"The New Jerusalem"

Revelation 21:1-8

The book of Revelation is an unveiling of Jesus Christ in all His glory.

At the beginning of our study, we gave a threefold outline as it relates to Jesus Christ:

I. THE LORD OF THE CHURCHES – (1:1-3:22)

II. THE LION OVER THE NATIONS – (4:1-20:15)

III. THE LAMB AMONG THE BELIEVERS – (21:1-22:21)

The word Lamb appears 28 times in this book. It now takes on a special meaning to all who have come to put their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

We are now introduced to "…the bride, the wife of the Lamb."(21:9), a spectacular description of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which is the eternal home for believers.

"Is Heaven a Real Place?"

Throughout the culture and history of humanity, there is a great deal of evidence pointing to our longing for a better life—our hope for a perfect society where every desire and need is fulfilled.

While many may question the reality of such a place, in our hearts we hope it exists and that we will be a part of it.

The word heaven appears over 700 times in the Bible and there are actually three heavens:

· First heaven: earth's atmosphere.

· Second heaven: outer space (including stars, planets, and galaxies).

· Third heaven: where God dwells.

2 Corinthians 12:2–4 NIV84

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Revelation 2:7 NIV84

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Apparently "Paradise" and "the New Jerusalem"are one in the same—a city prepared by God.

· Old Testament believers longed for their eternal home

(Hebrews 11:8-16; 12:22-24)

(John 14)

· This is a real place God is preparing for believers!

Revelation 3:12 NIV84

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

Technically the heavenly city comes down to earth out of the third heaven where it is being prepared at the present time!

I. THE INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW JERUSALEM! (21:1-8)

The apostle John says, "I saw" (vv.1-2), suggesting two distinct visions.

FIRST, the change in the present physical system we now see; SECOND, the coming of the New Jerusalem out of heaven from God.

A. THE PATTERN OF THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE WILL BE CHANGED! (21:1)

Three things are brought to our attention about this future day:

1. Our physical surroundings will be new!

Our surroundings will be new in kind and quality, not simply new from the standpoint of time.

Isaiah 65:17 NIV84

“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah 66:22 NIV84

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure.

This was predicted over 2,700 years ago!

2 Peter 3:12–13 NIV84

as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

This is the believers hope!

2. Our present physical environment will pass away!

We need a change. This globe has been polluted in a multitude of ways by the technology and selfishness of man.

One day, a total change will take place; everything will be made new!

3. Our future environment will be different!

"…and there was no longer any sea." - No one can say for certain what the ramification this statement holds other than the fact that it will be different!

B. THE PRESENCE OF A NEW CITY WILL BE THE MAIN ATTRACTION! (21:2)

We are told several things in this single verse:

1. The CHARACTER of the city!

Finally, a city that is cleaned up! No sin, no crime, no pollution, and no unbelievers will be present!

(21:8, 27; 22:3, 15) - It is a holy city!

2. The CONTRAST of the city!

The New Jerusalem is unlike the earthly one! (11:8)

3. The COMING of the city! (cf. 3:12)

The source is God Himself Who has been designing and preparing this city for His people! Though the specific site is not revealed, the Bible makes it clear that the new city will sit on the earth!

4. The COMPARISON of the city!

The beauty of the city is described "as a bride adorned for her husband."

(v.9) - The city is identified with its inhabitants.

We are beautiful to God, and we are the bride of His Son.

Since both Israel and the church are "a bride" of the Messiah, we conclude that all believers of all ages will share the joys and blessings of living forever in the New Jerusalem!

C. THE PURPOSE OF GOD WILL BE FULFILLED! (21:3)

God's presence with us was a reality when Jesus Christ came into this world!

John 1:14 NIV84

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:18 NIV84

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Colossians 2:9 NIV84

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

After Jesus' ascension the Holy Spirit takes up His residency in the hearts of all believers.

God's presence is made real to us by the Spirit, but since we cannot see Him, the full force of God's presence is not experienced!

One day things will be different!

Psalm 16:11 NIV84

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Few passages could bring as much comfort and joy as this one!

E. THE PROMISES OF GOD WILL BE REALIZED! (21:5-7)

His promises are based on several things:

1. Based on His ability to do it! (v.5a)

He made the heavens and the earth in the beginning, so it should not be too difficult to change it all and make it brand new!

2. Based on the accuracy of His word! (v.5b) (3:14)

His Word is completely trustworthy! (Luke 21:29-33)

3. Based on His authority to do it! (v.6a)

God is the first and last word! Everything exists because of Him and His divine purpose!

No other authority makes it possible, and no other authority can be called upon to execute it!

4. Based on the assurance He gives! (v.6b-7a)

If you come to Him for a drink, you'll receive it!

John 4:13–14 NIV84

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 7:37–38 NIV84

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

The Bible establishes the entrance requirement to the New Jerusalem so that no one will misunderstand or make a false conclusion.

Only those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior & Lord will have eternal life and share in the blessings of the heavenly city!

Philippians 3:20–21 NIV84

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

CONCLUSION: A SOLEMN REMINDER! (21:8)

Verse 8 reminds us of the consequences of sin! If we continue to reject God's salvation through Jesus Christ, the consequences are awesome indeed!

Our only hope is the work of Jesus Christ Who died for our sins and rose again that we might live forever with Him!

Without His atoning work, there is no hope for any of us!