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Heaven On Earth: What the Bible Teaches about Life to Come
Why a book about heaven?
For all the skepticism that abounds in our time, people still want to know what happens after death. Do you know with any certainty where your conscious, thinking, self–aware, communicative self will be? And does it matter, as long as you are in ‘heaven’? But the importance of ‘heaven’ does not consist only in it being the alternative to ‘hell’. It is not just an abstract future state into which we will slip, it is a physical reality which can give us joy and hope even now as we look toward it.
Derek Thomas examines how the Christian can and should think about heaven:
1. We Die … Then what?
2. Are You Ready?
3. Falling Asleep
4. The Trumpet Shall Sound
5. The New Heaven and New Earth
6. What Will Heaven be Like?
7. Like the Angels
For all the skepticism that abounds in our time, people still want to know what happens after death. Do you know with any certainty where your conscious, thinking, self–aware, communicative self will be? And does it matter, as long as you are in ‘heaven’? But the importance of ‘heaven’ does not consist only in it being the alternative to ‘hell’. It is not just an abstract future state into which we will slip, it is a physical reality which can give us joy and hope even now as we look toward it.
Derek Thomas examines how the Christian can and should think about heaven:
1. We Die … Then what?
2. Are You Ready?
3. Falling Asleep
4. The Trumpet Shall Sound
5. The New Heaven and New Earth
6. What Will Heaven be Like?
7. Like the Angels
86 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2018
31 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Derek W.H. Thomas
59 books65 followersOriginally from Wales, Dr. Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.
In addition to serving in the pastorate, Derek has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A 1978 graduate of RTS, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter, in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He has written numerous books, including The Storm Breaks: Job Simply Explained, Wisdom: the Key to Living God’s Way, and God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained, Making the Most of Your Devotional Life based on the Ascent Psalms, and Praying the Savior’s Way, based on the Lord’s Prayer. Recently he published Let’s Study Revelation (Banner of Truth), Let’s Study Galatians (Banner of Truth), and Calvin’s Teaching on Job: Proclaiming the Incomprehensible God (Christian Focus). He also co-edited, Give Praise To God: A Vision for Reforming Worship (P & R).
His interests include the music of Anton Bruckner, Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler as well as a passion for good coffee.
He has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for almost 30 years. They have two adult children, Ellen and Owen.
In addition to serving in the pastorate, Derek has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A 1978 graduate of RTS, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter, in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He has written numerous books, including The Storm Breaks: Job Simply Explained, Wisdom: the Key to Living God’s Way, and God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained, Making the Most of Your Devotional Life based on the Ascent Psalms, and Praying the Savior’s Way, based on the Lord’s Prayer. Recently he published Let’s Study Revelation (Banner of Truth), Let’s Study Galatians (Banner of Truth), and Calvin’s Teaching on Job: Proclaiming the Incomprehensible God (Christian Focus). He also co-edited, Give Praise To God: A Vision for Reforming Worship (P & R).
His interests include the music of Anton Bruckner, Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler as well as a passion for good coffee.
He has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for almost 30 years. They have two adult children, Ellen and Owen.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 5, 2020
A simple book for a complex topic! Some eyebrows have been raised over his theory on animals (especially dogs) being in the new Heaven and the new Earth, but hey... I would be happy if he is right! All in all, this book has definitely left me more eager to reach the new creation.
February 18, 2020
Great short book about heaven and the life to come. Very readable. It refuted common misconceptions and avoids falling into the quest for illegitimate religious certainly. Recommended.
April 24, 2018
Not so sure how I feel about this book. Most of what I loved in Heaven On Earth came from quotes by other guys and the scripture he cites, so that's a sign that maybe I didn't completely embrace what he wrote.
Thomas holds some different views on eschatology than I do, but that's not really a big deal. He takes definitive stances on things that I don't agree you can take. But again, not really my problem with the book. He cites Scripture thoroughly and appeals to the authority of the Word, and not his opinions or experiences. Just stop and consider how refreshingly rare that is these days.
As a general, "think-about-heaven-and-worship-God" book Thomas does a great job. He tackles topics like the "rapture" event, the new heavens and the new earth, what our transformed bodies will look like, and even what immediately happens when Jesus returns. All good to think about.
He also spends some considerable time thinking about whether dogs will be in heaven. Yes, dogs. He spends A LOT of time arguing that they will.
Like this quote:
It is often suggested that the reason why dogs (or any other non-human life) are not in heaven is because they do not have souls. As we saw earlier, this line of reasoning is altogether misguided. It displays a Greek or Platonic understanding of soul rather than a biblical one. What distinguishes human beings from other life forms in the opening chapter of the Bible is not the possession (or lack of) a soul. It is the fact that human beings are made in the “image of God” (Gen. 1:27).
...or this one from the closing paragraphs...
"In its final form, heaven is a new earth. Mountains, oceans, rivers, lakes, forests, sandy beaches, birds, fish, animals of every kind. And dogs. Sweet dogs to play and run with! All God’s creation now restored. For us to explore and investigate and try to understand. That means science, and travel, and composition, and art, and music, and poetry; all that is pure and lovely and good. New talents to learn (I do hope so). New experiences to enjoy."
All things considered it's a decent read if you're interested in what the Bible teaches about last things. If you're interested in whether dogs go to heaven, then WOW, will you absolutely slobber over this book.
Thomas holds some different views on eschatology than I do, but that's not really a big deal. He takes definitive stances on things that I don't agree you can take. But again, not really my problem with the book. He cites Scripture thoroughly and appeals to the authority of the Word, and not his opinions or experiences. Just stop and consider how refreshingly rare that is these days.
As a general, "think-about-heaven-and-worship-God" book Thomas does a great job. He tackles topics like the "rapture" event, the new heavens and the new earth, what our transformed bodies will look like, and even what immediately happens when Jesus returns. All good to think about.
He also spends some considerable time thinking about whether dogs will be in heaven. Yes, dogs. He spends A LOT of time arguing that they will.
Like this quote:
It is often suggested that the reason why dogs (or any other non-human life) are not in heaven is because they do not have souls. As we saw earlier, this line of reasoning is altogether misguided. It displays a Greek or Platonic understanding of soul rather than a biblical one. What distinguishes human beings from other life forms in the opening chapter of the Bible is not the possession (or lack of) a soul. It is the fact that human beings are made in the “image of God” (Gen. 1:27).
...or this one from the closing paragraphs...
"In its final form, heaven is a new earth. Mountains, oceans, rivers, lakes, forests, sandy beaches, birds, fish, animals of every kind. And dogs. Sweet dogs to play and run with! All God’s creation now restored. For us to explore and investigate and try to understand. That means science, and travel, and composition, and art, and music, and poetry; all that is pure and lovely and good. New talents to learn (I do hope so). New experiences to enjoy."
All things considered it's a decent read if you're interested in what the Bible teaches about last things. If you're interested in whether dogs go to heaven, then WOW, will you absolutely slobber over this book.
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May 29, 2023technically an audiobook that I listened to.
April 7, 2025
Full of great, Biblical answers about what awaits us in the next life, after death, in heaven. Thomas draw exclusively from the Word to tell us what is to come. I especially enjoyed how he used Jesus’ post-resurrection body to explore what we can expect. It add great help to know what’s to come, and ask many questions we don’t yet know. I do wish he had offered more about what it will be like to be in the presence of the Holy God.
April 13, 2025
A good little book. Not quite as solid a book as Alcorn’s Heaven (which everyone should read), but a good summary of the basic teachings in the Bible. Highly recommended
February 23, 2024
Decent read- Not overly complicated, but not as deep as I would have liked. The author seems to present ideas and then shrink away from the frequently. Very short and there are some good nuggets
May 21, 2019
For a smaller book (a little over 100 pages), I thought that this was a great read on the topic of heaven. I think it would be great to use in a small group or discussion setting. One thing to be mindful of is that Thomas only uses the pre-tribulational view to explain the second coming of Christ. Others who hold to a different view will not see that discussed in this book.
April 13, 2018
The material in this short book, from a respected pastor and theologian, was originally preached as sermons. His prayer for the readers of the book is that they will get right with God, before it is too late. It is only then, he writes, that heaven can be entertained as an assurance and certainty.
He writes that for all the skepticism that abounds in our time, people still want to know what happens after death. But what do people mean when they talk about heaven? The author is persuaded that he shall be in heaven when he dies, but he won’t spend eternity in that heaven. No, at the Resurrection, he shall live in the new heaven and new earth, with the emphasis on the new earth.
He writes that preaching about what happens after death confirmed in him once again the vital importance of what happens after death. Apart from the gospel—faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, apart from any works on our part—it is not heaven (in either sense) that awaits us, but everlasting punishment in hell.
He writes that when we die, our consciousness, or our “soulish part”, continues to exist. We never really cease to exist, but simply continue in another realm of God’s created order, in that realm where Jesus lives in His resurrected, ascended body. That place is called heaven. He writes that we can be certain that heaven and hell exist because the Bible insists on it.
He tells us that death is not the end, just the start of another journey. It is like getting on a train, or bus or an airplane that will take us to heaven. Christians have every reason to believe that heaven awaits them when they die. After death, Christians are more alive than they have ever been. They are in the presence of Christ, and they know it. Knowing the journey ahead with certainty enables us to face it with courage.
He writes that nothing could be more certain for a believer than the belief that when we die, our souls are with Jesus in a conscious state and, when Jesus returns, our souls will be clothed with the physicality of a resurrected body.
Where will believers spend eternity? In a world like ours, but only better, on a new heaven and new earth. Heaven in its final state will be like a new city, a new temple, a new garden and a new world. In the new heavens and new earth, Christians are going to reign with Christ.
Scripture is very clear that differences exist in the new earth. There is continuity and there is also discontinuity. The greatest experience of heaven will be to gaze on Jesus’ beautiful face. We will bow in worship and praise and adoration and sing His praises.
This short, and very readable book, would be an excellent one to give to those who have questions about what happens after we die.
He writes that for all the skepticism that abounds in our time, people still want to know what happens after death. But what do people mean when they talk about heaven? The author is persuaded that he shall be in heaven when he dies, but he won’t spend eternity in that heaven. No, at the Resurrection, he shall live in the new heaven and new earth, with the emphasis on the new earth.
He writes that preaching about what happens after death confirmed in him once again the vital importance of what happens after death. Apart from the gospel—faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, apart from any works on our part—it is not heaven (in either sense) that awaits us, but everlasting punishment in hell.
He writes that when we die, our consciousness, or our “soulish part”, continues to exist. We never really cease to exist, but simply continue in another realm of God’s created order, in that realm where Jesus lives in His resurrected, ascended body. That place is called heaven. He writes that we can be certain that heaven and hell exist because the Bible insists on it.
He tells us that death is not the end, just the start of another journey. It is like getting on a train, or bus or an airplane that will take us to heaven. Christians have every reason to believe that heaven awaits them when they die. After death, Christians are more alive than they have ever been. They are in the presence of Christ, and they know it. Knowing the journey ahead with certainty enables us to face it with courage.
He writes that nothing could be more certain for a believer than the belief that when we die, our souls are with Jesus in a conscious state and, when Jesus returns, our souls will be clothed with the physicality of a resurrected body.
Where will believers spend eternity? In a world like ours, but only better, on a new heaven and new earth. Heaven in its final state will be like a new city, a new temple, a new garden and a new world. In the new heavens and new earth, Christians are going to reign with Christ.
Scripture is very clear that differences exist in the new earth. There is continuity and there is also discontinuity. The greatest experience of heaven will be to gaze on Jesus’ beautiful face. We will bow in worship and praise and adoration and sing His praises.
This short, and very readable book, would be an excellent one to give to those who have questions about what happens after we die.
May 11, 2020
Helpful book on heaven. Right out of the gate, author Derek Thomas poses this question, "Where will you be five minutes after you have been declared dead?" (15). It is a question of profound importance! "Christians have an answer that is certain and clear. Consciousness and all that goes with it continues in another realm, where Jesus exists in bodily form. And this place is called heaven" (16). Thomas goes on to distinguish the new heavens and new earth from the intermediate state along with a host of other potentially confusing issues regarding certain notions of the end times. The book was originally a collection of sermons he delivered a number of years back and his pastoral wisdom and wit comes through clearly. Some memorable quotes:
"Death is like getting on a train, or bus or an airplane that will take us to heaven" (37). "Knowing what happens to us after we die makes us bold...Christians die with courage because they die with confidence." (52). "Jesus is the prototype of the resurrection body. Paul writes in Phil. 3:21 that God will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body" (106). "Whatever our occupation in heaven, there will be maximum satisfaction, enjoyment, and pleasure, of the kind we have only glimpsed here and now. Laughter, accomplishment, fulfillment-being who we were made to be, achieving our full potential, and discovering a contentment that is wonderful (that is, full of wonder), is what heaven is about" (110).
"Death is like getting on a train, or bus or an airplane that will take us to heaven" (37). "Knowing what happens to us after we die makes us bold...Christians die with courage because they die with confidence." (52). "Jesus is the prototype of the resurrection body. Paul writes in Phil. 3:21 that God will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body" (106). "Whatever our occupation in heaven, there will be maximum satisfaction, enjoyment, and pleasure, of the kind we have only glimpsed here and now. Laughter, accomplishment, fulfillment-being who we were made to be, achieving our full potential, and discovering a contentment that is wonderful (that is, full of wonder), is what heaven is about" (110).
September 4, 2021
A very decent read about heaven and the life to come!
Thomas write clearly and succinctly, stringing different biblical texts together to explain what heaven is all about. The foundation he sets in the first few chapters are very strong, answering the critical questions, and ably demonstrating what the Bible teaches on this subject.
Towards the end, Thomas attempts to answer some commonly asked questions about heaven. As these are questions that the Bible didn’t answer, he tried his best to make reasonable conjecture. But the fact is that these, as surely the author also admit, are best guesses. We will only when we get there!
If one wants to read about heaven, another option is Jonathan Edwards’ “Heaven - a word of love”, which is the last chapter of “Charity and its Fruit”. I picked up my old copy after reading Thomas’s Heaven on Earth, and re-read that chapter. What a masterful piece produced by Edwards! Both books have helped me better understand the afterlife, and the eternal life that beckons for all who believe!
Thomas write clearly and succinctly, stringing different biblical texts together to explain what heaven is all about. The foundation he sets in the first few chapters are very strong, answering the critical questions, and ably demonstrating what the Bible teaches on this subject.
Towards the end, Thomas attempts to answer some commonly asked questions about heaven. As these are questions that the Bible didn’t answer, he tried his best to make reasonable conjecture. But the fact is that these, as surely the author also admit, are best guesses. We will only when we get there!
If one wants to read about heaven, another option is Jonathan Edwards’ “Heaven - a word of love”, which is the last chapter of “Charity and its Fruit”. I picked up my old copy after reading Thomas’s Heaven on Earth, and re-read that chapter. What a masterful piece produced by Edwards! Both books have helped me better understand the afterlife, and the eternal life that beckons for all who believe!
September 6, 2021
With clear references from God's Word, Derek WH Thomas sheds light on what we can know about life after death, and what we can only conjecture.
Here are some useful excerpts:
"Death is "swallowed up by life" (2 Cor 5:4). After death, Christians are more alive than they have ever been. They are in the presence of Christ, and they know it."
Revelations makes it clear that what lies ahead is "... a new heaven and a new earth..." (Rev 21:1) We will have physical bodies much like Jesus had a fully functioning physical body after His resurrection. We will live on earth as it was intended, with rocks and hills, oceans and rivers, forests and fields, birds and animals, all without the effects of the fall and the curse.
Extremely encouraging and really makes me look forward to heaven, whether I go to Christ or He comes for us again first.
September 29, 2021
This is a great small book discussing what Heaven will be like from a Biblical perspective. Contrary to many popular books now-adays which focus on sensationalism and so-called "experiences" of heaven, Thomas takes a Biblical approach to answering the questions. Where the Bible speaks, we speak, where the Bible is silent, we are silent.
The only small critique I have is that I feel like some extrapolations were taken into conjecture such as saying almost definitively that there will be dogs in heaven. He tried to build the argument based on the text, but I'm just not sure I followed the line of reasoning/induction. I wish the book were a little bit larger so that some of the verses could be expounded upon more.
But overall, it was a great "primer" on heaven and the life to come that you could hand to someone searching for simple answers to these common questions.
The only small critique I have is that I feel like some extrapolations were taken into conjecture such as saying almost definitively that there will be dogs in heaven. He tried to build the argument based on the text, but I'm just not sure I followed the line of reasoning/induction. I wish the book were a little bit larger so that some of the verses could be expounded upon more.
But overall, it was a great "primer" on heaven and the life to come that you could hand to someone searching for simple answers to these common questions.
July 7, 2023
Derek's little book is comforting, encouraging and intriguing. The one particularly intriguing part on page 48, using Herman Ridderbos and Philip E. Hughes as support, was his notion that there might be some sort of temporal physical bodily existence immediately following death. Thomas does present a good question, "How can we speak, and hear, and see if we have no mouth, ears or eyes." It is a valid point to make in light the Beatific VISION.
I'm not quite as confident as Thomas is about the amount of continuity from this earth to the new earth (and heaven). But I do agree that creation will be reborn and not annihilated. Quick read but one I will return to again and again.
I'm not quite as confident as Thomas is about the amount of continuity from this earth to the new earth (and heaven). But I do agree that creation will be reborn and not annihilated. Quick read but one I will return to again and again.
December 15, 2018
Interesting and informative. I appreciate the quotes from historical theologians such as Augustine and C.S. Lewis. It’s apparent that Derek Thomas has done his due diligence in research and study. It’s fascinating to read about and think about our futures in eternity, and I appreciate the picture he paints of our future life on a new earth. There are many areas of speculation, but I think it’s helpful to engage our minds and imagination as we contemplate heaven. It really does make me homesick for heaven.
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June 11, 2020I am reading this book for my D-Min program at The Master’s Seminary. This is a well-written book on what happens to the believer in Christ when he or she is immediately apart from the body. Thomas goes on to describe our future arrival back on this recreated earth. Although I don’t agree with several assumptions made with the “restored” earth verses a “recreated earth” and the presence of a “sea” in the New Heavens and Earth, this is a concise and encouraging read. Every believer should read this book.
August 5, 2018
A *very* short summary of Biblical teachings on the subjects of death and heaven. For a 100-page book, it is even shorter than I would expect due to the small size of the book itself and the large font. Also, a large part of the book has more to do with death than with the titular topic of heaven. Useful if you need a very brief overview, but if you are looking for any depth on the subject of heaven, you won't find that here.
June 23, 2020
A short treatment of a vast topic.
It is a helpful introductory book for those who want to have a brief answer about the intermediate state, and those who do not take the Spiritual Vision Model of heaven, whereby we will spend eternity sitting on a cloud, playing the harp. There is much more to heaven that that!
This is a refreshing read, lifting our gaze away from our momentary afflictions unto the eternal weight of glory awaiting us.
It is a helpful introductory book for those who want to have a brief answer about the intermediate state, and those who do not take the Spiritual Vision Model of heaven, whereby we will spend eternity sitting on a cloud, playing the harp. There is much more to heaven that that!
This is a refreshing read, lifting our gaze away from our momentary afflictions unto the eternal weight of glory awaiting us.
May 12, 2018
This book is written by a man who obviously has a great academic mind and a pastoral heart. I found myself to be more excited about heaven after reading this book and corrected of some of my ideas of what heaven will be like.
This is a really helpful book that I highly recommend.
Full review on my blog.
This is a really helpful book that I highly recommend.
Full review on my blog.
August 11, 2019
Great Pastoral Book on Heaven
Derek Thomas walks us through passages of the Scriptures dealing with the new heavens and the new earth. He answers practical questions along the way such as: will dogs be in heaven? He answers with a joyful: "yes." At the end, after reading the book, my heart longed to be with God and his people forever in paradise.
Derek Thomas walks us through passages of the Scriptures dealing with the new heavens and the new earth. He answers practical questions along the way such as: will dogs be in heaven? He answers with a joyful: "yes." At the end, after reading the book, my heart longed to be with God and his people forever in paradise.
August 25, 2019
Gets one thinking
A good little book focusing on the truths of heaven. Perhaps he oversteps a little in some instances into presumption. I’m not sure if he meant some of these as theories but it didn’t seem so. Nevertheless I think any book that fixes our eyes on our heavenly home and gives us hope is a good thing.
A good little book focusing on the truths of heaven. Perhaps he oversteps a little in some instances into presumption. I’m not sure if he meant some of these as theories but it didn’t seem so. Nevertheless I think any book that fixes our eyes on our heavenly home and gives us hope is a good thing.
May 12, 2018
Amazing and Necessary
This is a book every believer needs to read. It is will encourage your heart to be “steadfast, unmoved, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our work is not in vain- 1 Corinthians 15:58
This is a book every believer needs to read. It is will encourage your heart to be “steadfast, unmoved, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our work is not in vain- 1 Corinthians 15:58
June 20, 2022
This is a book that every Christian should read. Not only is it very readable, but it addresses questions we don’t often think about. How many churches address this? Few in my experience. Thomas “hit it out of the park” with this book.
May 14, 2024
A good, simple, introduction to the subject. Some good nuggets throughout but little depth. This would be good for someone who has some basic questions about heaven. Alcorn is still probably the best introduction (although long) with Baxter being the most substantive (read the conscience version).
January 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this book, very encouraging and informative.
February 19, 2019
Good read. Offers pastoral responses to common questions. Provokes a longing for the day.
September 19, 2019
Quite good and similar to Randy Alcorn's book.
August 31, 2021
Concise overview of the Christian life after death. I especially appreciated his thoughts on the redeemed Heaven and Earth and what our life will be like there. Looking forward!
January 12, 2022
Beautiful short book about the joys of Heaven. This book will have you smiling as you think about the day we get to meet our Savior face to face.
October 19, 2023
Quite insightful, truthful and simple to read. Recommend
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews