
1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.”
The beauty and diversity of the earth to the heavens showcase God’s creative power. Job 28:29 and 22 ask, “What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Have you entered the storehouses of the snow?” The Creator of this stunning earth will amaze us even more in His dwelling place.
In heaven, we will possess a new eternal body, worship continually, advance in wisdom, feast and fellowship with the saints of all time, serve, rule, and reign in God’s Kingdom.
1. We Will Worship
One of heaven’s first joys will be seeing Jesus. Thankfulness will be the measure of eternity. “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb the praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever” (Revelation 5:13).
Our heavenly bodies will resonate with God’s nature. Unimaginable pleasures beyond our dreams await us. Psalm 16:11 says, “In your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
2. Revel in Our New Eternal Body
“In the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52), God will transform us. Pain and suffering are but distant memories. No longer flesh and blood, we will be imperishable.
The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:.42-44).
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).
3. Commune with Loved Ones
In heaven, bonds of family and friendship will flourish. We will meet biblical heroes of faith like King David, Paul, Abraham, and many more we’ve only read about in Scripture.
Jesus assured the disciples He was preparing an eternal home for them and would return. “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).
Jesus asked the Father for unity between the disciples and believers to be shared in heaven, just like Jesus and Father shared. “That they may be one as we are one…so that they may be brought to complete unity” (17:22-23). Such unity will find eternal completeness in heaven.
4. Feast Together
Jesus shared meals with various people, from the wedding at Cana and gatherings at Lazarus’ home to encounters with the lost like Zacchaeus and the Pharisees, as well as many occasions with His disciples. A significant meal with those He loved occurred at the Last Supper before His crucifixion.
Critics labeled Jesus as “a gluttonous man, a friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34).
Following His resurrection, Jesus reassured the doubting disciples that He had a physical form by asking for food and eating in their presence (Luke 24:39-43). In another post-resurrection appearance, He invited His disciples to “come and have breakfast” (John 21:12-15).
Revelation 22:2 describes the tree of life bearing fruit for the healing of the nations. Ezekiel 47:12 also notes that their fruit will serve as food and their leaves for healing.
The times Jesus ate with the disciples and others, along with the significance of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in eternity (Revelation 19:9), indicate that the bonding and enjoyment of sharing meals will be a part of heaven.
5. Advance in Learning
“The Word of God,” a title of Jesus, and our scriptures are both eternal (Psalm 119:89). The daily application of God’s Word enhances holiness, and this impact will endure forever.
The abilities, talents, and skills we gain on earth will experience exponential growth, perfectly aligned with God’s will and pleasure.
Freed to glorify the Lord, we will enrich God’s kingdom through our creative contributions as His knowledge flows through our ever-expanding gifts, all for His glory.
6. Agape Love
In heaven, family and friendship will epitomize God’s boundless, agape love. Selfless, genuine, and reflective of Jesus’ love, relationships will flourish without competition or self-advancement.
Like a grand tapestry, each represented by a unique thread, God’s family unfolds, revealing unity in the eternal family, together, forever.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
7. Serve, Rule, and Reign
No longer will we contend with a demanding boss, a mundane workplace, or tasks that don’t align with our interests or skills. Instead, we find ourselves immersed in supremely joyful service.
As Jesus taught Matthew 24:21, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”
We will rule with God over His creation, much like Adam did in Eden. Others will rule as described in Daniel 7:27 says the saints of the Most High shall serve His everlasting kingdom, “and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
Those who gave their lives in the tribulation will “reign with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:15).
Paul tells the church of Corinth that they are destined to rule and reign with Christ and will judge (rule) angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).
Revelation 22:5 states, “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
We will serve the Lord with gladness, using our expanded talents and gifts that continue to become a creative genius, taking us to new heights as we love the work, we do in serving the King.
8. Evil Will Be Non-Existent
God and sin are incompatible. Habakkuk 1:13 describes God as “whose eyes are too pure to look on evil.” In heaven, evil, terror, and hatred cannot exist.
Sin separates people from God. Those who reject Him will face eternal separation and share eternity with the devil and his cohorts, forever.
9. We Can Only Imagine All the Things God Has Prepared
What will we do in heaven? We will worship continually, possessing an everlasting body. We’ll love with agape love, partake in feasts and fellowship, gain wisdom and a deeper understanding of God, explore His unending wonders, and serve with joy and fulfillment while ruling over God’s dominion, all in the absence of sin and evil.
We can only imagine what God has in store. Beyond our grandest imaginations, no human mind has conceived “all the things God has prepared for those who love him.”
For further reading:
What Is Heaven? A Complete Guide
What Is Heaven Like According to the Bible?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Yuri_Arcurs
