The word “heaven” is probably one of the most familiar English words in use today and throughout much of Christian history. It is in such common usage that we hardly realize how often we say it. We refer to being in “heaven” when we’re content, with a full stomach and relaxing in a hammock on a warm summer day, for instance. Or we say that something that tastes really, really good is “heavenly.” Of course, we as Christians realize that there is, in fact, such a place as heaven, and some of us may understand that it has actual physical substance, in addition to the spiritual nature of its existence. So then, what is heaven like?
“Heaven” as a word is found many times throughout the Bible. In just the New Testament alone, it is found at least 276 times in reference to a place where God dwells, for starters. It is also there where He sits in all His glory. The word itself derives from the Old English word “heofon,” which came into usage around the year 1000, according to most history and language scholars. It appears in current pronunciation, but different spelling (“heven”) around 1150.
Heaven is both a physical reality in one realm of existence and also a spiritual place and state which we as Christians hope to gain. We know that heaven will be a place of eternal life for the righteous that are judged faithful enough to be allowed entrance. Scripture also teaches us that there are actually three levels of heaven, which is sometimes not widely known among some Christians. The apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians talks about the third level, in 2 Corinthians 12:1-9 (New International Version), in that he was “caught up to the third heaven.”
What are the first and second levels of heaven like? Given that Paul’s divinely inspired words mention that he “caught up to the third heaven,” we can deduce, therefore, that there must be two other levels of heaven. The first level is spoken of quite frequently in the Old Testament, which makes much mention of “the sky” and “the firmament.” When we look up to gaze at the clouds or at birds flying across the blue sky, this is the first level of heaven that we are allowed to see. The second level is higher up, and it is basically what we call “outer space.” In Genesis 1:14-18, KJV (King James Version), we are told that heaven (the second level) is the place where the stars and the planets reside in all their glory.
It is in the third level of heaven that we hope to someday enter. We must remember that Paul was not allowed to relate to us what it was he saw when he ascended to heaven for that brief moment. Indeed, it is not for us to know everything until the moment of our own entrance, but Scripture gives us plenty of clues as to what it is like. For one, it is where we shall have eternal life, and there are many more examples below.
The apostle John gives us more details into heaven. In Revelation 21:10-27, we find out that the apostle John was privileged to see and tell us of the holy city. Heaven is bejeweled, beautiful, and filled with the light from God Himself so that no sun or moon is needed there (Revelation 21:11 and Revelation 22:5). Heaven has twelve gates and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:12 and Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden will be restored (Revelation 22:1-2).
Life in heaven is a continuation of a person’s earthly life. We will retain our memories of earth even while in heaven. The Bible has examples of this: Luke 16:19-31, and Matthew 7:21-23. Therefore, we can also conclude that we will recognize family, friends, and other loved ones. However, there won’t be marriage in heaven, but you can certainly have a close relationship with your earthly spouse in heaven. Read more about that in “Is There Marriage in Heaven?”
There is no sin at all. Revelation 21:4 (NIV) states that no longer will we have death or the mourning and crying that comes with it, nor any more pain. It will be the case that the “old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). And we will reside there in glorified bodies, surrounded by the love of God, with no earthly care or desire other than to love each other and to worship God.
