What does the Bible tell us about heaven?

The Lord Jesus had the temple chambers in mind when He said, "In My Father's house are many rooms." In John 2:16 He called the Jewish temple "My Father's house," and in John 14:2 He applies the same title to heaven. At His coming we shall find ourselves in the presence of God known to us as Father; we shall be in the company of the Son; we shall bear His image; and we shall share with Him the infinite wealth of the Father's love.

Why is it that we never find any description of the Father's house in Scripture? You have the heavenly Jerusalem described in her wonderful glory and displayed as His bride — but never the Father's house. Because you are supposed to be familiar with the Father's Son; the Father is revealed in Him. Then it is enough to know that He is there, and the heart rests content in peaceful joy in the sense that where Jesus is, it is enough.

Heaven is the Christian's home; he is away from home in this world. As people, we speak of the place where we were born as our natural place; then the Christian is entitled to speak of heaven as his natural place. He is born of God — born from above. And the place, circumstances, and company that suit his nature as a child of God are on high.

I might receive an invitation to a reception at the Governor's house from His Excellency himself. That would give me a clear right to go there. But as I stand here I am not fit to attend a grand occasion like that. I am not suitably dressed… In one case I would have the right, but no fitness. In the other I would be fit, but have no right. Now, through the grace of God both a right to heaven and a perfect fitness for that holy place are provided for all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We not only have a mercy which is abundant, and a hope that is living, but an inheritance… imperishable, undefiled, unfading and kept in heaven; that is to say, out of reach of anyone's interfering fingers, kept in heaven for you. For that we are kept… The inheritance is kept for us in heaven, and we are preserved on earth for it by the power of God working through faith.

Many have died, they have departed to be with Christ, and it is one of the most remarkable things in Scripture that we have no unfolding of the state of those who have departed to be with Christ. We only know that they are with Him. Blessedness enough, surely! … We are told "away from the body and at home with the Lord"; "to depart and be with Christ, which is far better."

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore." God rests at last… God had gone to the source of all that brought in sorrow, and swept it away in the judgment of the cross. The former things had passed away. The God who had to send the man and woman out in tears from the Eden He had made for unfallen creatures is able to meet us on the threshold of a new heaven and a new earth as the One who wipes away all tears from our eyes.

Note well that the Lord says, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." He does not say "ought to be," but "will." We are not allowed to escape with the easy assurance that our hearts are not engaged with what we are busily accumulating… Treasure in heaven will keep the heart there, and draw the feet on to where the heart is.