Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 30, 2015 The Final Act Background: Revelation 21:1 22:21 Lesson: Revelation 21:1-7

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview August 30, 2015 The Final Act Background: Revelation 21:1 22:21 Lesson: Revelation 21:1-7 Motivation: Heaven is mentioned 550 times in Scripture. According to a Newsweek poll, 77% of Americans believe in heaven. (What percent know how to get there?) We know that heaven is the dwelling place of the Father (Matthew 18:10). In John 14:1-3, Jesus promised heaven (the third heaven of 2 Corinthians 12:21) to those who believe. Matt. 7:13, 14, Examination: I. God s New Provision Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. (21:1-2) A. No Sea and the sea no longer existed (1) To ancient people, the sea represented danger. In Revelation it represents the mass of rebellious humanity out of which the Anti-christ rises (12:1). As John wrote on the island of Patmos, the sea separated him from his beloved little children (1 John 2:28 among others). Bible Book Commentary, Summer, 1996, p. 126: Thus, the sea s absence may indicate: 1) the absence of danger and turmoil; 2) Full and unimpeded access to God; 3) Complete fellowship with God and fellow saints; and 4) Reverse of the Curse of Babel and Rejoining of the continents. (Gen. 10:25) 1 / 10

2 B. New City I also, saw the Holy City new Jerusalem (2) The emphasis on newness includes the heaven and earth (1, 5). 1. Old Testament Prophecy: Isaiah 65:17, Ezekiel 40, New Testament Prophecy: Romans 8:19-22, Galatians 4:26, Hebrews 12:22, 2 Peter 3:13. New Jerusalem is our final dwelling place with God and can be used synonymously with heaven. HCSB, pp ; 21:2 The bride of the Lamb, introduced in 19:7-9, is now pictured as th e Holy City, new Jerusalem. The expression coming down out of heaven is used in all three references to the New Jerusalem. This has been taken to imply that the New Jerusalem will be suspended in the air, slightly above the new earth. Prepared adorned may mean that the bride will be just as beautiful and will be for eternity as she was during the wedding festivities (19:7-8). II. God s Presence Celebrated 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 people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. (21:3-4) A. Never Apart God Himself will be with them and be their God. (3) (Rev. 21:3) Sin separates us from God. Heaven will be a sinless place (21:27). The concept of God tabernacle with men goes back to Moses tabernacle in the wilderness, continues through each successive temple and culminates with Jesus (Immanuel God with us, Isaiah 7:14, 2 / 10

3 Matthew 1:23). This verse is the fulfillment of long anticipated prophecy: I will make my abode among you and I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people (Leviticus 26:11, 12). I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jeremiah 31:33). My dwelling-place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (Ezekiel 37:27). I am my beloved s, and my beloved is mine (Song of Solomon 6:3). Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 26:33-36) B. Numerous Blessing Death will no longer exist; grief, crying and pain will exist no longer (4) God has given us an answer for these things even now (Matthew 5:4, Philippians 3:10). The final answer to why do bad things happen to good people? will be heaven. III. The Promise Fulfilled 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. And He said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. The victor will inherit these things and I will be his God, and he will be My son. (21:5-7) A. New Creation Look! I am making everything new (5) HCSB, p. 2228; 21:5-8 In the present creation, a Christian is a new creation spiritually (2 Cor 5:17), but in the new heaven and new earth, the Lord will make everything new. The written Word of God is faithful and true (2 Tim 3:16), and the living Word of God is also faithful and true (Rev 19:11). Living water (22:17) will always be available as a gift, and this pictures the word of grace, received through saving faith, that offers eternal life even in the present. B. Named Authority It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (6) New Jerusalem is not a city created by man; it is the concept and creation of God. It bears His approval and blessing. On the cross Jesus cried It is finished. (John 19:30). 3 / 10

4 What was finished on the cross in promise is now realized in fact. God and humanity are perfectly united. (Heb. 11:10, 16) C. Necessary Invitation I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life. The victor will inherit these things (6-7). (1 John5:4) In His love and mercy, God extends His invitation to all who read the book. The judgment foretold in previous chapters need not be inevitable if only a person will believe and repent. This promise I will be his God and he will be My son have previously been made to only three people in the Old Testament: Abraham (Gen. 17:7); David (2 Sam 7:14); Messiah (Ps 89:27). That s good company for all Believers! (1 John 3:1) IV. The New Jerusalem Described (21:8-27) Rev. Jerry Johnston offers the following descriptions: A. A Place of Perfect Peace (21:4) B. A Place of Perfect Proportions (21:16-17) C. A Place of Perfect Purity (21:27) cf. 1 Peter 1:4 In verse 8, John itemizes some who will not be in heaven. 4 / 10

5 1. cowards those who in a time of crisis find it convenient not to be Christian. 2. unbelievers those who reject Christ (20:15) 3. vile those who have become polluted by the world (1 John 2:16) 4. murderers especially those who have martyred Christians 5. sexually immoral those who have perverted God s gift (Romans 13:13) 6. sorcerers those involved with witchcraft and drugs (Rev. 9:21) 7. idolaters those who put selfish interests above God; this is the sin of Babylon (Rev. 18) 8. all liars those who don t tell the truth especially with regard to the gospel. Other parallel lists may be found in Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10. These particular traits are not to be confused as unpardonable sins 1 Cor. 6:9-10 list some of these same categories as those which will not inherit God s kingdom. However, as we read on to verses 10-11; And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 5 / 10

6 D. A Place of Perfect Provision (22:1-2) E. A Place of Perfect Pleasure (22:5) V. Life and Light in the New Jerusalem (22:1-5) The story of humanity began with a garden and ends with a garden. The Tree of Life figures prominently in both. Bible Book Commentary, Summer, 1996, pp : In the first garden, paradise was lost because of human sin. In the second garden paradise will be restored because Jesus Christ, the unique God-man, died to save sinners. Thus, without a third garden Gethsemane the garden of Revelation 22 would be impossible. Furthermore, though Jesus cross consisted of dead wood, the real tree of life was at Calvary. For scriptural proof, note Jesus promise to a repentant, dying criminal: Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43). Unlike Eden, the new garden will have no more curse (rev. 22:3). Previously no one could see God and live (Ex. 33:20), but now believers will see His face (Rev. 22:4). Also, because Night will no longer exist and the people will not need lamplight or sunlight because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever. (v. 5) (James 1:17) Jesus, the light of the world, provides the light. (21:23, 22:5) VI. The Coming of Jesus (22:6-17) A. The Speakers (6-11) 6 / 10

7 1. The Angel Speaks (6, 10) Probably the same angel as in 19:9 and 21:9. This angel authenticates the book and reprimands John for angel worship (9, cf. 19:10) 2. The Alpha/Omega Speaks (7) His urgent message is repeated in 2:5, 16, 3:11, 22:7, 12, The Apostle Speaks Unfortunately, John repeated his mistake of 19:10. Angel worship is becoming an increasing problem today. B. The Savior (12-17) 1. The Grant to the Saints (12-13) Jesus says I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me. (Gen. 15:1). 2. The Gates of the City (14-15) Although the gates are never shut (21:25), those on the outside can never enter (21:8). 3. The Guarantee of Truth (16) Jesus authenticates the book. a. Jesus a form of Joshua meaning Savior. b. Root and the Offspring of David Matthew 1:1, 9:27; Mark 12:35-37; Luke 1:27; John 7:42 4. The Great Invitation Both the Spirit and the bride say, Come! Anyone who hears should say, Come! And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift. (22:17) This final invitation reveals the true nature of the book. It is not only to be a comfort to the saints not even a prophecy of judgment alone. 7 / 10

8 Rather, it is evangelistic in nature, a warning to unbelievers as to what is ahead. God in His love and mercy is not willing that any should perish but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) VII. Conclusion (22:18-21) A. Warnings 1. To False Teachers (18-19) The curses of these verses remind us of the blessings and curses of Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:6; and 2 Peter 3:16. Cults and false prophets throughout history have both added to and taken away from God s Word. (Jude 1:14) 2. To People of All Time Yes I am coming quickly (Heb. 10:37; Hab. 2:3, 4) What are some of the implications of a soon return of Jesus? a. Repentance cannot be postponed. b. Redemption must be pronounced. c. Resources must be prioritized. B. Worship (20b-21) John worships Christ for His soon return and for His grace. It is fitting that grace is the 8 / 10

9 theme of the final verse in Scripture. Application: 1. Christians need to live their lives in view of Christ s soon return. 2. Christians need to keep heaven in mind as our final home. 3. The magnificence of heaven and the awfulness of judgment should encourage Christians to place the highest priority on witnessing. Leader Pack Item 3: Poster: Fall 2015 Biblical Illustrator: p. 49; Alpha and Omega Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format and notes at: lestudy.org Dates: 8/22 SPF Oasis Day Retreat; 8/23 Back to School Sunday; 8/26 Back to school Bash & Milestone Preview; 8/28-29 Celebration Kick-off weekend; 8/29 Interfaith Caregiver Conference; 9/2 Midlink begins / HUB & Wired; 9/ 7 Labor Day church offices closed; 9/11-13 SPF Family Camp; 9 / 10

10 9/13 LBS Leadership Luncheon; 9/19 Men: Serve & HUB Girls event; 9/20 MIYCO; 9/27 SPF Birthday Bash; 10/2-4 MS Fall Retreat; 10/9 ReCreate Date Night; 10/11 SPF Birthday Bash; 10/11 UBA s 175 th Anniversary; 10/17 Celebration Ticket Launch; 10/18 Parent Commitment; 10/23-24 Men s Retreat. 10 / 10