True North

Last week Pastor mentioned that there should be more sermons about heaven. He then looked at me. I laughed it off knowing I wouldn’t be preaching about heaven this time. I had no plans on speaking about heaven in the near future. You see, that was the problem. “I had no plans on speaking about heaven.” Well, the more I prepared prayed and studied for this week. The more I felt the Lord leading me back to heaven and I couldn’t shake it. So I surrendered to the Lord and felt peace immediately.

You see I didn’t want to preach about heaven because I don’t know a lot about heaven.

As I mentioned before how much I loved and respected my grandfather. He was such a Godly patriarch to our family. When he passed away, it was extremely difficult for me my family and many others. My mom used to do day care out of her house. There was always at least one kid that she would be taking care of at any given time. My grandfather loved this because he would always visit, get the kids all wound up and then go home. One young boy absolutely fell in love with my grandfather. I don’t remember his name but I remember this story very well. When his mother told him that my grandfather had gone up to heaven. The boy asked, “Will I see him again?” His mother answered, “Yes, someday.” He shrugged his shoulders said “Okay.” and when up to his room. Later when his mother went to check on him she found him looking over a world map that was spread across the floor. When the boy noticed her he said, “Mom is Heaven in Canada? You said that ‘he went up to heaven” and I can’t find it on this map.”

Question

I, as I’m sure most of you have, thought a lot about heaven. We are all fascinated about heaven. The only problem is that many who think they are going to heaven will not and many who believe there is no way God will accept them into heaven can be welcomed there.

Question

This is where you and I come in. What can we do about it? We must share the truth with them!

What do we know about heaven and where is it?

Text

Revelation 22:1–5 CSB

1 Then he showed me the river 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.

Now I don’t want to spend too much time on these verses. Please understand one sermon about heaven will not answer all your questions about it. We could do months on a series about heaven and it would still not answer all questions. You must get into God’s Word.

These verses are talking about the New Jerusalem.

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary Jerusalem, New

JERUSALEM, NEW — the holy city described by John in Revelation 21–22; God’s perfect and eternal order of the future. This New Jerusalem is not built by human hands; it is a heavenly city—one built and provided by God Himself (Rev. 21:2).

The New Jerusalem and the new Garden of Eden (symbols of righteousness, peace, and contentment) are the dwelling place of God, Christ, and the church. John saw no temple in the New Jerusalem, “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Rev. 21:22).

Revelation 22:12–16 CSB

12 “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Philippians 2:10–11 CSB

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth— 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.