What is heaven like?

Q: "Is there really a heaven? What is heaven like and where is it? Will I get to see all my family and friends that are gone?"

our A: Yes, there really is a heaven.

What most people call "heaven" is actually an eternal city which the Bible calls the "new Jerusalem" (Revelation 21:2). The eternal city is described like this:

"Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 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." He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new.'" (Revelation 21:3-5)

The new Jerusalem will be the eternal home of God's people. Of this place, the Bible says that "nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in [Jesus'] book of life" (Revelation 21:27).

We are told that all people will undergo a bodily resurrection from the dead, and all will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (Revelation 20:11-13). Though Jesus initially came to the earth as a Savior, He will now sit as Judge. Those whose names are not found written in his book of life will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).

The idea that everyone will go to heaven and see their relatives is not a biblical idea at all. Jesus said that only those who believe in Him would find life, because "no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). In Revelation 7:9 we are told that, in heaven, there will be a multitude of people from every tribe, language, people and nation who will have eternal life because of their faith in Jesus. Those who have rejected God will not be with Him.