Forever Perfect: The New Heavens and a New Earth

Father, once again, do your work through your word. We know it never returns void. and we know that for those that have the spirit Within, you are ultimate teacher. You are the one that unlocks the truth of this book through your spirit. Helping us to understand. You want us to Desert to discern? You want us to understand? You want us to apply you want to stay urine. You wants to be hungry, you want us to dig like the bereans. And so Lord help us to be faithful in that this morning in marilize we changed as a result. We ask in Jesus name amen.

As I mentioned, the title of today's sermon is forever, perfect. The new heavens and a new Earth. We're going to begin our reading in Revelation chapter 21 and we're going to look at verses 1 through 8 today. John Wright's. Then I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth. For the first Heaven and the first Earth that 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 him as their guy. 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 is 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 Omega the beginning and the end to the Thirsty, I will give from the office 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 detestable as for murderers sexually, immoral, Sorcerers idolaters and all liars. Their point portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. What do identify three key things in our passage this morning in our look at Forever? Perfect. And the first thing is number 1, a new dwelling place is coming. A new dwelling place is coming a new home. Verse 1 says a new Heaven and a new Earth. For the first time in the first year that passed away. Now, few weeks ago, we dug into this a little bit. This concept of this Earth passing away and we looked at the the words are translate is passing away and we saw that those words I had to do with going out of existence. Not simply being remedied. The idea that they just are no more, which is why am I understanding it says there was no place found for them. Okay. And so what what I want to do as we're kind of rolling through some of this cuz I want to share another Viewpoint because there is another Viewpoint, which is that the the this earth and the heavens themselves. Instead of completely going out of existence. There's another Viewpoint held by some good brothers. That it is, instead remade. It's completely rehabbed. There's no, I don't know of anybody who would disagree with the idea that it will. It would at least be reduced down to its most basic form and nothing left of any nothing recognizable left. It was truly, here. Everybody goes at least that far, but there are some who say that on that platform a new Heaven and hers is is created among them are David. Jeremiah, somebody who I have a lot of respect for. Probably some of us do too and he, if you, if you kind of Google his understanding of this, you'll find a video or not all that long ago, where he's preaching regarding text all reference, herein, 2nd, Peter and he will still hear him. Say that for years, he understood it to be the idea of everything going out of existence and then, And dinner, all new being made his first position in this is kind of because of, I think because of a book that he read called Heaven by Randy Alcorn, his thinking was challenged on that. And so his current position as far as I've and where is that this worth this Earth will be rehabbed to give his logic of that you takes his understanding from a related passage. We once had a little bit of finger in Revelation 21 and slip over a few pages to your left with the 2nd Peter chapter 3. 2nd Peter chapter 3. And it says this, we looked at this. So I just a couple weeks ago as we begin, our discussion of it with Peter rights that, the day of the Lord is the first 10. Second Peter 3 verse 10, the day of the Lord will come like a thief and then the heavens will pass away with a Roar. And the heavenly bodies will be burned up. And it's all in the earth's in the words that are done in it will be exposed Since all these things are this to be dissolved, what sort of people want you to be in life and in his own notes? David, Jeremiah Wright's? This he says it's understandable. How this passage can lead some to believe in the apocalyptic explosion Siri but he says when we look at the original the word translated for duck miraculously more accurately conveys, the idea of being uncovered or late over and then he says God will not burn the Earth down to a heap of Ashes is going to refine every element and Adam down to the Earth's core. He's going to renovate the Earth to equality. We haven't experienced the beauty we enjoy. Today is barely a taste. The vibrancy we will experience when God sure if ice is crazy. No, his last couple statements or I think everybody agrees on it is going to be absolutely mind-blowing Lee magnificent degree that

And so I find is I find his explanation where the Applause is something I'm to continue at looking looking at through my lifetime in my estimation and according, to other biblical Scholars, I gave you McCarthy's point of view couple weeks ago which is totally totally out of existence. And and that's why if you back up to a 20:11, You'll see John writing from his presents from from him who has cheated on. So from Jesus presence, Earth and Sky fled away and no place was found for them. And so has Earth, empties out its occupants to the throne. That's why I would say that there is no place for them because it's just gone. In one thing you want to notice here in Revelation 20 and verse 11 is it says from his presents Earth and Sky fled away. Now there's an old adage in Bible interpretation worth Rotella, hermeneutics. The way you interpret scripture that goes like this, it's a plain said that the plain sense makes them seek no other sin. And so, when you come across things like float away, you get the idea of it's going to not be where it used to be. if you know, we see this language else words scripture resist the devil and he will what What does that mean? He just doesn't want to 360 he's right there with you. I mean he's not there anymore, he has. He has moved physical location as it were that seems to be the same thing. Very similar things. Being said about the Earth and Sky in 20:11 float away. Not only that, we can't find them but there's no place there for him. That's one of the things. But that's where in 2nd Peter chapter 3, couple other things we want to look at Is I can see where you might make the argument based on the idea that the earth works are done in it. I will be exposed. Some people will interpret the workers as not the globe itself but the people that live in it But there is this word dissolve in verse 10 and the word. For dissolve means to be reduced to ruin, or your version might say, will be destroyed their number of version to stay will be destroyed. So the nasty says will be destroyed. So does the NIV? The lexan says that the new century version and the Legacy Bible also, which is an update. As soon as we basically says will be destroyed it and it and if anybody is sneaking, well, okay, but dissolve, but not everything is going to be dissolved. Like some of these things are going to be laid. Their, Heavenly Bodies May dissolve. Well, verse 11 kind of gives the problem for that Siri because it says in verse 11, since all these things Are Destin beaches. All I mean, that doesn't leave anything out. If you were thinking, only the heavens are going to roll up like a scroll. As we see you in the Old Testament is going to roll up like a scroll burn, as a fervent heat, all of that, but the Earth is going to just be laid bare in the works laid. There another words whatever people did are going to be made known. You can't really fit that into the phrase since all these things are best to be too tall. and then, of course, we have what we found are in Revelation, 20 verse 11, Coming back to Revelation 21. We also have the subject of the words used in verse one, or it's where John, right? I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth. The word new is a Greek word now and it means what was not there before. You know, pretty basic that's what new means or what has only just arrived. There are different. I say this because there are multiple different words that can be used for new and they mean slightly different things. Kindness is another one. Those are the two most common words for you. The other work, try not to means what is new and distinctive as compared with other things, and it didn't care of the idea of being pertaining to that, which is you, or recent, and hence Superior to that, which is all it has to do with, what is new in nature different from the usual, empressive better than the old value or attractions. I think that if that was what what John was trying to convey, he would have used the word more like highness because that carries more of the eye. Something has been restored front of you that like cars or or anything else that can be restored. You know, may, I know, he's a size. Favorite vehicle is a 67 Mustang somewhere in there, 69 he corrected me. Thank you. Thank you for that. You can have a two guys can have a 69 Mustang in the garage. One cannot be worth a whole lot Fair. One could be worth an awful lot to an awful lot of people. Because those are the same car, though. They're the same year. One has been restored. And one was one is in infinitely more valuable than the other.

That seems to me what you would be saying if you use the word kindness, this idea of Naomi Watts is again, what was not there before? Because if we're reading Revelation 20, right Anderson Sky, float away, and no place was found for them for 11. Then it makes total sense. Why why, you know, even if you hear about, John says, okay, then I saw a new Heaven and new earth because they were just made. It means what was not there before or what has only just Arisen or only just appear

It's by the way, the same word used in Colossians 3, where the word kindness. I'm going back to China, house arrest order of word now is in Colossians 3, where it says, we are being renewed in knowledge after the image of our creator. Also, the word used in Romans full. We are being transformed by the renewing of your mind. That's kind of us. That's, that's, that's restored of work. That's taking something that may be in in nature spiritually, your new, but in Practical life, you still not need that thing. Flying work because there is things that have to happen in your life to live this out, to flush out this morning, that you are now to walk in And so, transformed by the kindness that, whatever verb tense that is of your mind. Same thing in the Fusion Sport, be renewed in the spirit of your mind. That's that work for Renewal. Now, at the end of the day, whether whether one's write the others wrong, however, that works. Here's what we know. And here's what everyone's going to agree on. Everything that is sinful and wrong about this present Earth. And this present universe that slate is going to be completely decimated. And what comes on the other side, following the great white Throne judgment that we saw in the bema seat. Judgment, Is a new Heaven in Earth. One Way or Another amen. It is going to be unbelievable. Verse 1 says, in the sea was no more. this is another reason why I think that

That again this is talking about just going completely out of existence because it's continuing to steam and saying another thing that you're not going to ever see cuz if not, it doesn't exist. Anymore is the sea. The new Earth won't have a seat right now. Three quarters of the globe is covered in water. There will be no. See on the new world, the climate will be different, will see some of that in chapter 22, the climate's going to be different. There's no. See, you know, for people that might really enjoy a day by the sea or whatever you trying to wrap your head around late. I can't ever see, I can't, you know, I can't even go to Lake. Michigan and look across and see the blue. No, but I have a feeling that that's your jam.

That on the new Earth, you're not going to be feeling like you're missing out. I don't exactly know what it's going to be like, but we're not going to find ourselves regretting. Something is missing in the new workers. Are you with me? This is going to be so far beyond our wildest expectations. And that's Point number two because not only is a new Dwelling Place coming a new way of life itself is coming. Revelation 21 verse to, I saw the holy city new dress, Drew slum coming down out of Heaven, from God prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. We're not going to spend a lot of time on that just yet because you'll notice you can take a peek at first nine and following. That's going to get a lot more into detail about the New Jersey. So we're going to take all of that together once we get there and future Sunday. But first three tells us that God is going to make his permanent home with man. This is going to be amazing. The Dwelling Place of God is with, man. He will dwell with him. We see, we see throughout scripture many, many hints at this many times where, you know, you had God and you had Adam and Eve in the garden in the pool today. When you had, he not to walk with God, and God took him, and he was not God took him. He was one of two people to be taken out of this world without having to die him and Elijah. And Enoch walked with God, and God took him home without ever having to taste death. God Walk with the Israelites and really unique ways. Different ways through the Kings, to the judges through the temple. The sacrificial system was so much their course Cloud by day and Thor Fire by night, he had the Ark of the Covenant. You had him working through so many of the prophets God was doing so much and then you fast forward and you have price. One of his name's is Emmanuel. Meaning what? God With Us. And it was it was it was crazy for them to be alive during the time of Jesus here on Earth is this wasn't even the time when he's here in all his majesty. This wasn't the time when he was here and all those gory that's part of the problem. Some people had their like if you're the real deal, why aren't these things changing? Why are we still oppressed? Why is it still in debt that I throw? But the one thing he was doing was a lot of Miracles to prove who he really was and God the Father in heaven was also affirmed Jesus, multiple times. This is my son. Listen to him. This is my son in whom I am. Well pleased. All these sorts of things. You see it also in the millennial Reign. Where if you study from the book of Isaiah, you're going to find out there in the Millennium. Jesus is going to be answering. People's prayers are easy ideas even before they're done saying, How would that be? How many of you have prayed more than once for some issues? Raised me more than one time? How many do you prayed more than one week for a person or an issue raised again about multiple years, multiple decades? How would you like to have a reality? Whereas, your praying for the first time. It's done. Meaning it's in the will of God and he heard you and he acted in favor your prayer and you did it too. Soon, as you finish your prayer, how many signing up for? That's the one your ring. That's not even the new work yet, that's Millennial Reign. So that's going to be how it is in the millennial Reign for those that know the Lord. He's going to be with us. He's going to be present. This will be the Earth was full of Sarah, all of it. This is better than that. This is the new Earth and God himself will be here with us permanently. The permanent Dwelling Place, the permanent home and this is one of those conversational fine-tuning that we have to do. You know, there's a lot of things where we say, you know, Adam and Eve ate an apple, you don't know, sometimes we say that. He he killed the lamb, the clothes. And we don't know who is Alam pretty likely, but we just know he clothing with the skin of an animal, right? Others are certain things, we, we sort of say, but we don't quite fine-tune it, one of the things we often stay as well, live forever, with Jesus in heaven. That's not actually the way that works because Jesus comes back with us for a thousand years here, right? That's not forever. And then after he creates the new Heavens, all that stuff out there any worse, he lives here with us on the newer. And so, you're not with your with God forever. Say that say, you will forever be with your savior, say that. But as far as location wherever he is, where we will be also and he's saying here and Revelation 21 where I send you, I'm going with you and we're going to be together forever. That's forever. Perfect. Is it not forever with your God forever? If there is anybody who could ever threaten that Paradigm threatened, that I feel like I would be it because I know myself, I know my sin and it terrifies me, Lee terrified by your sin and if you think. But that boy that sounds almost too good to be true. And unfortunately I've got to spear like if I'm one of the ones and I'm there, I'm probably going to spoil it for everybody to feel that. I felt that this week looking at this, but let our emotions me trained by Theology and I can't tell you how comforting it is to know. That he who started a good work. Is completed, even and me. There's most days. I feel like the toughest nut he has a crack, anybody else? I'm so stubborn. I'm so stupid. I'm so slow to learn from my mistakes. I know the right thing to do and I don't do it. I don't want to do wrong and that's why I find myself doing just like call. Answers one egg. It was going to spoil it for everybody. I feel like I'd be the guy. It's at the Bible says he's going to make me forever perfect. Guys, there's something about that concept, that when I compared to creating a perfect world and making me perfect. I almost think the ladder is the hardest thing.

Anybody else where I'm at? On that? Like I can see God just speaking rolling existence and it being the most amazing thing ever, and always being that way. but when I think to myself, Giving me a perfect heart perfect. Mine. Perfect eyes. Perfect years, perfect, everything. Perfect resolved, perfect worship that seems like the much harder feet. And yet, he'll have actually pulled that off before this new year. Well, where was he in heaven?

God is awesome. Also going to remove all Sorrows from your life. Verse for says, he will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death Shall be no more. And by the way some of thought well it looks like they're still is sorrow if he's wiping tears. Well how about this? Neither shall there be mourning or crying? Well, why is he wiping away tears? I think this is one of those cases where guy just tries to get as on flu so that you can get to simple-minded folks, like me and sayings. If it steers you're thinking about it. This if it's morning you're thinking about Death, Race grief and pain if it's crying. Just know, that's all gone. Forever gone.

That's what it's like to be with your savior in eternity. For the former things have? What? The faster way. In the new heavens and a new Earth. Scripture says there are seven things notable for their absence. Notable for not being there, seven things are no more. So here in 21:1 there's no more seat and verse for, there's no more death, there's no more morning, there's no more weeping, no more pain. If you were too fast for 2, chapter 2, 22 verses 3, and verse 5, you'll also find out there will be no more curse and there will be no more night.

These things that provide uncertainty for us in this life, these things that would strike fear or things it would signify down time or need for refreshment aren't going to be needed anymore. These things that give us the capacity to express brief. Frying morning tears, how we react sport pain? We're not even going to need that functionality anymore. Can you get your head around that? I can you won't even need the functionality.

In verse 5, everything to do with what Jesus says right here. Say this with me starts with the hold, ready, behold? I am making all things new

Let your heart set on that for a minute. I am making all things new.

What you think about your deepest source of grief in this life?

Pastor present, maybe it's future Mewtwo fear. Something you don't know what to do with something. You don't know how to reconcile. Could you physical thing? Could be emotional thing. Could be a past trauma. Could be some circumstance, you're not sure what to do with. Curb your relationship.

All of those former things. Are no more. Because Jesus was the one who created the current universe and all his there in and he will recreate. In spectacular fashion, making all things new you included. You suggest as the law and sacrificial system were, as it were a shadow of things to come. That's the Old Testament language. So is this world to the next? This is as it were a shadow of the things to come.

And even in the millennial Kingdom, things will be different. if I read for you from the book of Isaiah, I do this because if this gives a flavor what the millennial Kingdom can be like, I just let your imagination run a little while. Then what the new Earth will be like a thousand years on this present earth when Jesus and the Saints all come back. Isaiah Wright's, the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with a young goat and the calf and The Lion, and the fatted calf together and a little child shall lead them. The cow in the bearish of raise, their young shall lie down together and the lion shall eat. Anybody know what it is. Straw. Kids, you know what straw is? Not liking a drinking glass is kind of like hey it's those big yellow Bales you sit on in the fall and get your apple cider and no pumpkins. Whatever a lion is going to eat, straw like bread. Yeah. That's how it's going to be there. Not getting no one's going to be scared of them. The nursing child shall play over the whole of the Cobra and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adders been. That's just the millennial reign. So, you think about Jesus here on this present first Earth in that, I'm obviously removing a lot of it because of his present. but then you let your mind Fast Track forward to what must a new Earth be like It's going to be even better than that. Call Coach Isaiah when he says as it is written, what no eye has seen nor ear heard nor the heart of man, imagine what God has prepared for those who love him.

Third. And finally less the reader get too comfortable. Prematurely there is a warning given here starting in verse 5 the Revelation 21. Jesus said, write this down for these words are trustworthy and true and said to me, it is done is finish same. Same kind of language of the used on the cross. It is done and he says something that he also says in 1:7. He says, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning, and the end. He says to the Thirsty, I will give from the spring of the Water of Life without payment.

This would take your mind back to Isaiah chapter 55 where the Lord says, come everyone who thirst come to the waters and he who has no money come by and Come, buy, wine, and milk without money and without price. It would make you think of Jesus. In Matthew 5 saying, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied. Or it would also make you think of Jesus with a woman from Samaria. It's Jacob's Well, answering her. If you knew the gift of God and who it is is saying to you give me a drink you would have asked him and he would have given you. What? Living Water.

Jesus goes on and says verse 7. The one who conquers will have his Heritage and I will be his God and he will be my son. But and here's a warning. 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 You see number three is the Christ as a dividing line. Christ is the dividing line. It all comes down to what you do with Jesus Christ. Neither is your king. He either is your lord, or he will simply be your judge.

Everyone has a relationship with Christ.

I know that sometimes people will say you know, I finally came in the relationship with Christ. That's the time that I know maybe late linguistically splitting hairs a little bit but I don't think it's too much to push. The point that we need to help everybody. Understand everybody has a relationship with Jesus Christ. You are his creation saved or unsaved? You were created by Him and for him. and if you reject him, if you rebelled against him and if you stay dead in your sins, then he is Judge to you. Daddy's, who used to you. If you accept his gift of Salvation, then he becomes forever. Lord and savior. but every man woman and child has a relationship with Jesus Christ,

He talks about himself as being the dividing line. I will be his God, he will be my son.

Now, this listing verse 8, starts and ends with something interesting. I saw some commentators in my summertime and cherries are red point this out. That's a list starts with cowardly and ends with Liars. Very interesting. Now these are these things are listed are pretty common in the lineup used in other in other areas of the New Testament, specially some of Paul's letters and things like that. We'll talk about some of these sorts of more obvious sins, if you will. But it's interesting that the book ends on this particular list are the cowardly and the liars and in particular the Cowardly because that's not something you often see in this list of dangerous things that you need to be watching as my life characterized by the sort of thing. and what I read pointed to, the idea that the reason for this being the first on the list is because remember, one of the primary target audience this year is those experiencing tribulation And now, all believers need to heed that cuz all of us could face physical tribulation and throughout the years Christians all over the globe half. But the idea is, as Jesus said in the gospels, if you are ashamed of me before men, what's the other part of it? I'll be ashamed before my father of you. And it's the idea that is put to the test. Do you password, do you fail?

Don't confuse these Sands in on what's going on here with it. Does it mean if anything like this is present in the life of a believer that they're actually not to believe that they're going in for like fire. James is quick to point out that everybody has trouble with their tongue so lying, anger, all these sorts of things. Many of these issues are specifically targeted address to Christian audience in the New Testament. But if this is the nature of your life, if price isn't part of it, if he hasn't redeemed, the person in the thing, most telling is that they were cowardly when the time came. Then what is indicating is when put to the test, you denying Christ.

And treating it as this was a person that never really knew him. And if this person will be in the Lake of Fire forever and the book and on the other side here is Liars. Big, Hallmark characteristic of the time of tribulation will be satanic deception and what scripture calls. The doctor says it will be more and more. Prevalent is a tribulation gets closer but during the tribulation it will be at its peak. The deception, the Illusions, the drunkenness on intrude on absolute lies. Jesus address some of this. Even in his time here on Earth, two thousand years ago, where he talked to some Pharisees about your father, is the devil and Father of Lies you like him. He's like what she has right deception in the garden. And so if on one end, people are put to the test and you reject me. They're not mine, they're not.

if they're going to fall in with a satanic exception, they're not mine. And so there is a pause here as all of this looking forward to a new city is being talked about a new Earth. To just say another time, make sure you're sure, examine your life. And know where you're going.

Next week, Phil McDonald's is going to preach and then the following week, Lord willing we're going to dig into the New Jerusalem. I'm grateful. We have a week Gap cuz I got a lot of reading to do There's so much about it, New Testament, little bit in the Old Testament, and got some books that I want, they wanted to chew on for a little while. So, please pray that I study some of this stuff is hard too hard to dig into. This is true, Joy, the true privilege and I'm really loving it, but I want to be faithful and be careful and I just love what God does through this book, what he says, it's the Persian challenge, my heart and I hope as yours too. I want you stand, we're going to pray and then we're going to take the camp giving offering us a third and final as we close with the song.

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