Perfection and Purpose Restored

Introduction

In January of 2006, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge England had 3 treasurers of mankind within it. These were 3 ornate and hand crafted Vases from the Qing Dynasty in China, who ruled for nearly 300 years. One day, a man was enjoying the museum, when suddenly he tripped over his shoe lace and fell upon and broke all three of the vases, which at the time were valued at $680,000. At first he was going to be charged with criminal destruction of a priceless treasurer, but in the end they felt that it was truly an accident and he was allowed to walk with the museum deciding to restore the vases. Now, you need to know that the pieces did not shatter into tons of little pieces, but rather into several large pieces. But, it wasn’t the restoration of putting it back together that was the problem. It was the painting and ornaments on it, getting them to look just right and be seamless, that was the real problem. Now, if you and I broke of a ceramic coffee mug, it might only take a day to fix it and maybe 2 to use it again, but these ornate ceramic vases took over a year to restore back perfection that once were for the purpose of viewing in a museum. Just as specialists were able to restore these vases, so and greater still God will restore everything back to the perfection that He had originally made it in, this time, with all options of evil destroyed forever. Praise God for that and followers of Jesus get to look forward to it, so let’s see this into today’s text.

Prayer

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. I ask these things for your glory and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

Context

Today’s message comes from the book of Revelation. This revelation is the last book of your Bible and was the written recording of what God showed the apostle John (the last living of Jesus’ apostles) at the end of his life while he was in exile, essentially he was on house arrest on the isle of Patmos (a small island in the Aegean sea, and west of the modern day county of Turkey). This book is in and of itself a book of revelation (truths) to come that God has shown John, who in turn was to record it around the mid 90’s AD and was to make sure that the churches throughout the generations (including you) are to know.

Today’s text takes us all the way to the end of this age, and the beginning of the new one. We, you, me, us live in this one that will end, one that is filled with strife, the death, hardship, and the curses that mankind brought upon ourselves when we chose and continue to choose rebellion against God (sin). Here we see that ending, and a new a wonderful order and world beginning, a beginning where all the wrong of this age pass away and are made right once and for all. In this new age with the new heavens and earth begin and God dwelling permanently in and among us for us all living there to see, we will finally get to do exactly what were designed to do, to worship God fully without hindrance and enjoy Him as He enjoys us forever.

This is wonderful thing, and is the thing all the world currently groans and longs for. As this is coming, and their is no doubt of it, we must remember it, and let us be motivated into action today and until then as children of God, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, as people whose name is written in The Lambs book of life. What i’m saying is, Believers must know what is coming later to motivate us now. So, let’s see what is coming and From the text, I want you to observe and understand these truths from the end and a new beginning when perfection and purpose will be restored to mankind.

Message

The first truth to observe and understand is that: Judgement is coming 20:11-15

11 Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. 13 Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. 14 Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

After the end of the 1000 year reign of Jesus and Satan’s final defeat by His hand, John saw something new; a scene of beauty for the redeemed, and a frightening scene for all who rejected Christ. There, was a great white throne with someone seating upon, a throne, of rule, a throne of Judgement. So great was this throne that everything fled from it. Then, before the throne was every person who had died, and the books were opened before them. This book had recorded within all the works of the dead, all of them came forward and those without the savior were given a permanent punishment according to their deeds, yes all were punished, but some were more severely. Death and Hades (evil) was thrown into the fire for punishment and all who were not within the Lamb’s book of life (the follower of Christ) were thrown into the fire.

You need to know this, Believers must know what is coming later to motivate us now. You need to know that a day judgement is coming. Every right, every Evil, every bad thing will receive it’s just rewards. Their will be a day where justice will be known everywhere for all time from the perfect law giver and judge. This should motivate you Christian as 1: you live in confidence knowing that every wrong done to you will one day be made right by God (so you don’t need to worry and you need to obey His command to not seek vengeance). You also need to let it motivate you, as the text is clear, that everyone who is not in the Lamb’s book of live (that is a follower of Jesus) will know a permanent punishment and torment. So, that means me we must busy about our Lord’s business (ministry) in this life, so that we can be God’s instruments to bring salvation to many so that many will know the joy of always worshiping God in eternity rather then them being punished in very real, very scary, and very terrible Hell for all eternity. Let your love of God and Love of people motivate you into making disciple for Christ’s gory!

The next truth to observe and understand is that: Everything will be new 21:1-8

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. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:[a] Look, God’s dwelling[b] is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples,[c] and God himself will be with them and will be their God.[d] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things[e] have passed away.5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words[f] are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But the cowards, faithless,[g] detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

After seeing this judgement coming to all, something new happened. The order we live in today, the old heavens and earth passed away a new order came in, the curse of sin was gone, the chaos was gone. The New Jerusalem (which is both a place and a people) came down in beauty and splendor as bride does on her wedding day. Then a loud voice came from the throne, “Look, God’s dwelling place in with humanity and he will live them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God!” Finally, all the pain and evil that kept us from enjoying Him fully is gone, we will get to look at Him on the earth face to face, He will make every right wrong. God declares everyone their with Him (all the redeemed and declared righteous of all time) will know a joy that they never before experienced. This joy will not be for the cowards, faithless, destable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars (that is the unrepentant in sin) they will dwell forever in that lake of fire, the second death.

So, what’s happening? Simple yet profound, everything like you ever experienced it here on Earth will be no more. That is the current order of things, and then will be the old order. It will pass away and everything will be new! We will be restored to our purpose of full hearted worship to our perfect God. He will bring in perfection as was His original design before sin came into it! Believers must know what is coming later to motivate us now. Again, please see this and let it motivate you, one day all the wicked will be punished. One day all the redeemed will be not only spared from their wickedness they did in heaven, but they will inherit this new order to come, this new heaven and earth, they will be a part of the New Jerusalem, the beautiful bride of Christ! So, tarry not from the savior if have, take care to hope in this if you have and let it motivate you into observing those things, to Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples until then. Believe the Gospel and Repent from your sins.

The third truth to observe and understand is that: God’s Glory illuminates 21:9-26

9 Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He then carried me away in the Spirit[h] to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 The city had a massive high wall, with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. 13 There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 The city wall had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were on the foundations.15 The one who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia.[i] Its length, width, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used.18 The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel: the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The main street[j] of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.22 I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.[k] 25 Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.[l] 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.

After this scene of out with the old and in with the new (and perfect perfection) one of the angels comes to John. He brings him to a place where he can see the Holy, the new Jerusalem. This was glorious, and he describes as best he can with images of beauty and precious jews and gems. It was massive and uniquely it’s foundation could be seen, which named the 12 apostles of Jesus. The city was measured and was massive, nearly 1,400 miles. Inside the city the Glory of God was so bright that no sun or moon was needed (God’s light brought illumination to everything forever then and always). This place was wonderful, it was always safe and secure, all the riches of the world were brought into it, only good things can enter into it, as all the bad was cast away. The chaff was sifted from the wheat. The chaff was burned, wheat was kept. The forgiven were kept and treasured the rebellious were punished.

Believers must know what is coming later to motivate us now. There is a truth here that should motivate us into immediate action, it is that God’s glory illuminates, it brings to light, it shines upon, it reveals EVERYTHING. There is no thing, no matter how well hidden you have hidden it from others and yourself that God can’t clearly see it, that Holy Spirit is speaking to you about (but you have turned a deaf ear to). Know this too, as great as that hidden thing is, as great as our sun and all the stars and moons are out there, still God and His glory far surpass their brightness, their illumination, their splendor, their brilliance. As John Chapter 1 tells us about God the Son- Jesus, In him was life, and the life was the light of men. Here we see quite clearly the imagery come true, not only did Jesus bring light to us, show all the darkness and make it so we can see, here He is doing the same and literally lighting our paths, providing vision to our eyes. The text says that nothing unclean will be able to enter the new Jerusalem. So then, do you have anything that is keeping you secretly unclean? Yes Jesus washes you, but have you really accepted His offer of forgiveness, even if you are sure, it is good to make good and sure, and even then allow Him into the deep and hidden recess of your heart and mind that He will make that clean as well. Do well to remember this, God’s glory illuminates everything.

Another truth to observe and understand is that: Everything is made right 22:1-5

22 Then he showed me the river[a] of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.

The angel then takes John to a river. A life giving, beautiful, crystal clear river that flowed straight from the throne of God and through the city. The tree of life, which mankind was barred from eating from and had brought the curse upon us for doing so, was there and provided constant fruit. It’s very leaves were a balm, healing and comforting, and no longer a vision of freight and dismay as it once had been to the human race. In this wonderful and perfect place, mankind will finally be restored to our chief purpose, the reason we existed; The thing that we will finally be “firing on all cylindars” on when we are able to do it and do it well, worship God Face to Face. Seeing Him. Enjoying Him. As He does the same for us. On each of His children will be his mark. No longer will darkness and evil once again rule the land, as God will be with us permanently, forever and ever, He will be our light, once and for all He will be our God with no interruption or distraction from our worldly cares.

Here, everything is made right. If in this place, in this condition, everything is made right. Well then, doesn't this serve as an example for how we ought to try to live our lives now? If perfection is the state of our worshiping God to the fullest of our ability, shouldn’t we pursue that perfection as best we can in this age? Yes, we will never get it 100% right. But, could you imagine the blessing it would be upon everyone to get it even 25%, 40%, 50%? Believers must know what is coming later to motivate us now. If you know this is the future, if you know this is the aim, if you know this is what we were designed and made to, then why do you terry in anything else. Where is God calling you to a greater, more reverent, and more fulfilling worship of Himself? Rest assured, He is calling you somewhere. If you can’t see it, ask Him to help you find it, and then when He reveals to you what you are to do, then do it and don’t look back!

Conclusion

Beloved, if there is anything I think should take away from this knowledge of what is to come at the end of this world, it’s this. We have work to do. Judgement is coming 20:11-15, even to those we love and know haven’t found Jesus, but we want to ignore because we can’t stand the thought of it, Everything will be new 21:1-8, so your hearts and cares will pass away, God’s Glory illuminates 21:9-26, it’s wonderful and splendid, don’t take it for granted in this life; and Everything is made right 22:1-5, Perfection and Purpose will be restored to us once again as we and all the redeemed of time dwell with our God in days to come! So, those timeless truths motivate you, do not get lazy or comfortable believer, you have a mission and a purpose today. Love God, Love People, Make Disciples.

With all of that being said, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God, though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do is accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can be more like You, and made more into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all too often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possibly can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.