What does the Bible say about loved ones in heaven?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

  [13] But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, [17] then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

• Revelation 21:4

  He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."

• 1 John 3:2

  Beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet revealed what we will be. But we know that, when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is.

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

  [1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: [2] A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up that which is planted; [3] A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; [4] A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; [5] A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; [6] A time to seek, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to cast away; [7] A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; [8] A time to love, And a time to hate; A time for war, And a time for peace. [9] What profit has he who works in that in which he labors? [10] I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. [11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. [12] I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. [13] Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. [14] I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him. [15] That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away. [16] Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. [17] I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." [18] I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals. [19] For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity. [20] All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. [21] Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?" [22] Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

• 2 Samuel 12:23

  But now he is dead, why should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.

• 1 Corinthians 2:9

  But as it is written, "Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear, Which didn't enter into the heart of man, These God has prepared for those who love him."

• John 3:16

  For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

• John 14:1-30

  [1] "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. [3] If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. [4] Where I go, you know, and you know the way." [5] Thomas says to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?" [6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. [7] If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him." [8] Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." [9] Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?' [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake. [12] Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I am going to my Father. [13] Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. [15] If you love me, keep my commandments. [16] I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,-- [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world can't receive; for it doesn't see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. [19] Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. [20] In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. [21] One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him." [22] Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" [23] Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. [24] He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me. [25] I have said these things to you, while still living with you. [26] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. [28] You heard how I told you, 'I go away, and I come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said 'I am going to my Father;' for the Father is greater than I. [29] Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe. [30] I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:17

  then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.

• Matthew 22:30

  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God's angels in heaven.

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