What is there to do in Heaven?
Heaven is For Real and It’s Exciting
Heaven is often thought of in terms of angels sitting on clouds with harps and singing in choirs. At best, this is a small part of heaven. Though described as the eternal rest of the believer, heaven will be a very active place.
Fellowship
We will enjoy communion with the Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity. Christ predicts our future unity with him, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). The gospel song says, “One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase; so let us run the race, till we see Christ.” The fellowship of earth will dim compared to the glory of seeing Christ and fellowshipping with Him. “The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it … And they shall see His face…” (Revelation 22:3-4).
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (I Corinthians 13:12). During His transfiguration, our Lord spoke freely with Moses and Elijah centuries after both these Old Testament heroes departed from this earth. [See Matthew 17:3.1] Yet they are still recognized as Moses and Elijah! In addition to this, the Apostle John, during his vision of the Revelation, sees and recognizes the differences between elders, angels, and various redeemed peoples from all the nations of the earth.
Rest
One of the results of sin was the curse of toil and sweat in a life of work. When we arrive at heaven, we will continue to work, but the agony of labor will be gone. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors” (Rev. 14:13). “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors…” (Revelation 14:13).
More Than Just Rest
In the fourth chapter of the book of Hebrews, it mentions a “rest” for the people of God: For we which have believed do enter into rest…(Hebrews 4:3). From this we conclude that God provides a rest to all who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. We know there yet remaineth a rest for us in Heaven. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God (Hebrews 4:9).
This rest, as referred to in Hebrews chapter 4, could represent the believer who has experienced spiritual rest, either in salvation or by consecration. The believer who experiences this rest has ceased from his own works. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9).
The passage in Hebrews 4 could be better understood as describing the Christian at death. At that point, he ceases from his good works and enters into Heaven’s rest (Revelation 14:13). Although we look forward to that heavenly rest, we are admonished in Scriptures to be laborers in the vineyard here upon the earth: Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (Hebrews 4:11). Heaven and the millennial rest is the reward of the believer’s labors for the Lord (Revelation 14:13).
More than Eternal Sleep
Some people believe that Heaven will be a place of eternal sleep. However, the answer from Scripture is clearly stated to be — No! We will not sleep in Heaven. In the book of Revelation we are privileged to look into Heaven and see the activity around the throne of God. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple . . . (Revelation 7:15). . . . And they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty . . . (Revelation 4:8). And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season . . . (Revelation 6:11).
We know from the descriptions given in the book of Revelation that there will be no night in Heaven, thus no need for sleep for those who inhabit Heaven. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there (Revelation 21:25, 22:5).
Service
We will work in heaven, but rather than dread the thought of labor and suffer the physical pain from grueling drudgery, we will enjoy our work. The curse will be gone, “And his servants shall serve him” (Rev. 22:3).
Growth
We will not “instantaneously” know everything when we arrive at heaven. We will spend a lifetime growing in knowledge and maturity. Christians will learn facts about God and his plan. They will grow in love. Also, they will learn how to serve him and grow in their ability to serve him. “The leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2).
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (I Corinthians 13:9-10). What child of God has not looked forward to the time when the Lord will answer all the questions that he has wondered about in this life? Christians will learn throughout all eternity: They will learn facts, they will learn more love, and they will learn how to serve Christ better. In the description of the heavenly city, Revelation 22:2 states, “…the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” The word “healing” in the Greek means “nurture” or “growth.”
Worship
Jesus said at the beginning of His ministry, “…the Father seeketh such to worship Him” (John 4:23). If the Father wants people to worship Him while here on earth, it will not change when we get to Heaven. John wrote, “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God” (Revelation 19:1). “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne…” (Revelation 14:3). “And they sing of the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb…” (Revelation 15:3)
Top 7 Things to do in Heaven
- Learning – 1 Cor. 13:9, 10
- Singing – Rev. 15:3
- Worship – Rev. 5:9
- Serving – Rev. 22:3
- Leading – 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 22:5
- Fellowship with others – Matt. 16:3
- Eating – Rev. 2:17
