Is Heaven Real?

Read

John 14:2-3 "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."

Think

A 2021 Pew Research study shows that 73% of Americans believe in Heaven, but beliefs about what Heaven is can vary widely. For Christians, our understanding of Heaven isn’t based on speculation or personal opinion, but on God’s Word. Heaven is more than a peaceful resting place—it's the eternal home where we’ll enjoy unbroken fellowship with God. Revelation 21:4 describes Heaven as a place without death, sorrow, or pain. Jesus promised in John 14:2 that he is preparing a place for us, making Heaven not just a hope, but a guarantee.

Heaven is also where we’ll experience the fullness of God’s presence. Randy Alcorn explains in Heaven that it’s not just the absence of pain, but the presence of ultimate joy, peace, and love. Our longing for justice, peace, and love will be fulfilled there. Jonathan Edwards, a theologian of the 1700s, emphasized that Heaven is the ultimate joy because we will be with God himself, the source of all goodness and love. This isn’t just a place of reward but a place where we are fully known and fully loved.

For Christians, Heaven is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. It’s more than an abstract concept—it’s our future reality. The hope of Heaven should shape how we live today, knowing that the troubles of this world are temporary. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Heaven is real, and for those in Christ, it’s a promise we can live with daily.

Apply

Ask yourself, "Do I live with the hope of Heaven shaping my decisions?" Spend a few minutes in prayer, thanking Jesus for the promise of eternal life. If you’ve never considered Heaven deeply, read John 14:1-3.

Pray

Thank you for the promise of Heaven and the hope it brings to my life. Sometimes I get so focused on the worries and struggles of this world that I forget the future you have prepared for me. Help me to live with Heaven in my heart, knowing that one day I will be with you forever. Strengthen my faith and help me to share this hope with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.