Just as it is written: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the human heart, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9
Good morning. We are nearing the end of this year’s sermon series through Revelation. There are only 2 chapters remaining in the both, and both deal with “the eternal state”. Following the Millennial reign of Christ, the final demise of Satan, and the Great White Throne Judgment, God’s children will enter into eternity where they will enjoy the riches of His blessings forever.
Chapters 21 and 22 provide us with a few select details about the believer’s eternal home. There is a lot of repetition in these chapters, as many of the same themes are repeated over and over again. Therefore, in an effort to be more clear and less redundant, I am going to present parts of them together.
I. THE NEW CREATION (Revelation 21:1a,5a; 22:3a)
John saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and earth passed away. He heard One sitting on the throne say, “Behold, I am making all things new”. What’s more, there was no longer any curse in this glorious new creation.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (the earth, its atmosphere, and outer space). In its original state, this was the perfect and ideal environment for humanity. However, when man sinned and fell, all of nature and the environment was cursed as well (Genesis 3:17-19). Since that time, it has suffered countless natural disasters and has been corrupted and ravished by sinful men. Nature itself groans for the final redemption and revealing of mankind, so that it too may be restored to its original condition (Romans 8:19-22).
During the Millennium, the devastating effects of the Great Tribulation will be repaired and the earth itself will be clean, fruitful, and well cared for. That said, it will still remain under the curse. The New Heavens and Earth will come after the Millennium ends, when the curse against it is finally lifted and God makes everything new.
The current heaven and earth will pass away (Matthew 24:35), and its tainted elements will be burned up (2 Peter 3:10). While some advocate that the earth will be completely destroyed with fire and replaced with a brand new creation, I tend to agree with those who believe that it will be purified by fire and restored. Thus, the redeemed and glorified people of God will spend eternity in and on the renewed heaven and earth - just as God originally intended.
II. THE SOURCES OF LIFE (Revelation 21:1c,6; 22:1a,2)
John stated that there was no longer any sea in the new heavens and earth. However, he did see both a spring and a river flowing with the crystal clear water of life. In addition to these, he saw the tree of life growing up on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, yielding it monthly, with leaves that had power to heal the nations.
There will be no sea on the new earth. In ancient times, the sea was often regarded as a tumultuous and foreboding place. Terrible monsters were believed to live there. Great tragedies often took place there. Perhaps the absence of the sea metaphorically pictures the removal of all fear, worry, and unrest in the new creation.
Jesus spoke of “the living water”, explaining that those who trust in Him live eternally (John 4:10-13). This life-giving water will be freely available in the new heavens and earth. As for the tree of life, it was a major component of God’s original creation (Genesis 2:9) and its fruit provided Adam and Eve with perpetual nourishment and physical life (Genesis 3:22). This fruit will one day be accessible again. These features were present on the earth in the beginning, and will be present again in the end. These life-giving sources will sustain and enrich our physical lives throughout eternity.
III. THE PRESENCE OF GOD (Revelation 21:3; 22:1b,3b-4)
John heard a loud voice coming from the throne declaring that God would now make His home among His people and dwell with them. He saw the throne of God and the Lamb situated on the newly restored earth. John also stated that the righteous people who will live there would serve Him and be able to see His face.
In the beginning, God was manifestly present with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Sadly, after the Fall of Man, people were no longer allowed to see God’s face due to their unholiness (Exodus 33:20). They were separated from Him. But in the new and final creation, God’s manifest presence will return to the earth once again and the redeemed will behold Him. God Almighty will sit on His throne, with Jesus at His right hand, and together they will reign in righteousness forever.
During the Millennium, Jesus will rule over the earth from Jerusalem while His Father remains above in the present heaven. But at the beginning of the eternal state God the Father will descend also, leaving the present heaven unoccupied and obsolete. This marks a notable difference between the Millennium and the eternal state.
Though the Holy Spirit is not mentioned, surely He too will dwell on the earth during the eternal state. Perhaps He will return with Christ and the saints at the second coming, or perhaps He’ll come with God the Father after the Millennium ends. Whenever He comes, the final result will be that God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - will manifestly abide with redeemed mankind for all of eternity.
IV. THE QUALITY OF LIFE (Revelation 21:4,5b,7-8; 22:6)
John stated that throughout eternity there will be no more death, no more mourning or sorrow, no more weeping or tears, and no more pain for those who overcome sin by placing their faith in Jesus Christ. They will inherit these wonderful blessings, and God will be their God and they will be His people. On the contrary, those sinners who reject Christ will suffer all of these things in the lake of fire forever (the second death).
Finally, John is assured twice (once by God and a second time by the angel that has accompanied him throughout Revelation) that all of the words that have been given to him are “faithful and true”. This description was also given of Jesus (Revelation 19:11). In other words, what he has seen and recorded provides a trustworthy and accurate account of the last days. This vision was given to be shared with believers, so that they will know the events that will soon take place.
CONCLUSION
A few years ago we did a sermon series called “Heaven and Hell”. In that series, we learned that there are 3 heavens and 3 hells mentioned in the Bible. The hells are Hades, Tartarus, and Gehena. Hades is the current hell for people, where the souls of the unsaved are held. Tartarus is the current hell for demons, where some are currently confined, and it is sometimes referred to in Scripture as the abyss. Gehena is the final and eternal hell, also called the lake of fire. Last week we learned that Hades and Tartarus will be cast into Gehena at the beginning of the eternal state.
The 3 heavens are Abraham’s Bosom (also called Paradise), Heaven, and the New Heaven and New Earth. Throughout the Old Testament, the souls of deceased saints dwelt in Abraham’s Bosom - the first heaven. Following His resurrection, Jesus escorted these souls to the current Heaven where believers (Christians) now go when they die. This heaven is commonly thought of as being above the clouds, where Jesus sits at God’s right hand. It is the heaven described in most of Revelation. In the last days, Jesus and the occupants of the second heaven will return to the earth. Following the Millennium, creation will be made new. The Father will then join the Son. This New Heaven and New Earth will be the third and final heaven - the eternal abode for God and His children (and the angels).
Next week we will read a few more details about the new heavens and earth. Make plans to join us then. God bless you!
Good morning. We are nearing the end of this year’s sermon series through Revelation. There are only 2 chapters remaining in the both, and both deal with “the eternal state”. Following the Millennial reign of Christ, the final demise of Satan, and the Great White Throne Judgment, God’s children will enter into eternity where they will enjoy the riches of His blessings forever.
Chapters 21 and 22 provide us with a few select details about the believer’s eternal home. There is a lot of repetition in these chapters, as many of the same themes are repeated over and over again. Therefore, in an effort to be more clear and less redundant, I am going to present parts of them together.
I. THE NEW CREATION (Revelation 21:1a,5a; 22:3a)
John saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and earth passed away. He heard One sitting on the throne say, “Behold, I am making all things new”. What’s more, there was no longer any curse in this glorious new creation.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (the earth, its atmosphere, and outer space). In its original state, this was the perfect and ideal environment for humanity. However, when man sinned and fell, all of nature and the environment was cursed as well (Genesis 3:17-19). Since that time, it has suffered countless natural disasters and has been corrupted and ravished by sinful men. Nature itself groans for the final redemption and revealing of mankind, so that it too may be restored to its original condition (Romans 8:19-22).
During the Millennium, the devastating effects of the Great Tribulation will be repaired and the earth itself will be clean, fruitful, and well cared for. That said, it will still remain under the curse. The New Heavens and Earth will come after the Millennium ends, when the curse against it is finally lifted and God makes everything new.
The current heaven and earth will pass away (Matthew 24:35), and its tainted elements will be burned up (2 Peter 3:10). While some advocate that the earth will be completely destroyed with fire and replaced with a brand new creation, I tend to agree with those who believe that it will be purified by fire and restored. Thus, the redeemed and glorified people of God will spend eternity in and on the renewed heaven and earth - just as God originally intended.
II. THE SOURCES OF LIFE (Revelation 21:1c,6; 22:1a,2)
John stated that there was no longer any sea in the new heavens and earth. However, he did see both a spring and a river flowing with the crystal clear water of life. In addition to these, he saw the tree of life growing up on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, yielding it monthly, with leaves that had power to heal the nations.
There will be no sea on the new earth. In ancient times, the sea was often regarded as a tumultuous and foreboding place. Terrible monsters were believed to live there. Great tragedies often took place there. Perhaps the absence of the sea metaphorically pictures the removal of all fear, worry, and unrest in the new creation.
Jesus spoke of “the living water”, explaining that those who trust in Him live eternally (John 4:10-13). This life-giving water will be freely available in the new heavens and earth. As for the tree of life, it was a major component of God’s original creation (Genesis 2:9) and its fruit provided Adam and Eve with perpetual nourishment and physical life (Genesis 3:22). This fruit will one day be accessible again. These features were present on the earth in the beginning, and will be present again in the end. These life-giving sources will sustain and enrich our physical lives throughout eternity.
III. THE PRESENCE OF GOD (Revelation 21:3; 22:1b,3b-4)
John heard a loud voice coming from the throne declaring that God would now make His home among His people and dwell with them. He saw the throne of God and the Lamb situated on the newly restored earth. John also stated that the righteous people who will live there would serve Him and be able to see His face.
In the beginning, God was manifestly present with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Sadly, after the Fall of Man, people were no longer allowed to see God’s face due to their unholiness (Exodus 33:20). They were separated from Him. But in the new and final creation, God’s manifest presence will return to the earth once again and the redeemed will behold Him. God Almighty will sit on His throne, with Jesus at His right hand, and together they will reign in righteousness forever.
During the Millennium, Jesus will rule over the earth from Jerusalem while His Father remains above in the present heaven. But at the beginning of the eternal state God the Father will descend also, leaving the present heaven unoccupied and obsolete. This marks a notable difference between the Millennium and the eternal state.
Though the Holy Spirit is not mentioned, surely He too will dwell on the earth during the eternal state. Perhaps He will return with Christ and the saints at the second coming, or perhaps He’ll come with God the Father after the Millennium ends. Whenever He comes, the final result will be that God - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - will manifestly abide with redeemed mankind for all of eternity.
IV. THE QUALITY OF LIFE (Revelation 21:4,5b,7-8; 22:6)
John stated that throughout eternity there will be no more death, no more mourning or sorrow, no more weeping or tears, and no more pain for those who overcome sin by placing their faith in Jesus Christ. They will inherit these wonderful blessings, and God will be their God and they will be His people. On the contrary, those sinners who reject Christ will suffer all of these things in the lake of fire forever (the second death).
Finally, John is assured twice (once by God and a second time by the angel that has accompanied him throughout Revelation) that all of the words that have been given to him are “faithful and true”. This description was also given of Jesus (Revelation 19:11). In other words, what he has seen and recorded provides a trustworthy and accurate account of the last days. This vision was given to be shared with believers, so that they will know the events that will soon take place.
CONCLUSION
A few years ago we did a sermon series called “Heaven and Hell”. In that series, we learned that there are 3 heavens and 3 hells mentioned in the Bible. The hells are Hades, Tartarus, and Gehena. Hades is the current hell for people, where the souls of the unsaved are held. Tartarus is the current hell for demons, where some are currently confined, and it is sometimes referred to in Scripture as the abyss. Gehena is the final and eternal hell, also called the lake of fire. Last week we learned that Hades and Tartarus will be cast into Gehena at the beginning of the eternal state.
The 3 heavens are Abraham’s Bosom (also called Paradise), Heaven, and the New Heaven and New Earth. Throughout the Old Testament, the souls of deceased saints dwelt in Abraham’s Bosom - the first heaven. Following His resurrection, Jesus escorted these souls to the current Heaven where believers (Christians) now go when they die. This heaven is commonly thought of as being above the clouds, where Jesus sits at God’s right hand. It is the heaven described in most of Revelation. In the last days, Jesus and the occupants of the second heaven will return to the earth. Following the Millennium, creation will be made new. The Father will then join the Son. This New Heaven and New Earth will be the third and final heaven - the eternal abode for God and His children (and the angels).
Next week we will read a few more details about the new heavens and earth. Make plans to join us then. God bless you!