Heaven - does it exist?
Photo by Ben Vaughn on Unsplash
I do not think anyone would argue with the breathtaking beauty of our planet. God’s creation is a true wonder for us. Our faith tells us however, that this world is just our temporary dwelling and that there is an eternal dwelling that far exceeds anything we could imagine.
Heaven is not an imaginary place. God has put within our souls a yearning for it; “I will put it in their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33). Although we cannot begin to comprehend the magnificence of Heaven, the Bible gives us beautiful descriptions and insights. The book of Revelation describes the heavenly Jerusalem coming with “the glory of God and its radiance like a very rare jewel” (21:11). The witness of the saints further confirms the existence of Heaven. Less than a century ago, Saint Faustina Kowalska wrote in her diary, “today I was in heaven, in spirit, and I saw its inconceivable beauties and the happiness that awaits us after death” (27th November 1936).
Humankind seeks Heaven
Knowledge of Heaven is not considered innate in the strictest philosophical sense. This means that we cannot know about the existence of Heaven through reason alone. There is however, no doubt that belief in an afterlife can be traced back to the earliest civilisations and cultures. For the ancient Egyptians it was the Field of Reeds; for the ancient Greeks it was Elysium; and for the Norse, Valhalla. Plato, a pre Christian philosopher, presented the concept of an immortal soul and an eternal realm of forms. Saint Augustine, an early Christian Philosopher, built on this and presented Heaven as the ultimate goal of human life and a place of eternal happiness and communion with God. Saint Thomas Aquinas and many more also argued for the existence of Heaven.
Saint Paul explains in the first of his letters to the Corinthians, in chapter 13, that we only see God “dimly” here on this Earth, but that in Heaven we will see God “face to face.” Here on this Earth, we only “know in part” but that in Heaven we “shall know fully.” This verse suggests that on Earth, we will never understand the things of God and Heaven definitively. It is a journey of faith, trust and love that will be rewarded with perfect unity, love and clarity for us in Heaven. Jesus reassures us that our efforts here to seek God and Heaven will be rewarded when He says in the Gospel of Matthew, “ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and the door shall be opened” (7:7).
The testimony of the Gospels
If we accept the historicity of the Gospels and that the evangelists are writing real history which people have actually witnessed, then we cannot deny the existence of Heaven. At the start of His earthly ministry, Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. We are told that when Jesus was baptised “the heavens were opened” and that “a voice from heaven” said, “this is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased” (see Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 3:21-22 and Mark 1:9-11).
Similarly, at the end of His ministry on Earth, we are told in The Acts of the Apostles that as the apostles were looking on, Jesus was “lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (1:9). Two angels appeared and reassured the apostles that Jesus will emerge from Heaven again at the end of time; "this same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (1:11).
When Jesus is preparing his disciples for his crucifixion, He describes Heaven as His “Fathers House” (John 14:2). This verse offers comfort and hope, and the anticipation of a future eternal dwelling in the presence of God, as there are “many rooms” (ibid) where Jesus himself will prepare a place for His disciples. It is clear that the present life is not the ultimate end but rather a transition to an eternal dwelling in the presence of God, where Jesus Himself is actively involved in securing their and our eternal destiny.
Throughout His ministry on Earth, Jesus used parables to explain profound spiritual truths about the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus emphasised the extraordinary value of Heaven and urged us to seek it with all our hearts in the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price and the Parable of the Hidden Treasure. In both cases, the person sells all they have to acquire it. On a similar note, the Parable of the Net demonstrates the inclusivity of the kingdom of God. We are all called to Heaven and should seek it with all our hearts.
The Testimony of the Saints
The essence of Heaven is further developed in the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, which describes the visions of Saint John, the apostle and evangelist. This vision depicts an intimate relationship between God and his people (21:3). It is a glorious place of perfect peace where pain, sorrow and suffering are no more (21:4). There is joy, celebration and unity among people from all nations and tribes (7:9-10). God restores all of humanity and makes everything new.
In addition to Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Faustina, many other saints throughout history have provided testimony of heavenly visions and dreams. Saint John Bosco wrote of his vision on 6th December 1876. He said that “all was blue as the calmest sea”. His visions emphasised the love, peace and happiness in Heaven. Saint Teresa of Avila spoke of indescribable light in her vision and an immersion in divine love. Saint Bernadette of Lourdes had experiences of Heaven during the presence of the Virgin Mary, as did the children of Fatima, who spoke of the indescribable joy and happiness that awaits believers in Heaven.
Made for something greater
Saint Paul tells us that “what eye has not seen, nor ear heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9). Heaven is infinitely beyond our human comprehension. This is probably the most fundamental thing about Heaven that we learn in the Bible and from the saints. However, whilst we may not be able to fully imagine it, many of us seek it with our hearts. Saint Augustine writes in his Confessions, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” This captures something that resonates deep within the human person, that we all possess - a restlessness and desire that can only be filled and fulfilled by God.
