Heaven is a wonderful place. The promise of heaven is the most precious promise that we have. This should motivate us to live good lives, to serve God consistently, and to teach the gospel to the lost at every opportunity that we have.

Why is heaven such a glorious place? Wherein lies the beauty of heaven, and what is the motivating factor behind wanting to get there? Really there is no one factor. There are many things about heaven that are attractive. I suppose the best thing about heaven will be being in the immediate presence of God. In heaven we will see God face to face (Revelation 22:4). Unspeakable beauty and grandeur is another reason heaven will be such a wonderful place to spend eternity. Heaven is the antithesis of hell. If hell is a place of outer darkness, then heaven is a place of continual light (Revelation 21:23). If hell is a place where there is the terrible sound of weeping and gnashing of teeth, heaven is a place where the beautiful voices of multitudes ring together in singing praises to God (Revelation 5:9; 14:3; 15:3).

There is something else that adds attraction to heaven: it is a place of total righteousness. Peter said, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). This picture of heaven being a place of righteousness suggests several things. Let’s look at a few of them:

Heaven is a place where God is.

We’ve already said that in heaven we will see God face to face. But there is more. In heaven we will experience the righteousness of God in an even more powerful way than we do now. The righteousness of God will fill heaven and surround us constantly. The word righteousness sometimes refers to the character of God (Romans 3:25, 26). It points to God’s faithfulness and truthfulness. John wrote, “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5). This is the reason given for there being no need for sun in heaven, “…for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” God’s loving patience; His justice and kindness, along with His trustworthiness, are all a part of what makes Him perfectly righteous. Heaven will be a place where righteousness dwells because the presence and influence of God will be everywhere.

Heaven will be a place without sin.

Regarding heaven, John said, “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination…” (Revelation 21:27). What makes this world so unattractive is the continual sin that is present. Everywhere one goes there is sin. Think of all the heartache and tears, and all the difficult times that come upon us because of sin. Then think of a sin-free environment where only righteousness dwells, and you get at least a partial picture of what heaven will be like. Sin is a violation of God’s law (1 John 3:4). That is what we are surrounded by today. Righteousness is whatever is right and just before God. That is what we will be surrounded by in heaven. Doesn’t that sound like a place you want to be?

Heaven is a place where righteousness will be performed.

Righteousness is not only a word that describes character, it is an action word as well. It is sometimes used in the Bible to denote religious duty (Matthew 6:1). Jesus condemns doing righteousness before men, but He is clear on the fact that righteousness is some-thing done. The NAS translates Matthew 6:1 as follows: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men.” John spoke of the doing of righteousness (1 John 2:29; 3:7). If righteousness involves doing God’s will, then heaven is going to be a place where everybody is doing the will of God. In heaven there will be no procrastination, no excuses, no murmuring. There will just be doing. And there is no greater joy than serving God and doing His will. That is why heaven is so attractive. Everyone a-round you will be involved in acts of righteousness all the time. And you will be too!