www.CompellingTruth.org



Will there be food in heaven? Will we eat in heaven?

Many people wonder if we will eat food in heaven. If we have a new body, will it be necessary? Even if it is not necessary for life, will we eat because it is enjoyable? What does the Bible teach?

First, Jesus stated that He would one day eat again with His followers: "Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God" (Mark 14:25).

Second, the resurrected Jesus ate: "They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them" (Luke 24:42-43). Jesus also seems to have eaten in John 21:4-14. This does not mean all people will eat in heaven, but at least shows that Jesus ate after His resurrection.

Third, Revelation 22:2 mentions "the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month." There will be food available, though this passage is not clear whether people will eat it.

Fourth, Revelation 7:16 implies eating and drinking will not be necessary in heaven since there will be no more hunger or thirst: "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore."

Fifth, Matthew 8:11 discusses that many will come to eat at the future feast with the Lord: "I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." Here, it appears eating together with the Lord will take place even though food will not be required to sustain life.

Sixth, Revelation 19:9 states, "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." People eat at a marriage supper, so it would be reasonable to expect a celebration involving food with the Lord.

Two principles emerge from these and similar passages. First, food will no longer be essential to sustain life in heaven. However, it is seems that people will eat together with the Lord in heaven. This is not simply to sustain life, but rather to enjoy fellowship and to celebrate together forever. Ultimately, eating together will be an act of giving glory to God, something commanded even for when we eat now: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Copyright 2011-2024 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.