Question from a reader:

I just started your book Heaven and have really enjoyed it so far. However, on page 43 you teach that we will not be in Heaven until the “eternal Heaven.” You talk about the present Heaven as though it's a holding place until we reach the New Earth. Are you saying we won't be with Christ at the time of death but must wait until we get to the New Earth?

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

When we die we go to be with Christ (II Cor. 5:8) which is wonderful. But we are still incomplete, in a pre-resurrected state, anticipating Christ's return to earth, and our resurrections. The place we'll live forever will be where God comes down to dwell with us, on the New Earth (Revelation 21:1-3).

To read more about the present Heaven, read the article Intermediate Heaven vs. Eternal Heaven and Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven.