No matter who we are, the word home conjures up fond memories for many of us. We may think of a mother, a brother, or grandchild and other loved ones bring us joy. We might think of Christmas, a vacation, or many other things when we reminisce of great things. The warmest feelings inside usually center around our homes. But where will we return if our earthly homes are but inferior illustrations of our heavenly home, I mean how wonderful that future home will be! 1 Corinthians 2:9
One day this present world will be destroyed by fire, and God will create a new heaven and earth. Coming down on that earth will be a beautiful city, the place where all redeemed will live eternally. The foundations and whose builder and maker is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:10
Jesus, when he was here on earth, told believers he was going to prepare a special place for them. John 14:2. We will look at how an entire city is going to come to earth. Jerusalem will be the center and what will our future home be like?
I. The New Heaven and Earth verse 1-2
1. John’s vision is now moved from the Millennium, the 1,000-year reign of Christ here on earth. To the eternal state the time when there will be a new Heaven and Earth. Verse 1
2. One day this world will be destroyed by fire. 2 Peter 3:10. When this happens, God will create a new Heaven and earth that will last throughout eternity.
3. The word “new” means there will be a new kind of heaven and earth. The quality of the world will be different than the present one, for it will be eternal and also perfect.
4. It will not be subject to sin, for God will have done away with sin. In fact, several things will be absent.
a. There shall be no sea. Verse 1
b. There shall be no tears. Verse 4
c. There shall be no death. Verse 4
d. There shall be no sorrow. Verse 4
e. There shall be no pain. Verse 4
f. There shall be no murderers. Verse 8
g. There shall be no adulterers. Verse 8
h. There shall be no idolaters. Verse 8
i. There shall be no liars. Verse 8
j. There shall be no sin. Verse 27
5. John also sees the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven. This is city made by God and exquisitely decorated by Him. She is not called a bride but is compared to a bride. Verse 2
6. John 14:1-3; since Christ promised to prepare this place for us, and since He has been gone for 2,000 years, there is no question that this is a fantastic place. We will describe this place later.
II. The New Life; verses 3-8
1. Have you ever considered the question, “What is Heaven really like?” First, it is a place, a beautiful place, a perfect place.
2. Heaven is also a type of life. Although all who know Christ as savior are enjoying eternal life now, in that day we will have redeemed bodies and will be in a redeemed place.
3. In that day, God will dwell with his people. We think of heaven as the place where we will be with the Lord, and of course that is true. It is also true that God will be dwelling with us. Verse 3
4. life today is often accompanied by suffering, discouragement, and sorrow. Since this present life of sin will be done away with, and we will have redeemed bodies and natures, suffering will be done away with. Verse 4
5. this includes tears, death, morning, crying, and pain. The care that God shows in doing this is seen in his wiping away every tear. Every association with and the result of sin will be gone.
6. Life in that day is characterized not only by the absence of suffering, but also by the addition of many new things. These include the new heaven and earth and the new Jerusalem. Verse 5
7. during this time God will freely give to those who thirst the water of life. He will satisfy their every need. He will give abundant life to all. There will be complete satisfaction. Verse 6
8. because of God's relationship to the believer, he will inherit these things. God, who owns all things and has all things, will completely satisfy the believer. Verse 7
9. during this time there will be a permanent separating of unbelievers from believers. Unbelievers will not partake of the blessings of believers but will be tormented in the lake of fire. Verse 8; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
10. Those who are unsafe practice sins like murder, immorality, sorcery, idolatry, and lying as a way of life. In this chapter, God is talking about people whose characters are wrapped up in these sins.
11. The unbelievers will be punished forever. This is the second death. In contrast, believers will live with God forever and enjoy the blessings provided by him. Make sure you are saved!
