The Journey's End - Finally Home
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Introduction:
It feels like forever since I’ve been home. But no matter how often I’m home, I don’t need a map to make my way around. I can just drive as if on autopilot. I can just feel my way around. And there is a flood of memories that comes roaring back. If I were to walk through my high school, I could probably find my way to all my classes.
I remember the field where we used to we used to play football dreaming of high school glory. I remember the 7-11 parking lot where we hung out on Friday nights because there was nothing else to do. I met Amanda in my home town even though it wasn’t her hometown.
But God has built into all of us a desire for “what’s next?” And I’m not talking about changing jobs or moving to another city. But I am talking about waking up each day with an anxious anticipation about what God’s task is for us today.
Home has a way that it smells, feels. Even the way that it tastes (like mom’s cooking). You can feel it in your being that you are home.
And maybe for some of you, it may not feel as strong because you’ve never left home. But you know what it’s like to go on vacation or on a long trip (maybe that long trip is your commute to work) and when you walk through that door, you can feel you are home.
Now in some ways I can never go home. My parents don’t live in the house I grew up in. But home is more than a house or apartment. Home is about the relationships. Because when I go home it’s not for the sights and sounds of Ellicott CIty, the most boring town in the world. I go to see family.
But more than that, many of us have stopped longing for eternity. We get comfortable in our lives. Even if we’re miserable, we can begin to love the misery. But all of scripture points to something more. To the idea that we don’t belong to and in this world. And that there will come a time when we will finally be home. And for today, we want to answer the question, “What’s next?”
And when we finally make to our eternal home, its going to feel like coming home. Like we’ve always been longing for this place and just didn’t know it.
And sure it will be amazing, but for us, getting to see Jesus will be even better. Many seem to emphasize that we’ll see lost loved one who will go before us, but the first person we’ll really want to see is Jesus. And it won’t be like meeting a stranger but a friend with a relationship that began in this life.
Our eternal home will be just that like coming home.
Transition to the Text: Revelation is one of the complicated of all books to understand because it is filled with figurative language. But the thing we need to understand is that there is no secret code embedded in Revelation. The figurative language is used to described literal realities that John, its writer, didn’t have words for.
At the core of Revelation aer letters to 7 churches that are meant to encourage each church to stand firm for Jesus in the face of great persecution. And 2 major themes of Revelation is 1) The Holiness of God and 2) the endurance of those who have believed in Jesus.
Now many accept that the first 3 chapter of Revelation had an immediate audience and application for those 7 churches in Asia Minor. However beyond that chapter 4-22 seem to have the future in mind to the events leading up the second coming of Jesus.
I know many of your are fascinated with this book, as am I, and you but we do not have time to dive into the middle. We’re not dealing the great tribulation or the millennial kingdom. We are jumping to the end which doesn’t necessarily speak to “how will this all work out” but it will hopefully produce in us joy as we long for our heavenly home.
1 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 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 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.
4 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.”
5 And he who was 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.”
6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
8 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.”
Big Idea: Look forward to the home for which you were created.
Big Idea: Look forward to the home for which you were created.
John writes chapter 21-22 that we might know what happens next. This world is not our home and our circumstances are not permanent. This is why Jesus went to the cross. That we might have eternal life in a new heaven and a new earth. But it is only for those who conquer through Jesus. But it also closes the loop on . Paradise lost becomes paradise remade.
1. A New Heaven is being united to a new Earth. ()
1. A New Heaven is being united to a new Earth. ()
Explanation: When John sees something new, it is not God’s great renovation project. Not like extreme earth makeover and they now say...”Move that Bus!” The old earth, with it’s sin and brokenness is gone. More specifically, it will be destroyed by fire. That’s what the better part of Revelation is about....God’s judgement and destruction on His creation. What John sees is something brand new that has never been seen before.
It certainly hearkens back to when Moses writes of God’s creation of a good good world…it’s what it was…it’s what it was. But the truth is this new heaven and new earth will be absolutely perfect and the only way to get rid of the stench of sin is to start over. It’s a new Genesis.
Now one clear distinction is that in , Moses speaks of the heavens which is not the spiritual reality where God’s specific presence abides. This is literally what we call the universe. God created the universe out of nothing.
In , we’re speaking of the singular “heaven.” Which means that God is even discarding that spiritual reality in favor of a unified “New Heaven and New Earth.”
Throughout the Bible you see that there is God’s creation which is the dwelling place of man. And then there is heaven which is the dwelling place of God. And they are not always separate. In the garden of eden, we had God dwelling with Adam and Eve. in Exodus we see God instructing the Israelites to build a tabernacle (a dwelling place for God) as God goes with them. Later Solomon built a more permanent Temple, a place where through sacrifice a purified place could be created whereby heaven and earth could dwell. Obviously when Jesus comes, we are told that Jesus, thought veiled in human flesh, is literally God’s dwelling among men. He even refers His body as the temple of God. In the Church age, we’re told that we (the individual and the collective people of God) are the dwelling place of God on earth.
But all of these instances where heaven and earth are joined together are limited. And all of Scripture has been pointing forward to a full reunification of heaven and earth. And in , we get a picture of what that will look like.
Word Study: This word “dwelling (σκηνή)” in verse 6 is the same word that was used by John to describe Jesus coming to earth in the incarnation. The way in which God will be dwelling with His people in a new heaven and a new earth is the same way that Jesus dwelled on earth among his people. Bodily and present. But it will be for eternity. We will forever experience the presence of God through the person of Jesus Christ. It won’t be like you may have seen in movies where there is a throne of light. The Father is spirit and the Holy Spirit is spirit. But Jesus is forever both fully God and Fully human. We’ll experience God through Jesus.
Illustration: I love new things. There is just something about a new pair of shoes. Or the smell of a new car. One of the things that I loved in high school was the smell and feel of a new football. It just felt right. the problem is that new things fade. Shoes get those creases in the toe that our young people hate so much. Cars no longer smell new and if you have kids they begin taking on a new smell…that no matter the deep cleaning, just never quite goes away.
We love new things, but new things never stay new. Except the new heaven and the new earth. It will never fade. It will never grow old. It will never cease being the brilliant new that it always has been. Our bodies won’t age. Our homes won’t become dilapidated. Even our clothes will probably never need washing. Because it will never get old.
Sometimes we feel like things will never get old. You’re favorite activity. To some people their favorite show on TV, no matter how many times you watch it, it never gets old. Like the Office....looking at you Matt Padilla.
Application: With regard to the new heaven and the new earth we need do nothing more than long for it. Sure, in order to be there, we’ll need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, but that goes without saying. Lean into Jesus and embrace the sacrifice He made on the cross.
2. God is making all things new. ()
2. God is making all things new. ()
Explanation: God is not fixing was was broken, but he is in essence completely starting over.
In , Adam and Eve sinned and brought a curse on themselves. God then cursed all of creation. And we might ask why He did that. The truth is that the only thing worse that imperfect man and woman living in an imperfect word is imperfect man and woman living in a perfect world, because they would never have reason to call out to God. So God increased their pain and suffering in this world so that they would have reason to turn to Him.
It certainly hearkens back to when Moses writes of God’s creation of a good good world…it’s what it was…it’s what it was. But the truth is this new heaven and new earth will be absolutely perfect and the only way to get rid of the stench of sin is to start over. It’s a new Genesis.
Now after God has created a new heaven and a new earth that is no longer under the curse of sin, it’s time to finalize the restoration and glorification of those for whom the new heaven and new earth have been prepared.
Now one clear distinction is that in , Moses speaks of the heavens which is not the spiritual reality where God’s specific presence abides. This is literally what we call the universe. God created the universe out of nothing.
This started at the cross with Jesus transforming our spiritual nature.
Before , we see in that all of God’s people are resurrected with glorified bodies thus transforming our physical nature.
In , we’re speaking of the singular “heaven.” Which means that God is even discarding that spiritual reality in favor of a unified “New Heaven and New Earth.”
Now we see God transforming our emotional nature.
4 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.”
So much of the Christian life has been sanctification through suffering. Suffering and pain lead to mental anguish of mourning and crying and emotional pain. These will be no more. The final restoration has to do with pain and suffering. It’s all gone. In a new heaven and a new earth with a new body and a new spirit, we now have a perfect emotional nature as well.
Illustration:
We love new things, but new things never stay new. Except the new heaven and the new earth. It will never fade. It will never grow old. It will never cease being the brilliant new that it always has been. Our bodies won’t age. Our homes won’t become dilapidated. Even our clothes will probably never need washing. Because it will never get old.
Sometimes we feel like things will never get old. You’re favorite activity. To some people their favorite show on TV, no matter how many times you watch it, it never gets old. Like the Office....looking at you Matt Padilla.
Application: Take comfort in the fact that God is making things new. But a word of caution. These words aren’t always comforting to those who are struggling. Many times, we’ll see people struggling and say, “it will all work out in the end” or “God is in control.” We need to enter into people’s pain without needing to have an answer for it. All we need do is sit with people
Explanation: This word “dwelling” in verse 6 is the same word that was used by John to describe Jesus coming to earth in the incarnation.
Illustration:
Application:
3. Only God’s children will find home in the new heaven and the new earth. ()
3. Only God’s children will find home in the new heaven and the new earth. ()
Explanation: Now we see that it is finished (Lit: It came to pass exactly as it was supposed to). Verse 6 should remind us of Jesus’ experience on the cross.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”
29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
These 2 statements of “It is finished serve to bookend our final restoration and glorification for the new heaven and the new earth.
Jesus said, “I thirst.” What was he talking about? We find the answer here in . The spring of the water of life. Jesus, in the face of death, thirsted for eternal life. And his death and resurrection was the work that began the process of us entering into eternal life. So only those who actually thirst for eternal life will find eternal life comforting.
Going forward we see in verse 7 that the one that conquers will have this heritage (or eternal life). This can lead one to falsely believe that there is a part that we play in our glorification. This isn’t true. The only part we play in our salvation is the sin that made it necessary. So what does conquering mean?
7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’
revelation 2:
11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
revelation 2:
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’
26 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,
revelation 2
5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Revelation 3:
12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
Revelation 3:
21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 3:
The idea of conquering closely ties us to the conquering of Jesus. We who are in Jesus have already conquered. For us it’s simply an idea of enduring until the end.
So here we don’t conquer apart from Christ thereby earning our salvation we conquer through Christ and what He did on the cross. And this is specifically directed at the individual as opposed to the general body of Christ.
Each one of Revelation’s 8 promises “to the one who conquers” specifically is addressed to what Jesus has conquered for us. And then we are invited into the blessings of those promises…for eternity.
Why is verse 8 tacked on to the end of an otherwise beautiful picture of our final state? Because He wants people to absolutely know that not everyone gets to go there.
Make certain of your own salvation.
Invite others to come with you.
Illustration: When your favorite sports team wins a championship. Perhaps when your candidate wins election. Perhaps when a son or daughter or father or mother succeeds in something in which you have been emotionally invested it can certainly feel as though you have taken part in their achievement. And it feels great and we rejoice. When in reality, you haven’t really achieved anything.
In the New Heave and New Earth we will see the glorious nature of Jesus overcoming and conquering. And we will rejoice and celebrate not as one watching, but in that Jesus has invited us to partake in the promises of God!
Application: We have had a happy encouraging time here in Ch. 21....until we get to vs. 8. Why is verse 8 tacked on to the end of an otherwise beautiful picture of our final state? Because He wants people to absolutely know that not everyone gets to go there.
Make certain of your own salvation.
Invite others to come to Jesus to conquer.
Reflection: Are you looking forward to being home? Who can you invite to come to Jesus?
Reflection: Are you looking forward to being home? Who can you invite to come to Jesus?
Lord’s Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”