2. The spirit realm. The term “heaven” also refers to the spiritual heavens, or spirit realm, a level of existence higher than and outside of the physical universe. (1 Kings 8:​27; John 6:​38)

What is heaven like?

The spirit realm is a hive of activity. It is occupied by hundreds of millions of spirit creatures “who carry out [Jehovah’s] word.”​—Psalm 103:20, 21; Daniel 7:​10.

The Bible describes heaven as being brilliantly lighted. (1 Timothy 6:​15, 16) The prophet Ezekiel received a heavenly vision marked by “brilliant light,” while the vision of heaven that Daniel saw included “a stream of fire.” (Ezekiel 1:​26-​28; Daniel 7:​9, 10) Heaven is holy, or clean, and beautiful.​—Psalm 96:6; Isaiah 63:15; Revelation 4:​2, 3.

The overall impression that the Bible gives of heaven is awe-inspiring. (Ezekiel 43:​2, 3) Nevertheless, it is not possible for humans to comprehend heaven fully, since the spirit realm is beyond our senses.