Heaven: Six Common Questions | What Is Heaven Like?

I. Heaven Is Real!

II. Where is heaven?
A. Heaven is a real place

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3 NIV

B. Heaven is the dwelling place of God

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ," Philippians 3:20 NIV

"Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” Luke 23:43 NIV

C. The Bible hints that heaven is not as far away as we might think

 Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV 

III. What is heaven like?

A. God's dwelling place

"From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth" Psalms 33:13-14 NIV 

B. Where Christ is today

“'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'” Acts 1:11 NIV 

C. Where Christians go when they die

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" Philippians 1:21-23 NIV 

D. The Father's house

"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" John 14:2 NIV 

E. A city designed and built by God

"For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."  Hebrews 11:10 NIV

F. A better country

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6 NIV 

G. Paradise

"Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” Luke 23:43 NIV 

IV. Who is in heaven right now?

A. God is in heaven

B. The Lord Jesus

"After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'” ACTS 1:9-11 NIV

C. The angels are in heaven

D. The saints of God who died on this earth are in heaven

"For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 NIV

"For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me." Philippians 1:21-23 NIV

V. Will we know each other in heaven?

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”  I Corinthians 13:12 NIV 

VI. How can I be sure I am going to heaven?

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"John 14:6 NIV

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9 NASB