Answer
The stereotypical image of people in heaven floating on clouds strumming harps the livelong day is a gross and cartoonish misrepresentation of reality. The Bible presents heaven as a place of activity and movement. Yes, in heaven we will enjoy comfort (Luke 16:25) and rest from our labor (Revelation 14:13). But we will also be engaged in tasks that truly fulfill all that we were created to do. In heaven, we will finally be all that God created us to be.
What to do in heaven — Enjoy God’s home
In Luke 23:43, Jesus turned to one of the thieves who was dying next to Him and declared, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” The word for “paradise” here is paradeisō, which means “a park, that is, (specifically) an Eden (place of future happiness, ‘paradise’)” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance). Jesus said, “Today you shall be with me en tō Paradeisō” (not “en nephele,” which is Greek for “in clouds”). The point is that Jesus used the word for “a park.” In context, the reference has to be to “the paradise of God” or “the park of God” (see Revelation 2:7). If parks and gardens in this world can be such beautiful and refreshing places, how much more beautiful will be the eternal Garden of God? How much more will it refresh the soul? Jesus promised the repentant thief they would be together in a pleasant place of happiness, peace, and rest.
What to do in heaven — Give an account
All believers will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, at which point we will give an account of ourselves and our faithfulness to the Lord (Romans 14:10–12). This will not be a time of judgment in the sense of condemnation for sin—all condemnation was taken away by Christ (Romans 8:1). But it will be a time of receiving rewards (or not receiving them) based on individual service to God. Each believer will “receive what is due . . . for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
What to do in heaven — Worship and serve
Jesus taught us to “worship the Lord your God, and serve him only” (Matthew 4:10). We are commanded to worship God on earth, and we see worship taking place in heaven (Revelation 7:11). We are commanded to serve the Lord in this world, and we people serving the Lord in the world to come: “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him” (Revelation 22:3). So, those are two things we’ll be doing in heaven: worshiping and serving the Lord.
We are unable to fully serve God in this life due to sin, but in heaven “no longer will there be a curse upon anything” (Revelation 22:3, NLT). With the curse lifted, we will know true effectiveness in our service to God. Our worship will be pure. Our only motivation will be our love for God.
What to do in heaven — Learn and grow
In Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). God is infinite, “the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity” (Isaiah 57:15, NKJV). How long will it take us to search out all the hidden treasures of wisdom? When will we be able to finally understand infinity? God is bigger than forever. At what point will we finally “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and . . . know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18–19)? We can keep learning all through eternity and never plumb the depths of God’s glory. His ways are “unsearchable” and “inscrutable” (Romans 11:33, ESV). We will never stop learning about Him.
What to do in heaven — Fellowship with others
God’s Word says we won’t be in His paradise alone. We will be part of “a great multitude that no one could count” (Revelation 7:9). We will be sharing eternity with believing friends, family, and heroes of old. There will be no secrets there and nothing to hide as we fellowship with “the spirits of the righteous made perfect” (Hebrews 12:23). No wonder heaven will be a place of never-ending learning. Just getting to know everyone will take forever!
The Bible only provides glimpses of heaven. Whatever else we will be doing in God’s eternal “park,” we know it will be wonderful beyond our imagination. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT).
