Why I Can't Tell You What Heaven Looks Like Even Though I've Been There

Heaven's Physical Featurama, Part 1

In the beginning of my calling as a Heaven Reporter, I figured there should probably be a book on the visible features of Heaven. The physicality, I mean—what it actually looks like. It’s been interesting for sure to read about what other visitors see, and of course—I had my own experiences to add!

I’ve recently realized the futility of this because Heaven is still being built.

I’m reading a brand-new Heaven experience book published in October and loving it. It is called “I’ve Been to Heaven” by Steve and Kathy Boyls. An angel named Marzuka, who toured Steve around Heaven, says: “There are many wonderful things to see here, and it will take an eternity to see them all. The Lord continues to create in Heaven, and it’s amazing to see His creation.” ¹

Isaiah 40:22 just might agree with this. “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.” Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2–3), while Hebrews describes God as the “architect and builder” of a heavenly city (Hebrews 11:10).

Isaiah speaks of God’s future work in “creating new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17), and John sees the New Jerusalem “coming down out of heaven… prepared as a bride” (Revelation 21:2). And least you say “well that’s the new Heaven,” as I did, remember that this action will create a change in the current Heaven since it is indeed a physical place.

Alongside this, creation itself is still moving toward completion, “groaning as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:19–22), and believers are being transformed with “ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Together, these passages suggest a Heaven that is not static, but lovingly prepared and revealed as God’s redemptive plan unfolds.

Several friends who have visited Heaven also saw New Jerusalem (still in preparation) in the center of Heaven, including B.W. Melvin and Randy Kay. ²

So now that we largely suspect that the current Heaven is still developing and expanding, let’s review what the scriptures say about Heaven’s physical features.

What Does He Say For Sure?

Drawing from Revelation 4:1–3; Revelation 22:1–5; John 14:2–3; 1 Corinthians 2:9; and Revelation 21:1–4, 10–27, Scripture offers breathtaking glimpses of Heaven and the world to come. John describes Heaven opened, revealing a throne with One seated upon it—radiant like jasper and ruby (green and red?!), encircled by a rainbow shimmering like emerald.

From this throne flows the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, with the Tree of Life growing on both sides, bearing twelve kinds of fruit. In Heaven, there is no night, no need for sun or a lamp, for the Lord God Himself is the light, with an extra-brilliant shine.

Jesus assures us that this heavenly home is not small or scarce, but filled with many prepared dwelling places, lovingly made for those who will be with Him. And even with these images, we are reminded that Heaven exceeds our imagination—what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived is what God has assembled and is still preparing.

Final Heaven

The Bible also gives us a vision of the final Heaven built on earth—the New Jerusalem. This Heaven that will never be challenged by evil, for the original one who chose evil will (finally) be no more.

John sees a new Heaven and a new earth, and the Holy City coming down from God, shining with His glory like a priceless jewel, clear as crystal.

God Himself will dwell with His people there, wiping away every tear, ending death, mourning, crying, and pain forever. There will be no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. There will be no sun or moon, because God’s glory is its light. Nothing impure will enter—only what belongs to Him.

Heaven, both now and in its final fullness, is radiant, alive, prepared—and overflowing with the presence of God. Yay!

Scope and Dimensions

We read about the completed measurements and dimensions of the Final Heaven as shown in Revelation 21:15-17:

The one who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using.

2.25 Million Square Miles of Heaven!

The Final Heaven will be 12,000 stadia in length, width, and height. This describes a perfect cube.

A stadion (plural stadia) is an ancient measure that scholars typically equate to roughly 185 meters (607 feet), making 12,000 stadia around 1,400–1,500 miles on each side. That’s a massive cube — roughly 2.25 million square miles of surface area, and with height included, a staggering volume.

144 cubits thick walls: Cubits were ancient units of length (based on the forearm), and while the exact modern equivalent varies, this description underscores strength and completeness in armish-symbolic terms.

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SO what did Julie just do? Attempt to tell you some of the physicality of Heaven anyway! Of course. Tamp this gal down. LOL.

Coming Soon in This New Series:

• Heaven’s Walls, Gates and Streets

• Foundations and Materials He Used and Still Uses

• Welcoming Meadow and Welcoming Building

• Bodies of Water

• Houses, Meeting Areas, Throne Room

• Heaven as Country/Heaven as City/Heaven as Forest/Heaven as Mountains

• Heaven as Up & Above, vs. over, under or across

• Beauty and Aesthetics

• More!

Other Opinions On Those Biblical Texts

1. This measurement is of the New Jerusalem, a heavenly city — not necessarily the total “size of heaven.” The Bible doesn’t describe the full extent of heaven (God’s dwelling place beyond space and time) in terms of dimensions.

Well, if that’s the case, Heaven will be even bigger.

2. The dimensions may be symbolic. Many theologians understand these numbers (such as 12,000 and 144) as symbolic of completeness and perfection in Scripture (12 tribes, 12 apostles, etc.), rather than as literal measurements in earthly units.

I disagree, as I learned since visiting Heaven to read the scriptures very literally and not to just assume it is symbolic when we don’t understand something. Cop out!

3. “Heaven” in the Bible is often poetic or metaphorical. Other passages talk about the vastness of heaven or God’s throne being above all creation (example: God’s dwelling cannot be contained by the highest heaven — Isaiah 66:1; also implied in Revelation 7:9’s innumerable multitude). Scripture frequently emphasizes Heaven’s greatness, but only Revelation gives specific city dimensions.

Plus, re-read #2.

COMING SOON:

1. “Routed to Heaven” plus a Study Guide will soon be available for preorder on Amazon. Release dates: Feb 10 (in time for Valentine’s) and Feb 28.

2. Another “Jesus, I Still Have Questions” post.

3. Paid Post for my Invested Subscribers with a special gift!

Links are affiliate and toss a few pennies to my Heaven Research Addiction. All scripture is provided courtesy of the NIV.

1. I’ve Been to Heaven: The True Story of a Husband’s Supernatural Near-Death Experience of the Afterlife, His Wife’s Prayer That Brought Him Back, and God’s Message of Hope for the World, by Steve and Kathy Boyls, Chosen Books, 2025, page 56 (Kindle)

2. Heaven Beckons: Discover the Glory That Awaits You in the Afterlife by BW Melvin, Destiny Image, 2024 and Heaven Stormed by Randy Kay, Destiny Image Publishers, 2024, page 180 (Kindle)