Growing up, I heard that in heaven I would worship God all the time, throughout eternity, f-o-r-e-v-e-r … I pictured harps, angels, clouds and the ability to fly. I always wanted to fly as a little girl (still do).

My mom taught me that God was going to build a new city, a new Jerusalem for us here on earth one day. And I especially liked the part about there being streets of gold.

But I also know that there is so much more that my mind has never conceived about what heaven will be like. All throughout the Old and New Testament, God talks about a kingdom that He is building on earth. And I’m just now starting to grasp that He is, as we speak, preparing a real place for you and I — His people, His Church — the Bride of Christ.

There will be no need for the sun or moon to shine on this city because the glory of God gives it light. His glory will consume the new city and we will see it fully.

We will finally be with the One we’ve been waiting for. He will wipe away our tears. There will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain. The former things will pass away and all things will be made new (see Revelation 21). The greatest sins we struggle with will be no more. We will partake in the ultimate wedding feast as sons and daughters of the King.

Hell, too, is a real place that is so awful, where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:36-42) because God’s presence will not be there. Those who reject his Son will be outside the gates of the holy city — unable to join in on the celebration. And to not be with God is the worst punishment anyone could ever receive. That’s why He desires that everyone would turn to Him for life and salvation.

As believers, we have lots to look forward to in the future. No matter what frustration, hurt or sorrow we face in daily life, we know that in the end, we will be with God in the new city — one that will be unlike anything we’ve ever tasted, touched, seen, heard or read. Even our greatest imaginations of what we think heaven will be like, won’t even come close to its splendor.

I can’t wait for that city!