A Glimpse of Glory
A GLIMPSE OF GLORY
INTRO: What we need is a DVR mentality.
I am a basketball fan. Since many sporting events take place when I am not at home, I record them. When it's time to sit in my easy chair and view the recording, unlike most people, I don't rewind to the beginning to view it. Instead I go to the climax to discover who won and who lost. If my team lost, most of the time I'll erase the recording, but if my team won I'll view the game from the beginning, get out some snacks, and enjoy.
Some would think that this method can't be much fun. On the contrary, no matter how bad things look for my team, I don't have to worry because I know the end of the story.
That's how we ought to think about what Jesus did for us on the cross and the death we will all experience unless He returns. We ought to have a DVR mentality when facing the prospect of death. No matter how bad things look, we don't have to worry because we know what lies ahead.
SLIDE 1
IN GOD’S WORD WE HAVE A GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY THAT IS ENJOYED BY GOD’S CHILDREN AFTER DEATH...
SLIDE 2
1 Corinthians 2:6-10 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”—
CLICK 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
TRANSITION: DISCOVERING THE COMING GLORY GOD HAS FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM BEGINS WITH JESUS’ PROMISE TO HIS DISCIPLES...
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JESUS’ PROMISE THAT HIS DISCIPLES WILL BE WITH HIM
John 14:1-2 Jesus’ preparation of His disciples for His crucifixion & resurrection which He had taught for some time, but they had not understood... “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [via His death, resurrection & ascension He made the “many rooms” in His Father’s house available] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. WHERE IS THAT PLACE?
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JESUS DESCRIBED THE PLACE WHERE HE IS AS PARADISE
Luke 23:41-43 The crucified thief appealing to Jesus for salvation declared... We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Paradise is the place of the presence of God - “My Father’s house”
SLIDE 5
THE MEANING OF “PARADISE”
Paradise is a picture word derived from ancient Persian (pairidaza) and means a garden with a wall.
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The Greek word paradeisos is used for the first time by Xenophon for the gardens of the Persian kings.
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The Greek version of the Old Testament translates “eden” in Gen. 2:8 using paradeisos.
CLICK In Hebrew “Eden” means “pleasure.” A FITTING NAME FOR SUCH A PLACE OF MAJESTIC BEAUTY... PARADISE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LIVING LORD...
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This picture word suggests that paradise is a real garden of Eden like realm where God is present. When they die, those who have been born again into God’s family will be with Jesus, the King of the Universe in that Paradise. “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” (2 Cor 5:8) Ponder the beauty of the garden of Eden created by God and described by Him as “very good.” All the beauty that we can appreciate in this fallen earthly home is infinitely surpassed in that wondrous realm.
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THERE ARE LINKS IN GOD’S WORD THAT POINT TO PARADISE AS SUCH A GARDEN LIKE PLACE WHERE ONE ENJOYS THE PRESENCE OF GOD AFTER DEATH...
WE BEGIN WITH EDEN
Genesis 2:8-9 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
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JESUS’ PROMISE TO THE THIEF ON THE CROSS IS ECHOED IN HIS PROMISE TO THE CHURCHES...
Revelation 2:7 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.
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THE ETERNAL HEAVEN IS A CONTINUITY OF THE PARADISE ENTERED UPON DEATH
Revelation 22:1-3 [This is the vision of eternal heaven given John] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. IT JUST GETS BETTER IN THE NEW HEAVENS & EARTH (Rev 21)
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Both paradise and the eternal heaven are the place of God’s presence and infinite blessing – the curse of Eden is no more...
SLIDE 8
THE APOSTLE PAUL WAS GIVEN A GLIMPSE OF THIS GLORY
He described this experience when defending his apostleship against the accusations and slander of those opposing him in Corinth...
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2 Corinthians 12:1-4 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 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. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.
SLIDE 9
PAUL’S GLIMPSE OF GLORY TRANSFORMED HIS OUTLOOK ON DEATH
Philippians 1:20-24 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, [in paradise- Luke 23:43] which is better by far; [I have experienced what lies with Christ in Paradise] 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
The apostle Paul’s strong desire to depart this life and be with Christ was based on having been caught up into that wondrous realm. It was so splendid there were no words to describe it. Its glory is beyond human ability to communicate.
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THE GLORY TO COME INVOLVES ALL OF CREATION- EARTH & ALL LIFE FORMS
Romans 8:17-21 Paul indicates the result of being born of the Spirit into God’s family...
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. FREE FROM THE CURSE...
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THE GLORY TO COME IS PARADISE ENTERED UPON DYING WHICH AFTER THE RESURRECTION EXTENDS INTO ETERNAL HEAVEN...
IT IS A PLACE- “My Father’s house” “a place for you”
IT IS A PRESENCE - “to be with Christ” “My Father’s house” “you will be with Me in Paradise”
IT HAS A PURPOSE - GOD DIRECTED ACTIVITY...NOT ENDLESS BOREDOM
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THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF GOD IN CREATION WILL BE FULFILLED
Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
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Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
GOD CREATED HUMANITY TO RULE OVER HIS CREATION THROUGH THE WORK OF CARING FOR THE EARTH AND ALL THE FORMS OF LIFE THAT LIVE ON IT
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GOD’S ULTIMATE PURPOSE IS TO RESTORE THAT RESPONSIBILITY IN THOSE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY...
2 Timothy 2:12 (NIV) if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; JESUS DECLARED THAT ALL AUTHORITY WAS GIVEN HIM IN HEAVEN & EARTH
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Revelation 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
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Revelation 20:4,6 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years... 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Revelation 22:5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
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THERE WILL BE MEANINGFUL, CREATIVE ACTIVITY FOR ALL IN GOD’S FOREVER FAMILY!
THEY WILL BE LIVING IN A WORLD OF INFINITE BEAUTY....
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JESUS’ REVELATION OF HEAVEN TO THE APOSTLE JOHN...
Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
earth & all universe returned to its original created perfection - Atmosphere, mountains, trees
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for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
“Sea” - No need for physical processes related to the oceans
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Rev 21:2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem...
Revelation 21:24-26 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; 26 and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it...
“Nations... City” - speaks of people, houses, buildings, streets, etc - that’s what is in cities. “Reigning” involves leadership in nations and cities...
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coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
“Bride dressed for her husband” - beautiful as only God can make the city..
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HEAVEN IS ALL ABOUT BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD, THE LIFEGIVER...
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
SLIDE 17
ARTIST ATTEMPT TO VISUALIZE HEAVEN...
IN YOUR MIND- CLOSE YOUR EYES
Revelation 21:10-27 And he [an angel] carried me [Apostle John] away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia (1,400 miles) in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, [200 ft] by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall was made of [crystal clear green] jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second [translucent deep blue] sapphire, the third [pale blue] chalcedony, the fourth [shimmering green] emerald, 20 the fifth [rich brown] sardonyx, the sixth [dazzling red] carnelian, the seventh [translucent green] chrysolite, the eighth [rainbow bluishgreen, yellow, pink and white] beryl, the ninth [crystaline brownish yellow] topaz, the tenth [dazzling light green] chrysoprase, the eleventh [brilliant orange] jacinth, and the twelfth [crystaline bluish violet] amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.
[“nations” “kings” also indicates culture, organized life, cities, roads, work for all as we reign with Christ in a sin free non competitive cooperative work that fulfills God’s will for His new creation.]
27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
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THOSE LIVING IN THIS GLORY WILL ENJOY PERFECT HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN A RESURRECTION BODY LIKE THAT OF JESUS.
1 John 3:1-2 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
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Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 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.
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JESUS’ RESURRECTION BODY WAS SOLID, PHYSICAL - HE ATE & WAS TOUCHED
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THE GLORIOUS WORLD TO COME WILL BE A REAL PHYSICAL WORLD!
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THAT WAS HOW GOD BEGAN HIS CREATION AND THAT IS HOW HE WILL PERFECT IT... WE WON’T BE SPIRITS FLOATING AROUND ON CLOUDS & PLUCKING HARPS...
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WE WILL BE JOYFULLY WORSHIPPING AND SERVING GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND KING JESUS FOR ALL ETERNITY IN A REALITY THAT WE CANNOT FULLY KNOW NOW...
BUT WE KNOW THE BEST IS YET TO COME...
SLIDE 19 ILLUS:
A LADY WHO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A TERMINAL ILLNESS AND WAS GIVEN THREE MONTHS TO LIVE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HEAVEN WAS TO BE LIKE...
As she was getting her things in order, she contacted her pastor and asked him to come to her house to discuss some of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral service, what Scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. She requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. As the pastor prepared to leave, the woman suddenly remembered something else. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" said the pastor. "This is important," the woman said. "I WANT TO BE BURIED WITH A FORK IN MY RIGHT HAND." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part of the meal because I knew something better was coming—like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. "SO, WHEN PEOPLE SEE ME IN THAT CASKET WITH A FORK IN MY HAND AND THEY ASK, “WHAT’S WITH THE FORK?” I WANT YOU TO TELL THEM: ‘KEEP YOUR FORK.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!'"
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QUESTION: HOW CAN I KNOW I WILL ENJOY THIS UNENDING GLORY AFTER DEATH? GOD’S WORD OFFERS THAT ANSWER AS WELL...
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John 14:1-6 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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SO WHY IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY?
SLIDE 21 IT’S A SPIRITUAL PROBLEM!
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death...
ALL ARE BORN SPIRITUALLY DEAD- DESTINED FOR ETERNAL DEATH IN HELL...
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HERE’S THE SOLUTION...
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GOD OPENED THE DOOR TO HIS PRESENCE (PARADISE, HEAVEN) THROUGH JESUS...
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ENTRY INTO GOD’S FAMILY COMES THROUGH HUMBLE REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF GOD’S GIFT OF LIFE ETERNAL THRU JESUS’ SACRIFICE
REPENTANCE Romans 10:9 ... if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
MEANS YOU HUMBLY CHANGE YOUR MIND (REPENT = metanoia - A CHANGE OF MIND) SEEKING GOD’S FORGIVENESS FOR YOUR SIN WITH AN ATTITUDE THAT TURNS FROM YOUR OWN SELF-CENTERED SINFUL DESIRES BY WANTING JESUS TO BE IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE.
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ACCEPTANCE and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
TO BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART IS LIKE YOU BELIEVE IN GRAVITY. YOU ARE CONVINCED THAT JESUS’ RESURRECTION FROM DEATH IS GOD’S GUARANTEE THAT JESUS DEATH ON THE CROSS PAID THE PENALTY FOR YOUR SIN AND BY HUMBLY TRUSTING HIS OFFER OF BEING BORN INTO HIS FAMILY - YOU ARE BORN INTO GOD’S FAMILY TO LIVE WITH HIM FOREVER.
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DELIVERANCE you will be saved.
PARADISE AND HEAVEN ARE YOUR ETERNAL DESTINATIONS THROUGH FAITH IN THE DEATH OF JESUS TO PAY YOUR DEATH PENALTY FOR SIN AND LIFE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD IN A GLORIOUS RESURRECTION BODY WHEN JESUS RETURNS...
SLIDE 23 CONCLUDING SLIDE
AND KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
