Heaven

"What is heaven like?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

Heaven is eternal communion with God—seeing Him face to face and sharing in His divine life forever. It is the ultimate goal of human existence.

Quick Overview

Heaven is being home—finally, completely home. Every good thing you've ever loved is a tiny preview. Heaven is the source of all goodness, beauty, and love: God Himself, forever yours. It's what you were made for.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

1 Corinthians 2:9

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him."

Why This Matters

Heaven exceeds our imagination. We cannot conceive its glory.

Revelation 21:4

"God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow."

Why This Matters

Heaven is the absence of all suffering and the presence of perfect joy.

1 John 3:2

"We shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is."

Why This Matters

We will see God 'as He is' (the beatific vision) and be transformed by that vision.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Heaven is perfect life with the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, angels, and saints. It is the fulfillment of our deepest desires, the beatific vision where we see God face to face (CCC 1023-1029).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Augustine

c. 426 AD

"There we shall rest and see, see and love, love and praise. This is what shall be in the end without end."

— City of God, 22:30

St. Cyprian

c. 250 AD

"How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ."

— Letters, 56:10

Religious Life

Hell

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