Revelation: What Will Heaven Be Like? Part 1

Revelation 21-22:5

In the book of Revelation, John attempts to describe the indescribable. He uses figures of speech and familiar images to convey what lies beyond human comprehension. Now, as we come to the end of Revelation, Jesus gives John a vision of heaven. John does his best to paint the picture for us. But let’s face it—on our best day, we cannot fathom the splendor and brilliance awaiting us in eternity. 

As we consider heaven, we can’t help but have many questions: What will heaven be like? What will God be doing? How will we spend our time? Will we grow bored doing the same activities for the rest of eternity? Will we all be doing the same things? Will we miss loved ones who aren’t there, and if so, wouldn’t that put a damper on our joy? We say that only those who have trusted in Jesus will be in heaven. So, what about infants, young children, and those with special needs?

I remember participating in a call-in radio show where I was asked whether pets would be in heaven. The caller was a mom whose family dog had just died, and I could hear her daughter sobbing in the background. The thought of heaven raises questions for both the young and the old. 

The vision of heaven is presented in Revelation 21-22:5. We will examine this portion of the prophecy to address common questions. However, today we need to begin by setting the context for heaven with an important word that stretches our thinking. 

Revelation Review
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a message from Jesus about himself. It was relayed to the apostle John through an angel. John received it while he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos for his faith. 

The Revelation opens with a vivid picture of Jesus (Rev. 1:9-20), the “living one” who died and is “alive forevermore,” and who holds the keys of judgment. The book is then placed in its historical context through letters from Jesus to seven known churches (Rev. 2-3). 

Following the letters to the existing churches, we move to the throne of heaven, where the door is opened for John to see God seated on his throne, in control of all that was and is to come (Rev. 4). The One seated on the throne holds a scroll containing the message of the end times, and only one can open it. That person is Jesus, whom John describes as “a Lamb, standing as though it had been slain” (Rev. 5:6). Jesus opens the seals, which lead to the judgments that will take place on earth during the tribulation. 

At the end of the tribulation, Jesus conquers Satan and his armies in the battle of Armageddon and then establishes his kingdom on earth for a thousand years. After Satan’s final defeat, it’s time to open the gates of heaven. 

Revolutionary Transformation
As we begin to consider heaven, there is one word that describes a concept that must be impressed into our minds. That is the word “new.” John says: 

Revelation 21:1a
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away….

Revelation 21:2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God…for the former things have passed away.” 

Revelation 21:5a
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

The word “new” and what it conveys are central to our understanding of heaven. In Greek (Grk: kainos), “new” describes a change on a scale we have never experienced. It denotes a revolutionary transformation. “The former things have passed away.” The words “passed away” (Grk: aperchomai) mean “departed” or “vanished.” Life as we have known it is entirely out of sight and out of mind, never to be repeated. 

Recently, I officiated a wedding. When I pronounced the beaming couple “husband and wife,” the newlyweds were greeted with joyful applause. The reception was festive, filled with many meaningful moments. At the end of the night, we sent them on their way with a long line of sparklers and well wishes. This couple set out on a new life together in a new home filled with new experiences. But you and I both know that even something as precious and rich as a marriage can grow old and stale. We need to nourish relationships to keep them fresh. 

Sometimes we think of heaven the same way. We want to go to heaven for sure. We want to see Jesus—the One who died for us and made heaven possible in the first place. We want to be reunited with the ones we love. And… eternity is a long time! What will we do after we see Jesus and catch up with loved ones? Will we get bored? Will living forever grow old and stale? There, I said it. Don’t tell me you’ve never had that thought! If you’ve never had that thought, seriously, don’t tell me!

As we study this final part of Revelation, we will see that there won’t be any boredom in heaven. Experiencing the newness of heaven will never become tiresome or need refreshing.

Building a New Mental Box
The newness of heaven will never wear off. A hundred years, a thousand years, ten thousand years, one hundred thousand years, the one-millionth year in heaven will be as fresh, invigorating, and exciting as the first second we enter our eternal dwelling place.

Let’s stop here for today. We have many questions to cover, but we must begin with this truth: to understand heaven, a new channel must be carved through our finite minds. Recently, I heard a football coach say of his team, “We don’t think outside the box; we build new boxes.”

Heaven is not thinking outside the box… HEAVEN IS A NEW BOX!!! As we study the final portion of Revelation, let’s ask God to help us expand our minds to think in ways we never have before. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 21:1-22:5. Consider the splendor and newness of heaven.

Talking to God: How does the idea that God is making “all things new” reshape the way you think about eternity—and even your life now?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step. 

REVELATION ZOOM CALL
We’ve spent many weeks in Revelation together—thank you for walking through these daily devotions! We’re excited to invite you to a special Zoom call where we’ll talk about what God taught us through the study. Monday, January 5 at 7:00 pm. Zoom call details will be at the bottom of January 5 Daily Devotion.

2026: A New Year. A New Series. A New Way to See Your Life in God’s Story.

Starting January 5, 2026, jump into our most engaging series yet—God’s Story in God’s People. From Genesis to Revelation, you’ll discover how God works through real people with real struggles and real purpose—and how he wants to do the same in you. Don’t just read the story—step into it—and apply it to your everyday life. 

RE-IGNITE YOUR MARRIAGE IN 2026!
Refocus, reconnect, and recharge your marriage—starting January 10 with an in-person kickoff and online classes, ending with a Valentine’s Day recommitment ceremony.
Make this the year your love grows stronger than ever!
Learn more and register: livinggrounded.org/marriage

SAVE THE DATE: Bible Immersion trip to Israel: November 4-14, 2026.