When We All Get To Heaven

[B-A-C]

The title of this thread is deliberately a little misleading. There really isn't actually any verse in the Bible that says we go to heaven when we die.
However there is one verse that says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

I don't really want to get side-tracked in discussion about soul-sleep and what the resurrection is here. For the purpose of this discussion, the point is...
Christian are going somewhere after this life. ( when and how are another discussion )

"Where" is the main topic here. What will it be like there? There is a lot that we don't know. But there is also plenty that the Bible tells us.

John 14:2; "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3; "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:4; "And you know the way where I am going."
John 14:5; Thomas *said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?"
John 14:6; Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

The King James Bible says "many mansions". The Original Greek word here is...

monē
mon-ay'
From G3306; a staying, that is, residence (the act or the place): - abode, mansion.
Total KJV occurrences: 2

But the point here is, Jesus is making us place for us to stay. We will be with Him, and He will be with the Father.
Jesus says "when I come again". Again, there have been multiple debates about when that might be. But for this discussion it doesn't matter.
The point is, He is coming back to take us to these dwelling places, ( mansions if you will )

Heb 12:22; But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,
Heb 12:23; to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Mount Zion, the Heavenly Jerusalem, this is where the Lord dwells. On Mt. Zion. ( Are there mountains in heaven? )
It says here this will be the home of "the general assembly" ( the global church ) and the God Himself. Also myriads of angels will be there, .. and....
the "the spirits of the righteous made perfect".

That last phrase raises a lot of questions, but answers a few also, Is it only our spirits that go there? No bodies? ( at least not yet ).
The other thing... the righteous made perfect.

Right now we aren't perfect. But when we get to our new house we will be. We won't sin anymore, and all those bad habits we are holding onto will be gone.

Jerem 3:15; "Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.
Jerem 3:16; "It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land," declares the LORD, "they will no longer say, 'The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again.
Jerem 3:17; "At that time they will call Jerusalem 'The Throne of the LORD,' and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the LORD; nor will they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart.
Jerem 3:18; "In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance.

Again, there is a lot here. "I will give you shepherds after my own heart". Who is this, what does this mean? It can be taken several ways.
Some believe these are pastors and ministers on the Earth today, they are the shepherds of the people. But it could also mean us. The saints in general.

1Cor 4:8; You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.
2Tim 2:12; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
Rev 20:6; Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Many of us will be ruling and reigning with Jesus. Who will we be reigning over? Are we the shepherds of the people in those days?

But it says here that Jerusalem will be 'The Throne of the LORD', and all the nations will be gathered there, to Jerusalem. Who are "all the nations" in this time? I'm not sure, but
it says they won't "walk in the stubbornness of their evil heart"(s) anymore. As mentioned earlier, we won't sin when we get there.

 

[B-A-C]

Rev 7:9; After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;
Rev 7:10; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
Rev 7:11; And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
Rev 7:12; saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
Rev 7:13; Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?"
Rev 7:14; I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:15; "For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.

In this place, people will be standing before the throne of God. People from every nation, every race, every kind of people. They will fall on their faces and worship God.
Now these people, those in the white robes, who are they? It says in verse 14, these are the ones who came out of the tribulation.
They will serve Him day and night. Even in the New Jerusalem, we will be serving God. At least those who come out the great tribulation will be. What about the rest of us?
If you don't like serving and waiting on people, maybe you will be disappointed, but I won't be.

1Cor 2:9; but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."

I have seen some pretty fantastic places in movies, Rivendell, home of the Elves in the 'Lord of the Rings' movies comes to mind here. It's very beautiful, but it's not real, it's only a movie.
But even that place, will not be able to compare to the place God has prepared for us. No eye has ever seen anything like it. No ears have ever heard about any place like it. It will be more wondrous
than we can imagine.

 

[lentz]

No one can fathom what it will be like.
It could be that we will rule over galaxies and planets,there are certainly enough of them.

 

[B-A-C]

2Pet 3:5; For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
2Pet 3:6; through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
2Pet 3:7; But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2Pet 3:10; But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
2Pet 3:11; Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
2Pet 3:12; looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
2Pet 3:13; But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

That $500,000 house you are making payments on, guess what... That $60,000 pickup you just bought, guess what... That $100,000 fishing boat you just paid off, guess what...

It will all be gone one day. Burned up to a crisp. No insurance will cover it. Likely sooner than any of us think.

That pretty bride you have been married to for the last 50 years, guess what, when you get to heaven, you won't be married any more.

Matt 22:28; "In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her."
Matt 22:29; But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Matt 22:30; "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

My father passed away several years back. I know some old saints ( even my own mother ) who often says, when I die, I'm going to find my spouse, and be with them. Well you might meet them there, but
they won't be your spouse anymore.

 

[lentz]

2Pet 3:5; For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
2Pet 3:6; through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
2Pet 3:7; But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

2Pet 3:10; But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
2Pet 3:11; Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
2Pet 3:12; looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
2Pet 3:13; But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

That $500,000 house you are making payments on, guess what... That $60,000 pickup you just bought, guess what... That $100,000 fishing boat you just paid off, guess what...

It will all be gone one day. Burned up to a crisp. No insurance will cover it. Likely sooner than any of us think.

That pretty bride you have been married to for the last 50 years, guess what, when you get to heaven, you won't be married any more.

Matt 22:28; "In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her."
Matt 22:29; But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Matt 22:30; "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

My father passed away several years back. I know some old saints ( even my own mother ) who often says, when I die, I'm going to find my spouse, and be with them. Well you might meet them there, but
they won't be your spouse anymore.

Even so,come Lord Jesus

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 5:3; "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:4; "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matt 5:5; "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matt 5:6; "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Matt 5:7; "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Matt 5:8; "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matt 5:9; "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matt 5:10; "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This famous passage is from the beatitudes ( Matt 5:2-12; ) But I notice here, some of these people will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Others will inherit the Earth. Presumably the "new" Earth, as the old Earth one will be burned up. Does this mean, not everyone ends up in the same place?

 

[B-A-C]

The New Jerusalem, there has been much controversy and debate over this place, even here on TalkJesus. Some think it is merely a spiritual place in a spiritual realm.
I tend to believe it is a real place that will be manifested physically in the material universe. There are several reasons for this, but in any case, it will look like this.
This is likely the place Jesus was talking about ( my Father's house with many mansions )

Rev 21:9; Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
Rev 21:10; And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11; having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.
Rev 21:12; It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
Rev 21:13; There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west.
Rev 21:14; And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Rev 21:15; The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall.
Rev 21:16; The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.

That is amazing. A city, a single city, 1500 miles ( 2400 kilometers ) long. 1500 miles wide, and 2400 kilometers tall.
That is 2/3rd the size of the continental United States. 3/4th's the size of Australia. This is larger than the 6 largest countries in Europe put together.
The tallest mountain on the Earth ( Mt Everest ) is about 6 miles ( 8 kilometers ) high. This will be 1500 miles high!!! If every floor was a mile high, there would still be 1500 of them!
I have seen several paintings and drawings of what people think this look like. Some believe it will float about the Earth, always above the current spot that Jerusalem is in.
Other's think it will rest upon the surface of the Earth. Some artwork depicts this as a giant cube, much like the "Borg Cube" in the Star Trek universe. Other paintings show it
as more of a pyramid shape, a square mountain type looking structure.

Rev 21:17; And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements.
Rev 21:18; The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
Rev 21:19; The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
Rev 21:20; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
Rev 21:21; And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Rev 21:22; I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Rev 21:23; And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Rev 21:24; The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.
Rev 21:25; In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed;
Rev 21:26; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it;
Rev 21:27; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

This is where the saints will live. Not heaven as many believe. But the New Jerusalem.
This doesn't happen until after...

Rev 21:1; Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

 

[lentz]

The New Jerusalem, there has been much controversy and debate over this place, even here on TalkJesus. Some think it is merely a spiritual place in a spiritual realm.
I tend to believe it is a real place that will be manifested physically in the material universe. There are several reasons for this, but in any case, it will look like this.
This is likely the place Jesus was talking about ( my Father's house with many mansions )

Rev 21:9; Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
Rev 21:10; And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11; having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.
Rev 21:12; It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
Rev 21:13; There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west.
Rev 21:14; And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Rev 21:15; The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall.
Rev 21:16; The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.

That is amazing. A city, a single city, 1500 miles ( 2400 kilometers ) long. 1500 miles wide, and 2400 kilometers tall.
That is 2/3rd the size of the continental United States. 3/4th's the size of Australia. This is larger than the 6 largest countries in Europe put together.
The tallest mountain on the Earth ( Mt Everest ) is about 6 miles ( 8 kilometers ) high. This will be 1500 miles high!!! If every floor was a mile high, there would still be 1500 of them!
I have seen several paintings and drawings of what people think this look like. Some believe it will float about the Earth, always above the current spot that Jerusalem is in.
Other's think it will rest upon the surface of the Earth. Some artwork depicts this as a giant cube, much like the "Borg Cube" in the Star Trek universe. Other paintings show it
as more of a pyramid shape, a square mountain type looking structure.

Rev 21:17; And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements.
Rev 21:18; The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
Rev 21:19; The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
Rev 21:20; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
Rev 21:21; And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Rev 21:22; I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Rev 21:23; And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Rev 21:24; The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.
Rev 21:25; In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed;
Rev 21:26; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it;
Rev 21:27; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

This is where the saints will live. Not heaven as many believe. But the New Jerusalem.
This doesn't happen until after...

Rev 21:1; Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

I haven’t studied it in a while,but I think it’s the Jews (Israel) that will live in the new Jerusalem.
The church will be in heaven.
But no one knows for sure I don’t reckon

 

[B-A-C]

I haven’t studied it in a while,but I think it’s the Jews (Israel) that will live in the new Jerusalem.
The church will be in heaven.
But no one knows for sure I don’t reckon

I suppose it's possible, but if this is the case, then we won't be with Jesus. He and the Father will be in the New Jerusalem, reigning from there.

 

[lentz]

I suppose it's possible, but if this is the case, then we won't be with Jesus. He and the Father will be in the New Jerusalem, reigning from there.

Let me get back with you

 

[lentz]

I suppose it's possible, but if this is the case, then we won't be with Jesus. He and the Father will be in the New Jerusalem, reigning from there.

Brother I posted something that helped me a lot to your PM.
It is meant to help,not offend

 

[B-A-C]

It is meant to help,not offend

No offense taken. Genuine comments are encouraged.

 

[Brad Huber]

I look to the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Even though its a parable, it speaks of a good place and a bad place that we go after we die, depending on how we live this life. I think the good place and the bad place has lots of souls there in each, the good place probably has individual dwellings and community areas or community bldgs because gathering together is promoted for believers. It wont be different I doubt there. As for the bad place, only a guess, but pretty much chaos, but not sure about that.

 

[Beetow]

I would not be surprised if all new arrivals are whisked off to a sort of Bible camp
where they undergo intense indoctrination to correct their mistakes and fill in all the
blanks so that when they're released into gen-pop, everyone will be in total
agreement and there will be no quarreling and debating.
_

 

[Br. Bear]

 

[Br. Bear]

and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

 

[B-A-C]

Rev 21:22; I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Rev 21:23; And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Rev 22:1; Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
Rev 22:2; in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Rev 22:3; There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
Rev 22:4; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
Rev 22:5; And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.

For some reason, it is a popular teaching, that we all go to heaven to be with God forever. But the Bible doesn't really say that anywhere.
The verses above are about the New Jerusalem. This is where God's throne will be after the old Heaven and Earth pass away.
Now of course I believe God is omnipotent and omnipresent, He can be anywhere and everywhere at the same time. He is God He can do whatever He wants.
But it seems His main "abode", the place where His throne will be, is the New Jerusalem.

 

[B-A-C]

and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

I don't know how all of this will work, but I know God will do what He said He will do. In this life there is sorrow, guilt, some regret, pain for those loved ones who have gone on before us.
We shouldn't be sad, we should be rejoicing for them, but yet we are. Sometimes we remember past mistakes and regret them. Sometimes we even still sin.
But it says in that verse.... the former things have passed away. I'm not sure how to take it, but I know it's true.

I believe we will no longer feel guilt, or pain, or sorrow, for one thing we will be with those who went before us, that will be a cause for rejoicing.
But what about those who didn't make it to this place. What about those who face God's wrath? Will we feel sorrow for them? Will we still remember them?
I have heard some Bible teachers say, God will make us forget them. I don't know if that's true or not, but even if we do remember them, it seems we won't feel sadness for them any longer.

I would not be surprised if all new arrivals are whisked off to a sort of Bible camp

It's possible I suppose, but if God can make us forget our past, He is capable of giving us a new mind. The Bible says we will be perfect in heaven. We will no longer sin or even have
have the desire to do so. I don't know that there will be a whole lot to learn, as we will be with Him. Perhaps God snaps His fingers and we suddenly are filled with the wisdom and knowledge
wants us to have. I don't know.

 

[B-A-C]

Has anyone ever gone to heaven? That's a subject of debate.

John 3:13; "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
Acts 2:34; "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

Both Jesus and Peter say no one had gone to heaven, at least up until the time these things were written. There are a couple of notable exceptions.

Possibly Elijah and Enoch went to heaven. ( 2Kings 2:11; )
Gen 5:24; Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Heb 11:5; By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

It seems these are the only two men in the Bible who did not face a natural death.

Another controversial passage, depending on what Bible translation you use.

2Cor 12:2; I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
2Cor 12:3; And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—
2Cor 12:4; was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

Most scholars believe Paul is talking about himself here. It seems he visited heaven for a short while. But he didn't know if he was physically transported there, or if it was only his spirit there.
Another problem is that some translations say he was caught up to the third "paradise", which some scholars say isn't heaven. Other translations say the "third heaven".
In either case, it seems the visit was only temporary.

Another thing to consider here, is that when Jesus returns, He will reign on the Earth for a thousand years. It seems the saints who have died before this time will reign with Him on the Earth.
So even if we do get to go to heaven eventually, we will have to wait another thousand years at least.

Rev 20:2; And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
Rev 20:3; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
Rev 20:4; Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Rev 20:5; The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.
Rev 20:6; Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

It seems Jesus does not move to the New Jerusalem until after this thousand year period.

 

[lentz]

Has anyone ever gone to heaven? That's a subject of debate.

John 3:13; "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
Acts 2:34; "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,

Both Jesus and Peter say no one had gone to heaven, at least up until the time these things were written. There are a couple of notable exceptions.

Possibly Elijah and Enoch went to heaven. ( 2Kings 2:11; )
Gen 5:24; Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Heb 11:5; By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

It seems these are the only two men in the Bible who did not face a natural death.

Another controversial passage, depending on what Bible translation you use.

2Cor 12:2; I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
2Cor 12:3; And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—
2Cor 12:4; was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

Most scholars believe Paul is talking about himself here. It seems he visited heaven for a short while. But he didn't know if he was physically transported there, or if it was only his spirit there.
Another problem is that some translations say he was caught up to the third "paradise", which some scholars say isn't heaven. Other translations say the "third heaven".
In either case, it seems the visit was only temporary.

YouTube is full of nuts liars and crackpots claiming to have seen heaven.
Saw one the other day claiming he died ,went to heaven and talked to George Washington.