All Things New
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
After the Millennial Reign has been completed or accomplished and the final rebellion squashed and death and Satan dealt what possibly is next? This next chapter of Revelation answers this question for us. In this chapter time becomes history and eternity is about to begin and usher in whats known as the eternal state.
1 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. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
9 Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He then 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 arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 The city had a massive high wall, with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. 13 There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
14 The city wall had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were on the foundations. 15 The one who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal.
17 Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used. 18 The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel: the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.
22 I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.
25 Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Creation
Creation
1 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. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
John now after all this sees a NEW heaven and a NEW earth. The word used is Kaine and it means new in character, fresh. It does not mean “recent” or “new in time”. This isnt just the next heaven and the next earth this is the better heaven and the better earth. It is so much better in fact it is replacing the old heaven and the old earth. Thats why John tells us the old heaven and the old earth has passed away.
Though we arent given much detail about the new heaven and new earth we have been given some details. A major detail that we are given is that the sea was no more. Our present earth has most of its surface covered by water. This seems to say that whatever the new earth looks like it will not have a large body of water. The new heaven we arent given any details except in verse 23. This heaven is the first heaven - not the abode of God but the earth’s atmosphere and planetary space.
John also sees the holy city - Jerusalem, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. Like a bride prepared and arrayed for her husband. This is speaking of the abode of the people of God - not specifically the people of God - this is literally a city. Notice that this city never is specifically stated as to land on earth - perhaps thats because it hovers over the earth? The name Jerusalem gives it continuity with earth, especially the place of our redemption.
Aloud voice accompanies Jerusalem coming down - the voice comes from the throne. Look God’s dwelling is with humanity and He will live with them. They will be His people and He will be their God. Eternity is a place of community, and this glorious dwelling place of God and His people is described as a city the holy city. Cities are places with many people and with interaction of people with each other. Eternity will be a place of God and His people interacting with each other in perfect community. This concept of eternity as a city says it will be a place of life, activity, interest and people and this is vastly different from what others teach - Hindus and Buddhists teach about eternity being nirvana. Christian hope is a social eternity of life in redeemed community. We have never known community unmarred by sin and Adam and Eve only knew limited community - so it will be all new.
God dwelling with man is not just the Shekinah Glory but the fullness of God dwell with man. God will become fully Immanuel in complete glory dwelling with man. God’s desire is to live in close fellowship with man, and man’s purpose is to be a people unto God. This is the greatest glory and the ultimate restoration of everything lost in the fall.
“I do not think the glory of Eden lay in its grassy walks, or in boughs bending with luscious fruit-but its glory lay in this, that the ‘Lord God walked in the garden in the cool of the day.’ Here was Adam’s highest privilege, that he had companionship with the Most High.”
The new heaven and the new earth means the old things have passed away - death, grief, crying, and pain will be no more. God Himself will wipe away every tear - wipe away everything that causes tears. He says Look I am making everything new! We might be tempted to think if only Adam never sinned - but we would miss what we have truly gained. “We gain more in Jesus than we ever lost in Adam. God’s eternal state is one of redemption, not innocence.” The new things remain new because corruption can no longer touch them.
It is done - the Alpha and the Omega (bookends of the Greek alphabet) the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
The warning from John to those who would read these words before this time. The warning is clear this is the promise to inherit this is only for the one who conquers. Not all are overcomers some are cowards who are described as faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and ALL liars. The ones for this group will have a share in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur - the second death.
5 Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Jerusalem
Jerusalem
9 Then one of the seven angels, who had held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 He then 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 arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 The city had a massive high wall, with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates. 13 There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
14 The city wall had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were on the foundations. 15 The one who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal.
17 Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used. 18 The building material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with every kind of jewel: the first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.
The city coming down out of heaven is a literal city. It is referred to as the bride the Lamb’s wife because it is the place where all God’s people are gathered. The city and the bride are associated to give a sense of awe found within the beauty. Her radiance is like a precious jewel like a jasper stone and clear as crystal.
The city is described as having a massive wall - this isnt because of a need for security or defense but to denote that there is a separation. The city has twelve gates and twelve angels at the gates and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed at the gates. Three gates on each side of the city so we know the city is a box shape. The city also has twelve foundations - the twelve apostles names were on each foundation.
The angel who spoke to John also had a measuring rod and went on to measure the city, its gates and its wall. We now read the city is indeed a square with its width, height and length all being equal. The exact measurements are given 12,000 stadia = 12,000 x 12,000 x 12,000 stadia stadia equals about 600 feet 7.2 million feet - so approximately each measured about 1500 miles. With all sides being equal the shape is either that of a cub or a pyramid. I favor it being a cube and here is why. The holy of holies - the Holy place of the tabernacle was a cube. A high priest could go in one day a year Yom Kippur. Here is the interesting part every part of the tabernacle was a copy of heaven. This place was a cube measured 15 feet by 15 feet by 15 feet. This connection would suggest that whole city is now the Holy Place. We dwell in the Holy Place - God dwells with us in the Holy Place - this is what Jesus alluded to when He spoke the promise in John 14.
Now a lot of people have put the math to work on paper trying to get an idea of what this looks like. One in particular a scientist Henry Morris and he guessing that there will have been 100 billion people in the human race through history, and that 20% of them will be saved. Then postulating that only 25% of the New Jerusalem was given for dwelling places and the remaining 75% to be used for whatever else - streets parks, public spaces, and public buildings. Then calculating that every person who lives there at only 25% occupancy that each person would have a cubicle block of about 75 acres on each face to call their own. Now this is highly speculative but dont miss the point being illustrated - there is room enough in the New Jerusalem.
1 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.
New Jerusalem building materials are the interesting choice as well. Jasper for the walls which measure 144 cubits (18 ft walls) and pure gold for the city as clear as glass and then jewels of every kind for the foundation - 12 foundations - Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Carnelian (Ruby), Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprase, Jacinth and Amethyst. The gates (12 of them remember) are pearls - each one a pearl. This is why the reference of the Pearly Gates of heaven. The street is paved with gold - clear as glass.
No need to store earthly treasure in heaven it is in such great supply that it is used for building materials and paving roads.
Worship
Worship
22 I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there.
26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.
All things will be new - including worship. Obviously worship for us will change in the eternal state and the new creation. For one thing there will be no temple in the New Jerusalem. Everything about life in Jerusalem was centered around the temple and the prescribed worship of our Holy God. That worship was the worship of a Holy God with a sinful chosen people and the temple was the mutual meeting place shrouding men from the presence of God. In the New Jersualem God dwells fully and completely with men - the temple is no longer needed. The Lord Almighty and the Lamb are the temple now.
16 And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, as God said: I will dwell and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.
We are the sanctuary of God here on earth in this creation, but in the new creation that will be new also God will be our sanctuary and the Lamb will also. Before Jesus the temple was a prophecy a foreshadowing, in the church age God’s people are His temple, and then in the Millennium the temple will be a memorial. In the New Creation the temple will be everywhere. No need for a place of worship or sacrifice - the object of worship and the sacrifice being there and present everywhere.
The city also does not need the sun or the moon to shine upon it, because the glory of God illuminates it and its lamp is the Lamb. This will be a place of pure worship - today worship involves many things that we use to help us worship, but these same things can be used also by the enemy and our own flesh to distract us from true worship. Buildings, music systems, technology, instruments, customs, preferences and so on and so forth - these will no longer be an issue here. Back of the House and worship team— AMEN - let me repeat these things will no longer be an issue or barrier in our pure and holy worship in New Jerusalem. Our focus will be totally on the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb!!
The nations will live and walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it
The gates of heaven never close and it is never night - never will there be the cover of darkness again. The gates never close because there is perfect security and freedom of access for only those in Christ who have been washed in His blood and forgiven through His sacrifice will be there - nor could enter there. Only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Future events are always foretold in order to effect change to our present actions. What does the promise of heaven and the eternal state the new creation intend to bring about - through the grace of God and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit today?
It is not time to sleep or to stop working - now is the time to wake up and realize that our time of redemption draws closer!
11 Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
Today is the day of salvation - the promise is a reminder that the offer remains open for all who would hear and obey and turn to Christ as Lord and Savior - so that can be overcomers
5 Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
It is the basis of our faith and the ground of our hope:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. … All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth (Hebrews 11:1,13).
This being the case, we would do well to fix our hope upon the heavenly city which is being prepared for us. We ought to continually meditate upon our future hope and, as our Lord taught us, pray for its arrival:
It is the guide for our investments - do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth — invest not only money - time, ability, sweat, prayer, tears
It is that by which we evaluate our priorities in life - does this have eternal value or eternity in mind. In Hebrews 11:13 we read that those who looked for a better country viewed themselves as “strangers and exiles” in this present life. Over and over in the New Testament we are called “strangers and exiles” (cf. 1 Peter 2:11). Our citizenship, Paul said, is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We must, therefore, set our minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Finally, it should give us a whole new outlook on our present (and future coming) sufferings and afflictions. We must come to see that these afflictions are God’s way of preparing us for the glory that lies before us: