Answer
: The idea that we will be naked in heaven is based on a comparison between the original creation in Genesis and the new creation in Revelation. Some believe, based on these two sections of Scripture, that people will be naked in heaven.
Adam and Eve were naked in the Garden of Eden before the fall (Genesis 2:25). It was only after they sinned that they felt a need to cover their bodies (Genesis 3:7), and God provided clothing for them after He pronounced curses (Genesis 3:21). From then on in Scripture, nakedness is almost always associated with sexual sin and/or shame. But, when God creates the new heavens and new earth, He will abolish the curse (Revelation 22:3). Since clothing came with the curse, some speculate that the removal of the curse will allow for the removal of clothing. So, in eternity, they conclude, we will be naked.
Of course, there is nothing inherently sinful about the human body. And there would be nothing wrong with glorified believers in heaven being naked. There will be no lust in heaven, and no shame—no sin of any kind. But biblical descriptions of heavenly beings often include a mention of some type of clothing. It does not seem to be the case that believers will spend eternity naked.
Angelic beings are described in the Bible as wearing some kind of garments. In Daniel’s vision, the messenger (either an angelic being or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) was “dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist” (Daniel 10:5, NLT). Similarly, the angel guarding Jesus’ tomb was wearing garments: “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow” (Matthew 28:3).
The redeemed in heaven are also described as clothed. In Revelation 4:4, the twenty-four elders around the throne of God wear white clothing and have golden crowns. Revelation 3:5 says that those who belong to Christ will be “dressed in white” in heaven. The Bible never hints that anyone in heaven is unclothed.
In our opinion, we will not be naked in heaven. Yes, Adam and Eve were naked before they sinned, but their nakedness was indicative of innocence and sinlessness. Unlike Adam and Eve, we have never been in a state of innocence, so, when we get to heaven, we are pictured as being covered by the “clothing” provided by the sacrifice of Christ (see Revelation 3:18).
