Bible Verses About Heaven

The word heaven is used over 500 times in the Bible. Many of those references are about the sky and the area above the earth, but not all of them.

Some speak to another kingdom, a place where God resides. Streets of gold, gates of pearl, walls of jasper, and mansions built with each of us in mind are part of its design. Let’s take a look at some of those verses and the precious promise of a life that is to come.

Bible Verses about Heaven and Eternal Life

1. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. - 2 Corinthians 5:1

Throughout life, we face struggles and afflictions. Our bodies suffer and grow old, but the Bible teaches that our inward man will be renewed by God’s loving and powerful hand.

Our focus shouldn’t be on what is seen but rather on the unseen. God promises a home for us in heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy and where thieves can steal us away (Matthew 6:19-20).

2. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. - Philippians 3:20-21

Our hope is in heaven. As much as we want this world to be wonderful and satisfy, it never will. Instead of allowing our hearts to embrace life in the here and now, we press on to take hold of all Jesus has promised.

This requires a change in perspective. A letting go of the common to take hold of our heavenly inheritance. We’re not perfect here, but we strive to live like Jesus. We let go of this world and turn watchful, hopeful eyes to the kingdom that is to come.

3. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread that cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. - John 6:48

The prize of eternal life has one avenue—one way of access. This way is the bread that came down from heaven. Jesus said, “I am the living bread.” In the Old Testament, God fed the Israelites manna when they wandered in the desert. He supplied life-sustaining food for them, but his plan for mankind extended beyond the desert. Through Jesus, he supplied another bread that if we will believe, we will receive eternal life. God came in the flesh to provide a way of salvation for each of us.

4. And Jesus said unto him, “Verily, I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:43

Life doesn’t end when we take our last breath. Facing certain death, Jesus encouraged one of the criminals crucified next to him. The man didn’t consider himself worthy and only asked that Jesus remember him.

Jesus went a step further. He would not only remember the man but accompany him into paradise that day. This world is not all there is, and whether you are near the end of life or just getting started, remember God draws us to himself into eternity, if only we’ll believe.

5. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - 2 Timothy 4:18

Much in life can discourage us, especially when one painful event is followed by another. The Apostle Paul understood this kind of pain. He was in prison and stood alone, deserted by other men.

He had been hurt by Alexander and faced the very real possibility of execution. Yet, he held on to the promise of eternal life and a heavenly home. The world will beat us up. Holding on to God’s deliverance and promise of eternity won’t be easy, but we can do it.

Bible Verses about Heaven on Earth

6. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6:19

This world will only ever be a poor reflection of heaven. Sin, pain, heartache, sickness, and evil have a strong hold on humanity, but in the Lord’s prayer, Jesus asks that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

It is possible to experience the wonder and treasure of God and heaven in the here and now. When we walk in obedience and follow God with all our hearts, we will see Him and experience His kingdom in our lives.

7. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. - Romans 14:17

We can experience a taste of heaven on earth. Jesus said that he came that we might have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). In the spirit, we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

This world may never be paradise, but we can live in the fullness of the promises of God now. The goodness of heaven can be realized in our lives as we walk with the Spirit of God.

8. Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. - 1 John 4:15-16

To be in heaven is to be in the presence of God, and this is something we can experience in measure even now. One of the mysteries of trusting Jesus is that God puts His spirit within those who follow Him. To abide, live, and move in the love of God is to experience heaven in the present. We do not need to wait for heaven. God is with us even now, if we will seek Him and surrender to His Spirit.

Bible Verses about Heaven Being Our Home

9. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 5:8

We live in a physical world. It’s hard to imagine anything other than these bodies we have and this air we breathe. The Bible makes it clear, though that we should never get too attached to this world.

This world is fading away. To be loosed from the here and now will bring us into the very presence of God. So, we live wholeheartedly here, knowing one day we will live there, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

10. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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 14:1-3

Jesus is preparing a place for us. From the beginning of creation to now, God has been working to bring us back into relationship with him. We have a home with God in heaven, and although we have no idea what it looks like, we can trust God to bring us to it.

11. Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: - Ecclesiastes 12:5

King Solomon takes a look at life and death his final book, Ecclesiastes. Many of his observations may seem bleak, but at the end, he comes to some important conclusions. In death, everyone will all go to their long home. But God has plans for us and gives us hope.

Our home was never supposed to be living in separation from God. He created us to be with him, and in the end, he looks to bring us home. Solomon’s sobering book ends with a plea for us to fear God and keep his commands. God will bring our work into judgment—our righteousness into view. Our hope is in Christ—He is our righteousness who saves us from eternal separation with God.

12. Lord, thou has been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. - Psalm 90:1-2

Our true home has always been with the Lord. God created mankind for relationship, not just with one another, but with Him.

Humanity’s relationship with their creator has been less than ideal, as we’ve sought our own way, doubted Him, and refused His loving pursuit, but God is merciful, and His love continues to beckon us homeward. His forgiveness to all, and His invitation into eternity is made complete through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

13. Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. - 2 Chronicles 30:27

Although God’s spirit abides with those who trust Him, His home is not here, in this world. Sin separates this world from Him. In God’s home, there is no sin.

But even though we live in a place of separation, God hears us. He heard the people long ago when they turned away from their sinfulness. The Lord is gracious and merciful (2 Chronicles 30:9). And He hears us now and calls to us our heavenly home. Our loving Father desires for us to be with Him.

Bible Verses about Those Who Are In Heaven

14. And it came to pass, that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus [the beggar] in his bosom. - Luke 16:22-23

Jesus uses the illustration of the beggar and the rich man’s death to emphasize how our choices in this world will affect our life after death. The story doesn’t offer much explanation of heaven except that there is life after death and that there are two places one can go.

In the story, the rich man begs that a warning be sent to those he cares about who are still living, but his request is refused. We’re each responsible for our own choices. As much as we loves those with whom we are in relationship, ultimately they have their own choices to make about God and the life that is to come.

15. And after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. - Matthew 17:1-3

Those who have died before us live on. Moses and Elisha had been dead for thousands of years when Peter, James, and John encountered them on the mount with Jesus.

The Bible says that we don’t know the whole story—we know only a part of it, but one day, we will know. We may not understand what happens when we breathe our last breath, but we can have confidence that there is more. This world, as we know it, is not all there is.

16. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. - Revelation 20:12

So much of the New Testament speaks to life after death. The dead live on. There is more. It’s a mystery we can’t understand from this point of view. Science refutes it, and our experience lends us no aid.

The book of Revelation doesn’t clear much of the confusion up, but it does carry on the idea that those who have died are alive again. In our heartbreak of loss, we can look to heaven and have hope. One day there will be no more tears because death will be no more. This is news we should share with others. The world should the hope of God.

17. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. - Daniel 12:2

There is a comfort in grief that comes from knowing our loved one who has died will live on. But there is also an element of worry if our loved ones have rejected God and refused to turn to Him.

This is something we cannot know, though. No one knows the secrets of a man’s heart or what decisions they make as they face their death. What we do know is that God’s love is strong. He does not want any to perish but longs for all people to repent and come to Him.

18. But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

We can find comfort in the truth that those who have died are kept in the sweet love of God, and we will see them again. Those without this hope feel the weight of sadness in their separation, but we do not need to experience the same sadness.

We will grieve because we miss them so, but hope can accompany our grief because one day, we will see them again. God understands the broken heart of being separated from those you love. He will come again and unite all those who have trusted in Him.

19. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, no crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. - Revelation 21:4

No matter how wonderful life in the here and now may be, heaven is better. Our loved ones who know the Lord are in a better place. That’s hard to hear when we miss them so much.

We want them here, to see their faces, hear their voices, and experience their presence just one more time. But as we cry and mourn our loss, we can hold on to the hope of life and a place where death will no longer separate us and pain will lose its effect.

In this verse near the end of the Bible, we are encouraged that there is no end. Life has the victory. God conquers death.

Bible Verses about Promise of Heaven

20. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness: it is raised in power. - 1 Corinthians 15:41-43

We have a hope. Old things will one day pass away. Our struggles will be no more. Death will be swallowed up in victory, and we will be clothed in new incorruptible bodies.

We will be changed by the powerful, loving hand of our Father God who has sought us and brought us into eternity. So as we mill about our daily lives, it’s important to remember and stand firm. God is real. His promises are true, and the life we live now matters. The things we do—the work, generosity, and love—are not in vain.

21. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. - 1 Peter 1:3-5

Life is hard. Day to day we may struggle with our jobs, relationships, bills, school, and even our own sense of worth and purpose. Many times these struggles pull us away from God. He seems distant, and we feel alone, but in these verses, we are reminded to have hope.

We have something that cannot be taken away. The pain and sadness and struggle of this world will not have the final say in our lives. God will not only help us during the hardship of today, but He will bring us into the wonder of eternity and life with Him.

22. But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. - Hebrews 12:22-24

Jesus changed everything for us. Before him, God’s holiness burned against man’s mistakes, and a great divide kept mankind from fully comprehending the depths of God’s love. Those mistakes, selfish choices, and lack of belief inhibited relationship.

But God made a way. Jesus came to be our mediator and restore us to himself. In Him, we are no longer broken, lost, and without hope. Instead, we are the firstborn. Our names are written in heaven, and we hold the promise of a life that is to come.

Final Thoughts on the Promise of Heaven

God has done everything to bring us to himself. We only need to believe and respond. When we turn to Him, he pours His blessings out, giving us hope in the here and now and the promise of life beyond all the struggle. Heaven is part of that promise—our eternal home where death and pain are no more, and we can abide in the loving presence of God almighty.