The Glory of Heaven | Romans 2:6–12

God's Glory is seen in Heaven's RENEWING (Revelation 21:1-2; 5)

Revelation 21:1–2 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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:5 ESV

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.”

When we get to heaven, we see that first heaven and earth have been renewed. John speaks of the old heaven, and old earth, passing away. So what does this mean?

In Christ, the old creation, marred by sin and death, will be replaced with a new heaven untouched by the effects of Sin.

Romans 8:19–21 ESV

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Notice, that it’s not just we who have been effected by sin and death, all of creation is subjected to sin and death, and all of creation groans and longs for the renewing work of God. Heaven is that promise. Heaven is that reward. Heaven is that joyful day of new life in Christ.

Isaiah 11:6–9 ESV

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

What a glorious truth. Those that are in darkness, those that are downcast or attacked will be free!

"God originally created the earth and heaven to be man's permanent home. But sin and death entered the world and transformed the earth into a place of rebellion and alienation; it became enemy-occupied territory. But God has been working in salvation history to effect a total reversal of this evil consequence and to liberate earth and heaven from bondage to sin and corruption." (Frank E. Gaebelein)

God's Glory is seen in Heaven's Comfort (Revelation 21:4)

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.”

Not only do we see the renewal of heaven, we also see the comfort in heaven. In heaven, we find these wonderful verses that proclaim the comfort of heaven. In this verse, God promises that the emotional effects of sin and it’s damage are reversed. In heaven not only is creation reset, but also the effects of sins marring of creation are reset.

Think of the pain we’ve experienced this past year because of covid. Last year, we experienced over 12 deaths in our church family. Whether it be through covid or just the ravages of age, death is a constant companion to the human experience.

Guatama Buddha, the originator of Buddhism once said,

We begin to die from the moment we are born, for birth is the cause of death. The nature of decay is inherent in youth, the nature of sickness is inherent in health, in the midst of life we are verily in death.

But scripture shows us that death is not natural. Death is the result of sin.

Romans 5:12 ESV

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

But in heaven, death is defeated.

2 Timothy 1:10 ESV

and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

This is the glorious truth of heaven. Never again will we suffer the pain of losing a loved one. Never again will we watch friends or family grow old, or struggle with pain or sorrow. In heaven, death is defeated forever.

God's Glory is seen in Heaven's Abundance (Revelation 21:6; 22:1-2)

In America today, 37 million Americans are living below the poverty line, almost 600K of which live in Mississippi meaning that almost 1/5 of all Mississippians live below the poverty line.

Every day, 17 million American children will go to bed without food. 550K of them in the state of Mississippi alone.

These numbers are staggering.

But in scripture, we find this promise: There will be no poverty in heaven. There will be no hunger, no thirst.

Revelation 21:6 ESV

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.

Revelation 22:1–2 ESV

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 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.

No one will be homeless:

John 14:1–2 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

In heaven there is abundance. What a glorious promise of scripture. We live in a world of suffering. 4.3 million people die from hunger each year, but in heaven, none will go hungry.

Revelation 19:6–9 ESV

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

"From the smoke and pain and heat [of hell] it is a relief to pass into the clear, clean atmosphere of the eternal morning where the breath of heaven is sweet and the vast city of God sparkles like a diamond in the radiance of his presence" J. B. Moffatt

Yes, we are called on this side of eternity to help clothe, and feed those in need, but praise God that labor will be complete in heaven.

God's Glory is seen in Heaven's Presence (Revelation 21:3, 22)

Finally, in heaven we see God’s presence.

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.

Revelation 21:22 ESV

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

In heaven, we will be in God’s presence. Today, in this place, we experience God spiritually through the Holy Spirit, and physically in the word he has given us. We cannot see, touch, smell, hear, or taste God. He does not speak to us audibly. He is spirit, and we are not.

But in heaven, we see God and experience God differently.

1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

What a glorious truth! Now we see in part. Now we see as in a dim mirror, but in heaven, we see God face to face. We are in his presence.

The spiritual relationship become physical as we are given new bodies and stand with Christ before God.

On that day, we will sing with the old hymn:

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand And leads me through the Promised Land,

That’s the promise of heaven!

No longer do we have to seek out sustenance or fear drought and famine for God is our sustenance. God provides our food, our refreshment.

No longer do we have to huddle in fear awaiting the morning to light the darkness for God is our light.

No longer do we have to question if God hears us or if we can know him, for the dwelling place of God is now with man.

This is the joyful promise of heaven!