Sermon Central
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The Future Home Of The Redeemed - Part 2 - The New Jerusalem Series
Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 9, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Most people believe they will go to Heaven when they die. It is the great future promise of God to every human being. However, Jesus said He was the only way to get there.
The term "rooms" is the Greek word 'moné' which means an abode, dwelling, or residence. The term "place" is the Greek word 'topos,' meaning a specific and separated space or area. The Throne of God is there, the streets are made of gold like transparent glass, the walls are made of jewels and have 12 gates made of one pearl (Revelation 21:21-22).
The New Jerusalem will not have a separate sanctuary because God will be its sanctuary (Revelation 21:22). It will not need light because God's glory will illuminate it (Revelation 21:23-25, 22:5; Isaiah 60:19-20). There is a 'sea of glass, like crystal' near the throne of God that looks and moves like the ocean, yet is transparent like glass and brilliantly pure (Revelation 4:6,15:2 ESV). A river flows from God's Throne, a perpetual outpouring of blessings and abundant life (Revelation 22:1-2). There is a tree of life on both sides of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit each month and whose leaves provide healing to the nations (Revelation 22:2-3). Jesus will dwell there, and the people will know and serve Him forever (Revelation 22:3-5).
The 24 Elders
"Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads." (Revelation 4:4 ESV)
"And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever." (Revelation 4:9-10 ESV)
The 24 Elders are seen in various parts of the book of Revelation, and the number 24, as a symbolic number, occurs only in this book for these elders (Revelation 4:4-10,7:11, 11:16; 19:4). The Bible is not exactly clear who the 24 Elders are, but the Bible gives us some clues as to their identity. They act as priests who constantly enter into worship day and night for all eternity (Revelation 4:9-11; 5:8-10, 14; 11:16; 19:4).
The Greek word 'elders' is 'presbuteros' and refers to a mature older man who was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and oversaw the keeping of the Law. It is used in the church to refer to those who provide "oversight" (Gk: 'episkopeo' - the verb form of "overseer") to local congregations (1 Timothy 3:1-7,15, 5:17; Titus 1:5-7). They are also called 'shepherds' (Gk: ‘poimaino’), and the word is used interchangeably with "pastor" (Acts 14:23; 1 Peter 5:1–2; Ephesians 4:11). These three terms refer to one office. Luke wrote that Paul gathered together the "elders," called them "overseers," and encouraged them to "care for" (literally "shepherd") the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17, 28).
Throughout the Bible, the term "elder" is used exclusively in reference to human beings. Some believe the 24 Elders are 'redeemed' men, specifically resurrected Christians who ascended with Jesus to Heaven. The Redeemed include Old Testament saints (Acts 7:38; Hebrews 11; 12:1), the distinct group of 144,000 Jews (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5), and those who were Born-Again and make up the New Testament Church that Jesus began and will present it to Himself when He appears again on earth (Ephesians 5:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 12:27-28; Ephesians 1:20-23; 2:14-22; 4:12-16; 5:21-32; Colossians 1:18,24).
