Going Home

Going Home Text: Revelation 22:1-5

1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 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. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever

Introduction: How many of you can say right now, that you have been blessed by God Himself in some point in your life? This river of life found in Revelation 22:1 symbolizes the blessings of God. Think about this for a moment, abundant life, perpetual health, heavenly riches and even divine government. The curse is removed forever and the reign of God is now eternal!

I. Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

A. From the very beginning of time (Gen. 2:9-12) God had a plan to sustain mankind by placing him in Eden with a river going through it!

B. We understand that man messed that up, but God had a back-up plan! (Jesus Christ) In Psalm 46:1-3 We can read of some difficult times, but in contrast to man’s failures Psalm 46:4 say’s, 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

C. This refers to heaven; God’s sanctuary and from there, life is produced!

D. Ezekiel 47:12 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

E. I’m here to remind you of four truths this morning: #1. The redeemed of the Lord are going home soon! Whether by the grave or through the air it won’t be long!

F. I Thess. 4: 13-17 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, 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 in Jesus. 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. 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 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. ( Right after verse 16 have someone in the back blow the shofar.)

G. Secondly, The redeemed of the Lord are truly the redeemed! Everyone knows in this day and time it’s hard to know who to trust! Revelation 21:27 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. (You can’t pretend in heaven!)

H. Thirdly, the redeemed of the Lord will serve Him! Revelation 22: 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.

I. Every saint will delight to serve God! We will serve Him as His Son’s and His daughters!

J. Last, the redeemed of the Lord will shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. Think about this: 1). Perfect fellowship! 2). His name on our foreheads. 3). No night. 4). We shall reign with Him forever.

K. Introduction for the King! CD prayer.