Popular American evangelist Billy Graham once assured people that heaven is absolutely real, and that it is far more glorious than anything in the entire universe.

"The Bible assures us that heaven is real and that it includes things we will be able to see and touch and even hear," he once wrote in a column for The Kansas City Star. "There's no reason to believe our telescopes will ever discover it. It may even exist in a dimension beyond our present knowledge."

Graham said scientists might have discovered new worlds of "unimaginable beauty" over the years, but he had no doubt that heaven will be far more beautiful and wonderful than anything people can discover in their lifetime.

"Every description the Bible gives us makes it clear that heaven is filled with wonders and treasures far greater than anything we know on Earth. Even the most skilled artist or most brilliant composer is unable to portray its glories," he said.

"No doubt we'll be stunned by heaven's beauty, but most of all we will be overwhelmed by being in God's presence," he said.

Graham quoted the Bible verse Revelation 21:11, which describes heaven: "It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel."

He then asked people if they look forward to going to heaven, or if they were certain they will go there when they die. "You can be, because God has provided the way for us to be cleansed of our sins and welcomed into his presence forever," he shared. "That way is Christ, who gave His life so we could be saved. Make sure today that heaven will be your eternal home, by repenting your sins and giving your life to Jesus Christ."