Last week a dear, sweet lady died from cancer. Her name is Ardis Shiels. I was invited to share some thoughts at her funeral. I have so many wonderful memories of her and her husband, Jim. Jim passed away 7 years ago.

I shared a few stories that brought smiles and tears. But I wanted the family to know that Ardis’ life was not over. She had received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and she was given eternal life. She is in Heaven right now.

Ardis Shiels

Many have loved ones in Heaven. I have grandparents and my mom and dad in Heaven. We use the word “Heaven” in our conversation when people die. But few have given much thought to what Heaven is like. Let me share with you some words of comfort about Heaven that I shared with Ardis’ family and friends.

1. Heaven is a REAL place.

As Jesus was preparing His disciples for the fact that He would die on the cross and leave them. It would be the darkest hour that any of them would go through. So Jesus uttered these words of comfort and hope about Heaven.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3)

Twice in this passage Jesus calls it a place. Heaven is not an unreal, indifferent place. It is a place as literal and concrete as the house you live in today.

2. Heaven is a PERMANENT place.

We will always have to say goodbye to people we love. Sometimes it is only for a day when we go to work. Sometimes it is for several weeks or months as we travel. Sometimes it is at death and we will not see our loved ones until we die. But Heaven is a place where we will never leave. We will be at our final, wonderful home.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4).

3. Heaven is a PERSONAL place.

People are in Heaven. Elijah was taken up in a chariot to Heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Paul was taken up for a visit to Heaven and called it ‘Paradise’ (2 Corinthians 12:4). Jesus is there. He was taken up in His ascension (Acts 1:8-11). And our loved ones who know Jesus as personal Savior are there.

4. Heaven is a HOLY place.

Heaven will be holy because of what is not there. No sin. No sickness. No sorrow. No pain. No more death.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

But because we are not holy, we are excluded. Every person must come to Jesus and trust Him as personal Lord and Savior to receive His forgiveness of our sins. Sin will keep you out of Heaven. And since we’ve all sinned, we all need a Savior. It wouldn’t be holy anymore if God allowed a sinful person to inhabit Heaven.

5. Heaven is a place of REUNION.

King David said at the death of his infant son, “You cannot come to me but I can go to you.” (2 Samuel 12:23). Heaven is a place where we are reunited with our loved ones.

Who is in Heaven? Jesus is there. Our Heavenly Father is there. Those who have died in the Lord before us are there. Those who will die in the Lord after us. You will be there – if you have made your reservation by receiving Jesus as personal Lord and Savior.

You can read some of my other articles about Heaven: What is Heaven Like?, A Glimpse of Heaven, Do Children Go to Heaven When They Die?, Rewards in Heaven, Christmas in Heaven.