What Does Heaven Look Like? (The Definitive Guide)

What does Heaven Look Like? What does heaven look like when we die?

Heaven is a beautiful place according to the bible.

It's filled with light and glory, the elders, believers, different appearances of angels, gold, and precious stones, and it is filled with the glory of God. Heaven and eternity with God is for all those who believe in His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ. It is for all those who confess Him with their mouth and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead.

 Biblical Descriptions of Heaven

1. In heaven, the light of the great city of Jerusalem will be like a glorious stone, shining pure like crystal.
2. Heaven is depicted as where the righteous go after death.
3. Heaven is a real place where the people of God will live one day.
4. Our heavenly bodies will be different from our present earthly bodies (1 Corinthians 15:43)
5. Heaven is where God lives and His very presence is what makes heaven what it is
6. No More Tears and pain (Revelation 21:4)
7. No death
8. God will dwell among us (Revelation 21:3, 2 Corinthians 6:16)Bodies of Believers Will Be Changed To Resemble The Lord's Glorious Body!

Key theological understandings for the points above: 

• Heaven: God's present dwelling place (spiritual).

• Kingdom of Heaven: God's sovereign rule.

• New Jerusalem / New Earth: The final, physical, eternal home for believers (future state).

Scholarly Table Showing What Heaven Will Look Like:

Scriptures About What Heaven Looks Like

• “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray…But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us…so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:3-7)
• “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
• “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
• “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7)
• “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
• “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)
• “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Watch this video of a near-death experience, where a young man died and was taken eventually to heaven to see God. 

Description of Heaven in The Bible: Revelation 21

• Revelation 21:16-23 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
• 17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
• 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.
• 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
• 23 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.

In Conclusion, here are the findings:

• Biblical descriptions of heaven are rich in symbolic and metaphorical imagery: throne, city, light, tree of life, river.

• Heaven is primarily defined by God’s presence, worship, and restoration, rather than strictly physical characteristics.

• Scholars caution against overly literal interpretations; imagery conveys theological truths about holiness, eternal life, and divine glory.

• Central features include God’s presence, worship, absence of suffering, and eternal communion with His people.

References: 

Books / Commentaries

1. Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Eerdmans, 1999.

   • Provides detailed analysis of heaven imagery in Revelation, including the New Jerusalem, throne visions, and symbolic elements.

2. Bauckham, Richard. The Theology of the Book of Revelation. Cambridge University Press, 1993.

   • Focuses on symbolic depictions of heaven and the theological meaning of light, worship, and God’s presence.

3. Klein, Ralph W. Revelation. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 52. Thomas Nelson, 1993.

   • Commentary on heaven’s imagery, symbolism, and eschatological significance.

4. Collins, Adela Yarbro. Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature. Eerdmans, 1998.

   • Discusses visions of heaven, angelology, and cosmic order in apocalyptic literature.

5. Köstenberger, Andreas J. Heaven and Earth in the New Testament: The New Testament Use of Cosmology. Baker Academic, 2008.

   • Examines the role of heaven in NT theology, worship, and God’s presence.

6. Sarna, Nahum M. The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis. Jewish Publication Society, 1989.

   • Provides commentary on heaven as place of God’s dwelling, covenant fulfillment, and restoration imagery.

7. Stott, John R. W. The Message of John. IVP, 1994.

   • Discusses John 14 and heaven as intimate fellowship with God and eternal life.

8. Aune, David E. Revelation 1–7. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 52A. Thomas Nelson, 1997.

   • Focus on symbolic elements such as the river of life, tree of life, and divine worship.

9. Wright, N. T. Surprised by Hope. SPCK, 2007.

   • Discusses the biblical vision of heaven, resurrection, and new creation.

10. Isaiah 65:17–25; Revelation 21–22 (Scripture references)

• Primary biblical texts describing heaven, New Jerusalem, and eternal life.