Christ in the Community... ... of the Saints

Service of Holy Communion: ‘Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church militant here in earth

Triumphant in Heaven The Church Militant here in Earth

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us’. Hebrews 12:1 ©NIV

Heaven In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth Genesis 1:1 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities’. Colossians 1:16

Kingdom of Heaven Parables

Where is Heaven?

The Kingdom is near ‘Repent for the kingdom of Heaven is near’ Matthew 3:2 ‘The kingdom of Heaven is within you’ Luke 17:2

Heaven is a place ‘And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom’ Luke 16: 22

‘Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away’ Rev 21:1

What is Heaven like?

Heaven is like a House ‘Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands’. 2 Corinthians 5:1 ‘In my Father's house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am’. John 14:2-3

Heaven is like a City ‘Abraham was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God….Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.’ Hebrews 11:10, 16

Heaven is like a Country ‘Our citizenship is in heaven’. Philippians 3:20 ‘They were longing for a better country— a heavenly one’ Hebrews 11:16

New Heaven and Earth

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. 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. 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. 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendour into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honour of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.  1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 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 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. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Paradise Restored Paradise Perfected Paradise Protected

Paradise Restored Restored fellowship with God ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people and he will dwell with them’ Rev 21:3 Reunion with loved ones ‘there was no longer any sea’ (v1) ‘God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him’ 1 Thess 4:14 Relief from sin and suffering ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain’ Rev 21:4

Paradise Perfected Resurrected body ‘At the resurrection of the dead…it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body’’ 1 Corinthians 15:42 Reward for service The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him... And they will reign for ever and ever. Rev 22: 3 & 5 Consummation of the church ‘For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready… blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb Rev 19: 7, 9

Nothing impure will ever enter it Paradise Protected Nothing impure will ever enter it nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ Rev 21:27

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18