What is Heaven like?
Kids Ask Hard Questions about Death
Heaven is an awesome place that awaits God’s children. Our limited words try to describe it and fall short. Describing heaven is like asking a child to copy a famous painting with chalk. Living with God in heaven will be more exciting than anything in this life (1 Corinthians 2:9 and Revelation 21:1-5). As in the Garden of Eden before sin entered the world, heaven will be bright and beautiful. Creation will be free from pollution, violence, disease or death. We will live with and talk to God as best friends do. Our love for each other will be free from frustration and quarreling.
In heaven God’s children will not be angels or ghosts. Angels will always be angels and people will always be people. God created angels to help God’s children (Hebrews 1:14). God provided a way of redemption for people that angels long to see (1 Peter 1:12). In heaven God’s children will join the angels in worshipping God (Revelation 7:9-17). God’s children will not be ghosts. Just as the disciples recognized Jesus, we will know our loved ones who love Jesus (John 20:16, Luke 24:31). Better yet, we will see God the Father and God the Son (Revelation 22:4).
Jesus will give God’s children resurrected bodies like His own to live with Him in His kingdom. Although we don’t know all, we do know our new bodies will be like Jesus’ glorified, resurrected body (1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:20-21), which had abilities beyond a normal human body (John 20:19). They will be real, physical bodies, similar in some way to our bodies now, but perfected and glorified (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). Our new bodies will not struggle with the pain and suffering caused by sin (1 Corinthians 15). As God gave Adam meaningful work in the Garden of Eden, He will certainly have meaningful work for His people as we reign with Him (Revelation 22:3-5). .
If humans invent Disneyland and Pixar, imagine what the Creator of the universe has planned for us. Heaven will not be boring (Hebrews 12:22-23). God who made our imaginations also made our taste buds, adrenaline and nerve endings. He is capable of more excitement than we can possibly imagine. There will not be marriage as we know it—only one marriage between Christ and His people (Ephesians 5:31-32). Yet God plans for us to enjoy relationships at a new level. Festive celebrations in heaven include feasting and celebration. Imagine the joy of sitting at Jesus’ table while He speaks words of life (Luke 22: 29-30).
Copyright © 2020 Barbara Reaoch / ALL RIGHTS RESERVED