What makes heaven heavenly?

Many people imagine heaven to be a distant place. Somewhere above the clouds, far away from the reality of our lives. But the Bible paints a different picture: heaven is not in some other sphere that is inaccessible to us, but it comes down. It touches the earth. And what makes it so heavenly is not its beauty, but the presence of God.

In Revelation 22, John describes a scene full of hope and perfection: a river flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, the water of life, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, who heals, refreshes and renews. This river flows through the middle of the city of God, the new Jerusalem, and on its banks grows the tree of life - an image of the fruitfulness of a life lived in God's presence.

This tree bears new fruit every month - a sign that there is never a lack in God's presence. In his presence, there is no more hunger or scarcity. What's more, its leaves serve to heal the nations. Where there is trauma, hatred and war in this world, God brings complete restoration. No sickness, no fear and no pain remain when his presence fills the room.

And then it says: “There will be no more night.” Can you imagine a world without darkness, without disorientation and without loneliness? God himself is the light. Not metaphorically, but in reality. Those who encounter him are changed. So much so that even their faces light up, like Moses' or Stephen's. For the heavenly in the sky is God himself.

Heaven is not perfect with God, but God makes heaven perfect. Even in the Garden of Eden, it was his closeness that made the garden a paradise. And it was the rupture of this relationship that brought pain, darkness and fear.

But God has never stayed away. Through Jesus Christ, he cleared the way back to himself. The cross is the bridge between heaven and earth. And everyone who entrusts themselves to him can already live in the kingdom of God today. If we have Jesus in our lives and follow him, then light comes into our world and into our lives. And in the midst of an imperfect world, the glory of God becomes visible.

Next Step: This week, consciously take time for a prayer walk by the water or light a candle as a sign of God's living water and his light. And ask the Holy Spirit what Revelation 22:1-5 means for your life.