Do the redeemed live in heaven?
Many people imagine that the paradise spoken of in the Bible is a place in heaven. There is indeed a realm invisible and inaccessible to us humans, which the Holy Scriptures refer to as "heaven." This realm is accessible both to the angels of God and to the Lord Jesus, who ascended into heaven after his resurrection from the dead. On the other hand, the Bible teaches that the dead will only rise from the dead at the Second Coming of Jesus at the end of this age.
In addition, those who attain eternal life will not live in heaven in the coming age, but on a new earth. For from the beginning, it was the earth that God gave to humankind as an inheritance. But because humanity has corrupted God's earth and filled it with suffering and injustice, God has promised to create a new paradise on earth where there will be no more suffering or death and where all people can live safely and in peace for all eternity. Nature, too, will one day shine anew in its original beauty and diversity. This new earth is God's gift to all those who are willing to be reconciled with God through faith in Jesus.
The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth He has given to mankind.
"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned."
"For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”