Introduction
What does the Bible say about heaven? Many images circulate, sometimes far from the text. Scripture itself remains sober and luminous. It speaks of a prepared house, of a city whose architect is God, of a place where we will see God face to face, where there will be no more tears and no more night. Above all it makes clear that heaven is not first a setting but a presence: being with God, forever. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are read in five stages: a prepared dwelling, a city where our citizenship already is, God's presence, the end of tears and night, and then the joy of those who enter. This page is for the one who is asking questions, for the one who is going through a trial and looking further ahead, for the one who simply wants to know Christian hope better. Each comment stays faithful to the text, adding nothing.
A dwelling prepared
1. John 14:2-3
"In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also."
Jesus speaks to his disciples on the eve of his death, as they are troubled. He assures them: "In my Father’s house are many homes." He is going to prepare a place for them, and he will come again to receive them. Heaven is presented as a house, with someone waiting for you there. Read all of John 14.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:1
"For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens."
Paul compares the body to a tent, fragile and temporary. He knows that, if it is dissolved, God has prepared in heaven "a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens." The believer does not need to fear the taking down of the tent, because a solid house is waiting. Read all of 2 Corinthians 5.
3. Hebrews 11:16
"But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."
The author speaks of Abraham and the patriarchs, who lived as strangers on earth. They looked beyond their camp, because "they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one." God is not ashamed to be called their God, and he has prepared a city for them. Read all of Hebrews 11.
4. 1 Peter 1:3-4
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you,"
Peter writes to scattered, tested Christians who have no home or security. He reminds them of the inheritance reserved for them in heaven: "an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away." What the world wears out, heaven keeps intact. Read all of 1 Peter 1.
Our citizenship is in heaven
5. Philippians 3:20-21
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself."
Paul writes to the Philippians, who lived in a Roman colony proud of its status. He tells them: "our citizenship is in heaven." Their true citizenship is elsewhere, and from there they await the Savior who will transform their body of weakness into a body of glory. Read all of Philippians 3.
6. Colossians 3:1-2
"If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth."
Paul draws a practical conclusion from the resurrection of Christ. Since believers have been raised with him, they must "seek the things that are above," where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. He asks them to set their minds on what is above, and not on earth alone. Read all of Colossians 3.
7. Matthew 6:19-20
"Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;"
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of what truly matters. He invites us not to pile up treasures that rust destroys and thieves take, but to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." This is lived here and now, in generosity, faithfulness and love. Read all of Matthew 6.
8. Hebrews 12:22
"But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels,"
The author contrasts Sinai, which made people tremble, with Mount Zion, to which believers have already come near. He speaks of "the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem," with innumerable multitudes of angels. Heaven is not only to come: in Christ, we already have access to it. Read all of Hebrews 12.
In the presence of God
9. Psalm 16:11
"You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more."
David expresses his trust in God, his refuge, and describes what the divine presence brings him. God shows him the path of life, and "In your presence is fullness of joy." What we hope for from heaven is above all this shadowless communion. Read all of Psalm 16.
10. Revelation 21:3
"I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."
John sees the new Jerusalem descend, and a voice proclaims the fulfillment of the promise made since Genesis. "Behold, God’s dwelling is with people." He will dwell with them. Heaven is not an escape from earth, it is the final meeting of God with his people. Read all of Revelation 21.
11. 1 John 3:2
"Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is."
John writes to believers who wonder what they will become. He admits that it has not yet been revealed, but he affirms that "we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is." Seeing Christ will transform us, one day, into his image. Read all of 1 John 3.
12. 1 Corinthians 13:12
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known."
Paul speaks of the love that remains when everything else passes. He recognizes that our present knowledge is limited, like an imperfect reflection in a mirror. He announces that one day it will be "face to face," and that we will know as we have been known. Read all of 1 Corinthians 13.
No more tears, no more night
13. Revelation 21:4
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."
This verse is no doubt the most quoted about heaven. John announces: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Death, mourning, crying and pain will no longer exist, for the first things have passed away. The God who wipes away tears is the one who knows what they cost. Read all of Revelation 21.
14. Revelation 7:16-17
"They will never be hungry or thirsty any more. The sun won’t beat on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them and leads them to springs of life-giving waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
John sees an immense crowd that has come out of the great tribulation. An elder describes their state: "They will never be hungry or thirsty any more." The Lamb leads them to springs of living water. Christ is there at once the slain Lamb and the Shepherd. Read all of Revelation 7.
15. Revelation 22:3-5
"There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever."
The Bible ends with an image of the city where the throne of God and of the Lamb is found. His servants will see his face. Everything is luminous: "There will be no night," because the Lord God will give them light. They will reign forever and ever. Read all of Revelation 22.
16. Isaiah 35:10
"Then Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
Isaiah announces the glorious return of the ransomed to Zion, after the exile. They come back singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. And the text adds that "sorrow and sighing will flee away." This promise nourished the hope of God's people for centuries. Read all of Isaiah 35.
The joy of those who enter
17. Luke 10:20
"Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
The seventy-two disciples return enthusiastic from a mission where spirits were subject to them. Jesus tempers their joy and re-centers it: "rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Your greatest assurance is not what you accomplish but what God has written for you. Read all of Luke 10.
18. Luke 15:7
"I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance."
Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep found again before Pharisees scandalized to see him welcome sinners. He concludes: "more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents." Heaven is a place of celebration, and every return counts there. Read all of Luke 15.
19. Matthew 5:12
"Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Jesus ends the Beatitudes by speaking of the persecuted. He tells them to rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for "great is your reward in heaven." These are not words to throw in the face of someone in distress. They offer a horizon to those who suffer for their faith. Read all of Matthew 5.
20. 2 Timothy 4:18
"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
Paul writes from his prison, abandoned by many and near his end. Yet he keeps one certainty: the Lord will deliver him from every evil work and "preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom." His last word is a doxology. At the end of his road, he sees a kingdom. Read all of 2 Timothy 4.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about heaven?
The Bible speaks of heaven as the dwelling of God, a house prepared for believers, a city where there will be no more tears or night. It insists less on the setting than on the presence: being with God, seeing him face to face, forever (Revelation 21:3-4).
Who goes to heaven according to the Bible?
The Bible answers that those who place their trust in Jesus Christ enter eternal life. Jesus says he is going to prepare a place for his disciples (John 14:2-3). It is not the result of our efforts but a gift received by faith, as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8.
How should you think about heaven when you are suffering?
Heaven does not remove today's pain, but it gives it a horizon. Paul compares present sufferings with the glory to come (Romans 8:18), and Revelation 21:4 promises that God will wipe away every tear. Read these texts slowly, pray, and share what you are going through with a believer you trust.