Looking for a City

Open: The recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the US has caused a great deal of talk and unrest. Palestinian protests have resulted in more deaths, and other nations are not happy either. On other fronts, this event is serving as a reset for the prophetic clock as the recognition by the US has occurred on the 70th year of Israel becoming a sovereign nation again

Transition: This is a significant event because it involves one of the most important cities in history. Whatever the recognition at the 70th year actually means, it can be helpful in reminding us that Jerusalem really is at the center of the globe, and it will one day be the capital of the Millennial Kingdom where Jesus will rule when He returns to earth. But even after the MK, the city will undergo its final transformation, one that should hold the interest of every believer.

Transition: This is a significant event because it involves one of the most important cities in history. Whatever the recognition at the 70th year actually means, it can be helpful in reminding us that Jerusalem really is at the center of the globe, and it will one day be the capital of the Millennial Kingdom where Jesus will rule when He returns to earth. But even after the MK, the city will undergo its final transformation, one that should hold the interest of every believer.

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God will Regenerate / Create a new heaven and a new earth for the Eternal State ()

Explanation: The end of current events on earth as we know it will take place when Jesus physically returns. At that time He will set up the Millennial Kingdom and institute His world-wide reign for 1,000 years () The world capital will be the city of Jerusalem, and Jesus will reign in the Temple.

At the end of the MK, however, God will do away with the present physical earth and the existing heavens (). Whether this is a complete do-over or a thorough regeneration, the results will be the same: a brand new earth and a brand new heaven for the eternal state. One interesting geographical feature for the new earth is that the sea (oceans) will no longer exist.

Illustrate: When a person takes a vacation, or goes to another part of the world on a trip, he or she anticipates and prepares for the experience. They do some research, look up things to do or see, check out the climate, etc.

Argument: Many believers have a fuzzy idea of what Heaven will be like. All they know is that they want to go there when they die. And, when some are honest they share that they are in no hurry to get there. They definitely want to avoid hell and suffering, but they aren’t real excited about being in a church service for an eternity either. This type of thinking is influenced more by cartoons than the Bible.

God is not recreating / regenerating the whole system for believers to set on clouds with harps! While we can’t know all that will be available, we can know that He is making it for us to enjoy and to exercise dominion over for an eternity!

Application: Do you anticipate with excitement being in Heaven on Earth for an eternity? Do you live in light of this reality? Are you living out ? Develop your biblical understanding of Heaven and allow God to grow your desire for this wonderful and exciting place

The New Jerusalem will be the place in which God will dwell with His people ()

Explanation: In the Eternal State, the capital city of Jerusalem will very much be a place of prominence. The city is declared to be the Bride, the wife of the Lamb, and it is always pictured in Scripture as coming down out of heaven. It will be a place of great beauty, amazing wealth and splendor. And, the feature that makes it most Awesome is that it will be the dwelling place of God Himself. The Lord God will be with His people and we shall see Him as He is. There will be no Temple in this New City, the God and Lamb are they and God is the source of eternal light

Illustrate: For those who are married; remember the excitement and anticipation that you had on your wedding day as you waited to see your bride coming down the aisle.

Argument: Even in this brief description there are some elements that are somewhat difficult to fully comprehend, but the main thing is the reality of being in the presence of the God who saved you. Also, consider the detailed description of the New Jerusalem: the walls of Jasper, adorned with jewels, the pearly gates (there are 12, by the way, not 1 set) and the street of Gold. Why is this described if we aren’t going to be able to explore?

There will be activity on the New Earth as well. Scripture states that the kings of the earth will bring their glory into the city (). Nations and people will be on the earth, and Scripture states that the saints will have oversight with Jesus. There will be incredible and exciting challenges that we will engage for the Glory of God

This will be a glorious and joyous place because God will remove all the bad ()

Explanation: Another incredible facet of this phase of our existence as believers is the total and final end of pain and suffering. God is going to totally eradicate pain, suffering, and death. We will never again say goodbye to a loved one! We will never again be hurt by sin, and we will never again hurt others. God is going to make all things new and wonderful.

Illustrate: think about the last time you said or did something that hurt someone you care about. Even if the act was unintentional, think of the inner turmoil it caused, and the anxiety you experienced as you tried to figure out how to fix it. Then realize that in glory you will never feel like that again

Argument: We have a mistaken idea that Heaven will be boring. We think that if all the bad things are taken away, then the challenges and excitement and purpose of life will also be taken away. That is not a logical conclusion, and the Bible does not teach a meaningless, disembodied existence. Why will we have glorified bodies if we aren’t going to use them?