What Does Heaven Look Like, According to the Bible?

As someone who grew up in a Christian home and spent my childhood attending church every time the doors were opened, I don’t remember ever pondering the question: “What does Heaven look like according to the Bible?”

It was as if I knew that Heaven has streets of gold, angels, and mansions that Jesus is now building for us while we wait for His return or our passing from this life to the next.

But when a close childhood friend was killed in a car wreck when we were teenagers, my faith was rocked, and I began contemplating what Heaven looks like for the first time. I knew my friend was in Heaven, but the concept became suddenly more real to me since someone I had loved and spent significant time with on Earth was now gone–and in the presence of Jesus.

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From Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven, to movies like Heaven is For Real, Miracles from Heaven, and After Death, the question of what Heaven looks like is just as popular as ever, even in today’s increasingly post-Christian culture.

That’s why, today, we’re digging into what God’s Word says about Heaven. So If you’re wondering, “What Does Heaven Looks Like?” or “What Heaven is Like?” you’re in the right place.

But first…

Is Heaven Real? Is It a Literal Place or Just a Metaphor?

Yes, Heaven is real. However, Bible scholars disagree if the Bible’s descriptions of what Heaven is like are literal or metaphorical. Some Christians believe that the descriptions of Heaven in the Bible describe a real place in the universe. However, some think that Heaven’s descriptions are just figurative.

While beliefs vary, Protestants tend to believe in Heaven as a literal place, while Catholics tend to believe Heaven isn’t merely a physical place you can travel to but also a state of being.

According to Catholic.com:

“As the Catechism says (section 1024), ‘This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity—this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed—is called ‘heaven.’ Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.'”

Much of what we know about Heaven from Scripture comes from the book of Revelation, the final book in the Bible–particularly Revelation 21 and 22. In this passage of Scripture, the Apostle John describes a great and holy city called the New Jerusalem.

Most Protestant Biblical scholars believe the New Jerusalem is the new Heaven. However, instead of taking John’s description of Heaven literally, some scholars believe that the apostle used the language he knew to describe what is essentially indescribable to mortal humans.

What the Bible Says About Heaven

The Bible contains many verses that give us plenty of details about what Heaven is like. For example, we know…

1. Heaven Has Gold Streets (Revelation 21:21)

“The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” –Revelation 21:21b

According to the Bible, Heaven will have streets of gold. These golden streets are the most common descriptor when people–even non-Christians–think about Heaven.

However, these streets will not look like the Yellow Brick Road from the Wizard of Oz. Instead, the Bible tells us the streets of gold will be as transparent as glass. Some biblical scholars believe this transparent-glass-looking gold is a type of gold that is more pure in form than what we have here on Earth.

Along with Heaven having gold streets, the Apostle John describes the heavenly city as actually being “made of gold” (Revelation 21:18).

2. Heaven Has Pearly Gates (Revelation 21:21)

“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.” –Revelation 21:21a

The Bible says that Heaven has gates of pearl. Many Christians believe these pearl gates are the entrance to a literal Heaven. In popular culture, “Pearly Gates” is often a synonym for Heaven itself.

As a child, I imagined one gate of Heaven, but as noted above in Revelation 21:21, Scripture reveals there are actually twelve gates of Heaven. Many believe the number 12 here is synonymous with the twelve tribes of Israel or twelve disciples.

Since pearls often symbolize purity, scholars believe that the twelve gates of pearl show that Heaven is a place of ultimate purity and holiness. Others believe that the purity depicted in the gates of pearl point to none other than Jesus Himself, pointing to John 10:7, where Jesus says: “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.”

While popular culture has sometimes depicted the gates of Heaven as being closed off, Revelation 21:25 says the gates never shut: “On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.”

3. Heaven’s Foundation is Constructed of Precious Stones, With Walls of Jasper (Revelation 21:18-19)

“The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.” –Revelation 21:18-19a

According to the Bible, Heaven has walls of jasper and its foundation is comprised of 12 different precious stones, one for each foundation layer.

Revelation 21:19b-20 names the 12 different precious stones that make up Heaven’s foundation: jasper, sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, ruby, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, turquoise, jacinth, and amethyst.”

As with the other descriptions of Heaven, some believers see these as literal depictions of what we will one day see and experience in Heaven. Others see the precious stones described in Revelation as purely metaphorical.

Again, the number 12 seems to take on significance here–as it does throughout Scripture. Many scholars believe each foundation layer is tied to one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

4. Heaven Has a Crystal-Clear River (Revelation 22:1-2)

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city.” –Revelation 22:1-2a

The Bible says that Heaven has a crystal-clear river flowing from the throne of God. Scripture also says the Tree of Life is on each side of the river.

Because the river is shown as “crystal clear” and is called the river of the “water of life,” scholars believe this is yet another example of the purity of Heaven.

5. Heaven Has The Tree of Life (Revelation 22:2)

“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” –Revelation 22:1-2

According to the Bible, the Tree of Life–first mentioned in the Garden of Eden–is now in Heaven.

Again, we see the number 12 appear here–not once but twice. The tree bears 12 different crops every month, 12 months of the year. Because the number 12 shows up in this passage describing Heaven so often, it’s essential that we take note. Most scholars believe the number 12 has to do with the 12 tribes of Israel.

I found of special significance that the leaves of the tree of life will be for the “healing of the nations.” There has never been a day where various nations have not been in conflict with each other, but the Tree of Life promises to heal the nations. I love that!

6. Heaven Has Angels (Revelation 21:1)

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” –Revelation 21:1

The Bible is clear that angels live in Heaven. We see mentions of angels throughout Scripture, and it is commonly understood, even among nominal Christians, that angels are in Heaven.

Matthew 18:10: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Luke 15:7,10: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent….In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Isaiah 6:1–3: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim [angels], each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'”
Revelation 5:11: “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.”

One difference between the angels we see in Heaven and the physical descriptions of Heaven (streets of gold, pearly gates, wall of jasper, and foundation of precious stones) is that Scripture mentions angels on Earth, ministering to humans.

For example, we would be hard-pressed (and it would be miraculous!) to ever find God-made streets of gold or gates of pearls on Earth. These are commonly understood to be exclusive to Heaven (unless made by man). However, the Bible describes angels as dwelling in Heaven but regularly moving between Heaven and Earth.

7. In Heaven, Jesus is Seated on the Right Hand of God (Acts 7:55-56)

“‘But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'” –Acts 7:55-56

The Bible tells us that Jesus is seated on the right hand of God in Heaven. We see this in multiple Scripture verses telling us what Heaven is like, such as:

Psalm 110:1: “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'”
Hebrews 1:3: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hebrews 12:2: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
1 Peter 3:22: “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”

8. Heaven Has Mansions (John 14:2)

“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.” –John 14:2 (KJV)

According to the Bible, Jesus has prepared rooms or mansions for us in Heaven (depending on which translation you read).

It is important to note that nowhere else in Scripture do we see reference to mansions being in Heaven–not even in Revelation, where we find most of our descriptors of what Heaven looks like.

However, that does not mean that there are not mansions in Heaven. Along with everything else, some believers think that Jesus was merely using this phrasing to convey that, in Heaven, there is room for everyone and no one need be afraid that Heaven will run out of room for people who are truly saved.

Others hold fast to the belief that Jesus is building literal mansions for believers in Heaven because He would not have mentioned this otherwise.

9. Heaven Is Where Past Christians Now Reside (Luke 23:42-43)

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'” –Luke 23:42-43

The Bible tells us that those saved on Earth now reside in Heaven. We see this referenced in multiple places throughout Scripture, such as:

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 5:24: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
John 11:25: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Philippians 3:20-21: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Most Protestants believe that Christians immediately enter Heaven upon death. Catholics believe that the vast majority of Christians first enter Purgatory, where they will reside for a period until they, too, enter Heaven.

10. Heaven is a Place With Eternal Happiness and No More Tears (Revelation 21:4)

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” –Revelation 21:4

According to the Bible, Heaven is a place with eternal happiness and no more tears. This can be a difficult concept for our human minds to grasp. After all, if it’s possible that our pets may not be in heaven or our loved ones could be in hell, how is it possible that we would not be grieved?

The simple answer is that we do not know. Some believe we will be unaware of our loved ones’ absences. Others believe that we will know everything once we get to Heaven and will, therefore, be aware that not everyone we loved on Earth will reside in eternity with us in Heaven.

I believe that some concepts–like how Heaven can be a place full of eternal happiness and no sadness–are things that we cannot fully grasp this side of Heaven. But what we can trust is that when God’s Word says we will have no suffering or sadness in Heaven, it is true.

11. Heaven is Filled With People from Every Tribe and Tongue (Revelation 7:9)

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” –Revelation 7:9

The Bible is clear that Heaven is filled with people from every tribe and tongue. This Scripture is the antithesis to outdated illustrations of Heaven being a mostly white realm with a very white-looking Jesus. Heaven will be multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and a beautiful mosaic of people from all over the world.

Additionally, we know there will be animals in Heaven, but it’s unclear if pets go to Heaven as well.

Near-Death Experiences and What They Tell Us About Heaven

While it’s fun, interesting, and downright intriguing to read about Near Death Experiences (NDEs), it’s important to note that Near Death Experiences cannot be our standard of ultimate truth regarding what Heaven looks like.

Over the past few years, I’ve enjoyed reading several books covering NDEs, such as John Burke’s Imagine Heaven and Imagine the God of Heaven. These books chronicle the accounts of people who claim to have visited Heaven while teeter-tottering between this life and the next.

Burke is a Christian, and I found it fascinating to read how closely the accounts of the Christians he interviewed for his book followed the Bible’s descriptions of Heaven.

Yet, while reading or listening to accounts of those who say they’ve visited Heaven is entertaining and inspiring, it’s essential to always do so through the filter and standard of Scripture.

Additional Bible Verses About Heaven

While most of our knowledge about what Heaven looks like comes from Revelation 21 and 22, there are many more Bible verses about Heaven all throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Here’s what Heaven is like, according to the Bible:

Deuteronomy 26:15: “Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.”
Matthew 6:9: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,”
Luke 2:15: “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.'”
Matthew 28:2: “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.”
Hebrews 12:22: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,”
Luke 16:22, 25: “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.”
Hebrews 12:23: “to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,”
Mark 6:41: “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.”
Luke 9:51: “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”