7 Misconceptions About Heaven

What cultural ideas might be shaping your view of heaven? As you read through these common misconceptions, allow Scripture to inform your understanding of heaven—and be encouraged that it is better than you could possibly imagine.

MISCONCEPTION #2: Once we die, we will not immediately enter heaven.
Scripture Says:

• Jesus promised a repentant thief, "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).
• To be "away from the body" is to be "at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).
• Jesus spoke of two men who, immediately after death, went to their eternal destination—one to heaven and one to hell (Luke 16:22-23).

MISCONCEPTION #3: Heaven will be boring.
Scripture Says:

• Heaven will be a place of great joy as we join believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation to worship God for who He is and all He has done (Revelation 19:7-9).
• We will enjoy unhindered fellowship with God, who alone satisfies our souls (Psalm 16:11).
• We will witness the redemption of all creation (Revelation 21:1-7).
• We won’t be idle but will instead reign with Christ, serving Him gladly (Revelation 22:3).

MISCONCEPTION #4: The best thing about heaven will be our reunion with loved ones.
Scripture Says:

• The best thing about heaven will be seeing our beloved Savior face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).
• Nothing will come close to the joy of being with Christ for all eternity (Psalm 73:25, Philippians 3:7-11).
• The beauty and holiness of Jesus will be so overwhelming that we will need a new resurrection body to behold His glory (Revelation 21:23, Philippians 3:20-21).

MISCONCEPTION #5: Heaven will never change.
Scripture Says:

• Heaven and earth will actually pass away as Jesus makes all things new, replacing them with a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5).
• The New Heaven and the New Earth will be the ultimate dwelling place of the believer (2 Peter 3:13, Isaiah 66:22). 

MISCONCEPTION #6: Everyone will be rewarded equally in heaven.
Scripture Says:

• Jesus will reward each person differently "according to what they have done" (Matthew 16:27).
• We will be rewarded with "treasures in heaven" based on how we lived our lives on earth (Matthew 6:19-21). 

MISCONCEPTION #7: There is more than one road to heaven.
Scripture Says:

• Only those who know Jesus will experience eternal life (1 John 5:11-12).
• Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
• Jesus Himself will separate everyone into two groups: one destined for heaven and one destined for hell (Matthew 25:31-46).

 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I consider the beauty and blessing of heaven, my heart cries out, "Whom have I in heaven but you?" (Psalm 73:25). Thank You for dying for my sins so that I may spend eternity with You. Help me to live each day with heaven in mind. Amen.