The State of Believers in Heaven

What will we be like in Heaven? What are our deceased loved ones doing there? How will we relate to one another there? There is nothing wrong – and everything right – with letting our sanctified imagination run wild as we contemplate these questions. Reverent, careful investigation of God's Word will yield some amazing answers.

We know that we will enjoy a perfect environment because sin, sickness, pain, and death will be forever eradicated. We know that Jesus will be there, and we will enjoy perfect fellowship with Him. But what kind of bodies will we have – if any -- at all? Will it resemble at all our earthly body? Will we recognize people in Heaven that we knew on earth? What will our consciousness be like?

The more we know about Heaven, the more we will long for it and the less enamored we will be with earth.

What is there for us to fear? The most that we can lose is the “frail tent” of this body. The best is yet ahead for the child of God. We should not be all that devastated if our tent is “totaled,” because the dissolution of our “vile body” liberates us!

This is not “pie-in-the-sky,” wishful thinking. Paul introduced this passage with the words, “For we know…” He had been to Heaven already, although he never spoke about it until 14 or 15 years later (2 Cor. 12). Likewise Jesus told the repentant thief at His side on the cross, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

Our glorified Heavenly Bridegroom, to Whom we are espoused eternally, will not rest until every one of His beloved are with Him where He is and beholding His glory (John 17:24).