Forever and Ever

Read Revelation 21:9 - Revelation 22:5

In 1969 I was 13 years old and my parents decided we would go to Florida for our vacation.

That was a big deal.

We didn’t have a lot of money and all of our vacations had been to my grandparents cabin on Lake Nottely.

And don’t let that fool you - it was a 3 bedroom no bath house with 7 foot ceilings.

It had no heat other than the coal fired stove in the kitchen and it certainly had no air conditioning.

When we first started going, water came by bucket up the hill from the spring that you toted up that steep hill.

And the bathroom was 50 yards away, down a little path to the two seat outhouse.

I never understood that - who is going to take a friend for that?

If we were getting away, it was to the cabin.

It was a great place full of great memories for sure - but it was the same place.

But Florida.

Mom and Dad let me fully nerd out.

Having no internet because it hadn’t been invented yet, I pulled out a paper map and scribbled down all of the coastal towns that looked promising.

They let me write a letter to every Chamber of Commerce to get brochures.

I was so excited when the brochures started coming back.

The places seemed so exotic to me - I had never seen anything like them.

Panama City Beach, Tampa, Naples, St. Augustine and Daytona.

I suspect mom and dad had decided on Daytona already but they allowed me to think that I had picked it out.

I cannot express to you how excited I was.

I was going to get to see in person what I had only seen in brochures and post-cards and Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

The trip did not disappoint me.

Since May 31, 2020, we’ve been reading brochures and looking at maps.

Today is the 51st message in our End of Days series.

Next week is the 52nd and final message.

That’s about 35 hours of study with you - well over 700 hours of preparation for me.

And it all culminates today.

Next week is the epilogue - it’s the what do with what we know? message.

This week - today - what we just read - it’s God’s final destination.

It’s the next seventh day - the next Sabbath.

God’s work is done.

No more dreaming over brochures - no more mapping out the roads to get us where we are going.

We are there - this is the end of the beginning - and this part literally ends with “forever and ever.”

Today, we are going to look at three things.

We are going to look at the wife of Christ - bet you didn’t see that one coming.

Then we are going to see how history wraps up and finally, we’re going to see how our story with Jesus ends up.

Please don’t miss this.

This is not, “You’re going to go to heaven when you die if you know Jesus.”

This isn’t a cliche’, this isn’t something we’ve overused to the point that we don’t hear it anymore.

This is home.

The scene opens with one of the seven angels who had the bowls of the last plagues and he told John, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

In all of your days, have you ever heard the church referred to as the Wife of the Lamb?

But it makes sense, doesn’t it?

Remember us talking about how their weddings worked - the couple gets engaged and the groom leaves to prepare a place for his bride.

During the engagement, every time the groom sees her, she becomes more and more lovely to him.

He does everything he can to keep things on track, he doesn’t want to waste a day.

He has a plan - he’s working his plan.

She is so lovely and he wants his bride to be so happy.

He finishes the preparations, they have the wedding and then she shares the rest of her life with him.

As the wife of the lamb, the bride finally, after all of that waiting, she finally gets to know her husband completely and totally.

Do you suppose that’s what 1 Corinthians 13:12 is all about?

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.

We are engaged - there is so much about Jesus that we don’t know.

But he knows us fully - he counts us as lovely in his sight - but we only know him as in a mirror dimly.

We only know what we read in the scriptures.

We only know what we see in the world around us.

But then, on this day, “...we shall see him as he is,” and we will be overwhelmed.

I find it curious that John doesn’t describe Jesus and John doesn’t describe us either.

Instead, John describes the place that the groom prepared for us and it is, quite simply, indescribable.

It’s like my brochures from Florida.

Do you remember, do you remember when you were going to see the ocean for the first time.

And you saw pictures.

And you saw the ocean on television.

But when you saw it in person.

Standing on the beach at Cape San Blas after the tropical storm passed - I still can’t describe the beauty and power of that moment.

It’s etched into my memory - but there are no words.

I know you’ve been there.

I believe everyone has a moment like that.

John’s doing his best to send us a brochure and it sounds incredible - but we know he didn’t do it justice.

It’s coming though.

One day we’re going to see it - those who are written in the Lambs book of life - we’ll see it and we will be overwhelmed.

There are three little tidbits about the New Jerusalem - our new home - that I don’t want you to miss.

The first is this - in verse 22, John tell us, “And I saw no temple in the city.”

Now follow me - in Jesus’ day on earth, the temple was practically indescribable itself.

The facade was covered in pure gold so when the morning sun hit it, it was brilliant.

For those of you who had kids in the ninth grade academy, and you’d pull out onto W. Clinton and the sun would be right in your eyes and would blind you.

That was the temple as the sun rose - it was indescribably beautiful.

Now listen, this isn’t a history lesson, this is a life lesson.

The outer court of the temple was for the nations.

Common people could come there, but they could only go so far.

Then was the court of women.

Jewish women who met all of the standards could go there, but they could only go so far.

Then was the court of men.

Jewish men who met all of the standards could go there, but they could only go so far.

Finally, there was the holy of holies.

Only the high priest could enter that room only one time a year.

He had to go through all kinds of special preparations - he had to bathe a certain way and wear certain clothes.

His priestly robes - not coincidentally - had each one of the stones mentioned in chapter 21 sewn into the garment.

And when the time was right and all of the rules had been met, they would tie a rope around him in case he fell dead because of the overwhelming presence of God.

And he would enter the room.

In verse 16, we read, “Revelation 21:16

Revelation 21:16 ESV

The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.

The new Jerusalem is a cube.

When you go to the Old Testament and you read about the Holy of Holies, you find out its length and width and height are equal too.

The place Jesus is preparing for us is the holy of holies.

It is his father’s house.

He’s preparing us a room.

Why is this a big deal?

One of the most humiliating experiences of childhood is picking sides for a ball game.

As I grew older and grew out of my asthma, I was a better than ok ball player.

But when I was younger, I didn’t have the stamina.

I wasn’t necessarily the last one picked every time, but mostly I wasn’t the first.

It was like the temple, there were places I could go, but because of who I was there were places I wasn’t allowed.

I know you have felt that way at some point.

Some of us more than others, right?

Ya’ll know the scene in Forrest Gump that just kills me every time - I cried when we saw the movie in the theatre.

Forrest is in Ginny’s apartment in Savannah and Ginny tells Forrest that little Forrest is his son.

And when Forrest gains a little bit of composure, he chokes out, “Is he....”

And Ginny tells him that little Forrest is one of the smartest kids in his class.

And why that kills me is, all through the movie, you never really got an inkling that Forrest was aware that he was different.

That he was slow, that he was not like everyone else.

But he knew it.

And I think that resonates with me and it resonated with so many people is that is kinda who we are.

We won’t admit it.

Some of us would rather die than admit it, but it’s the truth.

We all struggle with demons that tell us we are hopelessly different from everyone else.

That as good, as successful, as revered as some of us might be, deep in side, Forrest lives.

Listen to me closely - Jesus isn’t going to take you home based on anything you are or aren’t.

What we consider the worst standing next what we consider best - it’s irrelevant.

What matters is, is your name in the Lamb’s book of life.

When Jesus called you - just like he called Andrew and Peter and James and John - when Jesus called you, did you follow him?

Nothing else matters.

Nothing. Else. Matters.

We will never be separated from Jesus ever again ever.

Not ever.

Prayers won’t bounce off the ceiling.

When you say Jesus, he will say, “Yes?”

I want all of you, but some of you especially to know this.

I know your have hidden pain.

My dear brother or sister, hang on just a little longer.

One day your suffering will be worth it, just hang on and see.

Two other things about our new home.

In verse 12 the twelve gates were inscribed with the name of the twelve tribes of Israel.

That’s Old Testament - that’s 12 prophets all pointing to the same thing - a Messiah is coming.

The foundation is in verse 14.

It actually says 12 foundations and the name of the 12 apostles are on the stones.

The apostles’ message was that the Messiah had come.

Knowing this is important, because this is how we got to be a part of the kingdom.

We stood on somebody’s shoulders.

Ephesians 2:19–21 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Let me say this about that - some of you may have no clue what I’m about to talk about but some of you do.

Be very careful how you present yourself to the world, because there is a better than even chance that we are the shoulders our progeny have to stand on.

We stand on the prophets and the apostles.

Our chief cornerstone is Jesus - he’s the one who holds it altogether - that is what’s important.

Don’t let your testimony get wrecked by the way you protest masks.

Don’t let your testimony get wrecked by the way you protest a poorly worded analogy by a Board of Education staff person.

We all, everyone one of us, feel very powerless right now - lots of people in lots of places are doing lots of things that we are powerless to affect.

And we are dying to break out the pitchforks and torches.

Let me remind you - and you can disregard this if you want, but there is wisdom in what I’m saying.

The only time Jesus is mentioned in the same breath with pitchforks and torches - or in his day spears and torches, is when they came to arrest him.

Jesus NEVER took up a pitchfork and he never took up a torch and he never told anyone following him to take up a pitchfork and a torch.

Jesus said, “Follow me.”

The greatest - listen to me - the greatest protest you can make right now is to place one foot in front of the other, deliberately, on purpose, following Jesus.

Will there come a time to fight?

I pray not, but maybe so.

But the Dairy Queen PB&J breakfast and masks are not the hills for a Christ follower to die on.

Someone needs to stand on your shoulder to be able to reach Jesus just like we are standing on the shoulders of the prophets and the apostles.

The best protest we can make right now, is to follow Jesus more closely and more boldly than we ever have in our lives.

Verse 24 tells us how history is going to wrap up.

Revelation 21:24 ESV

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,

Elon Musk is an unusual person, wouldn’t you say?

He named his son XashA12.

And I got strange looks when I wanted to name Ben D’artagnan.

Richard Branson is a bit eccentric too.

But both of them are revered entrepreneurs.

I’ve always admired Warren Buffets’ money management skills.

I wouldn’t mind having the brass of Clint Eastwood or Mel Gibson or Bruce Willis.

A certain basketball player is nicknamed King James.

A multitude of athletes are hailed as Goats.

Presidents are concerned how they will be remembered by historians.

But here we are at the very end of time, and everyone’s glory fades except one.

All of the glory and accolades, all of the trophies on our mantles, all of the plaques on our walls.

They fade away and all glory shifts to the one to whom it rightfully belongs.

History wraps up with all of the bravado of humanity being silenced and every voice proclaiming that Jesus is the only G.O.A.T.

Greatest of all time.

Finally, how is our story with Jesus wrapped up?

I know those of you who read books know this feeling.

You’ve read a particularly gripping book - a real page turner - almost impossible to put it down.

You stay up too late reading it - you’re almost late to work because you read it at breakfast.

And then there are 10 pages left, then 5, then 1, then a paragraph, a sentence, and you hate to read the last word because you don’t want the story to end.

Yes. This right here, chapter 22, verses 1 - 5. Six sentences left in the entire redemption story. The whole Bible, everything I have studied all of my life, six sentences left.

Right down the middle of the street is the river of the water of life, flowing water, living water.

It’s the water that the woman at the well received that saved her and her village.

It’s the water that Naaman washed in seven times to become clean.

It’s the water Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch in, the same water that Jacob Skinner was baptized in this morning.

The tree of life grows on both sides of the river.

Nothing is in the way that would stop anyone from eating from the tree or drinking the water.

It’s the same tree that was in Eden - that Adam and Eve could have chosen, but didn’t.

This is the new Eden - a better Eden than even before.

The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations - its a figure of speech saying that in this place, no pain or suffering will ever be felt here ever again.

The curse God pronounced in Genesis 3:16-19 is removed.

Genesis 3:16–19 ESV

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Listen to Romans 8:19-24

Romans 8:19–24 (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.

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

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

For in this hope we were saved.

Because of our sin, we were cursed.

Because of our consequence of our sin, we groan.

But because of Jesus, the one we follow, our groaning stops.

We will see the face of God and we will not die.

His name will be on our forehead - not literally, but his name will be in our minds and hearts all the time.

There will be no darkness - there will be no reason to be afraid.

The Lord God will cast away all of the shadows - there will be no reason to fear.

7 words are left.

Before we read them, remember, without Jesus, there is no story.

But with Jesus, “and they will reign forever and ever.”

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Let us pray: (from the Valley of Vision)

“Blessed Lord Jesus,

Before thy cross I kneel and see

the heinousness of my sin,

my iniquity that caused thee to be ‘made a curse’,

the evil that excites the severity of divine wrath.

Show me the enormity of my guilt by

the crown of thorns

the pierced hands and feet,

the bruised body,

the dying cries.

Thy blood is the blood of incarnate God,

its worth infinite, its value beyond all thought.

Infinite must be the evil and guilt that demands such a price.

Sin is my malady, my monster, my foe, my viper,

born in my birth,

alive in my life,

strong in my character,

dominating my faculties,

following me as a shadow,

intermingling with my every thought,

my chain that holds me captive in the empire of my soul

Sinner that I am, why should the sun give me light,

the air supply my breath,

the earth bear my tread,

its fruits nourish me,

it creatures subserve my ends?

Yet thy compassions yearn over me,

thy heart hastens to my rescue,

thy love endured my curse,

thy mercy bore my deserved stripes.

Let me walk humbly in the lowest depths of humiliation,

bathed in thy blood,

tender of conscience,

triumphing gloriously as an heir of salvation.

Because of your amazing grace.

Thank you Jesus - please come soon.

Amen.