The Book Of Revelation (Revelation 21)

• This is the time when we will be in our glorified bodies.

• It is not the Heaven where people live now. It is another city being built for us coming down from God out of Heaven.

Let us notice this chapter as we learn more about our eternal home.

I. IT WILL BE A NEW HEAVEN SUSPENDED ABOVE A NEW EARTH.

Notice in Revelation 21:1 the words, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away."

There is a scriptural need for having a new heaven and new earth.

The first Heaven was the place where the first sin was committed. Satan was an archangel named Lucifer. He rebelled against God, and he, along with his angels, were cast from Heaven. This, however, does not discard the fact that sin was once committed in Heaven.

Because of this:

• There must be a new Heaven after sin has been completely put away.

• For the same reason, the first earth must pass away.

But notice, we are talking about a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH.

You might be asking why do we need a NEW EARTH?

In a few minutes I will tell you and it will thrill you as a Christian.

For the moment let me reminds you that Satan brought sin to Heaven, and Satan brought sin to earth.

Let’s talk about the NEW HEAVEN and we will talk about the NEW EARTH later.

WHERE WILL THE NEW HEAVEN COME FROM?

NEW JERUSALEM WILL COME OUT OF HEAVEN.

How do we know that…BECCAUSE THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US…

Notice in Revelation 21:2 the words, "...coming down from God out of heaven."

In John 14: 1-3 Jesus tells us that in His Father's house there are many mansions. He goes on to say that He goes to prepare a place for us.

Now this has a double meaning, that is…

(1) Yes, He was talking about going to Calvary.

(2) Yes, He was also talking about a literal mansion for us in heaven.

In other words, where these mansions are, He is preparing a place for us.

When people die now, they go to Heaven.

In 2 Corinthians 5:6-8. Paul states that he is confident in his eternal destiny and longs for the day when he can be “absent from the body” and be present with the Lord he loves and serves.

In that Heaven the New Jerusalem is being built.

After the millennium, the New Jerusalem will come down out of Heaven, and we will live there forever.

THE OUTSTANDING THING ABOUT THE NEW JERUSALEM IS THE ETERNAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST.

Look at Revelation 21:3 notice the statement, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men."

Jesus is the Tabernacle of God.

It is said in John 1:14a, "And the Word was made [became] flesh, and dwelt [tabernacled] among us."

His body was a tabernacle, which means that he will dwell with us in the New Jerusalem.

This is explained later on in Revelation 21:3 when it says,

• "...and he will dwell with them,"

• And again when it says, "God himself shall be with them."

Someone has said, "The heaven of Heaven is that Jesus will be there!"

THE NEW JERUSALEM IS WONDERFUL BECAUSE OF WHAT WILL BE THERE BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF WHAT NOT WANT BE THERE.

• Notice in Revelation 21:4, "...no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

• Notice also in verse I, "no more sea"

• in verse 22, "no temple"

• In verse 23, "no need of the sun, neither of the moon"

• In verse 25, "no night."

It is easy to understand why some of these things are absent from the New Jerusalem…

1) Why no sun and moon? Jesus will be the light of the city; there is no need for any other light.

Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

2) Why will there be no sea? Seas divide people. The sea is a symbol of division. We will always be together in the New Jerusalem.

3) Why will there be no temple? The temple was the place where God's people met God. We will have Jesus present with us, and that makes the temple needless.

Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

4) Why will there be no more nights. God give us the nights because we humans need to rest. In heaven with our glorified bodies we will have no more need for rest.