Most people at some point in their lives wonder what happens after this life is over, and our bodies are no longer working. Perhaps it’s the death of a loved one, a medical diagnosis, or just curiosity that drives us to know what will become of us after our life on this Earth is over. Thankfully, the Bible provides some comforting and clear teachings on eternal life in heaven, offering hope and reassurance to believers. Understanding what the Bible says about heaven can strengthen our faith and give us a glimpse of the joy and peace that awaits those who trust in Jesus Christ.
The Promise of Eternal Life
The Bible consistently confirms the reality of eternal life. In John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses, Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse clearly shares the gospel message: through faith in Jesus, we are promised eternal life. This promise is not based on our works or merits but solely on God’s grace and love. We cannot earn our way to heaven; only God’s grace can save us.
Eternal life is one of the gifts God gives to His believers that begins the moment we place our trust in Jesus Christ. In John 5:24, Jesus assures us, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” This verse emphasizes that eternal life is a present reality for believers, not just a future hope. If you do believe in the work of Jesus, you can rest in that reality now.
What the Bible Reveals About Heaven
Heaven is often described in the Bible as a place of incredible beauty, peace, and joy. Revelation 21:4 provides this moving description of heaven: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This verse reassures us that in heaven, all suffering will be gone, replaced by God’s perfect peace and comfort.
The Bible also tells us that heaven is a place where we will be in the presence of God forever. In Revelation 22:3-5, we read, “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 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.” This passage highlights the eternal and close relationship we will have with God in heaven.
Certainty of Eternal Life Through Faith in Jesus
For new believers, the promise of eternal life can sometimes feel abstract or uncertain. However, the Bible provides assurance again and again that eternal life is guaranteed for all who believe in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 states, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This assurance is based on the unchanging Word of God, and not on our feelings or circumstances.
Stories from the Bible illustrate this certainty as well. In the Old Testament, Job expresses confidence in his redemption despite immense suffering: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God” (Job 19:25-26). This declaration shows Job had a deep faith in eternal life even before the full revelation of Jesus Christ.
Living in Light of Eternity
Knowing that heaven awaits gives us hope and a perspective that helps us to overcome the stress of our current challenges. It reminds us that our true home is not in this world, but with God in heaven. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:20-21, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who…will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Do you want to know more about Heaven, or are you struggling to know if you are truly going to Heaven? Be sure to check out our “Ready” page to learn more. There you can also sign up to receive a free Bible if you don’t have one, where you can read more in Revelation about all that will happen in Heaven.