Things to Come (pt.2)

11 June 2017 PM – 1Thessalonians 5:1-11 – Scott Childs

Introduction: Read 1Thessalonians 5:1-11 and then Revelation 21:1-4. This morning we reviewed Things to Come from now until the final judgment and the Lake of Fire.

Transition: This evening, after a very brief review, I want us to take a close look again the New Heaven and New Earth that awaits us.

1.        Review:

a.          Cross, Church Age, Rapture, Rewards, Tribulation, Revelation, Pit, Kingdom, Judgment, Lake of Fire
b.          For Christians the future continues to shine brightly.

2.        New Heaven & Earth

a.          We Will Live in a Beautiful Home
1)         Heaven will consist of the three elements: a new earth, a new heaven, and the new Jerusalem.
a)         At the moment, heaven only partly exists. God is preparing the New Jerusalem but the new heaven and earth do not yet exist.
b)         Heaven will be eternally living with God in the most perfect and glorious place that could ever exist in the New Jerusalem and on the new earth surrounded by the new heaven.
2)         We will live on the new earth
a)         It will be totally new (Re 21:5). The word “new” means “that which is unused or unaccustomed, new in respect to form or quality, fresh, unused”.[i] It refers to that which is “new in nature” (with an implication of “better”).[ii]
b)         The new earth will not be like the earth we now live on. There will be no sea (Re 21:1). It will not have a water based environment with clouds, rain, rivers, lakes, oceans, and evaporation). We will be immortal. We will not need (H2O) water.
c)         We have no idea how big it will be or what it will look like. We can be sure that it will be better than the present earth for it will be perfect. (2 Peter 3:13) “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
d)         We have no idea if there will be stars or planets. God may create a sky that is more awesome than the one we now enjoy.
3)         Our home will be in the New Jerusalem
a)         Jesus has been preparing this beautiful home for us since He returned to heaven nearly 2,000 years ago.
b)         (John 14:2-3) “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. 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.” The word “mansions” does not refer to a fancy house. It refers to a dwelling place (John 14:23).
c)         This city will come down from heaven to the new earth. God may attach it to the new earth or it may be a satellite over the earth. We don’t know.
d)         Our home will be a place as beautiful as our unlimited, all-powerful God can possibly make it (Re 21:2).
4)         The entire city will be an awesome display of beauty
a)         It will display the glory of God (Re 21:11). The glory of God will be the light of heaven so there will be no need for a sun or moon (Re 21:23). We will need no artificial lights either as there will be no darkness ever (Re 22:5).
b)         God’s glorious light will sparkle through all that is in heaven – most of which will be beautiful colours yet clear as glass.
(1)      The wall of the city was of jasper (Re 21:11, 18). Jaspers we know are not clear but are purple, blue, green, or brass in colour. [iii]
(2)      The city was pure gold like clear glass (Re 21:18).
(3)      The foundations of the city were of 12 colourful gems that reflect God’s light (Re 21:19-20).
(4)      The 12 gates of the city will look like huge white pearls (Re 21:21)
(5)      The street of the city will be of pure gold like transparent glass (Re 21:21).
c)         Nearly everything in the city seems to be transparent to allow God’s light to sparkle through.
5)         We will inherit all that God has prepared because we have overcome sin’s grip by trusting Christ as Saviour.
a)         Those who overcome will inherit all things (Re 21:7).
b)         John described them in his epistle as those who have placed their faith in Christ (1Jn 2:13-14; 4:4; 5:4-5).
c)         He mentions their rewards in his letters to the seven churches (Re 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21).
d)         Saints will overcome the evil one by the blood of the Lamb (Re 12:11; 15:2).
b.          Heaven Will be an Enjoyable Place
1)         We will constantly be with God
a)         We will live with God. No mortal can see God and live (Ex 33:20), but in heaven we will be immortal. We will see Him as He is (1Jn 3:2; Re 22:4).
b)         God Himself will be the temple (Re 21:22). A temple is a place of worship and a place of talking with God. Since God is the temple and He will live among us, we will worship and fellowship with Him continually.
2)         We will have many new experiences
a)         We will drink of the water of life freely (Re 21:6). This will not be (H2O) for that will not exist. It will be pure and crystal clear (Re 22:1). It will satisfy continually (Re 22:17).
b)         We will walk in the light of God as it sparkles through the city like through a prism (Re 21:24). The word “nations” here refers to “multitudes”.
c)         Heaven will be continually light and will be perfectly safe (Re 21:25). All that could defile heaven will then be in the Lake of Fire (Re 21:27).
d)         We will eat the fruit of the tree of life in heaven (Re 2:7; 22:2). We will not need to eat to live. The tree will have 12 kinds of fruits. “Month” is mentioned to show a rotation in a timeless eternity. The leaves are for the healing (or service) of the nations (multitude). Since there will be no sickness, they are not for medicinal healing. Maybe they represent continual health.
e)         We will never struggle with sin again because the curse will be eternally gone (Re 22:3). We will rest from the struggle with sin (Re 14:13). Work will not be a dreaded job. It will be a joy.
f)          We will serve God (Re 22:3). Compare Revelation 7:15. We will keep busy doing the things God desires for us to do. Perhaps the new earth will be a garden paradise and we will till the garden as Adam did before he sinned.
g)         We will continually worship the Lord (Re 4:11; 5:12-13; 7:12; 19:1).
h)         We will sing praise to God and perhaps play harps in God’s eternal choir (Re 5:8-9; 14:2; 15:2).
c.           God’s Final Invitation
1)         God gives a final invitation to all humanity to come (Re 22:16-17).
2)         Christ’s last command before returning to heaven was to tell the world of His invitation to heaven (Mr 16:15).

Conclusion: A song writer penned, “Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace, I want to see my Saviour’s face. Heaven is a wonderful place.” That ought to be our passion. If you know Jesus as your Saviour, one day, heaven will be your eternal home. Let’s live in preparation for it. Remember the command in 1Th 5:7 to watch and be sober.

Song: When We All Get to Heaven, 498