A Glimpse Of Glory 18

New Like You Have Never Experienced

Text: Revelation 21:1-8

Introduction

Illustration: Have you ever bought something new or really close to new? How long did it stay looking brand new? How soon was it when you had to buy replacement parts or have it worked on?

The only world that we have experienced something new is this world; a world that will not allow for anything new to remain new. It’s a world where nothing completely new (not created from something else) is created.

What we are going to learn from chapter 21 are some very exciting realities for every child of God. We are promised a soon coming world where every sense of “old” is expelled and “new” is ushered in by God Himself.

1) A New Dwelling With God

A. The new city will be completely new

Verse 1 notes

“New heaven and new earth”

How many of you like new things? How many of you have ever anticipated getting something new or newer?

God has promised His children a completely new creation of earth and

Isaiah 65:17 “17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: And the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”

Isaiah 66:22 “22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, Shall remain before me, saith the Lord, So shall your seed and your name remain.”

2 Peter 3:13 “13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

“first heaven and first earth had passed away”

This takes my mind to never entrust any of my dependence on anything on this present earth.

2 Peter 3:10 “10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Revelation 20:11 “11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.”

“there was no more sea”

The actual meaning is mostly obscure.

It could be a combination of the very thing that separated John from his beloved church in Ephesus which prohibited any communication from God’s spokesman and a metaphor to guide us to think of the social orders of that day being an unruly sea.

It also gives you the thought of there being no more earthly estrangement.

B. The new city’s beauty matches that of Jesus’ bride

Verse 2 notes

Hebrews 11:10 “10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Isaiah 54:5 “5 For thy Maker is thine husband; The Lord of hosts is his name; And thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.”

2 Corinthians 11:2 “2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

“prepared as a bride”

Maybe a bit confusing since chapter 19 gives us details about the marriage supper of the Lamb and His bride.

Now John is describing the new Holy City as a Bride adorned for her husband.

It should be seen as more metaphorical and not synonymous with the church.

Remember what Jesus promised when revealing about His soon departure and return? He would go a prepare a place and come again.

John 14:2 “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.”

“adorned” is a word we have evolved into the English word “cosmos” and “cosmetics.”

If He was going to prepare a place for His bride (church), then would equally as beautiful as the purest of garments He will dress her with.

CAN YOU IMAGE SUCH A MOMENT! If you are born-again, you will be a part of this moment!

C. The new city is where God remains with His people

Verse 3 notes

Oh LISTEN… don’t miss what John is saying here!

The language of “tabernacle” and “dwell” give us a totally different sense than that of a temple.

The tabernacle was the model for the temple and a sign to all of Israel that God dwelt among them.

Within the “moving” tabernacle would be the shekinah glory of God.

Every other false deity have fixed shrines built for them. NOT OUR LIVING GOD!

The one true living God “moves” with His people. He never leaves nor forsakes them!

HEY… when has that not been true about our Lord?!

Prior to Adam and Eve’s fall into sin, God’s voice walked in the cool of the day.

God’s Spirit came upon the Old Testament prophets.

God’s Spirit permanently indwelled believers in the Old Testament.

2) A New Touch From God

Verse 4 notes

A. We will be ushered into a unique dwelling of God.

You and I are familiar with how God dwells “in” and “with” us today. However, there will be a unique sense by which He will dwell with us then. John provides several observations:

God Himself will dwell with us.

How many of you long to walk with the Lord like the early apostles?

John 4:24 “24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

Not sure exactly what is intended here:

Could this be a simple visual presence of God?

Could this presence be simply in the second person of the Trinity?

It seems that a unique sense of God’s presence will transcend near us that humans have yet to experience!!!

God will personally wipe every sorrowful tear away.

You might think, “I thought the Bible promised us that we would not be the one’s mourning?”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.”

Even though we are given hope through Jesus, the separation of a loved one is a profound sense of sorrow.

The sense here is “every tear” of sadness is forever wiped away!

God will personally abolish death.

God will remove all mourning and crying.

Can you imagine every sense of hurt and brokenness never to be experienced again?

God will remove all sense of pain.

There will never be any kind of painful memory to haunt your mind.

All the pain and impact of pain the “fall” brought to you, the “Father” will forever remove from you!

B. We will dwell with the Eternal King who makes all things new

Verse 5 notes

The only reason this verse impacts us the way it does is because of the one speaking! THE ONE ON THE THRONE!!!

Q — Who is the only one who has the ability of creating something completely new? Meaning, nothing old is mixed in.

I am so thankful for God speaking in plane terms here; ALL THINGS NEW!

2 Corinthians 5:17 “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Notice God’s instructions to John, “Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

These words spoken by God are as faithful and true as all previous revelation He has given to humanity up to this point.

His words are trustworthy and can be depended on in every way!

C. We will dwell with the Eternal King who completes all his purposes

Verse 6 notes

“It is done” = to be

What is God declaring to be “done?”

Everything that was mention in verse 5 has been brought into reality.

Illustration: God is not like your average politician, promising to bring so many “good” ideas into reality.

“Alpha and Omega”

Beginning and the End

First and last letter of the Greek alphabet. A cultural way to stress He is the beginning and ending of all things.

“End” carries the idea beyond a sense of the end of some kind of sequence. It describes God’s work of completion or purpose.

Why would this bring a believer comfort?

Throughout all of history, God’s movements are purposed from His divine nature (holy, righteous, good, grace, mercy, etc.)

James 1:17 “17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

“fountain of the water of life”

This water of life has an exclusive origin.

“freely”

Does it come at a cost?

No payment is being sought. Why? Not because there is no value, but because the purchase has already been paid by Christ Himself.

This gift of grace remains free even today!

There is something very important that must happen before one can come to receive this “living water.” I’ll answer with a question, “Are you thirsty?”

3) A Continual Promise From God

Verse 7 notes

A. Eternal sonship for the overcomers

“He who overcomes”

Q — Who positions you as an overcomer and on what basis?

“he shall be My son”

Q — I thought God only had one son?

Ontologically, yes; Jesus Christ — John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

However, God has many children through spiritual adoption!

Romans 8:15 “15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Romans 8:23 “23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

Galatians 4:5 “5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

God’s adopted children are “heirs” and “joint heirs” as the Son of God. Whatever inheritance is given to the Son, is given to all His children.

B. Eternal torture for those who never come

Verse 8 notes

You could call this one of the last warnings of the Apocalypse.

Contrary to some, there is another class of people than that of those who are overcomers.

Once again, John writes of a warning about a “second death.”

John provides a list (not definitive, but representative).

He is describing the nature of those who deny God.

“fearful” — This Greek word gives us the understanding of being cowardly, timid, or lacking in confidence. It is also used other places in scripture to mean “miserable” or “wretched.”

Q — Have you ever had to approach something without full confidence that you and a loved one would come out on the other end safe and sound?

Q — What about for you who are trusting in Christ? Is fear the only option for you? NO!!!

1 John 2:28 “28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

At Jesus’ coming, there will be those who will be able to speak with confidence that they are in “right” relationship with God. Others will cower with fear.

Revelation 6:16 “16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:”

HOLD ON…won’t Heaven be populated with people who are guilty of the very same things listen here? Why are some excluded and cast out?

The distinction rests on this fact alone…what has each individual done with God’s revelation about His provision of saving grace through His Son!

“second death”

While the first death is a dreadful thing and inescapable, the second death is completely avoidable!

This second death is a continual dying for eternity, tortured for eternity, and an eternity of complete separation from God.

To be separated from God, is to separate yourself from anything that is good.

Conclusion

When I become overwhelmed in the world, I simply pause and think on the hope that is always before me. Why can I claim such future hope? My present hope is an eternal hope in the One who gave me this hope when He saved me and has never left me!