In Scripture, the word “heaven” refers both to the place where God dwells and to the future state of believers. “Paradise” is mentioned in Jesus’ promise to the criminal, Paul’s account of being caught up, and the promise of the tree of life. The ultimate hope is described as a new heaven and a new earth, where God dwells with people and there is no death or tears. Scripture uses imagery and does not provide a detailed “map.”
What does the Bible say about this
- Jesus promises the criminal that he will be with Him in paradise (Luke 23:42–43); Paul speaks of a man caught up into paradise (2 Corinthians 12:1–4); the tree of life is promised to the one who conquers in the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7).
- In the Father’s house are many dwelling places; Jesus is going to prepare a place and will come to take His disciples to Himself (John 14:2–3).
- Our citizenship is in heaven; Christ will transform our bodies (Philippians 3:20–21).
- Believers await, according to God’s promise, a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13); a vision of the new heaven, the new earth, and the city where God dwells with people (Revelation 21:1–4); “we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the Scripture texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scriptures
8 Scriptures · Father’s Blessing Bible
Luke 23:42–43
42 And he said to Jesus, “Remember me, Lord, when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you today, you will be with Me in paradise.”
John 14:2–3
2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you; I am going to prepare a place for you. 3 And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
Revelation 21:1–4
1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with people. He will dwell with them, and they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them [and will be their God].” 4 And [God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
Philippians 3:20–21
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power with which He is able to subject all things to Himself.
2 Corinthians 12:1–4
1 It is not profitable for me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I do not know; or whether out of the body, I do not know: God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man (only I do not know whether in the body or out of the body: God knows), 4 that he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which man is not permitted to speak.
Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of My God.
2 Peter 3:13
Nevertheless, according to His promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord.
