“Heaven is probably so stunning that it makes your eyes all watery. I also think heaven has everything you can dream of,” says Alison, 9.

Have you ever known tears of joy from hearing an operatic tenor like Luciano Pavarotti, seeing a masterpiece like Rembrandt’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son” or visiting a paradise like the Fiji Islands? Could it be that tears-of-joy experiences are tiny samples of heaven’s bliss?

The Bible says our imaginations are too puny to comprehend what God has prepared for his people. However, that didn’t stop Ben, 9, from trying: “I think heaven looks like a giant forest with a golden path. There will be lots of animals like dogs, wolves, foxes and monkeys. Diamonds will grow on trees! Trees will have faces, and so do mountains. There are flying ships and floating islands.”

Perhaps diamonds and gold are also glimpses of the glory from above. What would you think of a person who devoted his life to collecting chunks of asphalt? The Bible tells us that gold will serve as heaven’s asphalt (Revelation 21:21). Many people spend their entire lives pursuing that which is only pavement in heaven.

Ted, 8, has an idea about real riches in heaven: “I think heaven will have doors that have your name on it. When you open the door that has your name on it, there is a lot of fun stuff.”

The main thing to remember about doors and heaven is that there is only one door that opens to eternal bliss. Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep.” He also said, “If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7,9).

Remember the imagery from Psalm 23: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures.” Good shepherds go ahead of their flocks to search out and prepare pasture for them.

The Lord Jesus is heaven’s shepherd. Before he went to the cross to die for our sins, he told his disciples not to be troubled. He spoke of many dwelling places in his Father’s house. He promised to go ahead of them to prepare a place (John 14:13).

I once toured Chicago houses designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Before the tour, I knew that each house would be special because Mr. Wright had been acclaimed as one of America’s most innovative architects.

Can you imagine the creator of this universe designing and building a place for you? There won’t be any shacks in heaven because the architect and builder’s reputation is at stake. Every part of his place for you will have the designer touch.

“Heaven has people who will be overjoyed to see everyone who comes through the gates,” says Stephen, 10. “Angels will be everywhere singing beautiful songs. The Lord will be there to see everyone. Everyone will be celebrating all the time. No one will be left out.”

Think about this: The most superlative experience you’ve ever had is only a glimpse into the kind of aliveness you’ll know in a resurrection body in the presence of God’s unveiled glory.

Memorize this truth: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (I Corinthians 13:12).

Ask this question: Is your little pea-pickin’ brain large enough to imagine for one minute the kind of glory that awaits those who have trusted the Lord Jesus as their savior?

Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost.

Bible quotations are from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

For more information about this column or to contact the author, visit kidstalkboutGod.org.

COPYRIGHT 2022 CAREY KINSOLVING