Revelation 21
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 59 viewsNotes
Transcript
All Things New
All Things New
I remember when I was young and I was talking with my grandparents about how I had learned in school that people live longer now than they used to and how grandma and grandpa you could live to be 110 years old!
And my grandma, as serious as she had ever been, responds “I’d rather be with Jesus”
This made no sense to me at the time. Why would my grandma rather be in Heaven than more years on this earth?
I remember being afraid of heaven, thinking about this eternal place where I would be worshiping God on all fours, not only did I have an incorrect picture of heaven, but I believed life here was better than heaven could be. Man at the time as a kid I thought my life is pretty great why would I want heaven. I knew I did not want hell, but I certainly wasn’t signing up for any trips to heaven.
Yet, as I grow older, the more and more I understand why my grandma said what she said.
As the years go on and I see more brokenness, I break more things, I experience the pain of being human, my soul yearns for a place where all of this will be no more.
There is this old Aramaic word “maranatha” it means “come lord”, “come lord Jesus”. This word became a cry of hope and a prayer of lament for the early church as they faced persecution.
Marantha! Come, Lord Jesus. End all of this suffering and pain.
I am sure some in this room look back on 2024 with pain and anguish, some with joy, most with a good bit of both.
As I look back on 2024, and think about the pain, the tears, the broken things of this year that have yet to be restored, my soul cries “Maranatha”
Come Lord Jesus! Come! Usher in a kingdom where every tear will be wiped away, mourning and crying will be no more, death shall be no more, LORD come, come Lord Jesus MAKE all that is broken new! Maranatha!
In each and every one of our hearts there is a cry for the Lord to come. The good news is… he’s coming.
Stand in honor of God’s word. We will be in Revelation 21.
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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 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.”
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.” 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. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 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.”
Let’s pray.
Revelation is a book many are fearful to approach, and this is not without valid reason. Revelation can seem entirely unapproachable to us because it is prophetic, specifically apocalyptic literature. Now those words carry a lot of connotations today so I want to be clear what I mean when I say that.
Revelation was written by John, in a time of great ambiguity in the church. John is specifically writing this letter to 7 churches in what was the roman province of “Asia”.
He wrote this letter to address specific issues these churches were facing. Some were following the Lord faithfully but were being persecuted, others were becoming wealthy falling away from the lord leading lives of lukewarm faith attempting to build their own heaven here on earth, others were morally wretched reflecting the Israelites from times of old.
And so God gives John a vision, that is what makes Revelation prophetic, it is God speaking through a prophet, and this vision God gives John addresses the issues these churches were facing.
John calls this vision a “Revelation” or in greek, “apokalypsis”, a genre of writing that in Jewish texts is a sort of melding of past present and future.
It is literature that uses symbolism to address a present issue in light of what has happened and what will happen.
And so when we think about Revelation as an apocalyptic book we need to be rooted in that understanding of the genre. This apocalyptic book is bringing together history, the present moment, and the future all to address something in the present.
If you read this trying to figure out what exactly is going to happen and the specifics of who is who what is what, you are reading it wrong. I would run out air explaining what revelation is not based upon the things I alone have seen on the internet, and so I want to be clear about what it is.
Revelation has something to say to us today. It is not a book for the future, it was a book written to seven real churches to encourage and exhort them in the present. It was meant to strike them with this powerful imagry that reminded them of what God had done, what is is doing, and the work he will bring to completion.
And this great work God is bringing to completion is where we find ourselves this morning.
Throughout revelation we see a great battle and striking imagry, creatures with too many heads, it can seem dark and scary, and yet it all ends here. In chapter 21 and 22. IN fact the whole bible ends here, it all ends here, With a new heaven and a new earth.
In chapter 20 John sees this lake of fire where those who are “dead” spiritually, will be thrown into hades… Revelation 21
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.
So Jesus is going to return and he is going to defeat satan, deal with sin completely and finally, and establish a new heaven and a new earth.
What is important here to note is that eternity includes a new earth. So God’s aim in all of this is not to bring us to an ethereal cloud where we float in eternal bliss.
God is going to redeem earth. Eternity will be physical. God made the physical heavens and the earth and it was good! And so where will we be for all eternity? a new earth.
Our bodies will be transformed, the earth will be transformed, all will be made new and physical. It will be incredible!
The current state of our earth with all of its brokenness and sin will pass away but God’s good creation will remain. So a new heaven and a new earth, the first will pass away and the sea will be no more.
The sea being no more could mean lots of things. At the very least, the sea commonly symbolizes wickedness and evil. And so the sea being no more is a picture of that being no more. But we also see later in the chapter that in the new earth there is no night and no need for sun these are also things we cannot understand and so we recognize there is a large amount of this new heaven and new earth that we simply cannot comprehend.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
So coming from heaven to this new earth is a new jerusalem, a new holy city, this is symbolic for the dwelling place of man, so man is going to dwell on the new earth, again physical eternity, and we this holy city are prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The church in the bible is often describe symbolically as the bride of Christ. This is a picture of that union as God and man dwell together once again.
Now I say once again because remember, all the way back in the beginning.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Remember this? In the beginning God created a garden. And God walked on the earth with his people. God dwelled with man. But they sinned and were sent out of the Garden.
So in God’s perfect design, he is walking among his people. He is very literally, dwelling with his people.
Now, when man was sent from the garden, the holy presence of God was separated from the sinful man. And as time goes on we get Noah and Abraham, and Jacob, in these stories we get glimpses of God. God-like figures appear to Abraham, Jacob literally wrestles with God, we get these pictures of the presence of God but he is not dwelling with his people as he was in the garden.
God is working in the midst of man, bringing Joseph to second in command over egypt, but there is still no dwelling place for God among man.
Then moses and a burning bush, again a glimpse of God, God leads the people out of slavery in egypt to the promiseland where the spirit of God, the very breath, the pneuma, of God leads them in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. God instructs them to build a tent like structure for the spirit of God to dwell with man. The tabernacle, which literally means, dwelling place. So now God is dwelling with man as a cloud and fire.
Eventually the people arrive in the promise land, and Solomon builds a permanent tabernacle, the temple, and the spirit of God comes to dwell in the temple. But the dwelling place of God, like the tabernacle, was the holy of holies a place behind a big curtain where the high priest could only enter once a year, for the presence of God would eviscarate any who entered. God is dwelling with his people but it is a far cry from the Garden.
Then, years go on, the people continue in their sin, and the prophet ezekial sees a vision of the presence of God leaving the temple and then there is 400 years of silence. God does not speak, no message from a prophet. God is no longer dwelling with his people on the earth.
But 400 years later, a baby is born in a manger, and God once again is walking on the earth with man, dwelling with his creation, but it is only temporary, he must deal with their sin so this can become a permanent reality.
Jesus dies on a cross atoning for the sins of man and when he ascends into heaven god sends the pneuma, the breath of god, the spirit of God, the same spirit that led the Israelites through the wilderness, the same spirit that filled the tabernacle and temple, to now dwell within the tabernacle of every believer. We become the dwelling place of God.
So now, God is very literally dwelling within man, but this is not the end of the story.
And in the end this new Jerusalem comes down from heaven to this new earth and John hears in verse three,
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.
So not only is God going to dwell with his people again, but God is going to permeate every inch of this new earth. It is the epitome of the God dwelling with man.
God dwells with us now as the spirit is indwelled within each of us, but we still wrestle with pain, with prayers that seem unanswered, broken hearts, and shattered dreams, aching longings that are never answered
But in this new earth, where God permeates every millimeter of creation with his goodness
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.”
And so as we on this earth face the tears, death, mourning, sin, pain in our bodies, pain in our hearts, the anxiety and depression, broken families and seasons where we have no idea what is next but we can’t imagine its good, we cry out Maranatha, Maranatha come Lord jesus knowing that we have hope because there is coming a day where the king returns and all of this will be no more.
Where he will wipe every tear, where every pain and sickness will be no more, where the anxiety that grips you the depression that ravages you will be no more, where every longing will be met with Christ, and every prayer answered.
God is speaking through John this revelation for people experiencing those very things. This was written to seven real churches and this same message is for you and me today. Remember this is not a book for the future it is a book for the present. God is saying, hold on, don’t give up, don’t give in, I have you here for a purpose, I am working it all for good, hold on I am working, I am moving even if you cannot see it, have hope! Take heart! Remain faithful! Trust me.
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.”
He is making all this new. You say, can he really make all things new? You have seen the Lord do it in you, he brought you from death to life, he made you new you have seen him resurrect your life, and you have it on his word, his word that is trustworthy and true that he is making all things new and “that he who began a work in you is faithful to bring it to completion” he will make all things new and he will see you through. And so no matter what broken pieces you bring in today, no matter how messed up, how impossible, how wretched, there is nothing dead that he can’t resurrect, there is nothing so broken and old that he can’t make new, and the fact that you are breathing means he is not done with you.
So god is saying, look I win in the end, all things will be made new, keep your head up focused on me, I am with you in the pain, I am with you in the suffering, I am with you in the tears, I love the way 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says it… we do not grieve as those who have no hope.
We suffer, we cry, we feel the pain, and we do it knowing we have a hope greater than any pain, any moment of suffering, we have a hope that is anchored in this promise of Christ. While we yearn and ache and long crying Marantha, come lord jesus, longing for a day when all will be made new, we have a hope knowing that he is coming. So we press on, eyes on that great city coming from heaven knowing our dwelling place is with him. that is good news.
That is one message of revelation, that those who are facing suffering in this life face that suffering in light of what God has done and what the end of the story will be, thats the apocalypse, the revelation. The past present and future coming together to encourage us in the present.
There is also another message. It is a message to those in the seven churches who were wrestling with the pull of riches. The lies of money in this life. Believing that money is the answer, that money is going to satisfy. That you can buy heaven here on earth.
And John is also writing to those who have fallen into wretchedness and sin. Into behaviors that are damaging, contributing to the brokenness God is going to make new.
The truth is, for most of us, we fit into all three of those groups, the suffering, the idolaters, and the sinners. We all suffer and we all sin.
Our suffering finds its answer in the return of Christ and so does our sin.
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.
What is done? The wrath of God has been poured out in full. There is no more left. For those who are thirsty, those who repent and believe the gospel. He will give from the spring of water of life WITHOUT PAYMENT.
One who is thirsty, recognizes their need. Do you recognize your need for Jesus. Do you recognize that you are a sinner who needs a savior.
If so, you are free to enjoy this new heaven and new earth despite your sin because it is done, as Jesus said on the cross it is finished, the price has been paid in full, there is no payment left for you to make. Praise God! verse 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.”
If I am honest, these are verses I want to skip. I hate the hell, fire, and brimstone preaching scaring people into faith in Jesus. I think what happens is you get converts to life preservation, not converts to Jesus. However, I will boldy and faithfully preach the word of God and a part of that is being honest about the fate of those who do not receive the message of Christ. And let me be clear, that is death and eternity in hell. A lake that burns with fire and sulfur.
But there is good news. See that list there?
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.”
It reminds me of another list in scripture…
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
The good news of Jesus says no matter who you were, what you’ve done. You can be washed in the water and be clean, your I am becomes I was. I am an adulterer, I am an idolater, I am greedy, I am a drunkard, in Christ what you are becomes what you were because the power of Christ makes all things new.
So repent and believe, new life awaits you in Christ. There is hope, the king is coming, and every addiction will break, every wrong will be made right, and every tear will be wiped away.
The greatest news in all of this, greater news than avoiding hell, and the lake of fire, the greatest news is if you receive this Gospel of Christ, repenting of your sin and turning to Jesus you will also receive so much more, you will receive him.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Come take this water of life without price. Turn to Jesus. Receive him, the water of life.
The beautiful thing about this new Jerusalem, this place where God and man will dwell together is seen in
John is describing this new jerusalem coming down from heaven.
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 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.
There is no temple in this new jerusalem why? The temple was the center of the old jerusalem. Because God is not going to dwell in a temple, he will not be held behind a curtain, he will not be visited once a year, the dwelling place of God will be with man and he himself is our great reward.
That the light of the glory od God would shine upon us, that the lamp of the lamb would light our world, that god would permeate every inch of this new creation with his goodness. Praise God! He is coming. For every marantha, come Lord Jesus, there is the promise that he is coming.
And yes he is coming for every sin, for every tear, for every sickness, for every longing, for every moment you cry out to him, for every injustice, for every unfathomable wickedness, he is coming to make all things new
And he is coming to be with me and you, and that is the the greatest news here,
When we look back at this year where we have read through the whole bible. I hope you take away this.
God wants to dwell with man, and man is most satisfied dwelling with God.
God is moving everything to realize that reality. He is moving heaven and earth, death and grave, so God will dwell with man.
The good news is that we can do that now. While the fullness of this communion, the fullness of this union, this marriage of the church with Christ, the fullness of this will only be realized in eternity, we can commune with God today. In prayer, worship, the word, community, God has put his spirit in us to dwell in the temple of our bodies until he returns to permeate all of creation.
God is moving all of reality towards this truth:
God wants to dwell with man, and man is most satisfied dwelling with God.
So for some of us this morning we need to repent of our sin, turning to Christ, acknowledging that we are thirsty that we are sinners who need a savior. Recognizing we need communion with God. The message to you this morning is the king is coming, repent, and enter into new life with Christ.
Others once knew this truth of Christ, but have drifted away, been pulled by money, lust, discontentment, idolatry and Christ has fallen to the way side. The message to you this morning is wake up. It’s not too late, God is not done with you. Re-focus, the king is coming
And for some of us, we need the reminder that all things broken will be made new, that every promise of God is true, that none, not one ounce of our suffering is wasted, that it all is being used for good and God’s glory, and that one day he will wipe every tear from our eyes, death will be no more, mourning and crying will cease, we grieve, we weep, we cry out, we long for restoration, we cry maranatha, come lord Jesus, come, we lament the brokeness of this world, but we do it knowing that the king is coming. In spite of circumstances, we hope because we know who wins in the end.
It only seems fitting to end this year with the final two verses of the bible Revelation 22:20-21
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Let’s pray.
There is something better than the heaven you can make on earth
