What Christians Believe About Heaven

Christians believe that Heaven is a spiritual realm and the eternal dwelling place of God. It is considered a place of ultimate joy, peace, and communion with the Divine for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and (for some traditions) for those who have sought to live in accord with His commandments or ways.

The beliefs about Heaven are primarily based on the teachings found in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament–though, in some Christian traditions “Fathers of the Church or other mystics” have provided additional insights.

Here are some key beliefs about Heaven held by many Christians:

Eternal Abode: Heaven is believed to be an everlasting and perfect realm where those who have a

relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ will reside after death.

God’s Presence: Heaven is seen as the presence of God Himself, where believers will be in direct communion with Him, experiencing His love and glory. While the phrase ”beatific vision” is a Roman Catholic term (meaning to enter heaven and see God), the concept implied by the term is found in each of the major Christian traditions.

Afterlife Reward: Many Christians believe that Heaven is a reward for those who strived to live according to God’s will and have accepted Jesus as their Savior. It is not something “earned” by good deeds, but is a gift of God’s grace to those who trust in Him. Even denominations that emphasize sacraments or commandments traditionally acknowledge that these do not save, but simply vouchsafe God’s grace. Thus, they are only “vehicles” to God’s grace. The works themselves are not the source of salvation.

Free from Suffering: Heaven is described as a place free from pain, sorrow, sin, and suffering. It is a state of eternal happiness and fulfillment where all the pains of mortality are gone and all of the incomprehensible joys of eternity abound.

Reunion with Loved Ones: Many Christians believe that, in Heaven, they will be reunited with their loved ones who have also put their faith in Jesus Christ. While some believe that this “reunion” only means that they will “recognize” and interact with loved ones, there are some Christian traditions that perceive “family” or “relationships” as something that survives death.

Resurrection: Most Christian denominations believe in the resurrection of the body, where believers will receive glorified bodies suitable for eternity. There are denominations that believe that in the resurrection we will have physical resurrected bodies, while others think the resurrection is only spiritual. A minority of Christians actually believe in two kinds of resurrection–one physical and another spiritual.

Worship and Service: While not all Christians believe the same regarding what we will do for “eternity” in heaven, generally speaking, most Christians expect that (in Heaven) they will worship and serve God in a perfect and unblemished manner.  It’s important to note that different Christian denominations may have slightly varying interpretations of Heaven and the afterlife. However, the core belief is that Heaven is the ultimate destination for those who have embraced Jesus Christ as their Savior and have a personal relationship with Him.