ALL THINGS NEW! NEW HEAVENS & A NEW EARTH

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1 ALL THINGS NEW! NEW HEAVENS & A NEW EARTH INTRODUCTION A. CHAPTERS 21 & 22 OF REVELATION HAVE TO DO WITH THE ETERNAL EXISTENCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS. B. ONE COMMENTATOR SAYS THIS ABOUT THESE TWO CHAPTERS: Human history begins in a Garden and ends in a City that is like a garden paradise... The eternal city of God is compared to a beautiful bride (Rev 21:9), because it is the eternal home for God's beloved people. C. THE KEY VERSE for these chapters is Rev. 21:5 1

2 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW." D. WHAT BEGAN IN GENESIS IS BROUGHT TO COMPLETION IN REVELATION: Genesis Heavens and earth created, 1:1 Sun created, 1:16 The night established, 1:5 The seas created, 1:10 The curse announced, 3:14-17 Death enters history, 3:19 Revelation New heavens and earth, 21:1 No need of the sun, 21:23 No night there, Rev. 22:5 No more seas, 21:1 No more curse, 22:3 No more death, 21:4 Man driven from the garden, 3:24 Man restored to Sorrow and pain begin, 3:17 paradise 22:14 No more tears or pain 21:4 2

3 E. TWO HEAVENS: THE INTERMEDIATE HEAVEN & THE ETERNAL HEAVEN 1. TWO NEW TESTAMENT PASSAGES: a. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased RATHER TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY AND TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD. NKJV b. 1 Thessalonians 4: But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep [DIED PHYSICALLY], lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God WILL BRING WITH HIM THOSE WHO SLEEP [DIED PHYSICALLY] in Jesus. 3

4 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep [DIED PHYSICALLY]. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And THE DEAD [PHYSICAL BODIES] IN CHRIST will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS. NKJV 2. THE TEMPORARY NATURE OF THE PRESENT INTERMEDIATE HEAVEN [p. 41 ff Heaven, Alcorn] a. When a Christian dies, he or she enters into what is referred to in theology as the intermediate state. 4

5 b. This is a transitional period between life on Earth and the future resurrection to life on the New Earth. c. We usually call this heaven. d. This is called by Alcorn the present or intermediate Heaven. e. This intermediate Heaven is temporary! f. It is a wonderful place. We will be in the presence of Jesus, angels, and other departed saints. 3. THIS IS NOT OUR FINAL DESTINATION! a. ILLUSTRATION: AIRLINE FLIGHT ANALOGY Airline flight to a destination. On your flight to your final destination your ticket says you have a layover in an intermediate place [may last for a few hours to many hours]. If you engage in a conversation with someone on your 5

6 plane and they asked you where you were headed, you would tell them your final destination not your layover destination. b. THIS IS THE CAUSE OF MANY CHRISTIAN S UNDERSTANDING OF OUR ETERNAL HOME AND HEAVEN. Most books and preaching on Heaven fail to distinguish between the intermediate heaven and the eternal heaven [the new heavens, earth, & Jerusalem.] THE TWO HEAVEN VIEW SEEMS TO CLARIFY THE BIBLICAL TEACHING ON HEAVEN: 4. FIRST: THE INTERMEDIATE [PRESENT] HEAVEN a. It is in the angelic realm, separate from the Earth. b. Two Passages from the NT give us some insight: 6

7 1.) Luke 23:43--And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in PARADISE." NKJV 2.) Luke 16: So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to ABRAHAM'S BOSOM. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham 5. SECOND: THE ETERNAL, FUTURE HEAVEN a. Will be in the human REALM ON EARTH! b. GOD S DWELLING PLACE WILL COME DOWN TO THE EARTH! (Revelation 21:1-3) Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the 7

8 holy city, NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM GOD, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM, and they shall be His people. GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM and be their God. NKJV c. Alcorn writes: I concur with theologian Anthony Hoekema, who writes, The new Jerusalem... does not remain in a heaven far off in space, but it comes down to the renewed earth; there the redeemed will spend eternity in resurrection bodies. So heaven and earth, now separated, will then be merged; the new earth will also be heaven, since God will dwell there with his people. Glorified believers in other words, will continue to be in heaven while they are inhabiting the new earth. P. 45.; Heaven, Alcorn 8

9 6. GOD S ORIGINAL PLAN: a. CONSISTENT: That God would come down to the New Earth to live with us fits perfectly with his original plan. b. GOD CAME DOWN: In the Garden of Eden it was God who came down to walk with Adam & Eve in their world (on earth.) c. WHAT DID JESUS SAY? Jesus says of anyone who would be his disciple in John 14:23: Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. NKJV 9

10 I. NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH (Rev. 21:1) 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. A. PASSED AWAY 1. FIRST HEAVEN AND FIRST EARTH: The reason God will destroy the present heaven and earth is that He originally made them as the habitat for humanity. However sin so thoroughly corrupted not only the human race but the race's environment that He will destroy it and create a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. This is the final stage in His plan to deliver humanity into the blessing He originally intended people to enjoy WHEN SIN ENTERED THE HUMAN RACE, it and all creation were corrupted. That's why Paul wrote in 1 PC STUDY BIBLE V5; Expository Notes on the Bible, by Thomas Constable; Revelation 21:1. 10

11 Romans 8:20-22, "Everything on earth was SUBJECTED TO GOD'S CURSE. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from DEATH and DECAY. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time" (NLT). [LAC] B. NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH 1. TWO NEWS : There are two Greek words translated new in the NT, neos and the one used here, kainos, a. NEOS = carries with it the idea of brand new, never existing before. Some commentators declare that the new heavens and the new earth will be a totally new heaven and a new earth, and not the present heaven and earth renovated. 2 2 PC STUDY BIBLE V5; Bible Knowledge Commenbtary; Revelation 21:1. 11

12 b. KAINOS -- suggesting "fresh life rising from the decay and the wreck of the old world" (Swete). Therefore, this passage does teach that the heavens and earth... [will] possess a new character. 3 IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION THERE ARE 7 THINGS DECLARED NEW [KAINOS]: 1.) NEW NAME (ours) Rev. 2:17 2.) NEW NAME (Jesus ) Rev. 3:12 3.) NEW SONG Rev. 5:9; 14:3 4.) NEW HEAVEN Rev. 21:1 5.) NEW EARTH Rev. 21:1 6.) NEW JERUSALEM Rev. 21:2 7.) NEW ALL THINGS Rev. 21:5 c. BACK TO THE BEGINNING PERSPECTIVE: "Throughout the entire Bible, the ultimate destiny of God's people is an earthly destiny. In typical dualistic Greek thought [WORLDLY THINKING], the universe 3 PC STUDY BIBLE V5; Wycliffe Bible Commentary; Revelation 21:1. 12

13 was divided into two realms: the earthly or transitory, and the eternal spiritual world. o Salvation consisted of the flight of the soul from the sphere of the transitory and ephemeral to the realm of eternal reality. o However, biblical thought always places man on a redeemed earth, not in a heavenly realm removed from earthly existence." 769 [SO] Is this a creation out of nothing (ex nihilo) like the creation of the first heaven and earth (Genesis 1)? 770 Or is it a thorough renovation of the present heaven and earth? 771 [I favor an entirely new creation in view of 2 Peter 3: A renovation of the present earth will take place earlier, namely, at the beginning of the Millennium.] 4 d. 2 PETER 3: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the 4 PC STUDY BIBLE V5; Expository Notes on the Bible, by Thomas Constable; Revelation 21:1. 13

14 heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. NKJV C. NOTE TWO OTHER STATEMENTS IN THIS FIRST VERSE: 1. First: THE FIRST HEAVEN AND THE FIRST EARTH HAD PASSED AWAY [Remember Rev. 20:11- the earth and the heavens fled away.] 14

15 a. THREE HEAVENS: In Hebrew thought [biblical thought] there were Three Heavens: 1.) THE FIRST HEAVEN is what is called the firmament or sky that covers the earth. This is the realm of birds and clouds that surrounds the entire earth. 2.) THE SECOND HEAVEN is where the stars, the sun, and the moon reside. This is the space beyond the earth and it covers the entire universe. It is as far as the human Eye can see with the help of gigantic telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope. 3.) THE THIRD HEAVEN is unseen and is the residence of God, including Jesus Christ. This is where the dead martyrs and saints are today. This is the location of the throne of God and where the holy angels surrounding His throne 15

16 sing day and night, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God. b. THE NEW HEAVENS involve: o a newly created sky [1 st heaven] o possibly a new outer space [2 nd heaven] -- (*see 21:23 no moon, no sun needed). c. NEW THIRD HEAVEN? If the Third Heaven is indeed the very dwelling place of the of the Eternal God and it is located somewhere outside of time and space... then it seems to me based on Revelation 21:3 [And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them [men were created to dwell on earth], and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. NKJV] that the third heavens will become new in the sense that God will choose to move his throne and dwelling place to the new heavens 16

17 and new earth where the redeemed saints will dwell! 2. Second: THERE WAS NO MORE SEA. a. In contrast with the present earth, which has most [75%] of its surface covered by water. [BKC] b. 3 Possible Meanings NO SEA! 1.) First: Literally there will be no oceans or seas on the newly created earth! 2.) Second: The seas will no longer separate the continents and land masses, but will be gathered together as one large ocean probably like it was before the Great Flood of Noah s time. 3.) Third: In John's day, the sea meant danger, storms, and separation (John himself was on an island at the time!); so perhaps John was giving us more than a 17

18 geography lesson and he was telling us there would be the absence of danger and storms and separation! D. TWELVE TRUTHS FOR US IN HEAVEN: 1. WE WILL HAVE A PLACE PREPARED FOR US. John 14:2-3 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. NKJV 2. WE WILL BE UNLIMITED BY PHYSICAL PROPERTIES. 1 Cor. 14:35-49 John 20:19, 26: 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in 18

19 the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" NKJV 3. WE WILL BE LIKE JESUS. 1 John 3:2 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. NKJV 4. WE WILL HAVE NEW BODIES. 1 Cor 15: There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in 19

20 weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. NKJV 5. IT WILL BE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. 1 Cor 2:9 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." NKJV 6. IT WILL BE A NEW ENVIRONMENT. Rev 21:1 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 7. IT WILL BE A NEW EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S PRESENCE. Rev. 21:3 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with 20

21 them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. KJV 8. WE WILL HAVE NEW EMOTIONS. Rev 21:4a 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 9. THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH. Rev 21:4b 4 there shall be no more DEATH, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 10. THERE WILL BE NO MORE SORROW. Rev 21:4b 4 there shall be no more death, nor SORROW, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 11. THERE WILL BE NO MORE CRYING. Rev 21:4b 21

22 4 there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor CRYING. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 12. THERE WILL BE NO MORE PAIN. Rev 21:4b 4 there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more PAIN, for the former things have passed away." II. NEW JERUSALEM PART 1 (Rev. 21:2-8) 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will 22

23 wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 23

24 A. THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE REV. 21: Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 2. NOTE FOUR FACTS ABOUT THIS BRIDE : a. First: It is called the holy city b. Second: It is named New Jerusalem -- [city of peace finally!] c. Third: It is described as coming down out of heaven [Could it have been in orbit around earth during the Millennium?] d. Fourth: It is described as a bride adorned for her husband. 1.) A bride that is pure and radiant! 2.) Two things are referred to as 24

25 God's Bride in Revelation. a.) 1 st : Rev. 21:2-- The New Jerusalem b.) PRINCIPLE OF IDENTIFICATION BY GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: We are familiar with people who are identified by the city or region they live in! "He a New Yorker!" "He's a Southerner." "She's from California." etc. All believers, all righteous people who trusted in God and in Jesus Christ will live in the New Jerusalem. b.) 2 nd : Rev. 19:7-9 God's People--The Church! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for 25

26 the fine linen is the Righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." NKJV 3. RELATIONSHIP TO OLD JERUSALEM: a. That this city is called "the new Jerusalem" indicates a relationship to the "old Jerusalem," the capital of Israel. b. As the old creation had been corrupted by sin, so the old Jerusalem had been the city where prophets were killed and where Christ himself was crucified. c. Jesus had lamented over the city, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the 26

27 prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (Matt 23:37 NIV). B. THE FRIENDLY PRESENCE (OF GOD) (Rev. 21:3) 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 1. THE GREAT VOICE: A Loud Voice a. And I Heard--John is receiving this revelation from God. Question: Are you hearing from God? b. From Heaven--Source: either God or probably an angelic creature close to God's throne! 27

28 c. This is the 20 th time a loud voice is referred to in Revelation! 2. THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT: The Tabernacle of God is With Men a. GOD'S DESIRE FROM THE BEGINNING: This has been God's desire all along. He created Adam and Eve to fellowship and commune with. b. Genesis 3:8--And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. NKJV c. Life Application Commentary says this: "God had promised that one day, "I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people" (Lev 26:11-12 NLT). What has been foreshadowed in God's presence in the Tabernacle (Ex 40:34-28

29 35), in the Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), and in the bodily presence of God himself in Jesus (John 1:14) will become a reality in the new Jerusalem. As God had walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen 3:8), so he will live with his people. God's people will live within the shekinah glory of God. 3. THE GREAT FOUR TRUTHS: a. 1st: God will dwell with men b. 2nd: They shall be His People c. 3rd: God Himself will be with them d. 4th: God will be their God 4. THE GREAT FULFILLMENT: GOD'S PRESENCE FULFILLS OUR DEEPEST DESIRES: [LAC] 29

30 a. The presence of God among his people fulfills all the longing of the entire Bible. b. The Old Testament prophets had foreseen this great day: "I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God" (Ex 6:7 NLT). "I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people" (Lev 26:11-12 NLT). "For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure" (Deut 7:6 NLT). "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people

31 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, will already know me" (Jer 31:33-34 NLT). "My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people" (Ezek 37:27 NIV). "I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God" (Zech 8:8 NIV). c. This desire to be in the presence of God should be our strongest desire here on earth and the focus of all our worship. C. THE FABULOUS FIVE FACTS (Rev. 21:4) 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no 31

32 more pain, for the former things have passed away." 1. 1 st : GOD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR a. Tears = "silent response to sorrow." b. CAUSE MISSING: There is no grounds to think that there will be anything in the New Jerusalem that would cause us to cry! c. COMFORT PRESENT: The focus here is on the abiding comfort of God and not on the remorse of the saints God will wipe away every tear! 2. 2 nd : God Shall Do Away With Death rd : God Shall Do Away With Sorrow 4. 4th: God Shall Do Away With Crying Crying = "vocal response 32

33 to sorrow." 5. 5th: God Shall Do Away With Pain D. SIX DECLARATIONS Rev. 21:5-8 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 33

34 1. 1 st : I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW! 2. 2 nd : WRITE! a. And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." b. IT'S OFFICIAL: God is the one Who says "Write it down!" To record it makes it official! c. GIVE IT TO ME IN WRITING! Often when we want to be sure of something we say, "Give it to me in writing!" 3. 3 rd : IT IS DONE! a. We have some uniquely American idioms that express when something is over: 1.) "It's not over till the fat lady sings!" 2.) "It's not over till it's over." b. TRUTH: "IT'S OVER WHEN GOD SAYS IT OVER!" 34

35 Notice how He identifies Himself in verse 6: I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. c. Jesus said in his Priestly Prayer in: John 17:4--I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. NKJV d. One of the last things Jesus said on the Cross was "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." John 19:30 NKJV 4. 4 th : I WILL GIVE OF THE FOUNTAIN OF THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY! a. Water of life symbolizes and equals "eternal life" every longing and thirsting in your soul will be perfectly quenched and satisfied! b. Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who 35

36 thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. NKJV c. John 4:13-14: 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." NKJV d. John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. NKJV 5. 5 th : HE WHO OVERCOMES SHALL INHERIT! a. The Bible has much to say about overcomers! [**NOTE: The overcomers in verse 7 are a contrast to those LOSERS listed in verse 8.] b. OVERCOMES: 36

37 1.) 1 John 5:4-5: 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? NKJV 2.) Rev 2:7 To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."' 3.) Rev 2:11 He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."' 4.) Rev 2:17 To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' 37

38 5.) Rev 2:26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations 6.) Rev 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 7.) Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 8.) Rev 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, 38

39 as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. c. INHERITANCE 1.) Acts 20:32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. NKJV 2.) Eph 1:13-14: you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. NKJV 3.) Eph 1:18-19: 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, NKJV 39

40 4.) Heb 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. NKJV 5.) 1 Peter 1:3-4: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, NKJV 6. 6 th : THESE...SHALL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE OF FIRE! [Hell = Lake of Fire] 40

41 a. We should not take this list as an exhaustive list, but as a representative list of the kind of people who will not be allowed in the New Jerusalem! b. Eight-fold List of Losers: 1.) COWARDLY--those who feared those in the world more than God; those who feared the antichrist more than God! 2.) UNBELIEVING = [those who refused the believe or have faith in Jesus Christ--What one believes or does not believes will have consequences to their lives.] 3.) ABOMINABLE = [those who lived lifestyles that are morally and ethically disgusting and detestable to God.] 4.) MURDERERS = [Those who literally kill others or even those who hate!] 5.) SEXUALLY IMMORAL 6.) SORCERERS [original Greek word 41

42 is pharmacia; possibly referring to those addicted to drugs, with the obvious occult and devil worship connection] 7.) IDOLATERS = those who placed anything or anyone between them and God! 8.) LIARS = [God is truth, he expects His followers to believe, walk in and proclaim truth!] III. NEW JERUSALEM--PART 2 [Rev. 21:9-27] 9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names 42

43 written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and fortyfour cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, 43

44 the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. NKJV A. ETERNAL HOME: These verses further describe this beautiful place that will be our eternal home. 44

45 B. Verse 9: Called the Lamb's Wife establishing the connection between Christ & His People & Our eternal dwelling place! C. Verse 10: Called great and holy and it descends out of heaven (?the Third Heaven?). D. Verse 11: The glory of God emanates from the city and it shines like a brilliant sparkling diamond! E. Verse 12& 13: Surrounded by a high wall; with 12 gates with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel engraved on them representing the Old Testament Saints; guarded by 12 angels; 3 gates on each of its four sides! F. Verse 14: Wall around city had 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles inscribed on them 45

46 representing the New Testament Saints & beliers! G. Verse : The city is measured--12,000 furlongs (1,400 miles) on each side, its walls are 144 cubits (216 feet) thick? measured by a mighty angel; it is both square and cube! H. Verse18-21: Walls made out of jasper (diamond?); The city is constructed of pure gold; wall is made of precious jewels as well as being adorned by precious jewels; Bible Knowledge Commentary: Description of New Jerusalem: 1. Jasper was apparently transparent like a diamond 2. The sapphire was probably blue; 3. the chalcedony basically blue with stripes of other colors. 4. The emerald is a bright green; 5. the sardonyx is red and white; 6. the carnelian, is usually ruby-, red in color, though it sometimes has an amber or honey color. 7. The chrysolyte is a golden color, 8. The beryl is a sea green; 9. the topaz is a transparent yellow-green; 10. the chrysoprase is also green; 46

47 11. the jacinth is violet in color; 12. the amethyst is purple. the stones together provide a brilliant array of beautiful colors. The gates resemble huge, single pearls, and the street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass The remainder of the chapter gives a fuller picture, yet the new Jerusalem is surely beyond anything words can describe: 1. It is the home of God among his people. Those who had never seen the one they loved will see him face-to-face and behold his glory (21:3; 22:4). 2. It has no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Anything that caused sadness in life on earth will 47

48 be gone; this will be a place of eternal and unimaginable joy that nothing will ever cloud (21:4,26-27). 3. It is a place for those who trusted Christ, regardless of what it cost them. Its blessings are an inheritance for them, and they will be called God's children (21:7). 4. It is filled with the glory of God and gleams like a very rare jewel (21:11). This is nothing but the best and finest and most precious given to God's people as their inheritance. 5. It is in the shape of a perfect cube, symbolizing perfection and completeness (21:15-16). 6. It has no temple, for God and the Lamb are its temple (21:22). 7. Worship of God will be a foundational aspect of daily life (22:3). 8. It has no need of the sun or the moon (21:23). There will never be any darkness (symbolic or otherwise, 21:25; 22:5), for the people will experience God's glory constantly; there will be no need for the sun to mark the days, for time will cease to be. 9. It has the river of life coursing through it with many trees of life growing there, giving constant refreshment and meeting every need (22:1-2). 48