The Last Time I'm Ever Gonna Move

Introduction

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Body

Talk about the pains of moving

Every time we’ve moved, we always say “This is the last time I’m ever gonna move!”

One of the worst is finding a place to live

[talk about moving to Rushmore, MN]

We took the house not really knowing anything about the building, OR the landlord

Fortunately, we have more information available to us about this spiritual residence, as well as our Landlord, the Lord Jesus Christ

Not an in-depth exegesis of the Doctrine of Heaven, but more practical and applicable to our daily lives

Something we can derive comfort from

Where is Heaven?

Heaven is a real place

John 14:1-3 “1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 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. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Heaven is the dwelling place of God

Philippians 3:20 “20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

Heaven is NOT on earth

John 18:36 “36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

Jesus declares He has a kingdom, but it’s not down here. It exists somewhere else

John 14:30 “30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

There is a prince of this earthly kingdom, and it’s not presently Jesus

Heaven is nearer than you might think

Hebrews 12:18–25 KJV 1900

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

The marked difference between the Old Covenant and the New

In the Old, we could NOT approach unto a Holy and a Righteous God

The mount was a fearful, terrible sight, no doubt, to illustrate the differences between man and God

Man’s sinfulness and God’s Holiness

Man’s unfaithfulness and God’s steadfastness

Man’s weakness and God’s infinite strength

BUT in the New, we now have free access!

The Lord seems to be telling us that we are “come unto”, or “approaching closely” this place, this mount Sion, this heavenly Jerusalem, this place where dwells the angels, this place where dwells those who have died in Christ, this place where the Living God dwells…Heaven.

The writer of Hebrews seems to be telling us that:

We’re not as far away from Heaven as we think we are

We’re not as far away from the Angels as we think we are

We’re not as far away from that place where God dwells as we think we are

What is Heaven like?

God dwells there

Psalm 33:13 “13 The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men.”

Where Jesus dwells today

Acts 1:11 “11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Where Christians go when they die

Philippians 1:21-23 “21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

A Place designed and built by God

Hebrews 11:10 “10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

A better country

Hebrews 11:16 “16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Paradise

Luke 23:43 “43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

What will we do in Heaven?

Revelation 14:13 “13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

Revelation 22:3 “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:”

We’ll rest but we’ll be busy serving God?

This is not a contradiction and is very exciting!

In fact, there will be no shortage of tasks for us, but they will all be for the glory of God

No, we’re NOT going to be floating around on clouds and strumming harps

The idea of man working has been with us from the very beginning

Genesis 2:15 “15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”

Work was a part of the original, PERFECT, SINLESS, creation

When God created Adam, he made him a creature of creativity, with a desire to work both mentally AND physically

This is how we’re built!

The Bible says that God is a worker Himself

John 5:17 “17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”

Matthew 10:24 “24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.”

He didn’t just create everything and then retire.

Differences between working here and working in Heaven

We won’t grow tired or weary with our work in Heaven.

Work became a burden and a drudgery after sin entered creation, both physically and mentally, but before it was invigorating and fulfilling

In Heaven we won’t be burdened with mortal bodies and fallen, broken intellects.

The war will be over

Revelation 21:27 “27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

No struggle against sin

No struggle against the enemy

No struggle against myself

Absolute perfection!

Our jobs and our positions in Heaven are being determined by us right now

What is NOT in Heaven?

In Revelation 21 we read an amazing account of the place we’re heading

Here also we read about some things that will NOT make it into Heaven

No Sea

Revelation 21:1 “1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

At present, only approximately 43% of the earth’s surface is actually habitable

ALL of Heaven will be habitable, and perfectly so

No death, no sorrow, no crying, and no pain

Revelation 21:4 “4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Death:

I Corinthians 15:26 “26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

I Corinthians 15:54 “54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Sorrow:

The sorrow brought in death’s wake

Sorrow stemming from hardships and trials

Sorrow caused by broken relationships

Crying:

A question I get from time to time is “won’t we be weeping for those who don’t make it to heaven?”

We will not question the perfect and righteous judgment of God

We understand they made their choice just like we did. This is what they wanted

There’s nothing more we can do for them

We’re in the presence of Jesus, our brothers and sisters, in perfection

Pain:

Pain that precedes death, because no more death

Pain of diseases and accidents

Emotional pain of every kind

Aches and pains of old age

No Temple

Revelation 21:22 “22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

No specific religious structure in Heaven for worship. Everywhere in Heaven will be suitable for worship

No more types and shadows, no more tastes of things to come. This is the fulfillment of all of scripture

Jesus Himself will be our temple, our place of worship, our place of service

No Sun and no Moon

Revelation 21:23 “23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

The sun is life and nourishment for planet earth

In Heaven, Jesus will be the source of our life and nourishment

His wisdom and knowledge will be available to everyone

I Corinthians 13:12 “12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

Revelation 21:24 “24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.”

The moon was tasked with giving light at night

Genesis 1:16 “16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.”

No Night

Revelation 21:25 “25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.”

There is one eternal day in heaven, both naturally and spiritually

No more long dark nights of despair and worry

No more nights of ignorance and superstition

No Sin

Revelation 21:27 “27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

We kind of blow by this one as being obvious, but let’s think about that for a moment

No rebellion against God’s commandments. Not ever again!

Not in us

Not in anyone else

No struggle against temptation, our sin nature, secret sins

No enemy to fight (flesh, Satan, world system)

Everyone agrees with you on everything!

Because we’ll all agree with God

God’s commands will be our absolute delight and highest pleasure to execute

Conclusion

Revelation 21:1–8 KJV 1900

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 22:20 KJV 1900

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.