The question of who will go to heaven is an important one that the Bible addresses. At the most basic level, the Bible teaches that those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will go to heaven. However, there are also some nuances around this topic that are worth exploring in more detail from a biblical perspective.
First, it’s important to understand what the Bible teaches about salvation. The core message of the gospel is that all people are sinful and separated from God (Romans 3:23), but that through faith in Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we can have a restored relationship with God (John 3:16). Accepting Christ’s sacrifice on the cross by faith is the central requirement for salvation and heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9).
So in short, those who sincerely repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ will go to heaven. The Bible emphasizes that salvation is through God’s grace and our faith, not by our own good works or merit (Titus 3:5). Our entrance into heaven is made possible by what Jesus did on the cross, not by what we do.
However, faith in Christ should result in a transformed life characterized by good works and obedience to God. So while works don’t earn us salvation, they do provide evidence that our faith is genuine. In James 2:14-26, the Bible warns against claiming to have faith without producing fruit through good deeds. Saving faith will be accompanied by a life that reflects the Lordship of Christ.
At the same time, the Bible also teaches that Christians will continue to struggle with sin while on earth (1 John 1:8). We won’t achieve sinless perfection this side of eternity. What’s required for heaven is not flawless obedience to God’s law, but genuine faith producing spiritual fruit, evidence of a changed heart and life.
What about those who never hear the gospel or have a chance to respond to Christ? Scripture indicates that God judges people based on the knowledge and opportunities they have been given. Romans 1:19-20 states that all people have enough revelation through creation to know God exists. But the Bible also teaches that without faith in Christ, people stand condemned already (John 3:18). God will judge fairly based on the truth about Himself that people reject or embrace.
Some additional points worth noting about who will go to heaven:
- Children and the mentally disabled who lack the capacity to understand the gospel and respond in faith will be with God in heaven by His grace and mercy (2 Samuel 12:23).
- There is only one path to heaven – through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Other religions will not lead to heaven.
- Not all who profess to be Christians truly have saving faith. Only those who are born again through the Holy Spirit belong to God’s family (Matthew 7:21-23).
- For believers, death ushers us immediately into God’s presence in heaven as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8.
In summary, heaven belongs to those who have sincerely repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. This faith will manifest itself in a life of obedience, albeit imperfect. At the same time, entrance into heaven ultimately depends on God’s grace rather than our own merit. God knows the hearts of all people, and He will judge righteously according to the truth that each person has received.
As God’s Word says in 1 John 5:11-13:
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
For believers, we can have assurance of heaven based on the promises of God in Scripture. For those who have not yet placed their faith in Christ, the way to heaven remains open through trusting in His finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.
Common Misconceptions
There are some common misconceptions that people have about who will enter heaven. Here are a few worth noting:
- Misconception: Good people go to heaven.
- Truth: No one is truly “good” according to God’s standard of holiness (Romans 3:10). Entrance into heaven depends on being cleansed of sin through Christ.
- Misconception: Following my religion sincerely will lead to heaven.
- Truth: Sincerity does not determine truth. Jesus is the only source of salvation and the exclusive path to the Father (John 14:6).
- Misconception: Children automatically go to heaven.
- Truth: While children who die before an age of moral understanding go to heaven by God’s grace, all people eventually reach an age where they are accountable before God for sin.
- Misconception: If I do enough good deeds, I will get into heaven.
- Truth: Salvation cannot be earned by human effort. It is the gracious gift of God received by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Rather than relying on human assumptions about who will enter heaven, we need to turn to Scripture to understand the qualifications that God Himself has laid out in His Word.
Heaven’s Population
Given what the Bible teaches about salvation through faith in Christ, what does this mean for the population of heaven? Several points are worth making:
- Sadly, many will reject Christ and the free offer of salvation, choosing to remain under condemnation (Matthew 7:13-14).
- Those who have not heard the gospel will be judged fairly by God according to the light they were given (Romans 2:12-16).
- Children, the mentally disabled, and others incapable of understanding the gospel will be granted entrance into heaven by God’s mercy.
- There will be people from every tribe, tongue, and nation who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 5:9).
The Bible indicates that the number of the redeemed will be substantial, though not all will choose salvation:
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)
God desires for all to come to repentance and be saved, even if some tragically choose separation from Him (2 Peter 3:9). Scripture points to a diverse, multinational population in heaven made up of those who placed their faith in Christ.
Requirements to Enter Heaven
So what exactly does someone need to do to enter heaven? The Bible lays out a clear set of requirements:
- Hear the gospel message of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection (Romans 10:14-17). God promises to judge fairly those who never had this opportunity.
- Repent and turn away from sin and self-rule. Have godly sorrow leading to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).
- Place faith in Jesus Christ, trusting in His sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins (John 1:12, 3:16).
- Confess Jesus Christ as Lord, demonstrating a commitment to follow Him (Romans 10:9).
- Be transformed into a new creation in Christ, characterized by a growing love for God and others (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- Persevere in faith to the end, not falling away into unbelief (Hebrews 3:12-14).
This does not imply sinless perfection. Christians will struggle and stumble. But the overall trajectory of their lives will be toward Christlikeness as evidence of a changed heart.
In addition to meeting these requirements, people must avoid behaviors that Scripture says will prevent entrance into the kingdom of heaven:
- Continuing in unrepentant sin and willful disobedience to God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
- Unbelief and rejection of Christ (John 3:18).
- Reliance on good works or human effort for salvation (Galatians 5:4).
- Failing to forgive others (Matthew 6:15).
- Spiritual apathy, lukewarmness, and hypocrisy (Matthew 24:12, Revelation 3:16).
God desires that all would come to repentance and faith. But He grants humans the sobering responsibility to choose or reject Him.
Certainty of Heaven
Can Christians have certainty that they will go to heaven when they die? The apostle John states in his first epistle:
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
Believers can indeed have assurance of salvation and heaven by trusting in Christ’s finished work, examining their hearts, and watching for spiritual fruit:
- Do I have a growing love for God and his commands? (1 John 2:3)
- Do I increasingly reject sinful behaviors and desires? (1 John 3:6-10)
- Do I demonstrate love for others? (1 John 3:14)
- Do I eagerly hope for Christ’s return? (2 Timothy 4:8)
While Christians may struggle with sin and doubts, the overall trajectory of their lives should reflect Christ’s transforming work in their hearts. Assurance is based on abiding in Christ and His promises, not personal perfection.
Additionally, the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we belong to God (Romans 8:15-16). Through the inner witness of the Spirit, believers can have confidence of belonging to Christ forever.
Awaiting Heaven
For believers, death marks the joyous passage into God’s presence in heaven and the glorious hope of resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Paul said to “depart and be with Christ” was far better than remaining on earth (Philippians 1:23). Heaven is described as a place of breathtaking beauty (Revelation 21:10-27) and endless joy in deep fellowship with Christ (Revelation 22:4).
However, the Bible also teaches that there will be varying degrees of reward in heaven based on a believer’s service and obedience to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). There is sanctification after death, so our actions on earth still have eternal significance.
For unbelievers who reject Christ, death tragically marks the beginning of eternal separation from God and unending punishment (Revelation 20:11-15). Hell is described as a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42), vividly highlighting the necessity of salvation through Christ alone.
The stakes involved in life’s most important question – “Who will go to heaven?” – could not be higher or more lasting. We all await one of two eternities after death. By God’s grace, may we place our trust in Christ and lay hold of the astounding gift of eternal life with Him.