Strolling over Heaven

When I was strolling over heaven the first thing I noticed was that everything was new

When I was strolling over heaven the first thing i noticed is that

Revelation 21:1 ESV

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.

A. I saw a new heaven

B. I saw a new earth

The purpose of this is so that anything that has been stained with sin is removed from existence so that there will be nothing left that has been infected by sin

Psalm 102:25 ESV

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Psalm 102:26 ESV

They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

Isaiah 65:17 ESV

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

C. I saw a new Jerusalem v.2

D. I heard God say; “Behold, I am making all things new” 21:5

creation is new, the city is new, his people are new

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

At this time all of our falleness, sin, disease, will be done away

When I was strolling over heaven the second thing I noticed - What God is doing

Revelation 21:3–4 ESV

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.”

A. He was dwelling with His people

a new intimacy

this has always been the intention and desire of God is to be among his people

He was with Adam and Eve in the garden

He was with Israel in the wilderness in the Tabernacle

He was with his people in the Temple

He is indwells the believer during this age

B. He was comforting His people by removing certain things

Tears

Death

Mourning

Crying

Pain

“… All these things are gone forever” 21:4 NLT

We experience these things now as a result of sin - but all of it will be removed forever

Strolling over heaven the third thing I noticed is New Jerusalem the home of God’s people

21:9-27

A. The Beauty of the city

Revelation 21:10–11 ESV

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Rev. 21:

Is the glory of God - it encompasses all, the glory and presence of God now appears in its full undiminished appearance

B. The Structure of the city v. 12-21

The wall: it was broad and high 21:17 says that the wall is 144 cubits thick. which is 216 feet thick

the wall has 12 gates

the wall is made of Jasper - on earth this is a form of quartz that appears red, yellow, brown, or green - in heaven this stone is clear as crystal

12 gates are made of pearl

12 angels at the gates

12 tribes of Israel written on the gates

12 foundation stones with the names of the 12 apostles, they were adorned with 12 different stones v.19-20

12,000 stadia is the size of the city. 12,000 divides by 12 is 1000 - in modern measurement this is 1400 miles

the city is foursquare or a cube equal in each direction 1400 miles

12 is important in the Bible: 12 sons of Jacob, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, Jesus was 12 when he was in the temple, 12 legions of angels, tree of life produces 12 kinds of fruit

it symbolizes God’s power and authority

the city is pure gold

C. the Specifics of the city v. 22-27

There is no temple structure

First inhabitants of the City: The Almighty and the Lamb

the light of the city: is the glory of God is lamp is the Lamb - no need for the sun or the moon

the citizens of the city: nations, kings, the people of God are from every nation

the exclusive nature of the city:

Revelation 21:27 ESV

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Rev. 21:

While I was strolling through heaven I heard a message from the throne

21:5-8

A. The words came from God

B. They are important words: they are trustworthy

C. God’s redemptive purposes are finished

D. God’s message to the thirsty

E. God’s message to the wicked

Revelation 21:8 ESV

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.”