Heaven is an actual place, in a real location, designed by God with people in mind.

Beings have traveled to and from heaven, including Christ (John 1:32; 6:33; Acts 1:2), angels (Matt. 28:2; Rev. 10:1), and humans (2 Cor. 12:2; Rev. 11:12).

Jesus, speaking as the bridegroom to his beloved bride, said to us, “I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am you may be also.” Heaven is that place.

The New Earth, where the heavenly city will be brought down to and relocated, will be a vastly improved form of the present earth and will have much in common with it—light, water, trees and fruit (Rev. 21:1-2), people and animals (Rev. 6:2-8; 19:11). The New Heavens and Earth is actually the eternal state, whereas the heaven we go to when we die is the intermediate state. So it is the New Heavens and Earth where we will live forever as resurrected children of God. It’s important to remember this, since people often think as if the heaven we go when we die is exactly where we’ll live forever. It isn’t. The return of Christ and the resurrection of believers is followed by the resurrection of the heavens and earth. That’s where we will live forever, as physical-spiritual beings in a physical-spiritual universe.

As a new car is a better version of an old car—but with the same essential components that make a car a car (four wheels, engine, transmission, steering wheel, etc.)—the New Earth will be a far better version of the old earth, with the same essential components. Heaven will exist in the realm of the New Earth and will therefore be very earthly in its properties. Since it is not only the dwelling place of God, but is fashioned by God to be populated by people, the present heaven is also people-friendly, designed with their God-given desires in mind. (No child can get excited about a heaven that isn’t physical.)

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John 1:32

 “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.”

John 6:33

“The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

Acts 1:2

“Until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 28:2

“Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.”

Revelation 10:1

“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.”

2 Corinthians 12:2

“I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows.”

Revelation 11:12

“Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.”

Revelation 21:1-2

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.  And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

Revelation 6:2-8

“I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come.’

And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.

When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, ‘Come’ I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.’

When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come.’

I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.”

Revelation 19:11

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.”