KNOWING THE WHOLE STORY: RESTORATION A NEW HEAVEN AND REVELATION 21:1-8 NEW EARTH - OUR CERTAIN HOPE. Dr. Vincent Poon 4/02/2018

Transcription

1 KNOWING THE WHOLE STORY: RESTORATION A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH - OUR CERTAIN HOPE REVELATION 21:1-8 Dr. Vincent Poon 4/02/2018

2 Our Certain Hope a new heaven and new earth (I) God knows (II) God reassures Rev 21:1-8 (III) God s desire 2

3 (I) God knows Each of us is touched with some type of negative life experience Two real life stories 3

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6 The red carpet leading to a sumptuous banquet Ps 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. the enemy's offensive is getting even more violent. But the blessing teams keep on working close with me 6

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8 Another case a 12 year old boy Leukemia, went through two bone marrow transplants Despite every setback, each cruel turn of events, and feelings of being adrift and abandoned, we work to renew our faith, to trust God, to believe that He loves us, to feel His presence here with us every moment of every day 8

9 Do you have similar experiences? Have we asked: God are you listening? Answer: Do not give up on God, He knows and listens. 9

10 (II). God reassures Rev 21:1-8 How to read or study Revelation? Background persecution Certainty of our future Use symbols 10

11 Types of interpretation of Revelation 11

12 Ward Gasque: all interpreters agree 2nd coming of Christ return in physical form Not to place a date of His return Must live in expectation that parousia will come. Challenge us to godly living and ministry 12

13 Stott: Revelation: a series of visions given to John the Church s life in Christ (chapters 1 3): marks of the ideal church the Church s safety through Christ (chapters 4 7): church is secure in trials the Church s witness to Christ (chapters 8 11): church witness for Christ The Church s conflict for Christ (chapters 12 14): conflict between church and world/satan/dragon 13

14 Stott: Revelation: a series of visions given to John the Church s vindication by Christ (chapters 15 20): 7 bowls of wrath are poured out; retributive justice of God; the overthrow of the beasts the Church s union with Christ (chapters 21 22): New heaven and new earth New Jerusalem New reality 14

15 The Old replaced by the New Old: no more debilitating effects of sin: Sea symbolizes evil and Satan No tears No death No pain 15

16 v. 2 New Jerusalem a gift of God holy city is of heavenly origin Holy city = new Jerusalem = bride Occupants: God and His people (new church) 16

17 v. 3 God physically lives among His people New: kaine means new in quality God is with us No trace of evil Dwelling of God - see his glory, intimate relationship in person; continuously present they shall be his peoples - plural 17

18 v. 5 everything new We all can see God himself is the speaker (cf. first in 1:8) - He will make all things new (panta kaina) 18

19 v. 6 alpha and omega done deal - assurance water of life to the thirsty - the desire of the soul for God God invites those who sense their need and are drawn toward him 19

20 v. 7 victorious - overcomer His children will inherit all things from God Overcome evil, and have divine refreshment from fountain of living water 20

21 v. 8 warning but the others -> 2nd death Towards God: (Coward deilos) fearful; unfaithful (unbelieving); Towards others: vile and murderers Towards self: sexually immoral, sorcerers Re life direction: idolaters and liars God s invitation to you: v what about you? 21

22 (III) God s desire We are living in between the 2 comings of Christ, what can we/i do then? filled and led by the Holy Spirit, not to grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30-32; Col 3:13) Bear with one another; forgive each other reconcile our broken human relationships, unfinished business 22

23 (III) God s desire - Not to grieve the Holy Spirit Col 3:13 Bear with one another and, If anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. anechomai, means literally (i) keep on holding back restraining on our part toward the action of others; (ii) hold back on our own need to use others to vent our anger and judgment 23

24 (III) God s desire - Not to grieve the Holy Spirit Beware of the lessons from the parable of the wheat and tares Matt 13:24-30 and the parable of the sheep and goats Matt 25: obstacles: Only one side asks and receives forgiveness Both sides wait for the other to start process 24

25 (III) God s desire We are all sinners, we all have prejudices, let us come before God and let the Spirit move us to repentance Let us start by forgiving others and also ask for forgiveness 25

26 David Mains The church is a place where people who make a lot of mistakes can come and feel loved, helped, forgiven, and given hope to go out and do better next time. Let us be such a church. This is my prayer! 26