Good morning, dear friends. I'm so delighted to see each one of you here today. There's a sense of shared joy, shared faith, and shared hope that fills this room and each home online as we gather, and it's a beautiful thing. We are here, not because we are perfect, but because we are perfectly loved by Jesus. We are here, not because we have all the answers, but because we trust in the One who does.
[Title: Heaven, the place of no tears]
Last Sunday I spoke of the reality of hell, a place that all of us who believe on Jesus will never reside in.
Today, we are going to turn our attention to a passage of Scripture that speaks to the very core of our faith, that gives us a glimpse of our eternal home, and that offers us a hope that transcends our temporal existence. We are going to look at Revelation 21:1-4.
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4
These verses paint a vivid picture of a future that is not just wishful thinking, but a promise from the One who is faithful and true. It's a promise of a new heaven and a new earth, a promise of God's dwelling place being among us, a promise of an end to tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain.
The great theologian J. I. Packer once said, "The Christian's hope is not just to live a long life on earth, but to live forever with God in heaven." This is the hope we will be talking about today. A hope that is not grounded in our circumstances, but in our God. A hope that is not limited to this world, but that reaches into eternity.
Heaven's Promise and Its Implications
The promise of a new heaven and a new earth is a profound one. It's a promise that speaks to the heart of our faith and our hope in God. It's not just about a physical place, but about a spiritual reality…an eternal home. It's about God's dwelling place being among us, about an end to tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain. It's about a future that is not just wishful thinking, but a promise from the One who is faithful and true.
This promise has several implications. First, it means that our hope is not limited to this world. Our hope extends beyond our temporal existence, beyond our physical bodies, beyond our current circumstances. A hope reaches into eternity. It's a hope that is grounded in God, in His love, in His faithfulness, in His promise. It's a hope that is not dependent on our ability, our strength, our wisdom, but on God's ability, God's strength, God's wisdom, and on us simply accepting Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.
The second implication is that our hope is not just about a future reality, but about a present reality. The promise of a new heaven and a new earth is not just about what will happen in the future, but about what is happening now. God's dwelling place is among us now. He is with us now. He is our God now. He is wiping our tears now. He is comforting us in our mourning now. He is soothing our pain now. Our hope is not just about a future promise, but about a present reality.
The third implication is that our hope is not just about our individual lives, but about our collective life. The promise of a new heaven and a new earth is not just about our personal future, but about our collective future. It's about the future of the church, the future of the world, the future of humanity, the future of our friends and family. It's about a new community, a new society, a new world order. It's about a world where God's dwelling place is among us, where there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain.
He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 25:8
The fourth implication is that our hope is not just about our relationship with God, but about our relationship with each other. It's about a new kind of community, a new kind of society, a new kind of world order. It's about a world where we are God's people, where we are each other's people, where we are one in Christ. In this community no one steals from another, no one lies or gossips on another, no one is envious or jealous of others.
In conclusion, the promise of a new heaven and a new earth is a profound one. It's a promise that speaks to the heart of our faith and our hope in God. It's a promise that has several implications for our lives, for our church, for our world. It's a promise that is not just about a future reality, but about a present reality. It's a promise that is not just about our individual lives, but about our collective life. It's a promise that is not just about our relationship with God, but about our relationship with each other. It's a promise that is not just about a physical place, but about a spiritual reality. It's a promise that is not just wishful thinking, but a promise from the One who is faithful and true. And it begins with the promise of a savior that will take away the sins of the world. A savior who wants to meet you face-to-face in that place of promise.
Harmony During Worldly Troubles
As we continue to reflect on the passage from Revelation, we find ourselves drawn to the image of harmony amidst worldly troubles. This harmony is not a superficial peace, but a deep, abiding tranquility that transcends our understanding. It's a harmony that is not dependent on our circumstances, but on the unchanging nature of our God.
The first aspect that comes to mind is the enduring presence of God during turmoil. In Revelation 21:3, we hear the voice from the throne proclaiming, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them." This is a powerful reminder that God is not distant or detached from our struggles. He is right here with us, sharing in our joys and sorrows, our victories and defeats. His presence brings a sense of peace and stability, even when everything around us seems to be falling apart.
This is not a new idea, but a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the book of Exodus, God promises to be with Moses as he leads the Israelites out of Egypt. In the Psalms, David repeatedly expresses his confidence in God's presence and protection. In the New Testament, Jesus assures his disciples of his continuing presence through the Holy Spirit. These examples remind us that God's presence is not a temporary arrangement, but a permanent reality.
The second aspect that stands out is the transformative power of God's presence. The voice from the throne goes on to say, "They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." This is not just a statement of fact, but a declaration of identity, and a statement of acceptance. When we are in God's presence, we are not just random individuals, but his people. We are not just ordinary human beings, but children of the Most High God. This new identity brings a profound change in our perspective and priorities. It enables us to rise above our worldly troubles and live in harmony with God's will.
Again, this is not an isolated idea, but a consistent message in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God repeatedly calls the Israelites his people and himself their God. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul emphasizes our identity as children of God and heirs with Christ. These passages underscore the transformative power of our relationship with God.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:1-2
The third aspect that we need to consider is the comforting assurance of God's care. The voice from the throne declares, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” This is not just a promise of relief, but a guarantee of restoration. God is not just interested in stopping our tears, but in healing our hearts. He is not just concerned about our physical pain, but about our emotional and spiritual well-being.
This is a recurring theme in the Bible. In the book of Isaiah, God promises to comfort his people and provide for their needs. In the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates his compassion by healing the sick and feeding the hungry. In the letters of Paul, we find numerous references to the comforting and healing power of God. These examples reinforce the assurance of God's care during our troubles.
Now, let's take a closer look at the term "dwell with them" used in Revelation 21:3. The original Greek it is a word which means a tent or temporary dwelling. This same word is used in John 1:14, where it is said that the Word became flesh and "dwelt" among us. In 2 Corinthians 5:1, Paul uses this word to describe our earthly bodies as tents that will be replaced by eternal houses in heaven. This word study helps us understand that God's dwelling among us is not a temporary visit, but a permanent residence. His presence is not a fleeting experience, but a lasting reality.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2
Building on these insights, we can see how God's enduring presence, transformative power, and comforting assurance contribute to our harmony amidst worldly troubles. But there's more to it than that. These aspects of God's character not only help us cope with our troubles, but also empower us to make a positive difference in the world.
Firstly, God's enduring presence gives us the courage to face our troubles head-on. We are not alone in our struggles. God is with us, providing the strength and wisdom we need to overcome our challenges. His presence is not a passive observation, but an active participation in our lives. He is not just watching us from a distance but walking with us every step of the way.
Secondly, God's transformative power enables us to rise above our circumstances. We are not defined by our troubles, but by our relationship with God. Our identity as his children gives us a new perspective on our problems. We see them not as obstacles, but as opportunities to grow in faith and character. Our troubles do not diminish us but enhance our witness for Christ.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:2-6
In conclusion, harmony amidst worldly troubles is not a pipe dream, but a practical reality for those who trust in God. It's not about escaping our troubles, but about engaging them with faith and courage. It's not about ignoring our pain, but about finding healing and hope amid it. It's not about pretending to be okay, but about being real with God and with each other. It's not about surviving our troubles, but about thriving despite them. And it's all possible because of God's enduring presence, transformative power, and comforting assurance.
Hope Beyond the Temporal World
As we continue our reflection, we turn our gaze to the promise of a hope that extends beyond the temporal world. This hope, my dear friends, is a beacon, a guiding light that illuminates our path and leads us towards a future free from the troubles of this world.
The first aspect we need to consider is the nature of this hope. This hope is not a fleeting wish or a vague desire. It is a solid certainty, a firm assurance that is grounded in the promises of God. It is a hope that is anchored in the reality of God's unchanging character and His unfailing love for us. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances or our feelings. It is not shaken by the storms of life or dimmed by the darkness of despair. It is a hope that remains steadfast and sure, even in the face of the most daunting challenges and the most heartbreaking losses.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20
This hope is not just a lifeline that keeps us from being swept away by the currents of life. It is an anchor that keeps us firmly grounded in the truth of God's Word and the reality of His love. It is a hope that gives us the strength to endure, the courage to persevere, and the resilience to bounce back, no matter what life throws our way. As a believer, you may fall down A lot, but each time you get back up again.
The esteemed Christian author C.S. Lewis once said, "Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of our second aspect - the direction of our hope. When our hope is focused on the temporal world, it is limited and fleeting. But when our hope is directed towards heaven, it is limitless and eternal. It is a hope that transcends the boundaries of time and space, a hope that reaches into the very heart of eternity.
This hope is not just about a future destination, but about a present reality. It is about living in the light of eternity, even as we navigate the challenges of the temporal world. It is about setting our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). It is about living with an eternal perspective, even as we deal with temporal problems.
The third aspect of this hope is its transformative power. This hope is not passive or static. It is active and dynamic. It is a hope that changes us from the inside out. It transforms our attitudes, our actions, and our aspirations. It changes the way we see ourselves, the way we see others, and the way we see the world. It gives us a new perspective, a new purpose, and a new passion.
This hope is not just about escaping the troubles of the world, but about overcoming them. It is about rising above the trials and tribulations of life, not by our own strength, but by the power of God. It is about living victoriously, not because we are immune to problems, but because we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).
Finally, this hope is not just for us, but for others. It is a hope that we are called to share with the world. It is a hope that compels us to reach out to those who are hurting, to comfort those who are grieving, to encourage those who are discouraged, to uplift those who are downtrodden. It is a hope that inspires us to love unconditionally, to give generously, to serve selflessly, to live sacrificially.
So, my dear friends, let us embrace this hope. Let us anchor our souls in this hope. Let us direct our hearts towards this hope. Let us allow this hope to transform us. And let us share this hope with the world. For this hope is not just a promise for the future, but a power for the present. It is not just a hope for heaven, but a hope for earth. It is not just a hope beyond the temporal world, but a hope within it.
Conclusion
As we close our time together today, let's remember that our hope is not in the fleeting things of this world, but in the eternal promises of God. We've been given a glimpse of a future where there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more death. This is not a fairy tale or a daydream, but a promise from the One who is faithful and true.
God's love for us is so vast, so deep, and so unchanging that He has prepared a place for us to be with Him forever. This is the hope that we cling to, the hope that sustains us through the trials and tribulations of this life. It's a hope that doesn't disappoint, because it's grounded in the unchanging character of our loving God.
So, as we go from here, let's carry this hope with us. Let's share it with those around us. Let's live in a way that reflects the reality of this hope. And let's remember that no matter what we face, our God is with us, and He is for us. If God is for us, who can be against us.
