The community of the redeemed in heaven will represent all peoples and languages. They will owe this solely to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They will share in the divine life in perfect fellowship with God, free for ever from suffering and death.
Heaven as a divine gift
Romans 6:23 See also Luke 12:32, Luke 22:28–30; John 17:2
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Divine preparations made for believers in heaven
John 14:2 See also 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 11:16
In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
The redeemed in heaven come from all peoples
Revelation 7:9–10 See also Isaiah 59:19; Malachi 1:11; Matthew 8:11 parallel Luke 13:29; Revelation 5:9
After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
The redeemed owe their place in heaven solely to Jesus Christ
Revelation 7:14 Washing one's robes in the blood of the Lamb symbolises cleansing through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. See also 1 Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 22:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The redeemed are identified with Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ acknowledges the redeemed as his own
Luke 12:8 See also Matthew 7:21–23
I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God.
Believers possess the family likeness to Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 15:49 See also 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2
And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.
Believers share divine life
2 Peter 1:4 See also Revelation 2:7, Revelation 3:21
Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Believers on earth at the second coming will be taken up to heaven
Revelation 11:12 See also John 11:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 Believers living on earth when Jesus Christ returns will not experience death, but be taken straight to heaven.
And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
Conditions in heaven for the redeemed
Perpetual and perfect fellowship with the Lord
Revelation 21:3 See also Psalm 17:15; Matthew 5:8; John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 22:4
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
Joy in the immediate presence of God
Psalm 16:11 See also Isaiah 51:11; Matthew 25:21; Luke 15:7, Luke 15:10; John 15:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20; Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 12:22; Jude 1:24
You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
Restfulness
2 Thessalonians 1:5–7 See also Hebrews 4:3, Hebrews 4:9; Revelation 14:13
All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
There will no longer be any need for the marriage relationship
Matthew 22:30 parallels Mark 12:25, Luke 20:35–36
In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven.
Heaven is filled with the light of God's glory
Revelation 21:23 See also Daniel 12:3; Matthew 13:43; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 2:9
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Believers will share Jesus Christ's glory
Colossians 3:4 See also John 17:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Peter 5:4, 1 Peter 5:10
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Divine glory will banish the memory of earthly troubles
Romans 8:18 See also 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 5:1
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
There will be no more death or suffering in heaven
Revelation 21:4 See also Isaiah 25:8, Isaiah 35:10, Isaiah 51:11; Luke 20:35–36; Revelation 7:17
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Believers are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem
Philippians 3:20 See also Psalm 87:5; Isaiah 35:9–10, Isaiah 51:11; Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:16; Revelation 21:2
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Their names are enrolled as citizens of heaven
Luke 10:20 See also Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:1, Revelation 17:8, Revelation 20:12, Revelation 21:27
Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.