Possessing God’s Promises Series

Purpose: To describe the glories that awaits believers.

Aim: I want the listener to make everyday decisions based on the truth of Christ’s coming.

INTRODUCTION: "London businessman Lindsay Clegg told the story of a warehouse property he was selling. The building had been empty for months and needed repairs.

Vandals had damaged the doors, smashed the windows, and strewn trash around the interior.

As he showed a prospective buyer the property, Clegg took pains to say that he would replace the broken windows, bring in a crew to correct any structural damage, and clean out the garbage.

"’Forget about the repairs,’ the buyer said. ’ When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I don’t want the building; I just want the site.’" [1]

Just like the way God changes a person who puts their faith in Christ, so God is going to completely change this old run down, sin cursed earth. When we become God’s, the old life is over. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NAU). God is going to get out the wrecking ball one day soon and completely redo this world.

God’s renovation project started when Christ began opening the 7 sealed book.

REVIEW:

1:1-20 I. John’s Vision of the Past "the things which you have seen"

2:1-5:14 II. Christ’s Vision of the Present "the things which are"

Ch.6-22 III. John’s Vision of the Future "things which will take places"

6-7; 12-14 A. Satan’s war against God’s creation: the first six seals

8-11; 13:11-18; 15-18 B. The wrath of God: the seventh seal

Ch.19-20 C. The worship of God

LESSON:

Ch.21-22 D. The wonder of eternal bliss

We will see five things that God makes new, three of which we will see today. The word NEW does not mean "new in time, or recent." It means new in form or quality. The word NEW in verse one could be translated FRESH.

Psalm 102:25-26 "Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. " Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. (NAU)

Vs.1-8 1. God makes all things new

Hebrews 1:10-12 And, "You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of Your hands; They will perish, but You remain; And they all will become old like a garment, And like a mantle You will roll them up; Like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end." (NAU)

Vs.1 a. A new creation "a new heaven and a new earth"

God has a lot of NEW things in store for His own. They will receive a NEW NAME (Rev.2:17). Jesus will reveal His NEW NAME (Rev. 3:12). There will be a NEW SONG (Rev. 5:9). There will be a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH (Rev.21:1). There will be a NEW JERUSALEM (Rev.3:12; 21:2). Revelation 21:5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." (NAU)

There is only one physical change to the earth that is revealed in today’s text: there will no longer be an ocean. Since there is no indication that this is a symbol it appears that this will literally happen. It may mean that the ocean will become a body of fresh water.

Isaiah 65:17-18 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. (NAU)

Vs.2 b. A new city "new Jerusalem"

This city is HOLY. It is perfect. John repeats this description in verse 10 and God will KEEP it HOLY. Revelation 21:27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.(NAU)

This city was MADE READY, Jesus made it for us! John 14:1-6 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. " If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. "And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (NAU)