Revelation 21: 1- 4
21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea:—
:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband:—
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God:?
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away:?
VERY BRIEFLY I WANT TO REASON WITH YOU ON THE THOUGHT
(A CITY THAT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD)
My brothers and sisters
In the text before us
We have the words of John as he wrote what the Lord showed to him.
John says - I saw a city out of this world.
I saw a city coming down from God out of heaven. the New Jerusalem.
And he reveals to us that this city has the glory of God.
Now, every city is known for something. Even in this world.
The city of Tyler is known as the City of Rosies.
New York is known as the Big Apple.
Chicago is known as the Windy City.
Las Vegas is known as Sin City.
Detroit is known as the Motor City.
Denver, the Mile High City.
Houston, the Bayou City.
Memphis, the Home of the Blues.
New Orleans, the Big Easy.
Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.
San Francisco, the city by the Bay
But the New Jerusalem is known as the Holy City and a city that has the glory of God.
But what is it about this city that makes it a city that's out of this world?
Well I’m glad you ask because I’m inching to tell you
first of all,
This city is a genuine place.
It's a real place.
There's nothing fictitious about heaven.
Heaven is a real place.
The Bible testifies over and over again.
That heaven is a reality.
It's not something that was just made up.
But heaven is real.
You see
Enoch walked up into heaven.
Elijah went up into heaven by a
whirlwind.
Angels carried Lazarus Up into heaven while the rich man.
Lifted up his eyes in hell.
Heaven is a real place.
Well not only Heaven a genuine place.
But the text also reveals
That Heaven is also a resting place.
The Bible says in Rev 14:13 part B , Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;
Well not only is it a genuine place and a resting place
But john also let us know it is a residing place.
It's a place where saints will live forever.
In john 14 Jesus said
In my Father's house are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you
I go away To prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Well not only Heaven a genuine place.
A resting place and a residing place.
But the text also reveals that it's also a glorious place.
Because it`s a city known for it`s beauty
Notice what John says in verse 4
He says I saw this city as a bride dressed and adorned for her husband .
In other words
It's a city that has glory of God.
A city that God made
Because he let`s us know that it`s nothing in this city is old because God has made all things new
This city is not only known for its creation,
But it's known also for its duration.
It`s a city that will never become run down. Removed or need any renovation,
It's the perfect city.
This city is also known by examination.
John said this city length, the width and .height is all the same.
He talks about stones of the city.
He said the city has twelve foundations.
The walls got twelve foundations of precious stones.
He talks about the street in the city.
He said, there ain't but one street in this city, and that street is paved with gold.
Well not only does he talks about the beauty of the city,
But he also tell us about the blessing of the city.
He said, in this city you will have the presence of God.
In other words
We will see God face to face.
And I might as well tell you
If you want to make it to that city, you got to get used to God's presence down here.
Because If you don't want to be in God's presence down here, you can forget about being in the holy city.
In other words
We got to love his presence,
Enjoy His presence,
Appreciate his presence,
Walk his Presence while we are here.
But then he talks about this city will be blessed by the fulfillment of The promises of God.
John says , God, shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.
In other words
We won't have to cry no more in this city.
Because there won't be anything there to make us cry.
But then he finally lets me know this city is a guarded place.
It's guarded only for saved folks
Because Only saved folk can live in this city.
Those who have been wash in the Blood of the Lamb
And I might as well tell you
There's only one way to get in.
That is through Jesus Christ.
You see ________________________
Up above our heads are three heavens.
First of all, there is the atmospheric Heaven where we see the birds and the clouds.
Then there is the astronomical heaven, where we see the sun, moon and the stars.
Then there is the ascended heaven, where The throne of God is.
Now, the only way you can see the atmospheric heaven is by day.
The only way you can see the Astronomical heaven is by night.
But the only way to see the ascended heaven is by faith in Jesus Christ
John lets us know this city Is a place for the saved.
It's guarded for the saved,
But he also let us know that this city is guarded from sorrow.
In other words he lets us know that this city is a place of no more
For he lets us know that
There won't be any sorrow in the city.
There will be no more sadness,
No more sorrow,
No more funerals,
No more death.
No hospitals or doctor offices
There won't be any more suffering because he said there's no more pain.
You see
Every pain you feel ought to remind You one day
We`re going to a city where there won’t be any more pain.
Well I got to go to my seat now
But not only does John let`s us know that this city is
A genuine place.
A resting place.
A residing place
A glorious place.
Not only does John lets us know that this city is
known for its creation,
For its duration.
By it`s beauty and it`s blessings
Not only does John lets us know that this city is a guarded place
It`s guarded for the save
And it`s guarded from sorrow
But as I take might seat I need to tell
That this city is guarded from sin
In other words
There won't be no sinners in this city.
But it`s a city full of sinners saved by grace
Yes, there are some folk that won't make it.
Because they have fallen in love with sin instead of the Son of God
That’s why we need to stop lying at funerals
Because Everybody's not gonna make into heaven.
And no we`re not the judge --- But God is
And since God is the Judge
I don`t want no gate trouble when I get to the city that’s out of this world
Because when I think about
I-- said when----- I think about
How Jesus walks up Calvary`s Road so that one glad morning when this life is over we can walk on streets of gold
When I think about
How Jesus wore a Crown of thorns that we could wear a crown of Righteousness’
When I think about how Jesus
Hung
Bleed
Died
How they place him in a borrowed tomb
And how he went down and preach a 3 day revival to set the captives free
But oh –early I said early e—a—r—l—y Sunday morning He got up with all power in His hand
Aint He alright aint HE alright
