What will Eternity Be like?

INTRODUCTION

What is Heaven Like?

Some have envisioned believers as having an ethereal disembodied existence in which we float on clouds and strum harps, but this picture does not fit with the biblical witness. What we are going to read about today is a new world, a new heaven and new earth that is free from sin. The world that God created is good, however in Romans 8:18-25 we learn when Adam sinned, both the human race and the created world were marred by sin. Of course the world did not sin, however, it affected the whole of creation that Adam was commissioned to care for and nurture.

John now comes to the end of his road of visions and now finally see’s the completed magnificent sight of the final state of all things. He speaks of a new heaven and new earth. There is a good deal of vivid description, something of a very material kind.

John speaks of streets paved with gold, of a city whose gates are made of single pearls, and the like, we must not understand him to mean that the heavenly city will be as material as present earth cities. It is his way of bringing to the minds eye of the great splendor and beauty of what He has prepared for his children.

The greatest picture that we will get today that for those who have embraced His promise of redemption in Jesus Christ, we will spend all of eternity in the presence of God in Heaven. Listen to Paul’s reminder for the redeemed state of God’s children.

Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

We read in Hebrews 12:22

Hebrews 12:22 ESV

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,

Some people have stated that “he is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.” There is only one thing wrong with such a statement: It is not true! The fact is those who are the most heavenly minded are the most earthly good. Look at what Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-2

Colossians 3:1–2 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Look at how C.S. Lewis echoes the truth of Scripture when He writes.

C.S. Lewis

Exalting Jesus in Revelation (What Will Eternity Be like? (Revelation 21:1–8))

A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next.

Consider the apostles who themselves set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark here on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.

It since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth “thrown in:” aim at earth and you will get neither.” (mere Christianity).

Revelation 21:1–8 ESV

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21-22 now brings the end of the Apocalypse and to the end of the Bible. It is a fitting conclusion to the historical drama of redemption that began in Genesis 1-3. It is interesting to compare the beginning of Genesis with the end of Revelation. There are many parallels and some differences that are present in the Genesis narrative and the end of Revelation.

1:1 Heaven and Earth Created 21:1 New heavens and New Earth

1:16 The sun is created 21:23 No need for the sun

1:5 The night is established 22:5 No night There

1:10 The Seas Created 21:1 No more Seas

3:14-17 The Curse Announced 22:3 No more curse

3:19 Death Enters History 21:4 Death Exits History

3:24 Man driven from paradise 22:14 Sorrow, tears, and pain end

3:17 Sorrow and Pain begin 21:4 Sorrow, tears, and pain end

3:1 The Devil appears 20:10 The Devil Disappears

One thing for us to note is that in the first two chapters of the Bible Satan is not present, and in the final two chapters of scripture the Devil is not there.

The millenium, the final rebellion, and the great white throne of judgment have all finished.

“When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory.”

1. He is Coming to Dwell with His People.

Make no mistake God is coming to Dwell with His people and His people will Dwell with Him Forever.

Verses 1-2

We read in scripture that there will not even be a memory of the old earth. It is an expression of the longing that God will deliver his people not just from sin and oppression but from the very possibility of these things. We read that all this happens only because the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Look what Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 65:17

Isaiah 65:17 ESV

17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

Heaven is mentioned 500 times in the bible and right at 50 times in Revelation. There are three heavens mentioned in Scripture.

the earth’s atmosphere where the clouds and the birds, fly;

the starry heavens, where the plants, sun, and stars reside; and

the unique dwelling place of God, where good angels and saints will live forever and ever.

We must understand that heaven has not yet been created, and no one is there right now. Believers who die do immediately go to to be with the Lord (1 Cor. 5:8), but that is an intermediate place of blessing, not our final heavenly home. Revelation 21-22 are describing our permanent heavenly home, the third heaven.

“There is no Sea”

John indicates that there is no sea in heaven. Sea is used in different senses in the Apocalypse: 1) the Origin of cosmic evil; 2) the unbelieving, rebellious nations who cause tribulation for God’s people. 3) the place of the dead. 4) the primary location of the worlds idolatrous trade activity; 5) a literal body of water, sometimes mentioned together with “the earth.”

The removal of the sea does not mean that there will not be waters or seas in the new creation. The sea stands symbolically for chaos, for evil, for all that deforms and defaces the present creation.

“The Holy City New Jerusalem”

When John see’s the descent of the new Jerusalem he see’s the final preparations that have been made for the Bride of Christ. She is pure, spotless, without blemish of character.

God’s people as scripture reveals, have long awaited the day and moment.

Will God renovate the old creation, as Romans 8:19-22 seems to teach?

Or will He completely start from scratch with His creation as 2 Peter 3:10-13 appears to affirm?

Could it be possible that there it is Both?

*We will Live in Intimate and Personal Communion with Our God

This is possibly one of the most glorious promises of scripture. In a very tangible sense this is what the whole of Scripture has been pointing towards throughout its 66 books.

John hears a loud voice which he has heard now some 20 times in Revelation. The voice is coming from the throne room of God with all of its divine authority declaring that “the dwelling place (or tabernacle) of God is with His man.” God will forever now pitch his tent among His people.

Now lets look at the great significance of this promise.

The Tabernacle in the Old Testament would be set up in the center of camp every time the children of Israel would move camp. Once the tabernacle was set up the presence or glory of God would fill His temple. This is where people came to experience the presence of God. However, this presence was only temporary.

Now, when Jesus came on the scene He brought the presence of God to His creation when He said, “When you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” God in flesh came to dwell among His people. However, this was only temporary as well. After the resurrection He ascended back into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts and lives of His people. Scripture describes this in Romans 8:23 as the firstfruits of what is yet to come as we groan inwardly for our heavenly home.

Now, He has come to set up His eternal perfect kingdom among His children who will reign with Him throughout all eternity.

*We Will No Longer Experience the Horrible Effects of Sin

We often hear this text read at funeral services. In fact this was read at my Grandmother Hoovers funeral service.

This sinful and fallen existence, with all of its pain, sorrow, and misery will be eliminated once and for all. The verse promises us that in eternity all that causes us pain and sorrow will forever be taken away!

Verse 4 identifies five things that will be absent from eternity: tears, death, grief, crying, and pain.

We read earlier in Revelation 7:17 that the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Look how Isaiah describes this day in Isaiah 25:8-9

Isaiah 25:8–9 ESV

8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. 9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

*We will Rest in the Sure Promises of God.

Again the one seated on the throne speaks, and again His words bring excitement and comfort: The declaration comes “Behold I am Making all things new.”

What does all things signify in the text?

Chapters 21-22 list at least 11 Promises of all things.

A New Heaven and new Earth.

Chaos and disorder are no more.

God will live with His people personally.

The Effects of sin are Eradicated.

All legitimate desires of our heart will be satisfied.

Our inheritance will be plentiful and permanent.

The glory of God will permeate our dwelling place.

Nations will be guided by God.

Protection and Peace are perfectly present.

Productivity will be bountiful and breathtaking.

Perpetual, perfect service will be our calling.

David Platt -

“He had the first word in History, and He will have the Last.” (Consummation)

The Sovereign God and Author of the universe will have the final word. “It is Finished,” “It is Complete,” “It is done,” Jesus declares Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and the End.

He is the A-Z the Lord of the beginning and the end.

Jesus portrays the beautiful image of “water as a gift to thirsty souls to the spring of life.

John 7:37–38 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

If you are thirsty, come to Christ and be satisfied. It will cost you nothing, Jesus has already paid the price. Satisfied forever in God’s amazing grace toward you and me. What does a thirsty man do to get rid of his thirst. He drinks. So, this morning, whatever, your state may be, you can receive Christ, for He comes to you like a cup of cold water! (Good News).

*We will live as God’s adopted Children

The return of King Jesus for His adopted children means no fear of the Second Death we talked about last week.

Conqueror (Overcomer)

The blessing is for the overcomer and conqueror in Christ.

Look what John writes in 1 John 5:4-5

1 John 5:4–5 ESV

4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

John also says in John 16:33

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The reality for you and me is that Jesus has already won the battle.

COWARDLY

What comes to mind when you think of a coward? Perhaps the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz. You have this cowardly lion that could not muster up the moral courage to hurt a fly. He goes to the wizard seeking courage. What the lion finds out towards the end is that he possessed the courage all along. It was inside of him.

The cowardly do not possess the moral courage or fortitude to resist sin and the devil and to trust God. These are those who because of fear will not confess Christ openly when confronted with persecution. The unbeliever is the one who deny Christ by their conduct and speech.

While this is not an exhaustive list of sins, John mentions eight specific sins that characterize those who will spend eternity in Hell.

They are Vile/Detestable (polluted by idolatry),

“Murderers,” (malicious savage killers),

“Sexually immoral”, (those who live a lifestyle of sexual relations contrary to God’s divine plan),

“Sorcerers,” (are those who mix drugs with the practices of spirit worship,

“Idolaters,” (are worshipers of idols and images especially prevalent when the world bows to the Antichrist’s image,

“All Liars” (those who habitually deceive others.)

Ecclesiastes 3:11 Tells us that God has put eternity into man’s hearts. So, God has planted in our hearts - this longing in our souls - and it will be fully and completely satisfied in the New Heaven and New Earth. We have a longing for eternity in our soul that only God can fill.

2. He is Coming to bring the City Without a Temple.

Revelation 21:22–27 ESV

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Look at verses 9-14

Perfection on Display

“Come I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” (19:7 “The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted for her to cloth herself with fine linen, bright and pure.) I am told that the modern day wedding is all about the dress. We have a reality show called “say yes to the dress.” Apparently once that is decided and figured out everything else falls into place. Notice that John speaks of the adorning of the Church the Bride of Christ making herself ready. This is the job of every believer until we step into eternity.

“The Church is Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets.” (On the foundation are written the 12 names of the Lamb’s 12 apostles. This is reflected in Ephesians 2:20 where Paul writes that the Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief, head cornerstone. Therefore, the city will be the dwelling place of the united people of God - Old and New Testament believers - whose salvation rests on the completed work of Christ. Can you imagine walking and talking with Moses or Elijah?

*Heaven is Characterized by God’s Holy Presence 24/7

Note: We notice in verses 15-20 that the city is adorned with every precious jewel imaginable, shows both the incredible and indescribably value of the city. The city is described as being pure like gold. We read about 12 different precious jewels which roughly correspond to the gems on the breastplate or ephod of the High Priest.

*Characterized by God’s Presence (vs. 22)

Now John looks on in amazement as he see’s a city without a temple. This appears to be a contradiction to other text in Revelation where there was a temple.

However, this is now the eternal state of God’s dwelling place. This is the eternal state of the New Jerusalem, and there is no need for a temple - it is the “Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” The Lord and the Lamb are its temple. So, the temple represents the very presence of God.

*Characterized by God’s Protection (vs. 23-26)

The city has no need for sun or moon since it is permeated by the light of God’s glory. “The Light of the World” will be the light which illuminates this temple city. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” We have the picture here of the muli-ethnic and multi-cultural nature of the Kingdom of God.

*Characterized by Purity (vs. 27)

Nothing unclean will enter the presence of God. “No one detestable, no one who is false or deceitful will enter the New Jerusalem.” Only those whose names are written in the Lambs book of life,” those made pure by the cleansing blood of the Lamb. (This is where all Universal Utopia thoughts fail. This is where those who believe that Love wins in the end fail)

3. He is coming to Establish His Perfect Garden

Revelation 22:1–5 ESV

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

The Temple city is also a garden city, which reminds us of Eden. The imagery is drawn from both Genesis 1-2 and Ezekiel 47:1-12. We see the imagery of God’s garden which brackets the entire Bible.

Five incredible blessings belong to all who will live forever in this Eden Redesigned.

1) The River Flows Through the Broad Street.

1. In John’s writing the river of life is closely associated with both the outpouring of the spirit (John 7:38)”whoever believes out of his heart flows rivers of living water”. And life springing from Jesus death (John 19:34) when Jesus was pierced with the spear and blood and water flowed.

The water is described as clear and pure, and is closely associated with God and … the Lamb by flowing from a single source, the throne of God. The throne appears to be less of a physical furniture item and more as an indication of the authority of God and the Lamb to rule and reign.

2. “the river is flowing in the midst of the main street (or square). However, the next phrase seems to indicate that the main feature of the street in this sentence is “The Tree of Life.” The language is somewhat awkward however, the sentence begins with “in,” which never happens anywhere else in Revelation (sentences rarely being with prepositions). It is more likely, then, that it is the river that flows down the main street. This would give access to all its residents.

2) The Tree of Life in the middle of the Garden.

The tree of Life was planted in the middle of the garden of Eden and access to it was lost when Adam and Eve were banished. Ezekiel speaks in chapter 47 that fruitful trees of every kind are growing on both banks of the river.

Look what Ezekiel 47:12 says about the trees.

Ezekiel 47:12 ESV

12 And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Notice that the trees will bear fruit every month, there are no longer any effects of the fall on the New earths agriculture. Farmers are going to Love this one. Especially if you are from West Texas where droughts are command and prevalent.

So, provision for God’s people is constant and endless. It was common to use leaves for healing properties in the ancient world. One of the hallmarks of Jesus ministry was His miraculous ability to heal. In the new heaven healing will be available 24/7, no pain, no sorrow, no death. We are perfectly cared for and nourished as Adam and Eve where in the garden before the fall.

3) There is no Curse.

Ezekiel ends his prophecy by stating that the name of the city is, “The Lord is There.”

The Throne of God and the Lamb are There.

Glasson comments, ‘This could be linked with the name on their foreheads (verse 4); the high priest in Exod. 28:36–8 had the words “Holy to the Lord” on his forehead.

Now the whole community offers priestly worship.’ Heaven is not a place of indolent leisure, but a place where service is done, centering on God (whether him means God or Christ or both).

4) To See the Face of God

Remember that all throughout scripture we read of how man was not permitted to look at the face of God, most notable is Moses. His name is on their foreheads now meaning they are forever attached to Him.

5) Assurance of No More Night

Now we have the picture of God shining on His people throughout all of eternity. From the very beginning of creation God created the very thing that would be associated with sin throughout time and history, that is Darkness.

Darkness has invaded the spaces of all human time with the reality of sin and death. From the child that is scared of the darkness to those who choose to live life in the dark corners of society. However all darkness is done away with and all that remains is the perfect light of the God of the Universe. Astronauts have declared one of the most glorious experiences of being in space is to see the light of the sun rising over the surface of the earth. It represents life, illumination, and creation.

Remember when Moses came down off the mountain after being in the presence of God. His face shone so bright that they had to put a shroud or covering over His face.

Exodus 34:29 ESV

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.

We also see throughout the history of the church that believers shine in a dark world.

Daniel 12:3 ESV

3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

We read in the sermon on the mount that Jesus describes us as the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

CLOSING

All Cultures Long for Heaven

The sense that we will live forever somewhere has shaped every civilization in human history. Australian aborigines pictured Heaven as a distant island beyond the western horizon.

The early Finns thought it was a distant island in the far away east. Mexicans, Peruvians, and Polynesians believed that they went to the sun or the moon after death. Native Americans believed that, in the afterlife, their spirits would hunt the spirits of buffalo.

The Gilgamesh epic, an ancient Babylonian legend, refers to a resting place of heroes and hints at a tree of life. In the pyramids of Egypt, the embalmed bodies had maps placed beside them as guides to the future world. The Romans believed that the righteous would picnic in the Elysian Fields, while their horses grazed nearby. Seneca, the Roman philosopher, said, "The day thou fearest as the last is the birthday of eternity."

Although these depictions of the afterlife differ, the unifying testimony of the human heart throughout history is belief in life after death. Anthropological evidence suggests that every culture has a God-given, innate sense of the eternal—that this world is not all there home.

What does you heart long for the most today? Think of the most beautiful thing you have experienced this week? How does it compare with what no eye has seen, nor ear has heard what He has prepared for His children.