Revelation 21-22

“Fairy story” (Stephen Hawking, PhD.) “Fairy story” (Stephen Hawking, PhD.) Happiest moment lived repeatedly Happiest moment lived repeatedly Heaven: Home of God’s faithful ones, Heb 11:9-16 (Phil 3:20; Heb 12:23) Heaven: Home of God’s faithful ones, Heb 11:9-16 (Phil 3:20; Heb 12:23) Christian’s greatest hope, Col 1:5; 1 Pet 1:4 Christian’s greatest hope, Col 1:5; 1 Pet 1:4 Joyful entrance, Matt 25:21, 34, 46 Joyful entrance, Matt 25:21, 34, 46 2

Atmosphere, Gen 1:20; Jas 5:18 Atmosphere, Gen 1:20; Jas 5:18 Outer space, Gen 1:14-18 Outer space, Gen 1:14-18 Perfect, eternal abode of God, Deut 26:15 Perfect, eternal abode of God, Deut 26:15 – God and His hosts, Rev 4:1-2 (Acts 7:55-56) – Third heaven, 2 Cor 12:2, 4 – REAL PLACE: Not a mood or state of mind, Jno 14:3 ouranos 284x’s in NT (from oros) “to rise, lift, heave” 3

Descriptions include… – Kingdom, Matt 25:34 – City and country, Heb 11:10, 16 – Bride, Rev 21:9-10 – Garden, Rev 22:1-2 – Inheritance, Rev 21:7 ouranos 284x’s in NT (from oros) “to rise, lift, heave” 4

Rev 21-22: The saved at home with God in final glory beyond the judgment A “new” order of existence for the people of God, Rev 21:1-5 A “new” order of existence for the people of God, Rev 21:1-5 – New (Quality, kainos): “of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of”, Rev 21:1, 2, 5 – Surpasses Jerusalem of old and the one “that now is”, Gal 4:25-26; Heb 12:22 5

Rev 21-22: The saved at home with God in final glory beyond the judgment Place of perfection and completeness, Rev 21:9-21 Place of perfection and completeness, Rev 21:9-21 – Glory of God (fills heaven), 21:11 – Holiness (righteousness dwells there, 21:27; 2 Pet 3:13), Rev 21:2, 9-10 – Complete (perfect, precious), 21:11, 12-17,

Rev 21-22: The saved at home with God in final glory beyond the judgment Place of perpetual fellowship with God, Rev 21:3, 22-27; 22:4 Place of perpetual fellowship with God, Rev 21:3, 22-27; 22:4 – Zenith of God’s presence with His people, Rev 21:3 (Lev 26:11-12; 2 Cor 6:16) – Permanent place of the saved, 21:24-27 Face to face, 22:4 (Jno 1:18; 14:8-9) Face to face, 22:4 (Jno 1:18; 14:8-9) Security, 21:12 (Jno 14:3; 1 Jno 3:2) Security, 21:12 (Jno 14:3; 1 Jno 3:2) 7

Rev 21-22: The saved at home with God in final glory beyond the judgment Place of peaceful rest, Rev 21:4-6 Place of peaceful rest, Rev 21:4-6 – From trials, troubles and conflict, 21:4 – Constant refreshing, 21:6 (22:1, 17) – Rest from toil and adversity, Rev 14:13 (1 Cor 15:58; Heb 4:9-11) 8

Rev 21-22: The saved at home with God in final glory beyond the judgment Place of worship and service, 21:22; 22:3 Place of worship and service, 21:22; 22:3 – Grand sanctuary before God and He is given perpetual praise, Rev 21:22 – Perfect, uninterrupted service, Rev 22:3 – cf. Our present worship and service prepares us for heaven! 1 Jno 5:3 9

Rev 21-22: The saved at home with God in final glory beyond the judgment Those who obey Jesus and overcome the world, Rev 14:12-13; 21:7-8, 27 Those who obey Jesus and overcome the world, Rev 14:12-13; 21:7-8, 27 – Not everyone who wants to go to heaven will be there (Matt 7:21; Heb 5:9) – Not an accidental inheritance! – Living hope of the Christian, 1 Pet 1:3-5 – Prepared place and people (Jno 14:3) 10

“If you seek heaven you will get earth thrown in; if you seek this earth you will miss both heaven and earth.” -C. S. Lewis Lay up treasure in heaven, Matt 6:19-21 Lay up treasure in heaven, Matt 6:19-21 Seek the city to come, Heb 13:14 Seek the city to come, Heb 13:14 11