A Glimpse of Glory: What Heaven is Really Like

And What Near Death Experiences Can Tell Us

We all wonder about it. From the time we are young, looking up at the night sky, to the quiet moments when we lose someone we love, the question echoes in the human heart: What happens next? What is heaven really like?

For decades, popular culture has given us a rather boring picture of heaven—floating on clouds, playing harps, and wearing white robes in a perpetual, quiet choir practice. But if we look at what the Bible actually says, and if we listen to the incredible testimonies of those who have caught a glimpse of the other side, the picture is infinitely more vibrant, active, and overwhelmingly beautiful.

The Biblical Picture of Heaven

When we turn to Scripture, heaven is not described as a ghostly, floaty existence. It is a physical, resurrected reality. In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John is given a breathtaking vision of the future:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1, 3-4)

The Bible describes a New Earth—a redeemed, perfected version of the world we know now. It has physical cities, gates of pearl, streets made of pure gold (so pure it is transparent like glass), a crystal-clear river of the water of life, and the tree of life bearing fruit every month (Revelation 21-22).

But the most incredible feature of heaven isn’t the architecture or the landscape. It’s the presence of God Himself. Scripture tells us that this new city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb (Jesus) is its lamp (Revelation 21:23). Heaven is a place of profound relational intimacy, perfect purpose, deep learning, joyous reunions, and unending exploration.

The Surprising Witness of Near Death Experiences (NDEs)

In modern medical history, advances in resuscitation have brought millions of people back from the brink of clinical death. A stunning percentage of these people report Near Death Experiences (NDEs). What is fascinating is that regardless of geography, culture, age, or prior religious background, the core components of these experiences are strikingly similar.

People often report:

• A feeling of leaving their physical body and experiencing heightened, HD-like senses.
• Traveling through a tunnel or transition space.
• Encountering breathtaking landscapes, colors that don’t exist on earth, and music that feels alive.
• Joyous reunions with family members and friends who have passed away.

But the most profound commonality is the encounter with “The Light.”

Countless survivors describe meeting a Being of Light who radiates an all-consuming, holy, and unconditional love. And here is the amazing part: thousands of people—including those who grew up in entirely different faiths, atheists, and agnostics—have recognized this Being of Light as Jesus Christ.

They describe His love not as a distant, judgmental force, but as an overwhelming, intimate embrace. They report feeling more “known” and “loved” in His presence than they ever thought possible. Jesus meets them right where they are, showing them incredible grace and truth, and giving them a taste of the pure, holy love that God has for every single human soul.

Imagine Heaven: John Burke’s Incredible Research

One of the most compelling collections of this research comes from pastor and author John Burke. In his phenomenal, bestselling book, Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God’s Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You, Burke analyzes over 1,000 NDE accounts.

Burke, who was formerly a skeptical engineer, realized that when you line up the verified, credible accounts of NDEs alongside the biblical descriptions of heaven, they fit together perfectly. He describes the Bible as the “picture on the box of a jigsaw puzzle,” while the NDEs are the individual puzzle pieces. When you put them together, the NDE testimonies brilliantly color in the biblical promises.

To hear more about this incredible research, watch this powerful video from John Burke’s channel:

Joy and Hope for the Journey Ahead

Why does all of this matter for us today?

Because the overwhelming alignment between the promises of the Bible and the testimonies of those who have seen the other side should give us immense joy and hope.

The God of the Bible is real. The Jesus who meets people in these near-death experiences with overwhelming grace is the same Jesus who promises in John 14:2-3, “My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

We do not have to fear death. The end of this earthly life is simply the beginning of the real story. It is the threshold to a home we have been homesick for our entire lives—a place of unimaginable beauty, perfect restoration, and an eternity spent wrapped in the holy, relentless love of our Creator. Let this truth anchor your soul, bring peace to your grief, and fill your daily life with breathtaking hope.