Heaven

HEAVEN

TEXT - Revelation 21 - 22

INTRO. - Let us look for a few moments this hour at two

of the more favorite chapters of the entire Bible. These

two chapters have been blessed of God to lift up the

discouraged, to comfort the bereaved, to resist

temptation, to strengthen the dying, and to motivate the

believer as much as any in the entire Bible. Let us

look at these chapters from a numerical standpoint.

I. NOTICE AT THE END OF TIME THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE

PERSON WHO IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING - 21:2-7

That person is God! God, who made this world, loved

this world, and sent his Son into this world, is in

control. God, who allowed His Son to die for us is in

control. God, who one day will send his Son back to this

world and will judge this sinful world is the only one

in control at the end. HE WILL BE VICTORIOUS. You and I

had better make sure that we are on his side!

II. NOTICE THAT WHEN ALL IS FINISHED AND TIME SHALL BE

NO MORE, THERE ARE ONLY TWO DESTINIES FOR YOUR SOUL

--21:8b

There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. We see

heaven in Rev. 21:1 and hell in Rev. 21:8. Today each

of us in on the road to one place or the other. We move

each day closer to eternity and to the home of God or

the home of Satan. You can change your course. The

answer is Jesus. See John 14:6

III. NOTICE THAT THERE IS A THREE-FOLD INVITATION TO ALL

OF US TO COME TO HEAVEN - 22:7

The Spirit of God calls us to come.

The Bride of God, the church, calls us to come.

The individual believer is commissioned to call us to

come.

The thirsty are invited and whosoever will may come.

"Come" is God’s favorite word. It was given to Noah, to

little children, and to the weary and heavy-laden.

IV. NOTICE THAT THERE IS A FOUR-FOLD STATEMENT OF THE

PERMANENCE OF ETERNITY - 22:11

Death seals our character and nature forever. You may

change in life but not after death. How important it is

to get right with God in this life, while there is still

time.

V. NOTICE THAT HEAVEN IS MENTIONED FIVE TIMES IN THESE 2

CHAPTERS.

Heaven reminds me of Elijah who was taken up in a fiery

chariot and in a whirlwind. Heaven makes me think of

Jesus our Lord who went up into heaven and will return

in like manner. Heaven brings to mind Jacob who saw the

ladder ascend out of heaven with angels ascending and

descending up it. I think of the baptism of Jesus when

the Holy spirit descended from heaven and the voice of

the Father was heard. Heaven reminds me of Stephen who

saw heaven opened and Jesus standing at the right hand

of God.

VI. NOTICE SIX TITLES ARE GIVEN AS TO WHERE WE WILL

DWELL IN HEAVEN

Heaven is called: The Holy City - 21:2 - separated

The New Jerusalem - 21:2 - not old

The Bride - 21:2,9 - related to groom

The Lamb’s Wife - 21:9 - the church

That great City - 21:10 - important

The Holy Jerusalem - 21:10 - not like

Jerusalem seen in ch.11:8

VII. NOTICE SEVEN CHURCHES AND SEVEN ANGELS -22:16, 21:9

These speak of perfect grace and perfect judgment.

God’s love is an equal counterpart to God’s wrath

because both are "to the uttermost" when manifest.

God mercy and grace are as real as God’s judgment.

VIII. NOTICE THERE ARE EIGHT GROUPS WHO WILL NOT MAKE

HEAVEN THEIR HOME - 21:8

The Fearful - Those afraid to accept Christ

The Unbelieving - Those will not believe the Word of God

on matters of salvation, sin, judgment

The Abominable - Those polluted, contaminated with evil

Murderers - Those who kill people directly or indirectly

Whoremongers - Those who break God’s laws concerning sex

Sorcerers - Literally a dealer in drugs, witchcraft

Idolaters - All who put or worship anything above God

All Liars - Liars without remorse. Lying contradicts the

very character of God. I am the way...truth

IX. NOTICE THERE ARE NINE NAMES OF THE LORD JESUS FOUND

HERE

Alpha and Omega - 21:6 - First and last letters in the

Hebrew alphabet. The "A and Z". Speaks

of God’s wisdom and knowledge of all.

The Beginning and the End - 21:6 - This speaks of time

and the eternity of God.

The Lamb - 21:9,23, and 27 - This speaks of Calvary and

the sacrifice for sin.

The Lord God - 22:5 - This speaks of God’s position in

importance.

The first and the Last - 22:13 - This speaks of God’s