Does heaven exist?

TL;DR:

"Heaven" generally refers to a place beyond earth; this can include the air, outer space, or the "highest heaven," which is the realm of God. Yes, heaven exists, and those who trust in Christ for salvation have the promise of eternal life in heaven that begins now and will be fulfilled in eternity.

what does the bible say?

Heaven exists as a place beyond earth, encompassing the air, outer space, and the "highest heaven" where God resides. The Old Testament introduces heaven as part of God’s creation (Genesis 1:1), describes God’s dwelling there (Psalm 2:4), and uses poetic language to depict God’s presence and action from heaven (2 Samuel 22:10). The New Testament speaks of a temporary heaven, where believers dwell until Jesus returns (2 Corinthians 5:1-8), followed by a new heavens and new earth, where God will dwell eternally with His people (Revelation 21:1–4). Heaven is a place of no sickness, death, or pain, where God’s glory shines, and only those written in the Lamb’s book of life can enter (Revelation 21:23–27). Those who accept God’s plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ have the promise of eternal life with God in heaven that begins now and will be fulfilled in eternity.

from the old testament

Genesis 1:1 introduces heaven as part of God's creation.
God is described as living in the heavens (Psalm 2:4).
Isaiah 66:1 confirms this: "Thus says the LORD: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?’"
God’s descent from heaven to earth to act on behalf of His people is poetically described in 2 Samuel 22:10: "He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet."

from the new testament

The Bible indicates there is a sort of temporary heaven in which believers will dwell until Jesus returns (2 Corinthians 5:1–8).
After Jesus returns and end-times prophecies are fulfilled, the Bible says there will be a new heavens and new earth, which also includes a New Jerusalem. This will be the heaven where believers live for eternity. The Bible describes heaven as a place where there will be no sickness, no death, and no pain (Revelation 21:1–4).
Revelation 21:23–27 describes heaven this way: "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life."

implications for today

Some reject the idea of heaven based on misconceptions that heaven is only angels playing harps on clouds, or a prolonged, eternal church service, which the above description clearly dispels. Others reject the idea of heaven on spiritual grounds, choosing to believe in some aspect of reincarnation or that people cease to exist when they die. Both of these are false beliefs. The Bible is clear that heaven does exist.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God "has put eternity into man's heart." Most people believe in some sort of afterlife, and most expect to be rewarded in heaven (Matthew 7:13–14). But the truth is that the only way we will spend eternity in heaven is if we repent of our sin and put our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

There is an afterlife, and we each have a choice of where to spend eternity. Either we choose to be in rebellion against God here and for eternity, or we choose to submit to His plan of salvation and have communion with Him here and for eternity. Heaven does exist, and it is the final home of all who place their faith in Jesus. The amazing thing about salvation is that communion with God begins in our earthly lives. We need not wait until heaven to experience His goodness, and yet we also know that any good we experience on earth is but a foretaste of what He has in store for His children (1 Corinthians 2:9).

understand

Heaven is a real place beyond earth that includes the air, outer space, and the "highest heaven" where God resides.
Heaven is a realm free from sickness, death, and pain
Heaven is where only those who have trusted in Jesus Christ will live in perfect relationship with God.

reflect

How does the reality of heaven influence your view of life here on earth?
How do you experience a taste of heaven’s goodness in your daily life, and how does it shape your understanding of eternity?
What misconceptions about heaven have you encountered, and how has your understanding of heaven changed as a result?

engage

Why do you think some people reject the concept of heaven, and how does the Bible address these misconceptions?
How does the promise of a new heaven and new earth influence your view of the afterlife?
What does it mean to experience and have eternal life now, and how should it affect our priorities and actions today?