Before We Begin
You are about to embark on a journey to a destination unlike any you have ever visited. You are going to visit what’s called the present or intermediate Heaven, the Heaven that exists now and before the New Earth is created(Rev 21:1) and the resurrection of believers(Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2-3; 1 Cor. 15:12-58; 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev 20:4-6). It is God’s dwelling place(Deut. 26:15; Matt. 6:9), meaning it’s Jesus'(John 12:26; 13:36; 14:2-3). It is the safest place ever with no crime, pollution or corruption(Matt. 6:20; Rev. 21:27).
Heaven cannot be reached by plane, bus or any other man-made means(Matt. 19:25-26; Acts 4:12). This is because sin separates us from God(Isa. 59:2). All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God(Rom. 3:23), so no one on their own is worthy to live in Heaven. How does anyone get to Heaven? God provided a way with salvation through Jesus(John 3:16; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:13). The Lord wants everyone to be in Heaven(1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9).
The Entrance
Your tour of Heaven begins outside of the city of New Jerusalem. The first thing you’ll notice is a wall that goes to the left and right as far as you can see and is very high(Rev. 21:16). The wall is made of jasper and the city of pure gold that is as transparent as glass(Rev. 21:18). You will arrive at one of the 12 gates(Rev. 21:12) that is made of a single pearl(Rev. 21:21). The gates have the names of the 12 tribes of Israel(Eze. 48:30-34; Rev. 21:12). The city has 12 foundations along with the names of the 12 apostles of Jesus written on them(Rev. 21:14). Each foundation is made of precious stones(Rev. 21:19-20). The light from the entire scene is a sight that gives you immense joy.
An angel is guarding the gate you are at(Rev. 21:12). The angel is white, as bright as lightning(Luke 24:4; John 20:12). Upon seeing the angel, you might have an urge to worship it but don’t(Exo. 20:3; Matt. 4:10, Rev. 19:9-10).
Inside the City
Once inside the gate you’ll see a city(Heb. 11:16; 12:22; 13:14) unlike any other with high buildings and vast space. It is 1400 miles by 1400 miles and if placed in the middle of the U.S. would stretch from Canada to Mexico and from the Appalachian Mountains to the California border(Rev. 21:16). Everything there shines with the glory of God, like a precious jewel(Rev. 21:11). There is a street of pure, transparent gold(Rev. 21:21) with a river as clear as crystal that flows down the middle(Rev. 22:1-2). On each side of the river is the tree of life with 12 fruits that are yielded every month(Rev. 2:7; 22:2). Some of the buildings you see contain homes for the residents in Heaven(Isa. 65:21; John 14:2). You’ll notice the city has no temple as God and Christ are the temple(Rev. 21:22). You may also notice no sun or moon providing illumination as the glory of God provides the light and the Lamp is its lamp(Rev. 21:23). You hear wonderful music(Rev. 14:2-3; 15:2) that is more beautiful than anything you hear on Earth. You will see thousands and thousands of angels worshipping God(Heb. 12:22) and will meet your guardian angel(Matt. 18:10; Acts 12:5-15; Psa. 91:11).
You will be overwhelmed by what you are seeing, but some residents show you around. You recognize some people that died while you were on Earth and are glad to be reunited with them. They wear clothes that are white(Rev 6:11; 7:9). They accompany you to museums of incredible art and libraries of vast knowledge that would make the Internet seem primitive. While going through the city, you see people of different nations and languages(Rev. 7:9)
You then go to one of the people’s homes and eat(Matt. 8:11; Luke 14:15; Rev. 10:9-10; 19:9) with the group. You all have heavenly bread(Exo. 16:13-18; Rev. 2:17) and fruit unlike anything on the earth and having some laughs(Luke 6:21). You ask the people what they do on a typical day. They say contrary to what you might have heard, you will still be learning in Heaven(Eph. 2:6-7; 1 Cor. 13:12). They also work but find serving the Lord to be joyful(Rev. 22:3).
Then you notice some people rejoicing. You ask them what they are rejoicing over, and they say a sinner they know on Earth has repented(Luke 15:7). They then say they are still concerned for those on Earth and pray for them(Rev. 5:8)
Later on you resume exploring the city and see Moses and Elijah(2 Kings 2:11; Matt. 17:3) from the Old Testament. Even though you’ve never known what they looked like on Earth, you still recognize them. You get the feeling you’ll know other people you’ve never met on Earth.
You then come to a room with several books. One book is the Bible(Psa. 119:89; Matt. 24:35). Another book is the book of life(Exo. 32:32-33; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 3:5; 13:8). The other books contain accounts of peoples’ lives and are used to judge(Rev 20:12). In one of the books you see the tears you cried on Earth recorded in Heaven(Psa. 56:8).
While walking around the city you realize something truly astonishing: things on Earth are but a shadow or copy of what’s in Heaven(Heb. 8:5) You see horses (2 Kings 2:11; Rev. 19:14), robes and palm tree branches(Rev. 7:9), trumpets(Rev. 8:6) and other things. Heaven isn’t copying what’s on Earth, the reality is the other way around!
Deeper Into the City
You follow the river deeper into the city and find a vast sea of glass as clear as crystal(Rev. 4:6). You’ll first notice 24 elders dressed in white with gold crowns sitting in thrones(Rev. 4:4). Looking further you’ll see 4 living creatures with 6 wings, one having the face of an eagle, the second an ox, the third a man and the fourth a lion(Rev. 4:6-8). These living creatures are Cherubim or high class of angels(2 Kings 19:15; Eze. 10:14). The 24 elders and 4 living creatures surround a great throne with a rainbow encircling the one sitting in it(Rev. 4:3). Above this throne are 2 seraphs, each with 6 wings. They are another type of angels and have 2 wings covering their faces, 2 covering their feet and 2 for flying(Isa. 6:2). Before the throne are seven burning lamps that are the seven spirits of God(Rev 4:5). You then see Jesus standing on the right side of the throne(Acts 7:55). He has a robe down to His feet and a gold sash(Rev. 1:13). His hair is white and eyes like fire (Rev. 1:14), and His feet are like bronze glowing in a furnace(Rev. 1:15). Jesus still has the scars from the crucifixion. The one on the throne looks like glowing metal from the waist up and fire from the waist down and is surrounded by a brilliant light(Eze. 1:27). You see flashes of lightning and hear thunder coming from the great throne(Rev. 4:5).
Although being here with Jesus Christ is far better than on Earth(Phil. 1:23), you long for life in your resurrected body on a new Earth and in a new universe. This is when the city of New Jerusalem will be on New Earth(Rev 21:1-2). No one except God knows when that will be(Mark 13:30-32). The best is yet to come…