Heaven: What is heaven? Is there a place called heaven? Is heaven real or is it a myth to which followers of Christ hold to escape reality and fantasize about the future? Heaven is real. Yes, there is a literal place called heaven, just as there is a literal place on earth called Japan. Heaven is God’s dwelling place. The Bible describes heaven in different ways. Sections of the earth’s atmosphere are referred to as heaven. This is the physical heaven where birds fly, lightning flashes, and winds blow. (Psalm 78:26, Proverbs 30:19, Isaiah 55:10, Luke 17:24) It is in that physical place that snow is produced too. Heaven also refers to the outer space from where the sun, the moon, and the stars shine. (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 4:19) There is also a spiritual realm called heaven. It is here that we shall focus our devotions. This too, is a physical place that exists above and beyond the sun, the moon, and the stars. This is God’s dwelling place together with the angels who do His will. (1 Kings 8:27, 43, 49; John 6:38; Hebrews 9:24; Revelation 13:6)

Heaven: What is heaven like? Heaven is described as a city. This is a literal place that God has prepared for those who love Him: those redeemed and washed in the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does this city look like? According to the Bible, it is nothing like any man has seen. It is beyond what the human mind can comprehend. See if you can picture this in your mind: “18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” (Revelation 21:18-21)

Heaven: Heaven is a place of light like no man has seen. Look at this truth about heaven: “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23) “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5) In heaven, there will be neither need for electricity/power, nor any other source of light. This is because, God is in heaven. God is light. Heaven, and all who dwell therein bask in the glory and the illumination of the Son of righteousness. The pure gold, which forms the crust of heaven, the special gems, and the holy saints of God all radiate and reflect God’s own glory. Imagine! John described God’s countenance like the sun shining in its most brilliance. This is He who makes the heavens shine. (See also Ezekiel 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9-10)

Heaven: There is no temple/church, or house of worship in heaven. “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (Revelation 21:22) Why would there be no temple or a place of worship in heaven? In heaven, our labors will be ended. All our service time will be over. Temples and churches, cathedrals and houses of God, as you may call them, are places we gather to worship God and to be serviced before God. There will be no need for that in heaven. We shall gather by the blessed Lamb and before God. Since these bodies of flesh which are weak, frail, and prone to sin will not be in heaven, there will be no more need for us to be served and serviced. We shall be transformed into spiritual bodies. With God Almighty as the temple, who in his right mind would not fall prostate before God and worship without limitations? In heaven, we gather at the blessed feet of our Lord and Savior.
Heaven: Who goes to heaven? Are there some people who will or will not go to heaven? Who decides who goes and who doesn’t go to heaven? Before Christ went back to heaven, He comforted His disciples saying: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 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. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3) Heaven is place prepared for the followers of Christ. It is for those who turn from sin unto God to walk in the newness of life that Christ gives after cleansing them with His atoning blood. It is for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heaven: Do you have a choice as an individual? Heaven is for anyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. God does not turn anyone away. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37) God has an open invitation to all and anyone who desires to follow Him. Look at God’s invitation to you. This is the invitation that finally gets you to heaven. You have a choice as to whether you will or will not go to heaven. “16 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18) Saying YES to the Savior is the one step that guarantees heaven. On the other hand, saying NO to the Savior closes heaven’s doors before you. Heaven is for you. You have a choice.