The Bible mentions hell 54 times and heaven 582 times so we know a lot more about heaven than we do hell. The Bible mentions three heavens. The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere; the air we breathe. The second heaven is outer space; the moon, the sun and the stars. The third heaven is the home of God and it’s not on our physical plane se we can’t see it or touch it. We have no idea where heaven is but God knows. This third heaven will one day be our home once we shed this earthly tent we call the human body. God will give us a new resurrected and glorified body that will never age once we get to heaven. No sickness or disease will ever befall our new body and we’ll be able to walk through walls and instantly transport ourselves anywhere in the universe. These are just the abilities we know about from the Bible. There is much more we’ll find out about once we get to heaven.
Revelation 21:16 – The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with a reed: twelve thousand furlongs (1400 miles). Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
Revelation 21:17-18 – Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty cubits (216 feet), according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall (New Jerusalem) was of Jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
Revelation 21:12-13 – Also she (New Jerusalem) had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and the names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel; three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
God is so meticulous and detailed about everything he even tells us the exact size of heaven, the New Jerusalem. Heaven will be roughly 1400 miles long, wide and high. Imagine a giant cube and you get the picture. Most theologians agree heaven will be a giant cube but a giant pyramid would also fit the description given by God. I personally like the idea of a pyramid with the throne room of God at the top. One day in the future we’ll find out whether New Jerusalem is a cube or a pyramid when we see it descend to earth. If New Jerusalem were to set down on the United States it would cover most of the country it’s so big and heaven could easily house every person who has ever lived (approximately 40 billion people). Who will populate this heaven? We know the angels of God will be there. There could be untold billions of angels in heaven. The Bible says an innumerable company of angels (too many to count) are in heaven. We know all believers (the church) will be in heaven.
On the last Day, at the second coming of Jesus Christ to the earth, he will set foot on the Mount of Olives to defeat the antichrist and the forces bent on destroying Israel. Jesus will save a remnant of Israel to take to heaven where they will have a prominent position. And of course we know God the Father will be in heaven on his throne. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will rule heaven forever. The Holy Spirit will also be with us in heaven. The Holy Spirit will indwell our new glorified bodies so we can never sin again because God doesn’t allow sin in heaven. Here’s my reasoning on this. If we were to ever sin in heaven God would be forced to break one promise or the other. God says believers will be in heaven forever but if we sin God has to kick us out. The only way God can keep both promises is to make sure we don’t sin in heaven. The only way God can accomplish that is to indwell us with his Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you but that’s a great comfort to me.
In Revelation God gives us a detailed description of heaven that is staggering to the human mind. When we see New Jerusalem with our own eyes we’ll be even more amazed. Heaven will rest on a foundation of 12 layers of precious stones with each layer a different gem and named for one of 12 Apostles. Heaven will be surrounded by a 216 foot high wall made of Jasper. New Jerusalem itself will be made of pure gold. There are 12 gates into New Jerusalem, three on each side, and each gate named for one of the tribes of Israel. Each gate is tall and massive and carved out of giant solid white pearls. New Jerusalem is a tribute to the Jewish people. Those who think that the church has replaced Israel as the apple of God’s eye need to think again.
Witnessing for Christ