In heaven, what will we look like?

Quick answer

The Bible does not tell us exactly what we will look like in heaven, but we know we will have resurrected, eternal bodies that are recognizable to others. What we will look like is interesting, but more important is that we will be in God’s presence forever and that we will live without sin and its effects.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

First Corinthians 15 speaks of the resurrection bodies of believers. They will be immortal and incorruptible. In other words, these bodies will be new, everlasting, and much improved over our earthly bodies. Not every detail is given regarding our heavenly bodies, but we do have some information. We will have new, perfect, eternal bodies made free from the limitations of this life. We will be able to recognize one another and have freedom from sin and its impact as we live among other believers and in the presence of the Lord forever.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

What we will look like in heaven is not a topic in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

It appears that believers will be able to recognize one another in heaven, meaning the new bodies must look like our current bodies to some degree. The resurrected body of Jesus, for example, was recognizable to His followers, though it included special abilities and was made whole (1 John 3:2–3). It is clear that people will be able to recognize us in heaven.

Other Scriptures imply through actions in heaven how believers will look there. For example, we will eat and drink (Luke 14:15; 22:18). We will be clothed in new clothing (2 Corinthians 5:4–5). We will be able to sing and express worship to the Lord. Like Moses and Elijah, we will be able to speak with Jesus and with others (Luke 9:28–32).

All sin will be removed from our heavenly bodies. Our human tendencies to sin in various forms will no longer exist. Temptation will no longer be a concern; instead, we will experience perfect joy and peace in the presence of the Lord. This is supported by Revelation 21:4, which says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Interestingly, Scripture indicates we will each have a body and soul that are unique: "But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body" (1 Corinthians 15:38).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Bible does not give us a detailed description of what we will look like in heaven, but it does assure us that we will have new, eternal bodies that are free from sin and its effects. This means we will be able to recognize each other and live in perfect harmony with God and fellow believers forever. Rather than getting caught up in curiosity about the specifics of our heavenly appearance, we should focus on the greater promise of eternal communion with God, free from pain, temptation, and suffering. This should give us hope and peace today as we look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives. Our focus should be on living a life that pleases God, knowing that He has prepared a place for us that is beyond what we can imagine.

UNDERSTAND

In heaven, believers will have immortal and incorruptible bodies that are new and perfect for eternity.

We will be able to recognize each other in heaven, suggesting some continuity with our earthly forms.

Although we are not given specifics about our bodies in heaven, we will live without sin.

REFLECT

How does the idea of having a resurrected, eternal body in heaven influence your view of your current body and its limitations?

What aspects of heaven are you most looking forward to experiencing alongside other believers?

How does knowing that we will be free from sin and its effects impact your understanding of true peace and joy in God’s presence?

ENGAGE

What about those with physical or mental problems in this life? Believers will receive new bodies completely made whole by God. Isaiah 35:5–6 declares, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy." Just as the resurrected body of Jesus was made whole, so will those with limitations in this life. How do you imagine heaven, and how do you imagine our earthly bodies will be transformed?

How do you think our heavenly bodies will allow us to recognize each other, and why is that important?

How should our understanding of heaven affect our priorities, our care for our bodies, and our actions today?