The New Heaven and New Earth Revelation 21:1-8 Joe Wong September 4, 2016

2 Peter 3:10-12 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

2 Peter 3:13 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Heaven Mentioned 550 times in the Bible Mentioned 54 times in the book of Revelation Bible delineates three heavens 2 Corinthians 12:2 says Paul was taken up into the third heavens First heaven – atmospheric heaven: atmosphere around earth Second heaven – outer space: planets, stars, moon, etc. Third heaven – Heaven of God where God, angels and saints live

Where is Heaven? The Moon is 211,463 miles from earth Jupiter is 367 million miles away (Saturn is 790 million) Our galaxy is 100,000 light years away (a light year is 6 trillion miles) There are many, many galaxies in the universe We can be there in a short time – Jesus to the thief on the cross about Paradise - Paul raised to Third Heaven and back Heaven of God is outside the created order and in a different dimension and space

Revelation 21:2 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Revelation 21:3 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

Revelation 21:4 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:5-6 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

John 7:37-39 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Revelation 21:7-8 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

What is your attitude towards Heaven? Everything connected to our spiritual life and destiny is in heaven To desire heaven has a powerful effect on our lives Mark Twain: You take heaven, I’d rather go to Bermuda The benefits of longing for heaven - Genuine salvation - Excellent Christian character - Life of joy - Persevere against sin & vigorous spiritual service

Final Thoughts The day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth (Ecclesiastes 7:1) For me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)