THe Hope of Heaven
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we live in a world of chaos, confusion, conflict (wars and rumor of wars, financial collapse, mass shootings, murder, degredation of morality, mental illness on the rise, political corruptness, inflation, etc)
We need hope, a couple weeks ago when we were looking at Pauls description to the Thessalonians of Jesus return, one of hi sprimary reason fro doing this was so that that would have hope.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
I wonder what it will be like?
One of my favorite descriptions of Heaven is the term home. Home conjures up lots of thoughts for me.
the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of home
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
this world is not our home
we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
at home with the Lord - comforting - where Jesus is that is the home of the faithful or christian Jesus is our home
what will it be like to be at home with the Lord?
Wonderful sights of Heaven
we like to see/ vision it talks about things we can see
But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
country and city - we think that is a metaphor but again
Rev. 21 new city eternal abode of the faithful - greatest city that could ever be built because it was built without hands
country - great expanse exploration and enjoy we struggle with our concepts of heaven. eternal worship service, its more. (song i want to go to heaven jsut not right now)
Eden = paradise which means garden
we will see the fullness of God Rev. 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
Ex. 33 Lord just let me see your glory God says I can’t because you will be consumed so he shows him his back and glowed for days
hunger to see the face of God
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Isa. sees the Lord enthroned the seraphim are covering him
the vision of God himself
We will see Jesus himself
do you long to see the face of Christ?
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
I want to see the one who died for me. Spend time with him, be in his presence
But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
far better than anything we see here
we will see our spiritual family
Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.
Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre,
we will be gathered to our people Christians to those who have loved Jesus as we have. Family reunion even those we don’t know to hear their stories and their walk of faithfulness
Wonderful sounds of heaven
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;
and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
worship will be at the heart of heaven ( singing was one of the best parts)
hear the wonderful invitation - after are the heartaches difficulties struggles hill has been climbed burdens have been lifted come and enter
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
wonderful relief
we are saved know but there is a salvation that will be experienced to its fullness when we are home with the Lord
who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
what will be saved from? pain and suffering. murder, abuse, assault robbery, evil many live in fear.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
all that frustrates us all that harms us all that we fear will be done with
no worry or anxiety no fear
saved from insecurities concerns of life
Matt. 6:25 don't worry about tomorrow partially how much more in the fullness of Gods presence
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
the wonderful country/home with God and jesus being in our midst/gathered with our family/ where there will be no pain and suffering
Tolkien - Lord of the rings - Lore-an where the elves dwell this land is kind of like being at home and holiday at the same time. perfect fulfills the tension of the human heart - the security, the home, the excitement the imagination and glory of all we seek is there with God.
Do you know for sure this morning that heaven is your home. if you were to die or the Lord was to retun would get to experience Heaven. give your life to Christ today.