Glimpse of Heaven
Revelation 21-22. I couldn't sleep, so I'm blogging pretty early today. Thus, I'll take this time to finish Revelation, and tomorrow I will give you the details on our new Bible Reading plan for next year. It will be a Monday through Friday plan with weekends off, but more on that later.
Today, what a fitting way to close out the old year by reading these last two chapters of God's Word. Here we, along with John, get a glimpse of heaven. Let's peek through the gates together as we catch A Glimpse Of A Place Called Heaven.
I. HEAVEN IS A GENUINE PLACE: 21:1-3
Heaven is a as real as that computer screen of which you are reading this from. In fact, there are really three heavens! That's right! First, there is the atmospheric heaven--the sky. The place where the birds fly; the air above us. Then, there is the astronomical heaven - -the starry heaven. This is where the stars and the planets reside. Then, there is the third heaven. This is the place where God lives. The place all the saints of God dream about. This is the place we long to be. This is the place we call home! This was the place where both Paul (2 Cor.12) and John (Rev.4:1) were caught up to, and now John is revealing to us that which was revealed to him. Heaven is a real place!
II. HEAVEN IS A GLORIOUS PLACE: 21:1-7; 9-26
Never has there been a city described like this city! To attempt to describe its glories is to exhaust all the adjectives and descriptive language known to man. Paul must have had this in mind when he said, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9.
III. HEAVEN IS A GUARDED PLACE: 21:4-27
A. Guarded For The Saved: v.8, 27. - "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,", 1 Pet. 1:4. Heaven is an exclusive place! Really, it has been created for a select group of individuals! Only those with the proper credentials will be allowed within the gates of that city! In fact, the entrance requirements are so strict that there is only one way to get in! If anyone tries to get in another way, they will be forever banished from that city! There is only one Door, John 10:9, and His name is Jesus, John 14:6.
The only way to get into Heaven is through faith in Him! The Bible says, "You must be born again.", John 3:3; 7. This means that you must trust Jesus and Jesus alone to save your soul. Religion will not save you. Going to church will not save you. Being good will not save you. The only thing that will save you is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, [Acts 16:31]. Are you saved? Are you sure that if you died today that you would be granted access into Heaven? If there is even the shadow of a doubt in your mind, then I beg you in the name of Jesus, please get this settled today!
B. Guarded From Sorrow - Please understand that nothing from this world will enter that world! In fact, in these two chapters there is an extensive list of "No more" things. Notice a few of them:
1. V. 1 No More Sea - Division and separation
2. V. 4 No More Sadness - Tears; He who washed away our sins, will wipe away our tears.
3. V. 4 No More Sleep - Death; no cemeteries or funeral homes.
4. V. 4 No More Sorrow
5. V. 4 No More Suffering
6. V. 22 No More Sanctuary - Temples
7. V. 23 No More Sun - Not needed!
8. V. 25 No More Sundown - No night
9. 22:3 No Scourge - No curse there!
Hallelujah! That sounds like the place I want to go! How about you?
The classic Bible commentator Matthew Henry, anticipating that some would unduly mourn his passing, wrote these words of comfort and assurance: "Would you like to know where I am? I am at home in my Father's house, in the mansions prepared for me here. I am where I want to be--no longer on the stormy sea, but in God's safe, quiet harbor. My sowing time is done and I am reaping; my joy is as the joy of harvest. Would you like to know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness. Grace is swallowed up in glory. Would you like to know what I am doing? I see God, not as through a glass darkly, but face to face. I am engaged in the sweet enjoyment of my precious Redeemer. I am singing hallelujahs to Him who sits upon the throne, and I am constantly praising Him. Would you like to know what blessed company I keep? It is better than the best on earth. Here are the holy angels and the spirits of just men made perfect. I am with many of my old acquaintances with whom I worked and prayed, and who have come here before me. Lastly, do you want to know how long this will continue? It is a dawn that never fades! After millions and millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now. Therefore, weep not for me!"
Sing with me:
"What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face; the One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land; What a day, glorious day, that will be!"
Today, what a fitting way to close out the old year by reading these last two chapters of God's Word. Here we, along with John, get a glimpse of heaven. Let's peek through the gates together as we catch A Glimpse Of A Place Called Heaven.
I. HEAVEN IS A GENUINE PLACE: 21:1-3
Heaven is a as real as that computer screen of which you are reading this from. In fact, there are really three heavens! That's right! First, there is the atmospheric heaven--the sky. The place where the birds fly; the air above us. Then, there is the astronomical heaven - -the starry heaven. This is where the stars and the planets reside. Then, there is the third heaven. This is the place where God lives. The place all the saints of God dream about. This is the place we long to be. This is the place we call home! This was the place where both Paul (2 Cor.12) and John (Rev.4:1) were caught up to, and now John is revealing to us that which was revealed to him. Heaven is a real place!
II. HEAVEN IS A GLORIOUS PLACE: 21:1-7; 9-26
Never has there been a city described like this city! To attempt to describe its glories is to exhaust all the adjectives and descriptive language known to man. Paul must have had this in mind when he said, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9.
III. HEAVEN IS A GUARDED PLACE: 21:4-27
A. Guarded For The Saved: v.8, 27. - "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,", 1 Pet. 1:4. Heaven is an exclusive place! Really, it has been created for a select group of individuals! Only those with the proper credentials will be allowed within the gates of that city! In fact, the entrance requirements are so strict that there is only one way to get in! If anyone tries to get in another way, they will be forever banished from that city! There is only one Door, John 10:9, and His name is Jesus, John 14:6.
The only way to get into Heaven is through faith in Him! The Bible says, "You must be born again.", John 3:3; 7. This means that you must trust Jesus and Jesus alone to save your soul. Religion will not save you. Going to church will not save you. Being good will not save you. The only thing that will save you is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, [Acts 16:31]. Are you saved? Are you sure that if you died today that you would be granted access into Heaven? If there is even the shadow of a doubt in your mind, then I beg you in the name of Jesus, please get this settled today!
B. Guarded From Sorrow - Please understand that nothing from this world will enter that world! In fact, in these two chapters there is an extensive list of "No more" things. Notice a few of them:
1. V. 1 No More Sea - Division and separation
2. V. 4 No More Sadness - Tears; He who washed away our sins, will wipe away our tears.
3. V. 4 No More Sleep - Death; no cemeteries or funeral homes.
4. V. 4 No More Sorrow
5. V. 4 No More Suffering
6. V. 22 No More Sanctuary - Temples
7. V. 23 No More Sun - Not needed!
8. V. 25 No More Sundown - No night
9. 22:3 No Scourge - No curse there!
Hallelujah! That sounds like the place I want to go! How about you?
The classic Bible commentator Matthew Henry, anticipating that some would unduly mourn his passing, wrote these words of comfort and assurance: "Would you like to know where I am? I am at home in my Father's house, in the mansions prepared for me here. I am where I want to be--no longer on the stormy sea, but in God's safe, quiet harbor. My sowing time is done and I am reaping; my joy is as the joy of harvest. Would you like to know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness. Grace is swallowed up in glory. Would you like to know what I am doing? I see God, not as through a glass darkly, but face to face. I am engaged in the sweet enjoyment of my precious Redeemer. I am singing hallelujahs to Him who sits upon the throne, and I am constantly praising Him. Would you like to know what blessed company I keep? It is better than the best on earth. Here are the holy angels and the spirits of just men made perfect. I am with many of my old acquaintances with whom I worked and prayed, and who have come here before me. Lastly, do you want to know how long this will continue? It is a dawn that never fades! After millions and millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now. Therefore, weep not for me!"
Sing with me:
"What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face; the One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land; What a day, glorious day, that will be!"
posted by Royce Hendry at
3:34 AM
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