IS THERE A HEAVEN AND WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?

“NEW” - Another Way of Imagining What Heaven Will be Like.

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new.  "And He said,"Write, for these words are faithful and true."   Revelation 21:5 New American Standard Bible

All we have to go by is what we understand from this life, but the word “new” is something we can grasp.  When asked if you would rather have a new car or a rusty used one with 200,000 miles on it that belches thick blue smoke, a new house or an old barely standing one, new clothes or hand-me-downs, freshly baked bread / cookies or week old, etc., there is usually something about new – fresh, unblemished, pristine, “perfect” – that we long for. Randy Alcorn points out that “the Greek word kainos, translated “new,” indicates that the earth God creates won’t merely be new as opposed to old, but new in quality and superior in character.” When it comes to Heaven and eternity, Jesus says He is making all things NEW.  Consider a couple of indications:

New Life - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”   Revelation 21:3-4 New Living Translation

 
New Bodies - Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. … then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”   “Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 54b-57 New Living Translation

New Creation - But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
2 Peter 3:10-14 New Living Translation

New Jerusalem -  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, 
Revelation 21:1-3   New American Standard Bible (continue reading through the final chapter for more information)