2024-11-10 - 7 YEARS in Heaven

Doctrine of God’s Love - 5

Intro:

Link:

REVIEW:

1. God is the Essence of Love

2. Human Love as a Reflection of Divine Love

3. The Greatest Act of Love: God Giving Himself in Christ

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LINK: We must love like God loves, it like everything must be done Gods way or its sin.

When we love like God loves, we will be rewarded, I want to focus on that right now:

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Heaven and Eternity: The Rewards Await Us

Eternal rewards:

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb:

Revelation 19:9 - “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”

The "marriage supper of the Lamb" is a future celebration described in the Bible, particularly in Revelation 19:6-9, symbolizing the union between Jesus Christ (the Lamb) and His bride, believed to be the Church[1][2]. This event is expected to take place in Heaven after believers appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and before Jesus returns to rule on earth for a thousand years[1]. The bride is described as being dressed in fine linen, representing the righteous acts of the saints[1][3]. The celebration is likened to a lavish banquet, reminiscent of Old Testament promises of God preparing a feast for His people[2][4]. While the exact details and duration of this event remain somewhat mysterious, it is seen as a significant moment in Christian eschatology, marking the triumph and rest of faithful disciples after their earthly struggles[2][3]. The concept of the marriage supper of the Lamb is also used to reflect on the nature and purpose of earthly marriages in Christian theology[5].

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[1] Jim Richards, Revelation: The Best Is Yet to Come, ed. Sheila Wilkinson, First Edition. (Abbotsford, WI: ANEKO Press; Life Sentence Publishing, 2014), 191. [2] Jon Scott Birch, The Revelation of Jesus Christ: A Disciple’s Commentary (Eugene, Oregon: Resource Publications, 2022). [3] James Hastings, ed., The Great Texts of the Bible: Revelation (New York; Edinburgh: Charles Scribner’s Sons; T&T Clark, 1915), 259. [4] J. Daniel Hays, J. Scott Duvall, and C. Marvin Pate, Dictionary of Biblical Prophecy and End Times (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2007), 271. [5] Gilbert Meilaender, “The Sixth Commandment: Marriage as the First of Institutions,” in Luther’s Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications, ed. John T. Pless and Larry M. Vogel (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2022), 239.

Josh McDowell’s Handbook on Apologetics The Purposes of the Judgment

The marriage of the Lamb is an event that takes place in heaven following the judgment seat of Christ in which the body of believers (the church) is eternally united to Christ. The marriage supper of the Lamb takes place on earth when Christ returns with his bride to set up his kingdom. The marriage supper of the Lamb is a parabolic symbol of the entire millennial age to which Israel will be invited during the tribulation period. Most of Israel will reject the invitation so they will be cast out. Many, however, will accept the invitation and will be received into the kingdom to participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb. Because of Israel’s rejection of the invitation, the invitation will likewise go out to the Gentiles of the tribulation period. The Gentiles who accept the invitation will be included in the millennial kingdom and will participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb. Let us now consider the marriage of the Lamb.

Mansions prepared for us:

John 14:2 - "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

If my wife were in a foreign country, and I had a beautiful mansion all ready for her, she would a good deal rather I should come and bring her to it than to have me send someone else to bring her. Christ has prepared a mansion for His bride, the Church, and He promises for our joy and comfort that He will come Himself and bring us to the place He has been all this while preparing.

Dwight Lyman Moody (Evangelist)

John 14:3 “And 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.”

New, glorified bodies:

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - "So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption."

No other religion or philosophy promises glorified bodies, hearts and minds. Only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope.

Joni Eareckson Tada

Crowns of reward: (5 in total)

Ill. VIDEO by Got ?’s.org (Currently in Oct 2024 FBC Preaching Folder)

2 Timothy 4:8: "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

1 Peter 5:4: "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

Revelation 4:10–11 “the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.””

In his writtings, THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS, John Bunyan said this:

There are crowns of glory to be given us; and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven.

John Bunyan

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God’s Love and Discipline

God’s discipline is a form of love: Sometimes, God’s love is expressed through discipline to shape us into the image of Christ.

Hebrews 12:6: "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Stay in the Running! (Hebrews 12)

Whatever the experience, we can be sure that His chastening hand is controlled by His loving heart.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Stay in the Running! (Hebrews 12)

The Father does not want us to be pampered babies; He wants us to become mature adult sons and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life.

Discipline prepares us for eternity: Just as a coach’s discipline helps players grow, God’s discipline helps us mature spiritually, preparing us for the eternal rewards that await.

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Avoiding the Trap of the Prosperity Gospel

The danger of the Prosperity Gospel: This teaching suggests that if we obey God, He will give us earthly rewards like health, wealth, and success. However, the Bible does not promise that.

Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 6:19–24 (Luke 12:33–34; 11:34–36; 16:13)

One’s attitude toward wealth is another barometer of righteousness. The Pharisees believed the Lord materially blessed all He loved. They were intent on building great treasures on earth. But treasures built here are subject to decay (moth destroys cloth and rust destroys metal; cf. James 5:2–3) or theft, whereas treasures deposited in heaven can never be lost.

The Pharisees had this problem because their spiritual eyes were diseased (Matt. 6:22). With their eyes they were coveting money and wealth. Thus they were in spiritual darkness. They were slaves to the master of greed, and their desire for money was so great they were failing in their service to their true Master, God. Money is the translation of the Aramaic word for “wealth or property,” mamōna (“mammon,” KJV).

God provides what we truly need: Instead of giving us all our wants, God equips us for spiritual growth and perseverance, giving us the tools to succeed in our journey toward eternity.

Celebration in heaven: The real reward is not in earthly goods but in the eternal celebration awaiting us in heaven with Christ.

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Conclusion: Enduring for the Eternal Reward

God is love: God is the essence of perfect love, and our love for others is a reflection of that divine love.

The greatest demonstration of love: The greatest act of love is Christ’s sacrifice, reconciling us to God.

Eternal rewards: We are working toward an eternal reward, where we will celebrate forever with God.

Discipline and provision: God’s love also manifests in discipline, and He provides what we need—not necessarily what we want—so that we can grow and endure, preparing us for eternity.