SERMON OUTLINE:
Heaven is a Real Place (vs 1)
Heaven is a Remaining Place (vs 1)
Heaven is a Readied Place (vs 2)
Heaven is a Place of Relationship (vs 3)
Heaven is a Place of Relief (vs 4-5)
Heaven is a Place of Refreshing (vs 6)
Heaven will be a Restricted Place (vs 8)
Heaven is a Place of Riches (vs 12b-21)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• A preacher in the open-air was preaching on Jonah.
• A heckler from the crowd yelled, "How did Jonah stay alive inside the whale?"
• The preacher answered, "I don't know. When I get to heaven I'll ask him."
• The heckler said: "And what if he isn't in heaven?"
• The preacher replies: "Then you can ask him."
Transition:
• Heaven is not just another place but another dimension, another creation.
• Revelation chapters 21-22 give us some hints and clues;
• As to what heaven is like and about what our eternal state will be like.
(1). Heaven is a Real Place (vs 1-2)
• Twice in these opening verses the apostle John tells us what he saw:
• Verse 1: “I saw…” Verse 2 “I saw…”
• I think we read those words ‘I saw…’ 10 times in this letter.
Heaven is a place.
• Not simply a hope, or a dream, or a condition or a state of mind.
• Heaven is a place:
Ill:
• The Bible talks about three heavens:
• (1). The sky.
• (2). Space.
• (3). Where God is.
• i.e. Genesis chapter 1 verse 1:
• "In the beginning God (plural) created the heavens (dual) and the earth (singular)".
• Note: ‘Heavens’ it is a duel word meaning two.
• (1). Stars & space (2). The sky. (3). The third heaven is where God is.
• You cannot put heaven on a map:
• Or measure it by miles or kilometres,
• Or even light years.
It is a real place:
• Jesus himself said in John chapter 14 verse 2.
• "I am going there to prepare a place for you".
ill:
• I have never been to Ashington in the UK;
• But I know it is a real place because I have friends there!
Heaven is not just another place but another dimension, another creation:
• In these chapters it is described as being literal, tangible, and referred to in detail.
• The emphasis here is on what John ‘saw’ with is literal eyes.
• You realise of course that everything that is precious to the Christian is in heaven:
• So if there is no heaven we might as well turn the lights off and go home now!
Note:
• Everything that is precious to the Christian is in heaven;
• Seven quick examples:
(A). GOD THE FATHER IS THERE:
• Matthew chapter 6 verse 9:
• "Our Father who art in Heaven".
(B). JESUS OUR SAVIOUR IS THERE:
• Hebrews chapter 9 verse 24:
• "For Christ... entered heaven itself".
(C). ALL CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE LIVED & DIED ARE IN HEAVEN.
• Hebrews chapter 12 verse 22-23:
• "Church of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven".
Note: The word ‘written, or ‘enrolled’:
• Was employed by the Greeks to denote that one was enrolled as a citizen,
• Or entitled to the privileges of citizenship.
• Here it means that the names of the persons referred to were registered;
• Or enrolled among the inhabitants of the heavenly world.
(D). CHRISTIAN - INDIVIDUALLY HAVE THEIR NAME IN HEAVEN.
• Luke chapter 10 verse 20:
• "Rejoice that your names are written in heaven".
• Do you realise that if you are a Christian,
• Your name is recorded in heaven?
• ill: Reserved seat at a concert.
(E). OUR CITIZENSHIP.
• Philippians chapter 3 verse 20.
• "Our citizenship is in heaven".
• ill: Passport might say 'British Citizen'.
• Bible says; 'Citizen of heaven' (Better photo!).
(F). OUR REWARD IS IN HEAVEN:
• Matthew chapter 5 verse 12.
"Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because you are my followers.
Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven".
(G). OUR TREASURE IS IN HEAVEN.
• Matthew chapter 6 verse 19-21:
• "Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven".
• ill: You might bank with Abbey National or the HSBC;
• Or do what ????? does and hide your money under your mattress.
• But Jesus said it's better to:
"Store up for yourselves treasurer in heaven,
where moth and rust do not destroy,
and where thieves do not break in and steal".
So when you talk about heaven, you are thinking about a place where:
• God the Father is.
• Your saviour, Jesus is.
• Your spiritual family, (all believers who have ever died) are there
• Your name is there,
• Your inheritance is there,
• Your citizenship is there,
• Your reward is there,
• Your treasure is there.
To sum it all up, for the believer:
• Heaven is your real home.
• Earth is just a place were visiting.
• That is why the Bible says(1 Peter chapter 1 verse 1):
• "We are pilgrims, strangers, aliens in this world".
(2). Heaven is a Remaining Place (vs 1).
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had PASSED AWAY, and there was no longer any”
• Nothing you see on this physical earth is going to last;
• Nothing will remain.
• We like to have nice things and we should enjoy them,
• But the Bible teaches don’t get too attached because they are not permanent.
Ill:
• An American tourist visited the 19th century Polish rabbi, Hofetz Chaim:
• He was astonished to see that the rabbi’s home was only a simple room;
• Filled only with a few books, plus a table and a bench.
• The tourist asked him: “Rabbi, where is your furniture?”
• The rabbi replied: “Where is yours?”
• The puzzled American responded: “But I’m a visitor here. I’m only passing through.”
• Rabbi Hofetz Chaim replied: “So am I!”
(3). Heaven is a Readied Place (vs 2)
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, PREPARED AS A BRIDE beautifully dressed for her husband”
Ill:
• Some of you know Nigel Tiller;
• Well yesterday he got married to Tracey Matthews.
• And one thing I can guarantee Tracey did not turn up at the Church in a hurry!
• I would imagine she had her hair styled,
• Her make-up and nails done by another;
• And she would have dressed for the occasion;
• In an outfit she had purchased well in advance.
• A bride in the first century or the twenty-first;
• Is a well prepared lady.
Ill:
• When God made the world he made it in six days!
• We marvel at creation on a regular basis.
• But Jesus himself said he has been preparing heaven for 2,000 years;
• That is a lot of time!
Quote: R.G. Lee described it this way:
“Heaven is the most marvellous place the wisdom of God could conceive
and that the power of God could prepare.”
Ill:
• Story told of a little girl who was born blind;
• Over the years her mother had descripted flowers in spring, trees in autumn etc.
• Aged ten years old she was able to have experimental surgery to help her see.
• Weeks later after the operation when the bandages were removed;
• The ten year old could see for the very first time.
• She ran to the window and stared out at countryside the view before her;
• “Mother”, she cried out; “Why didn’t you tell me it was so beautiful?”
• Her mother replied: “I tried to, but words just wouldn’t suffice!”
• I think one of the reasons we are told so little regarding what heaven is like;
• Is because mere words will not suffice!
(4). Heaven is a Place of Relationship (vs 3)
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
This relationship between God and his people is what makes heaven heaven!
• If the streets were not gold but gravel,
• If the walls were particle board and not jasper,
• If mud was knee deep and weeds over our heads,
• It will still be heaven because Jesus is there!
Ill:
• One of the best ways of describing our relationship with God;
• Is to think in terms of the human relationship of courtship and marriage.
• Those of us who are married;
• Can remember when we fell in love with that person to whom we are now married.
• We remember how focused our thoughts were on that other person.
• We couldn't wait for that letter to arrive.
• We savoured every phone conversation,
• And we were so happy to spend as much time together as was possible.
• Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there!
• Our relationship with him with be at a level that we can only dream of now.
The best thing of all is that God is there in heaven:
• Notice: Three times in verse 3 this thought is brought to our attention:
• "Dwelling of God is with men".
• "He will live with them".
• "God himself will be with them".
• And it concludes with the words "and be their God":
• Focussing our attention on a unique relationship,
• There is going to be an intimate bond between us.
• Unspoilt by sin, we will all eternity to enjoy it!
(5). Heaven is a Place of Relief (vs 4-5)
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Ill:
• A 5 year old girl had here first ever sleep over at a friend’s;
• She was very nervous but also very excited.
• But during the night she woke up – it was dark and she was in a strange place;
• So she called out for her mum.
• Her friend’s mother perceived what was going on and said to her:
• “Honey, are you getting homesick?”
• With childlike innocence she replied,
• “No ma’am, I’m getting here sick!”
Note:
• No one really knows what heaven will be like;
• We are only given glimpses throughout the Bible;
• The last two chapters in the Bible; Revelation 21-22:
• Tell us a little bit more, by using symbolism, picture language.
• In fact heaven is mentioned 54 times in revelation.
THIS CHAPTER TELLS US SEVEN THINGS THAT WILL NOT BE IN HEAVEN:
First: There will be no more sorrow, sadness or unhappiness.
• "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes".
• Only Joy & gladness in heaven. The opposite of sorrow & sadness.
Second: There will not be any death there - "No more death or mourning".
• Instead of having to kiss loved ones good bye,
• We will only kiss loved ones in greetings & welcome.
Third: There will be "No more crying or pain".
• No need for hospitals or doctors.
• No need for medicines & remedies.
• The opposite is true, perfect health for everyone.
• Because we are getting new bodies un-spoilt by sin.
Fourth: There will be "No more sin":
• Verse 1: 'Holy city'.
• Verse 27: "Nothing impure or any wrong actions".
• The opposite will be true we will treat each other in a right & caring way.
• No need to say the words, "I'm sorry" ever again”.
Fifth: No temple (vs 22)
“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple”
• Why do you need a photograph when you are next to the person?
• In same way we no longer need a place to symbolise God’s presence;
• Because God himself is with us and in us.
• Why no temple?
• Because the temple localizes and confines God to 1 location;
• But all Heaven will be filled w/ His glory!
Sixth: There will be no more darkness in heaven:
• Verse 23.
• "No sun or moon, God himself is the light".
• If you are into astronomy then make the most of it;
• Because in heaven there is no night!
• The Lord is the light of the city.
Seventh: No more sea (vs 1b):
• “…and there was no longer any sea.”
• Heaven is a very different place from planet earth:
• Three quarters of the globe at present is occupied by sea.
• Yet almost the first thing that John the fisherman noticed.
• Was there was no longer any sea.
• Symbolically the sea stands for a number of things:
• i.e. No-one lives on the sea:
• It is something to be crossed,
• To arrive at one's destination.
• i.e. Also The sea of course is never still:
• Always changing, a place of storms and unrest and danger.
So there are seven things in this chapter that John says will be no more:
• First: There will be no more “sorrow, sadness or unhappiness”.
• Second: There will not be any death there - "No more death or mourning".
• Third: There will be "No more crying or pain".
• Fourth: There will be "No more sin":
• Fifth: “No temple” (vs 22)
• Sixth: There will be no more darkness in heaven:
• Seventh: “No more sea” (vs 1b):
(6). Heaven is a Place of Refreshing (vs 6)
“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.”
Water is of course essential to life:
• Although a person can live without food for more than a month,
• A person can only live without water for about 1week.
• Water not only keeps us alive but it satisfies us;
• We may drink tea, coffee, coke etc.
• But when we are really thirsty it is water that is needed.
This verse reminds us that in heaven:
• Every righteous desire that we have will be perfectly and completely satisfied,
• Once and for all!
Notice how God identifies himself in this verse:
• He is described as the "Alpha and Omega."
• Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet,
• And omega is the last letter of the alphabet.
• In other words God is "the beginning and the end."
• Everything we will ever need is met in him;
• And you and I will drink of him for ever!
(7). Heaven will be a Restricted Place (vs 8)
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.”
• Wow! What a sobering verse!
• Right here in the middle of this positive, beautiful description of heaven,
• God gives us a list of some who won’t be there.
Question: Why does God include this information?
Answer:
• Perhaps to show that the sin which has cursed and ultimately destroyed this world;
• Will NOT be allowed into the next!
• Heaven is a restricted place for only those whose sin is forgiven;
• In other words those who by God’s grace have trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Quote John Newton:
• "When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there -
• the first wonder will be to see how many people there whom I did not expect to see:
• the second wonder will be to miss many people whom I did expect to see;
• and third and greatest wonder of all will be to find myself there".
(8). Heaven is a Place of Riches (vs 12b-21)
Notice: what is says regarding the foundations:
• If I asked you what the foundations of this building was like you would not know;
• You would have to guess because foundations are underground,
• And cannot be clearly seen,
• Foundations speak permanence;
• In contrast to the tents that pilgrims and strangers lived in.
• But these foundations are visible, and not only visible, but 12 layers thick!
• And each of the 12 foundations is garnished with a different jewel.
And what a multi-coloured collection they are:
• Jasper is a clear crystal;
• Sapphire is a blue stone;
• Chalcedony is a greenish blue;
• Emerald is deep green;
• Sardonyx is a white stone with brown streaks;
• Sardius is blood red;
• Chrysolite is a yellow quartz;
• Beryl is green;
• Topaz is a yellowish green;
• Chrysoprasus is apple green;
• Jacinth is blue;
• Amethyst is a rich purple;
• God is a God of beauty;
• And he lavishes his beauty on the city he is preparing.
WALLS = PROTECTION.
• In Bible days, walls were all about protection;
• An un-walled city was vulnerable, an easy target.
GATES = PROVISION.
• Each of the 12 gates is guarded by an angel.
• If every gate is 1 pearl, they are gigantic…and it’s a reminder of God’s provision.
Ill:
• A pearl is made in the depths of the sea in the heart of a living oyster.
• Something invades that oysters shell, like a little grain of sand.
• It begins to cut, irritate, and dig into that soft oyster.
• The oyster begins to secrete that white, milky substance…layer after layer,
• It hardens, and finally you have a perfectly formed, brilliant, round, shiny pearl.
• The pearl is the oyster’s answer to that which wounded it!
• The pearl owes its existence to the will of the oyster to “cover” that which hurt it!
• Sin invaded God’s perfect world, and it cut away at the heart of God,
• But He was willing by His own blood to cover it!
• Ours was the cutting…God’s was the covering!
STREETS OF GOLD = PRAISE
• Gold is a symbol of the glory, honour, and majesty of God.
• That’s why so much gold was used in the OT temple – the place of praise & worship.
And finally:
• Our title is ‘All things new”.
• The Greek word ‘New’ (kainos);
• Shows the totally-new character of this new heave and new earth.
• It is not only new in time;
• But it is new in the sense that it is completely different to what was known before.
• The first heaven and the first earth have passed away;
• And with them the characteristic features that made them what they were.
• The new heaven and the new earth as we have seen;
• Will have unique characteristic features of their very own.
• And yet no matter how magnificent the new heaven and earth will be;
• Our theme will not be the new universe but the one who created and redeemed it.
Quote: As the old hymn says:
“The Bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom’s face;
I will not gaze at glory but on my King of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth but on His pierced hand;
The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s land.
