This post contains a wonderful list of Bible verses about Heaven and eternal life, but I have a story for you first.

For years after I lost my daughter Rebekah in an accident, I would bring baskets of purple flowers to the cemetery. I enjoyed watering them and caring for them as if in some small way I was taking care of her as well.

There is nothing quite like a mother’s broken heart. We were meant to hold our children in our arms until the day the good Lord calls us home and those empty arms have an ache that I cannot explain.

The deer kept eating the flowers. I was so angry.

Until I noticed that every time they were munched on, they grew back. They continued to bloom even after I thought they were dead.

This was definitely God’s way of reminding me that Rebekah is NOT dead. She is living with Him.

Bible Verses About Heaven and the Hope of Eternal Life

As is my recent habit when God makes a direct point with me, I began looking up Bible verses about heaven and eternal life. I thought I’d share a few with you. This is by no means comprehensive. It is quite the topic, but these touched my heart and I thought they would encourage you as well.

Considering my sweet Rebekah was only 8, we will begin our collection of Bible verses about heaven after death with one about children.

Matthew 18:10

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.  (Matthew 18:10)

I used to joke that Rebekah was fearless and impulsive to the point that she needed two angels. Maybe those angels carried her to heaven the day she died.

In some ways I hate that I’m even looking up these verses about heaven after death. I hate that my heart hurts the way that it does. I hate that I have to live the rest of my life without my sweet Rebekah. BUT I have found peace in these verses and I hope they bring you comfort and strength as well.

I would love for you to know more about my Rebekah. She was a wonderful girl, full of sunshine and joy! You can read about her in “Rebekah’s Heart”.

John 14:1-3

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-3)

Christ Jesus Going to Heaven

Heaven is the dwelling place of God, it is where we wish to go to avoid eternal punishment and enjoy everlasting life dwelling in the peace and love of God.  

Isaiah gives us a picture

“For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,” (57:1)

The sight of Jesus going to heaven must have been amazing. Can you imagine him ascending into the clouds as he gives his last instructions? He said himself that he goes to prepare a place for us.

After I lost Rebekah, I found great comfort in imagining her sitting on Jesus’s lap. She is most likely talking his ear off!

Acts 1:9-11

 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,  who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)

Bible Verses about Death and Heaven

These verses about heaven and eternal life are only meant to encourage. When I think about all the people through the centuries who have given their lives for Christ, I am humbled by the strength of their faith.

It is easy to get caught up in our lives here, after all, we were made from the dust of the earth. We are earthly by nature, but our natural body is not the end of it. We have the gift of eternal life to cling to.

Paul tells of things so wonderful that we can’t even imagine. My daughter is not only surrounded by love but beauty beyond what we’ve ever seen or heard.

1 Corinthians 2:7-9

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:7-9)

Philippians 3:20-21

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)

At the end of the age, the earth will be restored. Bible verses about heaven after death bring us to the end of life as we know it, only to encourage us to embrace the wonder and beauty of what this world was like before sin entered it.

Revelation 21:5-7

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. (Revelation 21:5-7)

Not until I started to study it, did I realize how many Bible verses about heaven and eternal life we have been given. What a wonderful God we serve, who constantly encourages us and gives us hope.

How Does the Bible Describe Heaven? Bible Verses about Life in Heaven

God included in His word beautiful Bible verses about heaven after death which give us a description of heaven. God wants us to have hope and the faith to believe in what is in store for those who love Him.

The Old Testament is full of visions of heaven and some are hard for me to understand. I guess some of the New Testament verses are too, but for a description of heaven in the Bible I chose verses from Revelation. Chris Tomlin has a beautiful song about these verses which has been running through my head for days now.

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Revelation 5:11-13

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:11-13)

Revelations 21:1-4

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

Revelation 21:21

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)

What a beautiful place to imagine. My Rebekah is safe with Jesus.

Revelation 7:9-12

While there are various theories about who those in white robes are, I just wanted to give you another glimpse of what Heaven looks like. Thousands of souls surround the throne of God, worshipping HIm.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”  All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,  saying:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.” (Revelations 7:9-12)

Streets of Gold Verse

Of all the scriptures about heaven, the one which mentions the streets of gold is probably one of the more well known.

God’s word talks of the narrow gate that leads to Heaven and a life of eternal glory with the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I cannot picture a more lovely place.  

Think about it for a second.  The earth that God created is beautiful.  From towering mountains to ocean depths to sunrises that paint the sky a host of colors, I think Heaven is even better.  After all, the glory of God is there uninhabited by the sin of our fallen world.  

It is the city of the living God.  Ok, well technically, I think Jerusalem is the city of the living God, but Heaven contains His throne.  Can you imagine being in the midst of the throne room of God, surrounded by heavenly beings?  Gives me chills the more I write about it!

Revelation 21:21

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. (Revelation 21:21)

Bible Verses about Heaven and Eternal Life

In copying all of these Bible verses about heaven after death, I’ve come to realize that I should have answered last week’s question, “Does Grief Ever Go Away?” differently.

It does end. Not here on this physical earth, but in the presence of God.

One more verse. This is the same way I ended last week’s post. Not to be monotonous, but because it is my favorite.

Revelation 21:4

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

You most likely came across these verses because like me, you are searching.  Perhaps you have lost a loved one as well.  Or maybe you are seeking your own “crown of righteousness” and the truth of God’s word.  

Whatever the case, hold on a little while longer.  Seek your Father’s hand and allow Him to lead you into all truth.  Fight the good fight of faith, seeking a better country (Hebrews 11) and embracing the will of God for you while you are on this Earth.  

Lean into His love and peace. He will not leave you to wander this life alone.

You might also like these posts about loss.

27 Scriptures for Grieving Families to Bring Hope and Peace

What Does the Bible Say About Suffering and Why We Should Rejoice in It