A Change is gonna come!

Intro.

As I stand before you today, we are all acutely aware of the turmoil our world is facing.

Many hearts are broken. Many are troubled. Many are in a state of perplexity.

With the virtual connection we have, the physical and geographical distancing between countries have disappeared, bringing us closer together.

The flip side of this is that we are more cognizant of the troubles of each other.

Everyone has witnessed the murder of George Floyd

Everyone sees the nationwide protest

With regards to current protests:

What does the Scripture declare?

All mankind are equal, we are all created in the likeness and image of God, regardless of the color of our skin.

No race is superior to another.

God does not show favoritism.

God is angry when man oppresses man.

God so loved the world. Love one another!

The outcry against hatred, prejudice and injustice is rooted in the “Imago dei”, rooted in Scripture:

Amos 5:24 ESV

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

How easy it is for a society to unravel! How fragile civilized society is

Added to this is the ongoing geopolitical conflicts in the world - USA/China

Another cyclone affecting India

Don’t forget COVID

The world seems to reeling like a drunk in the streets, a boiling pot of pain, sickness, poverty, deception, sin, and madness.

Mankind seems to be careening down a path to self-destruction.

Is this what Paul referred to:

Romans 8:22 ESV

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Paul:

2 Timothy 3:1 KJV 1900

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Jesus

English Standard Version Chapter 21

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity

I hear the words of leaders, ex-presidents etc saying, “We are hopeful for the future.”

But as I compare these two opposing outlooks, one from Scripture and the other from man, I have to put my faith on what God says.

God is true. Jesus is truth. He has accurately predicted world events taking place even now.

Before you call me a pessimist -

I know the world today is far more dangerous, more in turmoil than when I was kid growing up.

Compare the world then and now - “Boredom” and frenzy!

We know that things aren’t getting better but I am not saying that Christians should not work to make an impact in this place.

On the contrary

Let your light so shine before men

Blessed are the peacemakers

But we do this not believing that this present world system will improve.

We do this to point mankind to Jesus, the Savior, who will abolish sin and wickedness and usher in a new kingdom, a new world.

We share Jesus not to save this world system but to reachi individual men and women with the message of salvation.

Today, again I bring to you a word from heaven, a word from Almighty God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

A Change is gonna come!

Rev. 21.5

English Standard Version Chapter 21

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.

With everything that is happening in our world today, I think we are ready for a reboot!

The Bible tells us this world which came into existence sometime time in the past will cease to exist as it is.

In the same way it began, the same way it will end.

The same God of whom it is recorded in Gen.1.1 is the same God who declares - I am making all things new.

After the storm comes a calm. After the all the horrible events I have been speaking about in the last few months, finally here comes hope, good news.

“Behold, I am making all things new.”

Today we continue our series on The End Times, and we focus on the New Heaven and New Earth.

We are in Rev. 21-22.5 and I’d like to draw our attention to five phrases in this passage

1. “I saw a new heaven and new earth”

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.

This is also confirmed by Peter

2 Peter 3:10–13 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved,

The Bible speaks of three heavens:

Atmospheric or Terrestrial heaven - firmament; just above the earth with clouds etc.

Celestial heaven - sun, moon, stars

Third heaven, Heaven of heavens - God’s dwelling place

and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

There are two views:

Completely new creation of heaven and earth

A renovation of the present heaven and earth

Look at the home reno shows: ‘Love it or list it.”

Family has to choose between buying a new house or renovating the present one.

They don’t like the present house but when the reno is finished, it’s unbelievable and decide to keep the same house.

God repeats it 21.5

English Standard Version Chapter 21

Behold, I am making all things new.”

Whatever it is, it will be new!

The second phrase I want to highlight is in 21.3

2. “The dwelling place of God is with man”

Revelation 21:3 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.

God’s desire has always been to dwell with man.

Garden of Eden. He came down in the cool of the day

He was with Israel from the Exodus and throughout their wilderness journey

pillar of cloud/fire

Then the tabernacle was constructed.

It was located in the midst of all the tribes.

He was in the temple, in the Holy of Holies

Then 2000 years ago, Jesus came into the world

Jn.1.1, 1.14 - “Tabernacled”

Last week, it was Pentecost Sunday. On Day of Pentecost, HS was outpoured on the church.

Today, the HS dwells in the hearts of men and women.

Yet we long for the day to look upon the face of Almighty God

We want to dwell with Him - to know Him, to behold Him

In Him we will have perfect peace, joy, love, security.

God also anticipates that day.

All the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner that repents.

Why? God Himself is overjoyed when one is saved.

All this indicates His pleasure in man

The dwelling place of God is with man!

No more pilgrimages to holy sites

Next 21.4

3. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes”

Revelation 21:4 ESV

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.”

How many are crying today? weeping today? In sadness, mourning, pain.

In USA:

- family od George Floyd is in mourning.

Many who have been subject to racial prejuduce feel the pain.

Now many business men are in distress because of damage to property and looting.

Pain this world due to

sickness, disease

death

loss: divorce, finances

injustice, prejudice,

hurt by evil, wickedness

We have all been hurt in one way or another, for some it seems they more than their fair share of trouble.

Song: “No more night, no more pain, no more tears, never crying again

And praises to the Great I Am

We will live in the light of the Risen Lamb”

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Just like a mom/dad holds her crying toddler, uses her fingers to gently wipe the tears away and then gives a hug of comfort.

God will do the same.

A new heaven and eart. God dwelling with man. No more tears, pain, mourning, then

The next phrase is 21.27

4. “Nothing unclean will ever enter it”

English Standard Version Chapter 21

nothing unclean will ever enter it,

Not everyone will enter the new heaven.

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.”

We have a list of those who will not enter:

the cowardly: Those who could not stand to the pressure, persecution for their faith

those who are not bold and brave enough to take a stand for the truth

those who hide behind tradition, religion, or the ways of the world

Faithless - who have no faith in God whatsoever

Immoral - today people are fighting, lobbying for more and sexual freedom, demand the right to do wrong.

Sorcerers - involved in the occult

Idolaters: idol worship is still prevalent today

All liars: many of us not only tell lies, but live a lie.

That’s the list of the people who will be prohited entry to the new heaven

but who is on the entry list?

go back to 21..27

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.

Name written in the Lamb’s book of life.

What Lamb? Jesus is the Lamb of God. Jn. 1.29 [gospel]

Heaven is the home not for the unbelieving and the cowardly but for the one who conquers - sin, self, Satan, world.

Sadly, today there are many who would boast and say, I don’t believe in God. The Bible is false. I do not believe. They wear the label of atheist and agnostic with great pride.

I will plead with you to ask yourself the big questions of life and see what you come with based on the evidence.

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

5. “I saw the holy city”

Revelation 21:2 ESV

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

In the remaining minutes I’d like to summarize the description given to us of the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem.

The longer I live, the more I appreciate the Scriptures for the insight it gives us.

God Almighty gives us a description of our new home.

When you want to purchase a new property - contact the Real Estate agent, give them your budget and describe the kind of home you are looking for.

Size, Rooms, bathrooms, finished basement, pool

You will review the listings and today you can virtually visit on YouTube the house.

2000 years ago, God gave John a vision [God Tube] of the New Jerusalem

This city is described as a bride beautifuly adorned for her husband.

21.10 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, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed

Size

A brilliant city shining with the glory of God. Brilliant like a very precious jewel.

City was a cube - 1400 miles

Just for comparison

New York city

304 sq miles with 8.4M people

NY metropolitan area 6000 sq miles

1.9 Million sq miles [6,500 x NYC] or 300 x the metro area

2.7 billion cubic miles

Walls:

Walls were 200 feet thick.

Wall of China is 16’ wide at the top

Wall had twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles.

Walls were made of jasper with foundations decorated with precious stones.

wall has 12 gates each made of a single pearl

3 gates on each side with the names of the tribes of Israel inscribed on them.

The gates were never shut

Inside

21.21 the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb

22.1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city;

also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

22.3 “the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

4 They will see his face

5 And night will be no more.

Conc.

A change is gonna come.

Behold I make all things new.

The dwelling place of God is with man

He will wipe away every tear

Nothing unclean will enter it

I saw the holy city

Are you a candidate for heaven’s city? Are you a citizen of the new world? Are you child of God?

Communion

Luke 22:14–20 ESV

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.