Heaven facts for kids

The Muslim prophet Muhammad going up to Heaven

Gustave Doré's picture of heaven from the Divine Comedy

Heaven is an idea found in many religions about what happens after you die. It's often seen as a wonderful, perfect place. Many people believe that good people go to Heaven after they die. Some religions also believe in Hell, which is a place where people go if they have been bad. It's seen as a punishment. However, ideas about Heaven and Hell are different in various religions.

Heaven in Christianity

In Christianity, the Bible talks about "heaven" in a few ways:

• The Sky: This means the air around Earth. For example, the Bible mentions God opening "the windows of heaven" when it rained.
• Outer Space: This refers to everything beyond Earth, like the sun, moon, stars, and planets.
• God's Home: This is the place where God lives and rules forever. Prophets like Isaiah spoke of a future "Kingdom of Heaven" on a new Earth. In this kingdom, God (the Messiah) would rule in person, and people would have bodies that never die.

The Bible doesn't give many details about what Heaven looks like. The apostle Paul once described a vision where he was taken to "the third heaven." He said he saw and heard things that were too amazing to explain.

However, much of what Christians imagine about Heaven comes from a vision that John had while praying. This vision describes:

• God's glory as the main light, so no sun is needed.
• It is very large, about 1,500 miles high and 1,500 miles wide.
• It has 12 gates, each made of a single pearl.
• The walls are made of jasper, a precious stone.
• The streets are made of pure gold.
• There is a river of life flowing through it.
• Trees grow on both sides of the river.

Catholics believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the Queen of Heaven. This was officially stated by Pope Pius XII in 1954. However, many Protestants do not believe this is taught in the Bible.

Heaven in Islam

In Islam, Heaven is called Jannah. According to the Quran and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad), Jannah is a reward for believers. These are people who accept the true faith and follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

Life in Jannah is perfect and eternal. It is described as having thousands of types of delicious food and beautiful clothing. These things are more wonderful than humans can ever imagine. In Jannah, there will be no sad feelings, stress, pain, or any other problems of life.

Heaven in the Bahá'í Faith

In the Bahá'í Faith, Heaven and Hell are not seen as actual places. Instead, they are symbolic. The Aqdas, which is the holy book of the Bahá'ís, explains that Heaven is a "spiritual condition." Being close to God is considered Heaven. Being separated from God is seen as Hell. Bahá'u'lláh, who founded the Bahá'í Faith, taught that what happens after death is beyond human understanding.

Heaven in Paganism

Many Pagan religions, especially Wicca, have a belief about the afterlife called Summerland. This is their idea of what happens to people after they die.

Images for kids

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  "heofones", an ancient Anglo-Saxon word for heavens in Beowulf

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  Ruins of the Ekur temple in Nippur, believed by the ancient Mesopotamians to be the "Dur-an-ki", the "mooring-rope" of heaven and earth.

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  The Assumption of the Virgin, 1475–76, by Francesco Botticini, shows different groups of angels.

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  A 19th-century Persian miniature showing an artist's idea of heaven.

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  Mystic Ibn Arabi's (13th century) drawing of Seven Paradises.

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  Devas enjoying themselves in Heaven. This is a mural from Wat Bowonniwet.

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  The structure of the Universe according to Jain scriptures.

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  An 1869 drawing by a Tuomatuan chief showing nine heavens.