Heaven is often confused with the new earth, the current heaven is not the peaceful tranquil place that is often described. The pearly gates are on the sides of the New Jerusalem as are the streets of gold. Revelation 21:10 — 12, “ The angel carried me away by the Spirit to a very large and high mountain. He showed me the holy city, Jerusalem. It was coming down out of heaven from God.  It was shining with the glory of God. It was shining bright like a very expensive jewel, like a jasper. It was clear as crystal.  The city had a great high wall with 12 gates. There were 12 angels at the gates. On each gate was written the name of 1 of the 12 tribes of Israel.”