Strength in Trying Times: Lessons from the Book of Revelation Part 7: Know Your Destiny: Bringing the Future into the Present Revelation 21 and 22

Recap Rev 1: Know Your Lord Rev 1: Know Your Lord Rev 2-3: Know the Shepherd’s Rev 2-3: Know the Shepherd’s Voice Voice Rev 4-5:Know Your True Home Rev 4-5:Know Your True Home Rev 6-7:Know Your Assignment Rev 6-7:Know Your Assignment Rev 13 and 17: Know Your Enemy Rev 13 and 17: Know Your Enemy Rev 14:Know Your Blessed Hope Rev 14:Know Your Blessed Hope Rev 21-22:Know Your Destiny Rev 21-22:Know Your Destiny

The Future Outcome You Hope For Determines How You Interpret What is Before You Your Life in Heaven Your Life on Earth Now Your Life in the Future

When I Watch the Brooklyn Nets Play...

When I Watch the New York Knicks Play...

The Future Outcome You Hope For Determines How You Interpret What is Before You Your Life on Earth Now Rev The New Jerusalem

Let’s Talk About the Future... What Do You Want Written Here?

“Here lies Frank Chan. He got all his reports done.”

A Better Way To Interpret the Unfolding of Your Life and To Measure Its Progress Look NOT to --What you currently obsess about --What you wish your life should be BUT to the ultimate destination for which God made you.

“The New Jerusalem” Rev 21: I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

“The New Jerusalem” 3 And 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. 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.”

It’s Like Heaven... But Better # 1 God will make a new heaven and a new earth. Rev 21:1 “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, Rev 21:1 “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” The New Jerusalem is the new stuff.

It’s Like Heaven... But Better # 2 There seems to be a temple in heaven (Rev 11:19; 14:15). In the New Jerusalem, there is no temple (Rev 21:22). Rev 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its Rev 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

It’s Like Heaven... But Better # 3 There are elders and creatures immediately around the throne in heaven (Rev 4:4,6). In the New Jerusalem, we all have immediate access to the throne. Rev 22:3-4: No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

The Best Picture of the New Jerusalem is a Song We Sing On that day when I see All that You have for me When I see You face to face There surrounded by Your grace All my fears swept away In the light of Your embrace Where Your love is all I need And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold In Your presence healed and whole Let the songs of heaven Rise to You alone. No weeping, no hurt or pain, no suffering, You hold me now, You hold me now, No darkness, no sick or lame, no hiding, You hold me now, You hold me now.

To Better Understand the New Jerusalem, Ask, “What Exactly Am I Excited About When I Think of My Vacation?” `` ``

To Better Understand the New Jerusalem, Ask, “What Exactly Am I Excited About When I Think of My Vacation?” `` `` People

To Better Understand the New Jerusalem, Ask, “What Exactly Am I Excited About When I Think of My Vacation?” `` `` People Place

To Better Understand the New Jerusalem, Ask, “What Exactly Am I Excited About When I Think of My Vacation?” `` `` People Place Activity

First, the New Jerusalem is Collectively God’s Covenant People in Perfection

First, You are Destined for Complete, Unblemished Purity 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.

The Backstory: God’s People As (1) Unfaithful Bride: Hosea 1:2 (2) Cleansed Bride (Eph 5:25-27) (3) Perfected Bride (After Jesus’ Return) For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen was given for her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Rev 19:7-8)

Where Do Your Attitudes and Behavior Need the Most “Work”?

Here lies Frank Chan. He finally learned...

Second, the New Jerusalem is the Place of Unobstructed Intimacy with God

You are Destined for the “Sweet Spot” in the Presence of God Revelation 21:16 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long..

The Backstory of God’s Special “Manifest” Presence (1) Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 8:6-11) (2) Christian Worship (1 Cor 3:16) (3) Ultimately Expanded to “Face to Face” Contact (after Jesus’ return ) No longer will be there any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads (Rev 22:3-4 )

Think of Places Where You Remember that God “Showed Up” to Meet his People...

Here lies Frank Chan He finally...

Third, the New Jerusalem is the Activity When We “Rebuild” Broken Things

Third, You are Destined to Do “Healing” Acts Revelation 22:2-3 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of the God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him..

Jesus Gave “Do-Overs” to Thomas and Peter John 20:27 Then (Jesus) said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 21:17 Jesus asked (Peter) the third time, “Do you love me?”

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Rev 21:4) What “Do-Overs” Do You Long to Do? “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Rev 21:4)

Conclusion: Know Your Destiny Spiritual perfection before Christ. Unobstructed intimacy with God Heal / rebuild broken things in your life Interpret the unfolding of your life around such things, instead of some other short- lived, time-bound goal. Orient your life around these eternal things.