I’LL LIVE IN GLORY “ 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” ROMANS 8:18

The word “heaven” is found 583 times in 551 verses in our Bible. The OT speaks of heaven 327 times. The NT speaks of heaven 256 times. Heaven should be very important to the Christian. Our reward involves heaven (Matt. 5:12). Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Our hope is in heaven (Col. 1:5). Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NKJV 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, NKJV 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE DEITY DWELLS THERE There are three Beings in the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Each one of these Beings dwells in heaven. God the Father (Matt. 6:9) God the Son (Act 1:11) God the Holy Spirit (John 1:32) “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. NKJV “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” NKJV 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE THERE WE REST Hebrews 4:9 The rest follows death (Rev. 14:13) Life can be a difficult place to traverse. Straining and toiling both physically and emotionally cause us to grow tired. As individuals grow older, the burdens of their daily walk increase. The spirit of man often cries out for rest. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. NKJV 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE THERE WE REST God has given us rest in our home beyond the vale. It requires due diligence on our part to acquire it (Heb. 4:11). It will be worth it. We will have comfort plus that lasts throughout eternity (See Luke 16:25). 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. NKJV ’ 25 “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTY/SPLENDOR Revelation 21:10 Six beautiful aspects of the heavenly city: Garnished foundations to the wall of the city (Rev. 21:19) the twelve gates were twelve pearls (Rev. 21:21a) and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass (Rev. 21:21b). 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. NKJV 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTY/SPLENDOR Lit by the glory of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 21:23). A river as clear as crystal (Rev. 22:1) The tree of life (Rev. 22:2) Most folks like to retire in a beautiful area of the country. What better place to settle for eternity than in the splendors of the heavenly abode? 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. NKJV 1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. NKJV 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE IT HAS NO PAIN/ANGUISH This past year I was reminded on somewhat major scale of the pain that man seems always to be suffering: When a gallbladder goes bad it lets you know with little doubt about it It was short lived and minor compared to the chronic pain experienced by many individuals: Physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual pain are just as real too Sickness, disease, death, economic, family, friends, church, war, the list is endless

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE IT HAS NO PAIN/ANGUISH Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE NOTHING SINFUL IS THERE We live in a world controlled by Satan. He is called “the prince of this world” (John 12:31). He is called “the god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4). He is called “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). With Satan as its ruler, it is not surprising that this world is filled with corruption, sin, and violence: nation, community, family, churches, and within our personal lives.

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE NOTHING SINFUL IS THERE Heaven will not have any of the abominable things found in this world (Rev. 21:27) 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE THE REDEEMED ARE THERE The redeemed are those who have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ (Revelation 5:9). The redeemed are those who have lived in faithful service to God (Rev. 2:10). Revelation 14:1,4 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,NKJV 10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. NKJV Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty- four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads … 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. NKJV

I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BECAUSE THE REDEEMED ARE THERE What a joy to be able to associate with the Bible greats and faithful of all ages. Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, and Jeremiah Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Mary, and Phebe The apostles of Christ Great preachers of the gospel Loved ones and members of the church who passed before us

THE SONG THAT TITLES OUR LESSON HAS THESE LYRICS: O YES I’LL LIVE IN GLORY BY AND BY. I’LL SING AND TELL LOVES STORY THERE ON HIGH THERE WITH MY DEAR REDEEMER NO MORE TO DIE O YES I’ll LIVE IN GLORY BY AND BY

All want to go, but not all will go to heaven. Obedience to God is essential if one expects to enter that wonderful place. Matthew 7:21 Revelation 22:14 1 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. NKJV 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. NKJV

WHERE WILL YOU LIVE FOREVER IN GLORY OR CHAOS