A. INTRODUCTION
1. What can I expect in heaven? “Heaven will not be unlike our life here on earth” ~Harry Ironside.
2. Human ideas about heaven. Sit on clouds, float in the air, continually on our face worshiping God. A state of the mind, no physical reality.
3. Are these pictures symbols or actual things? Could heaven be so much better than anything we could think?
4. Heaven will be a real place, for real people, who will do real things, in real time.
B. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW HEAVEN
1. A new heaven and new earth higher than tallest mountain (21:1-10). “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
2. Four heavens: (1) the atmosphere, (2) the hemisphere, (3) the abode of God and home of departed believers, (4) the eternal home.
3. “The Holy City, New Jerusalem” (Rev. 21:2). Approximately 1,400 square miles.
4. Four Square. “The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal” (21:16).
a. A square.
b. A triangle.
5. “Wipe away all tears” (v. 4).
a. No remembrance.
b. No disappointments in heaven.
c. No pain or hurt.
d. No temptation.
e. No evil attacks.
6. Who will not be in heaven (v. 8)?
a. Unbelievers.
b . Sexual perverts.
c. Murderers.
d. Fornicators.
e. Demon worshipers.
f. Idol worshipers.
g. Liars.
“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Rev. 21:8, NLT).
7. Who can come in? “And he said unto me, ‘It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely’” (v. 6). “To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.”
8. “The Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God” (v. 10).
9. The light of the city shimmered like a precious gem” (v. 12). The glory of the Shekinah.
10. “The wall of the city” (v. 14). 144 cubits (216 feet thick), as beautiful as a gem.
11. “Twelve foundations” (v. 14). Each has a name of an apostle.
12. “Twelve gates” (vv. 12-13).
a. Each as beautiful as a gem.
b. Each had a name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
13. No sun or moon (v. 23) “I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light” (vv. 22-23, NLT).
What Night Does
Night terrors – no fear
Cover for evil – no sin in heaven
Rest – not tired, sick, or exhausted
Change of pace – perfect bodies
Cool off the sun – God’s light is perfect
14. No night. “Its gates will never be closed at the end of the day because there is no night there” (v. 25, NLT).
15. Completely separated from evil. “Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (v. 27, NLT).
16. A clear river flowing from the throne. “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1).
What Water Does
1. Refreshes.
2. Cleanses.
3. Grows.
4. Gives health and life.
17. Food to eat. “On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit each month” (22:2). The more you eat, the more you live.
18. Growth. “For the healing (maturing) of the nations” (v. 2).
19. All ethnic groups present. “The leaves were for the healing of the nations (ethnic groups).”
a. We will love and appreciate each race.
b. We will know our differences.
c. No racism.
d. Representation from all people groups will be there, “I looked and behold . . . of all nations” (7:9).
e. Tied to the Second Coming. “This gospel . . . will be preached in all the world to all the nations, and then will the end come” (Matt. 24:14, NKJV).
20. Work. “And his servant shall serve Him” (Rev. 22:3).
a. The word serve could mean worship.
b. Could mean work.
• If people don’t worship now, does that mean they won’t go?
• If people don’t work now, does that mean they are not welcome?
• If people don’t enjoy God now, how will they serve Him in heaven?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
For more information on the TRBC Pastor’s Bible Class, log on to the Internet for TRBC Home page at www.trbc.org/pbc.
www.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-elmer-towns
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
