Will there be food in heaven? Will we eat in heaven?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible doesn't explicitly discuss food in heaven, but it appears possible, which reveals a greater purpose for food than just nourishment. In the Old Testament, imagery of feasting and abundance hints at future joy and fellowship with God. In the New Testament, Jesus mentions eating again with His followers and the future marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation, suggesting a celebratory aspect of eating in heaven. While food may not be necessary for sustenance in heaven, the act of eating together appears to serve as an expression of fellowship, celebration, and giving glory to God. This reflects the deeper spiritual significance of eating in heaven, emphasizing fellowship and unity with God and one another.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Food in heaven is not a topic in the Old Testament. However, the concept of feasting and abundant provision is often mentioned in the context of blessings and celebrations on earth. For instance, in Isaiah 25:6, there is a vision of a great feast provided by God for all peoples, symbolizing joy, abundance, and fellowship with God. This imagery can be seen as a foreshadowing of the eternal joy and provision that believers will experience in heaven, even if food is not specifically included.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus stated that He would one day eat again with His followers: "Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God" (Mark 14:25).
• The resurrected Jesus ate: "They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them" (Luke 24:42–43). Jesus also seems to have eaten in John 21:4–14. This does not mean all people will eat in heaven, but it at least shows us that Jesus ate after His resurrection.
• Revelation 22:2 mentions "the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month." Food will be available in heaven, though this passage is not clear whether people will eat it.
• Revelation 7:16 implies eating and drinking will not be necessary in heaven since there will be no more hunger or thirst: "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore."
• Matthew 8:11 discusses that many will come to eat at the future feast with the Lord: "I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." Here, it appears eating together with the Lord will take place even though food will not be required to sustain life.
• Revelation 19:9 states, "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." People eat at a marriage supper, so it would be reasonable to expect a celebration involving food with the Lord.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Two principles emerge from these and similar passages. First, food will no longer be essential to sustain life in heaven, as the presence of God will provide all we need and eliminate any physical limitations or needs associated with our earthly existence. However, it seems that people will eat together with the Lord in heaven. This is not to sustain life. Instead, eating together in heaven appears to serve a different purpose. It becomes an act of fellowship and celebration, an opportunity to share in joy with the Lord and with one another for all eternity. This is not just about physical sustenance but is imbued with deeper spiritual significance—uniting us in a perfect communion with God and with each other. Ultimately, eating together is and will continue to be an act of giving glory to God, something already commanded for when we eat now: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

UNDERSTAND

• Feasting imagery indicates future joy and provision with God, even if literal food is not included.
• Jesus’s eating references and discussion of the marriage supper of the Lamb suggest a celebratory aspect of eating in heaven.
• Food in heaven is for celebration and fellowship with God and others, not physical sustenance.

REFLECT

• How do you view the role of food and eating together in your current relationships with others, and how might that change in heaven?
• What does the idea of celebrating and fellowshipping with God and others in heaven tell us about the nature of our relationship with God today?
• How can we reflect the purpose of eating together for fellowship and celebration in our current lives?

ENGAGE

• How does the imagery of feasting in the Old Testament help shape your understanding of feasting in heaven?
• What do Jesus’s actions of eating after His resurrection teach us about food in heaven?
• How can we prepare ourselves today to participate in the celebration and fellowship of heaven?