A Hunger for the Holy Session 7 Foreverness

When I think about forever I…….

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them.

They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. (Rev 21:1-4 CSB)

I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there.

How does forever make you feel? 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev 21:22-27 CSB) How does forever make you feel?

6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. -- 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (CSB)

Why do believers in Christ tend to fear their own death?

24 “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. -- John 5:24-26 (CSB)

What is most chilling to you in this description of hell? when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength- 2 Thess 1:8-9 (CSB) What is most chilling to you in this description of hell?

8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. -- Romans 14:7-8 (CSB) For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. -- Philippians 1:21 (CSB) How do believers face a win-win situation when it comes to living and dying?

How can the certainty of eternity compel us to live more fully now?

”The point of all life, whether in the here and now or the there and then, is to live in ongoing communion with Christ.” Calvin Miller

How does God demonstrate His goodness when he delivers a soul through, rather than from death?

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? ” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.” -- John 11:25-27 (CSB)

10 Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years 10 Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years. Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow; indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away. 11 Who understands the power of your anger? Your wrath matches the fear that is due you. 12 Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. -- Psalms 90:10-12 (CSB)

How can numbering our days result in leading full lives rather than being obsessed with death?

Why is death and forever something to be anticipated rather than feared or dreaded?

When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Notice our calling as we wait! 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. – 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 (CSB)