Heaven

Intro:

This morning we are jumping into the final message of our series on the End Times. Over the last 3 weeks we have given a general overview of what the Word has said concerning the times of the end. We have shared about

the return of Christ (rapture)

What will happen during the time of the tribulation and great tribulation.

The battle of Armageddon

The Millennial Reign of Christ

The Great White Throne Judgment

What awaits those who will encounter Hell.

During my sermon preparation this week I was reflecting on the weight of last weeks message, and of how the truth of Gods word at times can feel heavy to our soul. As I pondered the impact of the message I sensed a desire from the Lord to bring a reassurance to His people.

As He reminded me of two passages of scripture to reassure us there was such a gentleness and tenderness towards His people. John 14:1-3, John 14:25-28.

John 14:1-3 ““Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

John 14:25-28 ““These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.”

Though the truth can be challenging to hear Jesus has not left us comfortless. He will empower us through the Holy Spirit to persevere to the very end of our lives.

Today I am excited to share with you the final message of this series where we are going to be looking at the Judgement Seat of Christ, A New Heaven and New Earth, and Heaven.

Let’s pick up in the scripture today Revelation 21.

Read the entire chapter.

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Submit:

Break down what we read.

In Revelation 21:1-8 we see a glimpse at all things being made new. In the New Heaven and New Earth we see a few changes.

The first heaven and first earth pass away, and there is no more sea. The experiences of the former earth will be no more. In the New heaven and new earth there will be no more tears, death, nor sorrow, nor more crying or pain.

God Himself will be with us and will be our God.

There is no temple, because God himself is the temple.

There is no sun, moon, or stars, because the Glory of God will illuminate the city.

There will be no defilement, abomination, or lie.

There will be no night there Revelation 22:5, “There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”

Stop and think of how wonderful this will be for those who have trusted in the Salvation of God. Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

The scripture shows us what will change in the New Heaven and New Earth, but there is more to heaven. The scripture gives us other glimpses of what is present in heaven and its activities.

The throne of God and the River of Life are there: Revelation 22: 1-2

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

Psalm 11:4 “The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.”

There is worship in heaven. Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:9-11.

“And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,”

Revelation 7:9-11 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,”

People Serve in Heaven. Revelation 22:3

“And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.”

There will be Joy and Pleasure. Psalm 16:11

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

The Righteous are there. John 14:3, Revelation 7:9.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Revelation 7:9 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,”

Our promised Inheritance. 1 Peter 1:4

“to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”

The Storehouses of God. Deuteronomy 28:12

“The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.”

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Apply:

An excerpt from the book of divine revelation of hell Mary Katherine Baxter page 54.

“Concerning the storehouses God. When I asked, what are these rooms? The angel told me these rooms contained blessings that are stored up for God’s people!

Heaven is perfect purity, and God wants to purify his saints on earth so they will enjoy heavens atmosphere.

Heaven is fullness of joy and God desires to give joy to his people on earth.

Heaven is everlasting freedom, and God longs for his people to have deliverance while on earth.

Heaven is perfect wholeness, and God wants to heal his people here on earth.

Heaven is complete security, and God wants his people to feel confident and secure here on earth.

Heaven is fruition and fulfillment, and God desires that his people be fulfilled on earth. When Jesus instructed us to pray that God‘s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Found in Matthew 6:10 he revealed that God wants us to have a taste of heaven here on earth.

Saints, the Lord has storehouse is a blessing just for you. They are waiting in heaven for you to claim them and to receive them now, here on earth. God wants to save you. He wants to deliver you. He wants to heal you. He wants you to know the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding Philippians 4:7 he wants you to experience a lasting joy inexpressible and full of glory 1 Peter 1: 8”

Heaven will be filled with people who have overcome. Revelation 12:11

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

God has given promises to the one who overcomes:

Revelation 2:7 "To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."

Revelation 2:11 "He who overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death."

Revelation 2:17 "To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except he who receives it."

Revelation 2:26-28 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations:And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star."

Revelation 3:5 "He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels."

Revelation 3:12 "Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name."

Revelation 3:21 "To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."

We have great hope in Christ! If we remain faithful and obedient we will obtain the promise of our Salvation! Eternal life and Dwelling with God in Heaven.

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Closing:

As I close this final message I want to share with you about one final thing and that is the Judgement Seat of Christ. Revelation 22:12 ““And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Those who have been made righteous through the blood of Jesus will certainly inherit eternity, but we must understand that we will give an account of our life to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10-12, Jeremiah 17:10.

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Romans 14:10-12 “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”

It’s with this understanding that we must pay careful attention. Hebrews 2:1

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

We must live according to the word of God. John 14:21

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.””

The apostle Paul instructs us 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 to take heed how we build.

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

Receiving rewards or suffering loss is an eternal judgment.

We must in earnest live out Isaiah 55:6-7

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

We must lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven. Luke 18:22

“So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””

What joy we have in Christ! My prayer today is that we would cease every opportunity that we have been given to live for the Glory of God!

Let’s Pray!

Salvation

The Strength to Persevere