Heaven in the Bible is one of the most important topics Jesus taught about. His words reveal not only what heaven is like but also who will enter, how rewards are given, and even how we can access heaven while still on earth. Understanding these four key points will help you grasp the biblical perspective on heaven and its significance in your life.
1. Heaven in the Bible – Who Will and Won’t Get In
One of Jesus’ primary teachings was about who will enter heaven and who will be left out. In the Sermon on the Mount, He stated:
- “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
- “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)
- “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.” (Matthew 7:21)
However, it is important to understand that we are not saved by our works, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that salvation comes by grace alone through faith:
- “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6)
- “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.” (Romans 10:9)
Once a person is saved and enters into a relationship with Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit, their nature begins to change. They will desire to do the will of the Father not to earn salvation, but out of love, devotion, and a growing hatred for sin.
- “If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)
- “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
- “So faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17)
Jesus made it clear that humility, faith, and obedience to God’s will are essential for entering heaven, while hypocrisy and self-righteousness lead to exclusion.
2. Heaven in the Bible – What It Is Like
Heaven is an eternal place where the humble will reside with Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. It is where the will of the Father is done, which includes providing for the children of heaven. There is no worry, no sin, and complete forgiveness. God’s throne is in heaven, and from there, He reigns over all creation.
- “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.” (Matthew 13:44)
- “Many will come from the east and the west and take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8:11)
- “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4)
Heaven is an eternal place where the humble will reside with Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. It is where the will of the Father is done, which includes providing for the children of heaven. There is no worry, no sin, and complete forgiveness.
3. Heaven in the Bible – How Rewards Are Given
Jesus emphasized that our actions on earth have eternal consequences. The Bible teaches that those who follow Him will receive rewards in heaven, but not everyone will receive the same rewards. The degree of reward is based on faithfulness, obedience, and righteousness:
- “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy.” (Matthew 6:20)
- “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12)
- “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:14)
Jesus also taught that some will have greater rewards than others based on their faithfulness and service:
- “Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)
- “The one who had received five talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.’” (Matthew 25:20-21)
- “The Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” (Matthew 16:27)
- “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy.” (Matthew 6:20)
- “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12)
- “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:14)
These rewards are not based on worldly success but on faithfulness, generosity, and righteousness. Those who invest in God’s kingdom through acts of love, service, and obedience will receive greater rewards in heaven. Jesus emphasized that our actions on earth have eternal consequences.
4. Heaven in the Bible – How We Can Access It While on Earth
Heaven in the Bible is depicted as the throne of God and the center of His divine rule:
- “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9)
- “Do not swear by heaven, for it is God’s throne.” (Matthew 5:34)
- “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.” (Isaiah 66:1)
Everything God ordains flows from heaven, and His will is carried out both in heaven and on earth (Matthew 6:10). Jesus and John the Baptist both taught that ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17), meaning that through Jesus, the kingdom had come near and was accessible to those who believed.
Heaven begins here on earth when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and inherit His righteousness. The Sermon on the Mount teaches that through prayer, asking, seeking, and knocking after righteousness, we have access to the Father and blessings from heaven while we are still on earth:
- “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
- “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
- “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
- (Matthew 6:33)”Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33)
- “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:21)
- “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Through faith in Christ, we are not only promised a future in heaven but also invited to live under the rule and blessings of God’s kingdom while on earth. Jesus also taught that heaven isn’t just a future destination—it’s something we can experience now through a relationship with Him and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
Heaven in the Bible is central to Jesus’ teachings. He provided clear instructions on who will enter, what heaven is like, how rewards are given, the role of heaven in God’s sovereignty, and how we can experience heaven now. Each of these topics deserves deeper exploration, and future articles will expand on them to provide further insight into the biblical view of heaven.