If you were to ask the average Christian to describe what Heaven is like, you are more likely to hear descriptions of floating on a cloud than furrowing a field. The truth is most people envision Heaven as a kind of vague, disconnected state of repose—not to mention tremendously boring-sounding. It is true that our initial state after death will be with our spirit separated from our bodies (2 Corinthians 5:8). But we will not remain so disembodied.

Work is probably the last thing you think of when you imagine Heaven. After all, doesn’t the Bible describe Heaven, that eternal destination for all true believers in Jesus Christ, as a place of rest? How could there possibly be work in a place of rest?

The truth is there will continue to be work in Heaven. Many Christians find that surprising. But I think their incredulity is due to their having imbibed a platonic vision of Heaven and an unbiblical view of work. If we take the time to examine both Heaven and work as the Bible describes them, we will see that there indeed will be work in Heaven. I also believe we will gain a greater appreciation for the significance of work and an excitement about our eternal home.

We Will Work in Heaven

If you were to ask the average Christian to describe what Heaven is like, you are more likely to hear descriptions of floating on a cloud than furrowing a field. The truth is most people envision Heaven as a kind of vague, disconnected state of repose—not to mention tremendously boring-sounding. It is true that our initial state after death will be with our spirit separated from our bodies (2 Corinthians 5:8). But we will not remain so disembodied.

The final destination for God’s saints is not an ethereal spirit world, but a solid physical one. Why else would passages like 1 Corinthians 15 make such a big deal about the resurrection of our physical bodies? And didn’t God design the Earth specifically to be mankind’s habitation? Yes, God will create a new Heaven and a new Earth and we will again walk on solid ground when it is renewed (Revelation 21:1ff).

You can read in much more detail about what the eternal state will be like in one of my favorite books, Heaven by Randy Alcorn. But for now, assuming Earth is redeemed man’s final destination, we would be right to wonder, “what will we do on that renewed Earth?” The answer is that we will worship our Lord, we will wonder at His majesty, and we will work.

Heavenly Work Will Be Restful Work

It is true, the biblical authors do picture Heaven as a place of rest. Revelation 14:13 says, “And I heard a voice from Heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’”Let’s address the objection I brought up in the introduction. If Heaven a place of rest, how can there be work?

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