Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Progressive Christian
Relationships and Religion
What Does the Bible Really Say About Heaven?

What Does the Bible Really Say About Heaven?

Last updated on: September 2, 2026 at 10:29 am by Benjamin Raven Pressley

What Does the Bible Really Say About Heaven? 2026-09-02T10:29:01-04:00 Benjamin Raven Pressley

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

One day Jesus was talking to his disciples and told them:

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” — John 14:2–3

He was not only talking to his twelve disciples; he was also talking to all who believe in him and follow him. In some translations, the word is translated as “rooms” instead of “mansions.” This was a metaphor the people of his time understood—it was common for children as they grew up and married to build additions onto their father’s house, living in a room prepared for them as an extended family.

In the original Greek, the word used is μονή (monē, pronounced mon-AY). Its literal meaning is “a dwelling place,” “a room,” or “an abode.” When we think of mansions, we often imagine the lavish dwellings of billionaires and celebrities, but the important thing to grasp here is that Jesus didn’t just come to start another religion. He came to give fallen, sinful humankind hope beyond this life—hope beyond death. He loved us so much that he wanted us all to come and live with him one day, set apart and safe from the wicked who rejected him, hated him, and persecuted his people.

He came not only to make a way for that to happen, but by laying down his own life as payment for our sins, he became the way—the only way (John 14:6). All we have to do is believe in him (Acts 16:31), repent of our sins (Acts 3:19), and follow him (John 8:12).

Apostle Paul explained the three heavens

Understanding the 3 Heavens of Scripture

The words for heaven in original Hebrew and Greek are the same words used to describe the sky or the stars. The Apostle Paul clarified this when he spoke of being caught up into the “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2–4), reflecting Ancient Jewish and biblical cosmology, which viewed the heavens in three distinct layers:

First Heaven: The Earth’s atmosphere, including the sky and clouds.
Second Heaven: Outer space, containing the sun, moon, stars, and planets.
Third Heaven: The invisible, spiritual realm far beyond the physical universe where God resides.

Listen to this article:

https://wp-media.patheos.com/blogs/sites/2216/2026/09/heaven.mp3

Heaven in the Old Testament: The Throne Above

During the time Jesus spoke about preparing a place for his followers, that place had not yet been established and that room had not yet been opened, for he had not yet died on the cross and risen from the dead.

The kingdom of God—where His Father’s throne is set and where the angels dwell—was known as a place high above Earth and all creation, from the Hebrew שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim) to the Greek οὐρανός (Ouranos).

This is confirmed throughout Scripture:

Isaiah 6:1: “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”
Psalm 103:19: States that the Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.
Isaiah 57:15: Describes the “high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy.”
Revelation 4:2: Depicts a throne set in heaven with God seated on it in supreme glory.

Isaiah saw the throne of God high and lifted up and God’s train filled the temple.

Old Testament Glimpses of the Throne

Exodus 24:9–10: Moses, Aaron, and seventy elders of Israel ascend Mount Sinai and see a vision of the God of Israel. They do not see His face, but they describe “a pavement as it were of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.”
Isaiah 6:1–4: Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim (“burning ones”) stand above Him with six wings crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” as the doorposts shake and the room fills with smoke.

Sheol: Where the Dead Went Before the Cross

In Old Testament times, there were no human souls in heaven yet. Instead, the dead went to a place in the heart of the Earth called Sheol, which was divided into two compartments:

Upper Sheol (Paradise / Abraham’s Bosom): A place of rest and comfort for those who lived righteously.
Lower Sheol: A place of torment for those who lived wickedly and rejected God.

The two realms were separated by a great gulf. Jesus described this place in Luke 16:19–31 through the account of the Rich Man and Lazarus. I go into more detail about Sheol in my previous article ‘Prior To Christ’s Resurrection Where Did The Dead Go?’ if you wish to read it.

The 3-Day Conquest: Christ’s Descent and Victory

After Jesus died on the cross, his body lay in the tomb for three days. During this time, Christ descended into Paradise to preach to those waiting there, offering them the Gospel and the opportunity to receive salvation. This event is why the Apostle’s Creed states that he “descended into hell”—not to suffer flames, but to preach to the spirits awaiting redemption and prepare them to ascend to heaven with him.

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus bridged the gap:

Ephesians 4:8–10: “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men… Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”
1 Peter 4:6: “For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”

In three days, Christ disarmed the forces that held humanity captive, taking the keys of death, hell, and the grave!

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” — Colossians 2:15

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” — Revelation 1:18

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” — 1 Corinthians 15:55

Present-Day Heaven: The Intermediate State

Because Christ has risen, believers who die today immediately enter the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23). Their physical bodies remain in the grave until the Resurrection, but their spirits dwell with God.

When the Apostle John was exiled on Patmos, he received a vision of present-day heaven:

God sits on a throne shimmering like jasper and carnelian, encircled by an emerald rainbow before a crystal sea of glass (Revelation 4).
Twenty-four elders wearing golden crowns sit on surrounding thrones, while four Living Creatures continually praise God.
The Slain Lamb (Jesus) approaches the throne to take the scroll of the final days.

However, heaven right now is an intermediate state—it is not our final destination. The souls of the faithful wait before the throne (Revelation 7:15), and martyrs under the altar ask God how long until He executes justice (Revelation 6:9–11). They are given white robes and told to rest until the Resurrection of the Body and the final renewal of creation.

The Coming Resurrections and the 1,000-Year Reign

Scripture outlines an orderly sequence (tagma) of resurrections rather than a single event:

Christ the Firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:20–23): Jesus was resurrected first as the pattern and guarantee for all believers.
The First Resurrection (The Righteous): At Christ’s return for his people, the “dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). Their souls reunite with glorified, imperishable physical bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42–44)—bodies like Jesus’ post-resurrection body, which could be touched and eat food.
The Great Tribulation & Millennial Kingdom: Following seven years of Tribulation, Christ reigns on Earth for 1,000 years while Satan is bound (Revelation 20:1–6, Isaiah 11).
The Second Resurrection (The Unrighteous): At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan is briefly released, leads a final rebellion, and is permanently defeated. The unrighteous dead are then raised to stand before the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11–15).

Believers do not face this judgment of condemnation because Jesus absorbed our penalty on the cross:

Isaiah 53:6: “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross…”
2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us…”
Romans 8:1: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…”

Jesus arose triumphant after 3 days in the tomb with the keys to death, hell and the grave in his hands.

The Final Eternal Heaven: New Jerusalem Restored

The present physical universe will eventually undergo a total purification:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat… Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” — 2 Peter 3:10–13

The final state of heaven is depicted in Revelation 21–22 as the New Jerusalem—a physical city descending from God onto a renewed Earth:

Dimensions & Materials: A massive cube (~1,400 miles on each side) made of pure gold as clear as glass. Its high jasper walls sit on twelve foundations adorned with precious gemstones, with twelve gates made of single giant pearls.
The River & Tree of Life: A crystal-clear river flows from the throne down the main street. On either side stands the Tree of Life, bearing twelve crops of fruit with leaves for the healing of the nations.
God’s Presence: The city needs no sun, moon, or physical temple, because God and the Lamb are its light and sanctuary.

This ultimate heavenly state is a restored Eden—a true, perfect tabernacle (Hebrews 8–9) where believers will live eternally with God.

Are You Ready for That Day?

“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The signs around us show that these events are drawing near. (Matthew 24). Do you have the assurance that you are ready? You can know for certain:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…” — 1 John 5:13

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” — John 20:31

You must be born again (Read my article ‘Understanding The New Birth’ to find out how.

As you reflect on the vastness of God’s plan—from the ancient heavens to the promised New Jerusalem—remember that eternity is not merely a distant concept, but a personal invitation. The God who spanned the heavens and conquered the grave has made a place for you, paying the ultimate price so that you might share in His everlasting joy. Don’t leave your eternal future to chance. Choose today to accept His gift of grace, place your trust in Jesus Christ, and rest in the unwavering promise that your home in heaven is secure.

Thanks for reading or listening to this week’s article. I hope it has helped. Please tell your friends and social media and sign up below for notifications.

If you like my articles for Patheos I encourage you to also check out the books I have written.

I also have a Bible study course you might like. No sign up. Free of charge!

Support in any amount is appreciated.

balance

organized religion

reconnecting our spirit

self-improvement

3 heavens biblical cosmology

biblical meaning of heaven

heaven in the bible

intermediate state after death

new jerusalem revelation 21

what is sheol

About Benjamin Raven Pressley

Benjamin Raven Pressley is an author, teacher and spiritual guide. He is of Cherokee heritage. He has been a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles since 1975. His independent studies include the Holy Bible as well as other holy books of other religions. He is ordained by the Universal Life Church. He is a self-taught naturalist and his love and respect for nature is evident in many of the things he writes. He has authored several books on spirituality as well as a fantasy series and books on survival skills. He does not consider himself to be a religious person but believes true spirituality is an all-encompassing view of life and invites open discussion on matters of spirituality. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

August 26, 2026

UFO/UAP: Real, Fake, or Demonic Delusion?

Next Post

September 9, 2026 What Is God’s Design for Humankind?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category balance body soul spirit born again occult organized religion reconnecting our spirit self-improvement Uncategorized walking spiritually

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Caleb Samuel Aaron Joshua

Books by This Author Books by Raven's Writing Desk

See All Titles »