Somebody was asking me about Heaven the other day so I thought I'd explain this wonderful place with a scriptural summary.
Both Heaven & Hell are usually ignored, ridiculed or denied by most in our world today. In his book "The Biblical Doctrine of Heaven" Dr. Wilbur Smith lists two quotes regarding this. One is from a theologian and another a Scientist about this subject of heaven.
"It is unwise for Christians to claim any knowledge of either the furniture of Heaven or the temperature of Hell." Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr
"As for the Christian theology, can you imagine anything more appallingly idiotic than the Christian idea of Heaven?" Dr. Alfred Whitehead
The first quote is a common approach from liberal clergyman, that is, most do not believe in a literal Heaven and Hell, but limits them both to the earth. In other words this earth is all the heaven and hell mortal man will ever see. Actually this Bible-denying philosophy does contain truth. From a biblical POV this world is indeed the only Hell the believer will ever experience and the only Heaven the unbeliever will ever know.
Scripture tells us a surprising number of things about our future home. In fact some are surprised to learn there are three heavens mentioned in scripture. The first is called the first heaven and it's the heaven of the clouds and the birds or heaven by day. As beautiful as this is, it's not the eternal home of the redeemed.
The second heaven is the home of the sun, moon and stars and is known as the heaven by night. Neither is this heaven to be confused with the eternal home of the future.
The third heaven is the home of God. That's where his Throne is. Jesus once told Nicodemus a man could not even see this heaven, let alone, enter it unless he was born again. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he said, "Our Father which art in heaven" this being the abode of God. This beautiful and blessed city is called the New Jerusalem and is the center of God's presence as well as the permanent home for all believers throughout eternity. All the prophets both old and new longed and looked forward to residing in this celestial city.
So how big is it? According to Revelation 21 and using present day measurements this city would be roughly 1,400 miles long, high and wide. It would be like reaching from New York City to Denver and from Canada to Florida. If you multiply these dimensions to get square footage (1,400 x 1,400 x 1,400) you get a total cubic mileage of 2 billion, 700 million. This is about 15 times the combined surface of the entire earth that we have now, including both land and water.
The shape of this new city could be in the shape of a perfect cube or maybe a pyramid as some have surmised. The bible definitely pictures this New Jerusalem as floating in space (imagine that) and should not be thought of as a satellite city to the earth but rather the earth as a satellite planet encircling this New Jerusalem.
The foundation of this city is made up of 12 layers; each layer being inlaid with a different precious gem. Not only will this be inlaid with these gems but each foundational layer carries the name of one of the twelve Apostles in the New Testament.
The walls of this City are 216 feet high and are made of jasper and is for design and beauty. I read that in comparison to size, a 216 foot wall around a 1,400 mile high city would be like a one-inch curb around the Empire State building.
Much is joked about concerning heaven and usually the pearly gates are mentioned. Well there are going to be 12 gates to this city. Three gates will be on each side. On each gate is the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Each gate is composed of a beautiful solid white pearl. So there you go. There is a bit of truth in all them jokes....lol.
The main street of this city is composed of pure transparant gold. Think about the cost of gold. Can you imagine how costly this city is?
In this glorious City we'll see a throne, the river of life, and the tree of life.
So who gets to stay in this City? Who will be the inhabitants? The scripture actually lists them. We see the holy Angels, the 24 elders, the church, saved Israel, all the redeemed who have ever lived, and of course God himself.
Almost as interesting as to what is in heaven is what is absent. There will be no more sea, no more tears, death, and pain. There will be no more insecurity and no more night. There will be no more sin, no more sickness and no more curse because there will be no more Satan. There will be no more thirst, no more hunger, no more heat, no more condemnation and no more corruption.
I like to ask people sometime if they have their reservation made for such a beautiful place. While it won't be crowded because it is going to be so large, we still have to have that reservation in hand before we enter the pearly gates.
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Rev 21:2