The New Jerusalem Pt 4 8-30-2020

HEAVEN- SEEING THE UNSEEN THE NEW JERUSALEM PT. 4 Sunday August 30, 2020 Scripture Reference: Revelation 22:1-6 (NLT2) Intro. A. Welcome to this final Sunday of our exploration of the city known as The New Jerusalem. My hope and pray during these messages in fact during this entire series is that what we are learning about Heaven and The New Jerusalem will create a longing in our hearts for Heaven, but that it will also create in us a greater sense of urgency to reach those in our Oikos and beyond so that they too can experience this incredible place. 1. In these past three weeks we have talked about the dimensions of the city, we have explored its walls and gates. We have explored its architecture and materials used to build it. Last week we talked about the glory of this city. Of the temple and of the light that lights the city. We also talked about what is necessary for us to enter this city. 2. Today we will finish our exploration of this city by talking about the river of life and the tree of life. Since I have spent so much time on this city the last few weeks this final message will be a little shorter as we consider these last few features of this city. Trans. So let's take one more look at this: I. THE NEW PARADISE. Let's read verses 1-6 of chapter 22. "Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there-no need for lamps or sun-for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, "Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon." Revelation 22:1-6 (NLT2) Let's look at this river. A. The River of Life. 1. I remember many years ago, even before I was married believe it or not, but I had a friend who had moved here from North Dakota and he made the comment to me one time that he thought the way we referred to the Colorado River was amusing. He said you guys talk about the Colorado River as "The River" as if there is no other. Where he came from there was a lot of rivers but here in southern California, we do not have a lot of rivers and even the ones we have run drive most of the time. So, for us the Colorado river is "the River" and in the New Jerusalem this will also be "The River". I am confident that there will also be other rivers in Heaven, and I think the Colorado will be one of them but for us this will be "The River". 2. We all know how important water is. Water is essential for life. It has been said that a person can go as long as three or four weeks without food, but you can only go three or four days without water. We are made up of 60% water, so water is essential for us to survive. Let's look at that first verse again, Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. There are a few features about this river that I think hold some symbolism for us. a) The first are found in the words, "water of life". Again, we all know how vital water is for our survival, but this water is even more significant. The Greek word used here is "zoe" and it refers to the very principle of life, not just something alive, but life itself. It is the life that comes from God and the life that God gave to His son Jesus and the life He gives to us. Listen to this verse from John, "The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son." John 5:26 (NLT2) This is the life that all of us became alienated from because of our sin and it is why Jesus is the only way back to that life. This is why Paul said in Romans 6, "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives." Romans 6:4 (NLT2) Listen to what 1 John says, "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life." 1 John 5:12 (NLT2) b) Now we are also told that this river flows from the throne of God and V.2 tells us it flows down the center of the city. I believe what we are being reminded of here is that the water of life that we need comes from God and God alone, it flows from Him and His throne. Again, this is a reminder of what these verses I just shared with you tell us. God is still the giver of life even in Heaven. The fact that it flows down the center of the city I believe also speaks to how central God needs to be in our lives now not sometime down the road in Heaven. This water does not simply quench our thirst it provides us with life. If we really want to live, if we really want this abundant life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10 then we must always look to God to provide it. The water of life is not just available to us in Heaven it is available to us Now! Now let me add a little footnote here. I have been saying through out this series that I believe we will be physical beings in Heaven. I do not believe we will be spirits and I think this verse testifies to this. Spirits do not need water, but physical beings do. Now allow me to make a little speculation about this river. While this river is described as flowing down the center of the city remember this city is 1400 miles square. I believe it is entirely possible that this river will have branches or tributaries that will flow through this city. I can picture people congregating along the banks of this river, just as people do now. I can see people laughing, talking, putting their feet in the water. I can even see people having a picnic or BBQ by the river. What we would be observing is people enjoying life from and around the river of life. Let me share a scripture from Psalm that seems to speak to this. "A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High." Psalm 46:4 (NLT2) Trans. OK let's look at the second feature described to us here in V.2. B. The Tree Of Life. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 1. You might recall that this tree is mentioned three times in Genesis. There is for me at least some sadness here, but also great joy. The last time the tree of life is mentioned in Genesis is here, "After sending them out, the LORD God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life." Genesis 3:24 (NLT2) Because of the sin of Adam and Eve they were banished from the garden and from the Tree of Life, but Praise God we see that in the New Jerusalem our access to it is restored. I see here in these words what I have been saying all along in this series and that is God will restore what was lost because of our sin. He will not destroy the earth and start over as some believe, but He will restore this glorious and beautiful world as it was before the fall of man. 2. Now before we look a little more closely at this tree, I think there is something very important to point out. Look with me at Revelation 2:7, "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God." Revelation 2:7 (NLT2) I have said before and I will say this again. I firmly believe that if we die in Christ before the rapture of His church occurs this, the New Jerusalem is where we will be go. You might consider it our home away from home until Heaven and earth are united again. But along with this promise there is also a warning for us. Look at these two verses, "Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life." Revelation 22:14 (NLT2) "And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book." Revelation 22:19 (NLT2) I believe these verses remind us of what Jesus said in the Sermon of the Mount. "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter." Matthew 7:21 (NLT2) I talked about this at the end of my message last week. I do not care how often you go to church. I do not care how much money you give to the church or how much ministry you might have in the church. What I care about is "Is your name written in the Lambs' book of life?" You will not be eating from this tree if your name is not in this book. Now I think it is also important to point out here that there is a tree missing in Heaven that was in the Garden of Eden. It is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The tree that caused all our problems. I believe it is not here because when we enter this place, we will have no desires except to please and honor God. 3. Now I think it is important to point out that there will not be a single tree of life. Look again at what we are told, On each side of the river grew a tree of life. It appears that the tree or maybe better said, "trees" of life will grow along the sides side of this river through this city wherever the river flows. I said earlier that I can see us sitting along side this river enjoying fellowship with others and if these trees are covering the river's banks, I think it makes this scene even more appealing. 4. Now notice something else about this tree. V.2 says, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. You might have noticed that one of the significant things about this tree is that it does not have seasons. Fruit trees have seasons for when they bear fruit, but not this tree. This tree bears a crop of fruit each month and note that it is a fresh crop. There is no leftover fruit, but new fresh fruit each month. This probably reminds us of the abundance of this life and that it is eternal. The tree will never stop producing. Again, here in this world we know everything has a life cycle. Things are born and then they die, but this will not be the case in Heaven! The prophet Ezekiel prophesied about this tree, listen. "Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing." Ezekiel 47:12 (NLT2) 4. Now notice one more important feature of these trees. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. I don't know if you struggle with this verse like I have because the very next verse says this, "No longer will there be a curse upon anything..." Revelation 22:3a (NLT2) If the curse is gone, as I am positive it will be then what is the need for any healing? Will we still get sick in Heaven? I sure hope I don't have to think about the coronavirus or wearing a mask in Heaven. So, what's this all about? Most commentators seem to agree that the leaves and the fruit of this tree bring life and wellbeing to all those who eat from this tree. It is not that we will ever get sick in Heaven, but these trees remind us of the eternal and perfect life God gives us in Heaven. I believe that we will not be eating from this tree simply to sustain our lives but because of all this tree represents to us and how precious it is to us. There would be no reason we would ever want to ignore it or avoid it. Trans. OK I promised you a shorter message today and I am already exceeding that so let me try to finish with a few thoughts on these last few verses. Let's Call these last verses: C. The Delights Of Heaven. 1. "No longer will there be a curse upon anything..." Revelation 22:3 (NLT2) This of course goes back to what we were just talking about. The curse upon this earth that has caused such chaos and havoc for our world since the fall of Adam and Eve will finally be removed. Here again we are reminded of my most favorite words in Revelation, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Revelation 21:4 (NLT2) The Prophet Zechariah said it well, "And Jerusalem will be filled, safe at last, never again to be cursed and destroyed." Zechariah 14:11 (NLT2) 2. The rest of V.3 says, "...For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him." Revelation 22:3 (NLT2) Nothing but the blessing of God will flow to us from that day forward. I have been saying that while we may live in other places than this city it will still be the center of the universe for us because this is where the throne of God is and we will have the desire to worship Him often. 3. Then V.4 says, "And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads." Revelation 22:4 (NLT2) We know that in this world to see Gods face was the welcome death, but in Heaven we will see God and live, live as we never have. As one person said, "No one on earth has seen God and lived, but I shall not live until I see Him face to face." John said in his letter, "Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is." 1 John 3:2 (NLT2) 4. OK let me finish today with V.5. "And there will be no night there-no need for lamps or sun-for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:5 (NLT2) We talked about this first part last week. I think it is repeated here because of other times there is repetition, the writer is just trying to express the incredible beauty of this city. The last part is a reminder to us that this now the realm of eternity. This is not our temporary home, but our eternal home. I like how one commentator put this, "The result of the entire book of Revelation is in this verse: God's people, those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, will reign forever and ever. Eternal life is ours now and forever." Conclusion A. This friends, is Our city! The city that God himself created for us. I talked a few weeks ago about having a home custom built for yourself. Even if you were to be able to have that done the fact is there would be some imperfections in that home. After it was completed, I am certain you would still find yourself saying something like, "You know if I could do this over I would ___________." 1. When we finally arrive at this home whether that is in death or the rapture, I can assure you that you will not be talking about any flaws you will find in this city because there will be none. In fact, there will be no flaw in the entire universe. Our home will be perfect and believe it or not, so will we. 2. A few weeks ago my daughter and granddaughter went home, back to Idaho after being with us for almost three weeks. A few days before they were to fly home my granddaughter asked her mom when they were going back home. She told her then asked her if she was wanting to go home and she responded, "yes". While it was sad for us that she wanted to go home we all understand this feeling. Even while I was there visiting them in July, I was anxious to get back home because as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz said, "There is no place like home." I said at the beginning of this message that part of my purpose in preaching these messages is to give us a longing for home, our home in Heaven. I hope you have that longing to be home but let me also remind you that until we reach that home, we must occupy the world God has given us. We are still His servants called to proclaim the good news of salvation to others and this eternal home. So, while we long for home let's be about our Father's business until He calls us to that home. 2