MEMORY VERSE: “ 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.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Revelation 22:1-7.
INTRODUCTION
When we die as believers,our souls go to heaven, a place of rest, as we await our new resurrection bodies made to live and worship in the ‘new earth’ 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:14. Out of heaven, a new City called ‘New Jerusalem’ will come down from God to the new earth Revelation 21:2. It shall be the capital city of God’ where God dwells among men Revelation 21:3. It will also be the eternal home of the redeemed of all ages Hebrews 11:13-16; 12:22-24. It is also important to note that the ‘new Heaven’ as well as the new Earth mentioned in Revelation 21:1, is the result of the melting of the current heaven and the earth by fire. It speaks of a change in condition and structure to make it eternally new 2 Peter 3:10-13.
OUTLINE
- BIBLICAL SNAPSHOT
- HOW DO I GET THERE?
- BIBLICAL SNAPSHOT
What we think of as heaven a place of full enjoyment of the presence of God will now be on earth the recreated ‘new earth’ Revelation 21:1-3 This is the believers’ final abode through God’s miraculous intervention and re-creation Revelation 21:5.lt is the home of pure gold Revelation 21:18 having gates made with pearls, and the street of the city laid in gold like transparent glass Revelation 21:21. The glory of God supplies the light in this city so there is no need for the sun or candle and there is no night there Revelation 21:23; 22:5. It is an abode for overcomers Revelation 2:7; 3:21. There is no dull moment in this city as it is filled with rejoicing and shouts of praise Revelation 19:1,3. All tears shall be wiped away by God and there shall be no more death,pain, crying or sorrow Revelation 21:4 It is a city without temples because God and the Lamb are the temples thereof Revelation 21:22. Saints shall see the face of Jesus Revelation 22:4 and they shall sit on thrones in this city Revelation 225c. It is an incredibly majestic, a place of God,s throne Revelation 22:3. It is a place where the righteous shall shine like the sun Matthew 13:43.
2. HOW DO I GET THERE?
As beautiful as the Holy City is, there are conditions to be fulfilled before access can be granted. The very first step is to be born again because access is through faith in Christ Jesus John 3:3-5. After this, believers are expected to do away with the works of the flesh and sin – uncleanness, fornication, inconvenient jesting, covetousness, idolatry, etc. Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-5, lay aside every weight of sinful living, and focus on Jesus Hebrews 12:1-2.
It is for those whose garments are spotless in this world of sin Ecclesiastes 9:8; Revelation 16:15; those who have refused to love the perverted and corrupt world-system 1 John 2:15-17; those who are diligent and blameless in their walk with Jesus 2 Peter 3:14; whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life Revelation 21:27.
CONCLUSION
Do all you can to get to this place of unparalleled splendour that is beyond human description
FURTHER READINGS:
SUN: Galatians 4:26.
MON: Hebrews 11:10.
TUES: Hebrews 12:22-24.
WED: Hebrews 13:14.
THURS: Revelation 21:1-27.
FRI: Isaiah 65:17.
SAT: 2 Peter 3:12-13.