Jesus mentions to one of the men on the crosses that he would be with Jesus in Paradise (Luke 23:43). In lieu of finding any verses speaking of heaven as a destination, I think it is more accurate to speak of Paradise. It seems that heaven speaks essentially of God's existence, his realm. There may be some sort of overlap between the two. I think especially that there is a relationship and encounter with Jesus and probably with God the Father. I asked the question to the digitalbible.ca AI about verses saying Christians go to heaven. It did not seem to find anything; it just kept thinking without giving an answer.
Even then, our destiny likely is back to earth in the second resurrection. One thing I notice in Rev 20 is that the wicked are removed from the earth (Rev 20:7-10) but that "camp of the saints" remains untouched. There then is nothing about them being relocated. Even where Rev 21 speaks of the New Jerusalem on earth, the Christians on earth are not subsumed into that but are still on earth. Even the New Jerusalem has the nations coming to it for wisdom (Rev 21:24).
This observation does not mean we are particularly wrong with speaking of going to heaven. What we have is just that the concepts we have could be accurate but just given the wrong word. Also, it helps to recognize that paradise is likely followed by resurrection.
Even then, our destiny likely is back to earth in the second resurrection. One thing I notice in Rev 20 is that the wicked are removed from the earth (Rev 20:7-10) but that "camp of the saints" remains untouched. There then is nothing about them being relocated. Even where Rev 21 speaks of the New Jerusalem on earth, the Christians on earth are not subsumed into that but are still on earth. Even the New Jerusalem has the nations coming to it for wisdom (Rev 21:24).
This observation does not mean we are particularly wrong with speaking of going to heaven. What we have is just that the concepts we have could be accurate but just given the wrong word. Also, it helps to recognize that paradise is likely followed by resurrection.
