The New Jerusalem (2)
Notes
Transcript
Revelation 21:22-27
Revelation 21:22-27
22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 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. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 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.
Prayer
Message
Revelation 21:22 “22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”
Constant Worship V. 22
Constant Worship V. 22
Revelation 21:22 “22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”
God and Jesus are the temple
Temple-Naos meaning the abode of God.
Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple.
Matthew 24:2 “2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.””
Church
1577. ἐκκλησία ĕkklēsia, ek-klay-see´-ah; from a comp. of 1537 and a der. of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting, espec. a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Chr. community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church.
Ill. Thee are 5 local churches that will be deciding their futures within the next 5 years. Its not important the names. We had a discussion at the Budget & Finance Meeting for the MBA. The building is a tool of the church, the building is not the church.
Do not for sake the assembling of the saints.
The building serves us more in being held accountable. A location to come together. A place to invite people to, but the church in and of itself is a tool we use to reach people for Christ among many other tools.
The church can spread with cell groups. You could start a coffee group and breakfast and have a bible study and devotion and the church has moved out as stated in Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
And we will be His priests.
1 Peter 2:9–10 “9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
Revelation 20:6 “6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
What is interesting is that John being a Jew would know to look for a temple. Solomon’s Temple stood out with all its glory and the center and at the top of the hill in Jerusalem. It beamed for miles in its grand fashion. The temple looked down on the City of David for miles. Any traveler coming into Jerusalem from any direction would have found the temple arresting.
But notice in Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple what He said:
1 Kings 8:27 “27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!”
Paul stated these words on Mars Hill:
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
Now let me say this that we need the temple, God’s church today. We need the coming together, the praying together, the accountability.
Matthew 16:18 “18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 18:20 “20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.””
But in heaven, we are with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
The Scripture states our lives are a temple. The Lord Almighty is the temple in heaven.
To be in their presence is to be at the center, the hub of our all.
Revelation (King James Version) B. The New Jerusalem, the City of God (Part I): Its Description, 21:9–23
Their presence will be so manifested …
• that the very atmosphere will be heavy with their spirit
• that every person will be filled with God’s Spirit, perfectly filled
• that every person will be perfectly conscious of God’s continued presence
No believer will be without the full and perfect knowledge of God’s Spirit and presence. Therefore, there will be an unbroken worship, communication, and sharing with God and Christ. No matter what service or work the believer will be performing, and no matter where the believer is serving throughout the universe, he will be in unbroken fellowship and communion with God. Therefore, there is no need for a temple and its ceremonies and rituals to pull the human mind into the worship of God.
John 4:24 “24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.””
Can you imagine us all together in our purity and holiness and righteousness with the Lord in His purity and holiness and righteousness?
There are some here that have experienced small windows of that climate and we did not want to leave the place we found ourselves. You love your spouse, you love your children and grandchildren and friends and family, but the experience is so overwhelming you do not want to leave.
There will never be a divided or distracted day in heaven. We will worship in spirit and truth. No compromise.
No bad days in heaven.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Have you ever considered that you will be the best you you will ever be-all the time. Your mind will never be in the gutter. You will never have stinking thinking. You will never think in anyway except the ideal and filled with thoughts of the Lord.
Revelation 19:1 “1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!”
Perfect righteousness in heaven
Psalm 1:2 “2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”
Perfected trust
Isaiah 26:3 “3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”
Clear Way V. 23
Clear Way V. 23
Revelation 21:23 “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.”
Do you know that something interesting in the Gen. account and the creation account is the sun and moon are referred to as “light”. It is not until Genesis 15:12 “12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.”
What is interesting is that the first time in the Genesis account the word sun is mentioned that when it went down fear came.
We know that when the sun goes down, several things happen. The sun creates photosynthesis-life, the sun reveals direction, the sun provides warmth.
Why is photosynthesis short answer?
The process by which plants make their own food using chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, and water in the presence of sunlight is known as photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is a green pigment present in the leaves of plants. This pigment captures the sun's energy, which is used to prepare food from carbon dioxide and water.
IN recent days there has been or going to be an eclipse. An eclipse is where the moon blocks out a part of the sun. The Father and Jesus will eclipse the need for the sun and moon in heaven.
Isaiah 60:19–20 (NKJV)
19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day,
Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;
But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,
And your God your glory.
20 Your sun shall no longer go down,
Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;
For the Lord will be your everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
Yellowstone-Buffalo, staying warm.
Citizens of the New World VV. 24-27
Citizens of the New World VV. 24-27
V. 24
The Diversity of the People.
The Deity among Leadership “Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor to it.”
Isaiah 60:3 “3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.”
Every person will bring their splendor to the city.
John does not envision the salvation of a tiny handful, but the bringing in of the Gentiles.
As we read a prophetic word from Isa. 60, we realize two things that I believe are important. God’s ways will stay immutable and God will be approachable. But something that is interesting is the fact that the nations of the world are spelled out in their ways and their manner.
This to me is another consideration that we will have an identity up there as we do down here. When we discuss our former relationships here on earth we somewhat struggle with the idea that there will not be marriage in heaven for example. The dynamic of that relationship will change.
But let’s consider something a little different for a moment.
Isaiah 60:5 “5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.”
Isaiah 60:12 “12 For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, And those nations shall be utterly ruined.”
Isaiah 60:21 “21 Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.”
Are you proud of every thought you have had let alone any action you have done contrary to your spouse or family or your friends? Is there anything you have said or thought against a church member? As much as we love our very closest relationships, have you spoken to every matter that ever came into your heart with your loved one?
Firstly, at our very best there are thoughts that have come into our head we are ashamed of.
Secondly, if we were open to our sinful hearts our loved ones would be highly disappointed in us.
There will be no undercurrents in heaven. There will be no ulterior motives. There will be no hidden agendas. Our hearts will be pure in love, thought, and deed to one another.
Oh yes, the most important person we will see in heaven is Jesus. But I long to see all of my loved ones in their purest states. Amen.
The beauty and the kaleidoscope of God’s creation will still be pronounced in heaven.
V. 25
Revelation 21:25 “25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).”
Gates represent barriers. Gates represent passages by which some pass and others do not. Gates represent protection. There will be no reason for gates. Nothing to fear. No darkness, no unknowns, no surprises.
V. 27
Revelation 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.”
Joel 3:17 “17 “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, Dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.””
We will enjoy jobs in heaven
Luke 12:42–44 “42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.”
We will have job responsibilities
Revelation 5:10 “10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.””