What is heaven like?

[Lethe]

How does it work? I know no one here has been there but what is the church/scripture teaching on this (I am not a Catholic)? How can increasing numbers of people exist there? Why wouldnt it get boring?

 

[JackVk]

How does it work? I know no one here has been there but what is the church/scripture teaching on this (I am not a Catholic)? How can increasing numbers of people exist there? Why wouldnt it get boring?

How does it work?

Well, since everyone there is there because they loved God more than anything else in this life, they are constantly worshipping God there, because He was #1 in their lives.

How can increasing numbers of people exist there?

With God, all things are possible. Somewhere in the Bible, I believe it is mentioned that God’s house “can fit thousands of mansions”, even though that’s a figurative statement.

Why wouldn’t it get boring?

I’ve grappled with this thought myself. Peter Kreeft explained it nicely: since Heaven is nothing like we have ever experienced, we would never have anything to compare it to from this life. Plus, Heaven exists in eternity, outside of time. Think of eternity not as an infinite future, but all of time from beginning to end at once. I know it’s a hard concept to wrap one’s head around. We’re all human, we can only understand so much.

 

[Vicktoria]

Why wouldnt it get boring?

Because there is No End to what is Infinite… and so there will always be something New for us to Explore, and Love, of God =)

 

[tonyrey]

Why wouldnt it get boring?

Why would it get boring?

Are there limits to your imagination, creativity and capacity for love? Perhaps you associate hell with the excitement of revolt and total independence!

 

[PAboy57]

I recently read a book written by Anthony Destefano titled, A Travel Guide to Heaven.

It was a wonderful story that made me feel like I was actually there. Just imagine meeting the saints and listening to them first hand about their lives. Imagine talking with Kind David about his 40 year reign as God’s chosen King of His people.

What kinds of stories do you think the Apostles have to tell regarding their travels. I’m sure they had many fantastic events they would like to share.

I could go on but just think about seeing our Lord? We have no idea what is in store but it sure won’t be boring. Anything that has ever happened you will be able to go back or forward and watch. Talk about 3D. The possibilities are endless.

 

[TimothyH]

The Bible hints…

*At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)*We willl see God face to face.

*Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)*Jesus himself gives us a hint of what it will be like in Heaven and being God, he ought to know.

Elsewhere in the Bible, the conditions of those in Heaven are discribed as seeing God face to face or being “Filled with his presence”. Theologians call this the Beatific Vision, what is essentially union with the Trinity or union with God.

There is no time in Heaven. Time is a measure of change and since God does not change, he is outside of time. Those who are united with God (and I’d welcome authoritative correction on this) in Heaven are also outside of time. I would put forth the supposition that there cannot be boredom where time does not exist.

This brings up a question I have re the OP’s question in the context of the ressurection of the body. What then?

-Tim-

 

[JDaniel]

How does it work? I know no one here has been there but what is the church/scripture teaching on this (I am not a Catholic)? How can increasing numbers of people exist there? Why wouldnt it get boring?

Lethe:

Essentially, we have been told (by Revelation) that there are three levels of existence: the lower level, is that of earth, and consists of human beings, etc. The next level is the Angelic level, which consists of Angels who are not yet ready to see the Face of God, although we understand that Angels from the third level can travel between any of the levels. The third level is the Vision level. It is the Beatific Vision which is the level of God, or where those Angels who are ready to see God’s Face exist. Seeing God’s Face infinitely makes up for any potential boredom.

God bless,
jd

 

[Tantum_ergo]

How does it work? I know no one here has been there but what is the church/scripture teaching on this (I am not a Catholic)? How can increasing numbers of people exist there? Why wouldnt it get boring?

There is quite a lot as you can see from the posts regarding scripture. As far as Church teaching (which of course references those scriptures) we have this:
**HEAVEN **

1023 Those who die in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live for ever with Christ. They are like God for ever, for they “see him as he is,” face to face:598
By virtue of our apostolic authority, we define the following: According to the general disposition of God, the souls of all the saints . . . and other faithful who died after receiving Christ’s holy Baptism (provided they were not in need of purification when they died, . . . or, if they then did need or will need some purification, when they have been purified after death, . . .) already before they take up their bodies again and before the general judgment - and this since the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into heaven - have been, are and will be in heaven, in the heavenly Kingdom and celestial paradise with Christ, joined to the company of the holy angels. Since the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen and do see the divine essence with an intuitive vision, and even face to face, without the mediation of any creature.599

[1024](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1024.htm’) This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called “heaven.” Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.
[1025](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1025.htm’) To live in heaven is “to be with Christ.” The elect live "in Christ,"600 but they retain, or rather find, their true identity, their own name.601
For life is to be with Christ; where Christ is, there is life, there is the kingdom.602

[1026](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1026.htm’) By his death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has “opened” heaven to us. The life of the blessed consists in the full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by Christ. He makes partners in his heavenly glorification those who have believed in him and remained faithful to his will. Heaven is the blessed community of all who are perfectly incorporated into Christ.
[1027](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1027.htm’) This mystery of blessed communion with God and all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description. Scripture speaks of it in images: life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father’s house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise: "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him."603
[1028](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1028.htm’) Because of his transcendence, God cannot be seen as he is, unless he himself opens up his mystery to man’s immediate contemplation and gives him the capacity for it. The Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory “the beatific vision”:
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 your Lord and God, . . . to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God’s friends.604

 

[Tantum_ergo]

How can ‘increasing numbers of people live there?’ Well, for one, there will be a finite number of people as in time will come the Last Judgment when there will be no more sexual relations (and obviously then no more children or 'new people).

For another, if even on this little planet, which is really only a tiny ‘speck’ among God’s created worlds that we are aware of, we can support 7 billion now, and with proper utilization of resources could have every one of those 7 billion living comfortably in an area the size of Texas. . .certainly God could manage to have the number of those who choose heaven ‘fit.’ I mean, He’s God. He’d know how many people there were going to ultimately be; He’d design His Heaven to accommodate them, or to be capable of ‘expansion’, right?

And why would it be ‘boring’ unless you are (wrongly as it happens) considering eternity as being ‘temporal’. . .i.e., you consider that we live x number of years consisting of months consisting of weeks consisting of days consisting of hours consisting of minutes consisting of seconds. . .and then think that heaven is just adding on MORE seconds minutes hours days etc. etc. etc. and that an experience (even an incredible one like seeing GOD) is going to become after enough of those seconds minutes hours days etc. . .somehow not ‘enough’ to satisfy, i.e. boring.

Heaven isn’t like that. God created Time; obviously He exists ‘outside’ of time. A creator doesn’t exist IN His creations (except for one special exception in Christ); so eternity is not going to be a ‘temporal’ or ‘timely’ existence. If we are united with God, we will (like Him) exist ‘outside’ of time.

Personally, I can’t imagine, should I be blessed enough to enter that Kingdom of Heaven and beholding my Lord and God, ever becoming ‘bored’. (of course, I am seldom if ever bored even now, because there is always so much to see and do and learn and appreciate even in this limited life!) And then to imagine being in a place where God is not just present in a limited temporal earthly way, but fully and truly and completely, with me, and with my loved ones, and we will never be sick or sorrowful or separated ever again. . .well, it’s so wonderful and exciting to contemplate!

 

[JDaniel]

How does it work? I know no one here has been there but what is the church/scripture teaching on this (I am not a Catholic)? How can increasing numbers of people exist there? Why wouldnt it get boring?

Lethe:

In your last statement, I guess you were speaking of an infinite transcendental multitude. Remember, there is no problem with an infinite transcendental or, metaphysical multitude. The problem for us is the impossibility of predicamental multitude and magnitude. Arguments against predicamental multitude and magnitude are convincingly clear. So, such multitudes and magnitudes can only exist as a potential infinity.

God bless,
jd

 

[levinas12]

Lethe:

In your last statement, I guess you were speaking of an infinite transcendental multitude. Remember, there is no problem with an infinite transcendental or, metaphysical multitude. The problem for us is the impossibility of predicamental multitude and magnitude. Arguments against predicamental multitude and magnitude are convincingly clear. So, such multitudes and magnitudes can only exist as a potential infinity./QUOTE]

Interesting distinction … can you unpact it a bit more … what would be an example of predicamental multitude … e.g., the number of electrons in the universe or things in my room? … and of transcendental or metaphysical multitude, e.g., a host of immaterial entities like angels (a non-quantitative multitude)?

 

[hazcompat]

Because there is No End to what is Infinite… and so there will always be something New for us to Explore, and Love, of God =)

there is no duration.

peace

 

[JDaniel]

JDaniel;7579791:

Lethe:

In your last statement, I guess you were speaking of an infinite transcendental multitude

. Remember, there is no problem with an infinite transcendental or, metaphysical multitude. The problem for us is the impossibility of predicamental multitude and magnitude. Arguments against predicamental multitude and magnitude are convincingly clear. So, such multitudes and magnitudes can only exist as a potential infinity./QUOTE]

Interesting distinction … can you unpact it a bit more … what would be an example of predicamental multitude … e.g., the number of electrons in the universe or things in my room? … and of transcendental or metaphysical multitude, e.g., a host of immaterial entities like angels (a non-quantitative multitude)?

Levinas:

Yes: you gave the correct examples.

God bless,
jd

 

[levinas12]

What about the resurrection of the body? What bodily activities will take place in heaven? How does this fit into theology of the body?

 

[miguelspain]

I shallowy read the posts you all submitted and I didn’t see anything of Peter Kreeft’s “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Heaven” — An unexcelled look at one of the most popular, yet least understood subjects.

 

[Elena_Wayne]

John got a vision from Patmos.

bible-studies.cephasministry.com/what_is_heaven_like.html

From this link, go down to brief descripton of heaven.

 

[greylorn]

How does it work? I know no one here has been there but what is the church/scripture teaching on this (I am not a Catholic)? How can increasing numbers of people exist there? Why wouldnt it get boring?

You’ll want to read, Captain Stormfield’s Trip to Heaven, a longish short story written by “Mark Twain” about a century ago. It is probably available somewhere on the internet, but were you to purchase a compendium of his short stories which included it, the other stories would provide you and your offspring with excellent and enjoyable reading for years to come.

 

[levinas12]

I shallowy read the posts you all submitted and I didn’t see anything of Peter Kreeft’s “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Heaven” — An unexcelled look at one of the most popular, yet least understood subjects.

Is this the book where Peter Kreeft discusses how people will relate to each other after the resurrection of the body … I know there is some book of his where he talks about a union or closeness between embodied (i.e., gendered) persons … which is not procreative …

 

[johnreycb]

Imagine yourself attending a family reunion (say it was Christmas). You get to meet all those aunts and uncles and cousins and all your relatives you’ve only heard about. Everyone is enjoying each other’s company.

There’s that feeling of pleasant surprise because there’s so many people there you do know without knowing that you were related. You all meet each other and exclaim how “it’s a small world.”

There’s that feeling of relief because uncle Joe and uncle Harry are now in good terms. They are teasing each other again after a year when they have been at each other’s throat

There’s that feeling of joy because your younger sister who has long left home and who has so many issues against your mother is back. They had reconciled with each other and in fact was the reason why so many had come to this year’s family reunion.

You see your father and he has a satisfied smile in his face as he looks at your sister helping Mom serving food to the guests.

You are contemplating the love on your father’s face when you are suddenly overwhelmed by this great love for your family and for everyone in that room. You feel that your heart would burst.

That moment… that single precious second when you feel so much love it threatens to drown you… there’s a truth when some people describe it as “a glimpse of heaven.” In books and movies, this is the point where the character says “I wish this moment would last forever.”

Heaven is indeed like that single precious moment… and heaven is where it truly lasts forever!