Revelation 21:9-10
With the Holy Spirit inspiring each word, the Apostle John dipped his pen in golden glory and from that parchment page we read exactly what Heaven looks like. We walk golden streets, hearing sounds we’ve never heard before.
No matter what you’ve been told, the only things you can truly know about either Heaven or Hell is what the Bible reveals. Everything outside the Bible is pure speculation. But God gives us a glimpse of what Heaven will be like in His Word when He gave John a guided tour of Heaven. John’s tour guide, an angel, carried him away in the Spirit (Revelation 21:10-11) for a short tour of John’s tour of the capital city, the new Jerusalem.
Our minds cannot comprehend the greater glories of Heaven. It would be like a child trying comprehend nuclear physics. So God describes Heaven, He condescends to our weakness and uses glorious symbols.
Heaven’s Geography. Heaven is real, a material place (21:2), not mystical. After Paul was caught up to the third Heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-3), he said, “Whether I was in this body or in my spirit, I don’t know.” This tells me you can go to Heaven in your spirit or you can go to Heaven with a body. Jesus is there right now in His resurrected body. When He ascended to Heaven, He went to a real place. If you have a loved one there, the place they’re in is real (John 14:2).
Heaven’s Government. In the Old Testament, God dwelt in a temporary tent, the Tabernacle. But in Heaven He dwells with us in a lasting place where He rules in majesty (21:3).
Heaven’s Gladness. Where the Lord rules in majesty, there’s no more sorrow because there’s no more sin (21:4). Every day on earth, tearful news plagues us. But in Heaven God turns every hurt to a hallelujah. No more disease, funerals, or death.
Heaven’s Godliness. What has messed up planet Earth? Sin. Our world has the curse of sin on it. But God says, “In My Heaven, no more of that.” (v. 24, 27)
Heaven’s Glory. John uses indescribably beautiful symbols to describe Heaven’s capital city (v. 10-11,18-25), itself a city of gold. Its walls, diamond-like, are breathtaking. Can you imagine the brilliance, the glow of the glory of God?
Heaven’s Size. Heaven’s capital measures 1500 miles four-square—room enough for every person who’s ever lived.
Heaven’s Sounds. Dr. Robert G. Lee said, “Our best music here on earth will sound like a bumble bee in a bottle compared to the music there.” (Revelation 5:9, 14:3, 15:3)
Heaven’s Sights. “…and had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates…and twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (21:12, 14). Shimmering walls for God’s glory are monuments to the twelve tribes of Israel. Foundations immortalize the twelve apostles. Its gates are open wide as Jew and Gentile fellowship together, one in the Lord.
Heaven’s Sanctuary. The Old Testament temple itself was a picture, a prophecy, of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Heaven, Jesus is the temple (v. 22).
Heaven’s Light Source. Jesus Christ, the Lamb, is the light (21:23-25, 22:5). Heaven is where for the first time we will look upon Jesus’ face, beholding His glory! (22:4) It’s Jesus who makes Heaven, Heaven.
Have you ever repented of your sin? If not, you won’t be there. Have you ever really, honestly, trusted Jesus? Not trusting your good works, not trusting your charity, your religion, your church membership, but trusting in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you come to the cross? Come to Jesus.
Go to lwf.org/discover-Jesus to learn more.
