D25. MAIN-Eternal & Heavenly Existence

D25. ETERNAL & HEAVENLY EXISTENCE

HUMAN DIMENSION

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

[11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

• Humans can see and understand the 3 dimensions (width, length & height) along with the time dimension, but there could be as many as 12 more

• Some scientists are in search of higher dimensions while Christians better understand this as the spiritual realm

• This doesn't mean what we know as the spiritual realms (like Heaven and Hell) are not as 'physically real' as the world we experience daily <P1698>

• Life is the active involvement with its environment; for instance, a worm has an earthly life in that its environment is dirt in which it lives and has no capacity to interact with an environment of water or air

• Similarly, human beings have biological life than enables them to interact with the biosphere – the realm of life on earth

• Humans have no native capacity to interact with the realm of the spiritual and eternal unless they have come to know God through Jesus Christ and have been given eternal life by God

• Eternal life for the believer involves the capacity to be involved with God - to speak to Him, to be guided by Him, to be empowered by the Holy Spirit! <R1795>

• Not only will humans increase in the number of dimensions, but will experience at least 10 dimensions of Heaven <P1698>

• According to the Second Book of Enoch, also known as Slavonic Enoch or 2 Enoch, there are ten levels of heaven <W2201>

• The first dimension is where you will meet loved ones

• Then spend time in the third dimension in what would be considered the Garden of Eden, where knowledge and insight will be unlimited <M1501>

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

[12] For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

• There are not ten levels of heaven according to the Bible, but three

• Paul spoke of being taken to the third heaven

• To the Greeks there are three heavens: the sky and the clouds is one; the stars and the planets comprise the second heaven; the third heaven is where God's throne is located <W2201>

ETERNAL DESTINATION

• We do get to Heaven by good works — not by our own good works, but by the perfect work of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, when He came to earth, took our sins to the cross, shed His blood, died, was buried, and God raised Him to life on the third day <G7993>

• Heaven is not the default destination of every person -- it is only the destination of the person who has put his or her faith in Christ

John 17:2-3 NIV

[2] For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

• Nor will Heaven be boring; somewhere along the line, a false concept that those who make it to heaven will be bored out of their minds for all eternity while forced to sit on a cloud playing the same sad tune on a harp, over and over and over again forever

• Never would our Heavenly Father impose anything resembling boredom on any of His forever family, for we will all be far too busy doing wonderful things to be bored <S2000>

• After being taken up and given new, forever immortal bodies and a mindset such as our Jesus has, and after being able to stand and even speak after our first in-person meeting with our Savior, we look forward to seeing all our loved ones there <H91>

• Heaven will answer the ache in your heart for a place you have never even seen <L120>

• The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can’t supply is proof that Heaven must be our home <L125>

• This earthly life will seem a split second compared to what is waiting for each one of us in eternity after

• They say "Heaven is not an imitation of earth. Earth is an imitation of Heaven."

• The very, very best that you have ever experienced on this earth or ever will experience will be vastly better in Heaven <L120>

• Our dwelling place in the New Jerusalem will far exceed our expectations and be the most beautiful place imaginable <B26> <J100>

• Our brief time on earth is a pale imitation, a sneak preview, of what awaits us in Heaven

• "All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been hints of heaven -- tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is I was made for another world… Earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy but to arouse, to suggest, the real thing." <L125>

Hebrews 10:1 NIV

[1] The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming---not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

• The spiritual life is real while this earthly life is a testing ground for what is to come

• We have amazing examples of those who lived before us in the Christian faith

• The author of Hebrews suggests our faithful loved ones in Heaven are cheering us on

• Those who cared for us while they existed in this earthly realm continue to have a vested interest in our spiritual well-being

• Death will not change that <L120>

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

• When we forget about eternity, we not only lose a true perspective on life, but we also lose sight of the essence of our hope, Jesus

• Watching for His appearing is not just a matter of obeying what He taught us (Matt 24:42-25:13) but it’s also a matter of making Him the focus of our lives rather than our own aspirations and the things that absorb so much of our attentions <B26>

• We have limited ability and understanding in this life but can look forward to unlimited ability and understanding in the next!

• Believers in Christ who accepted Him as their Savior and are blessed with eternal life will not exhaust the knowledge of God -- will not find the ends of God -- even trillions of years into eternity <G70>

• Let us never forget what lies ahead for the believer; the present suffering makes it all worthwhile

ETERNAL PUNISHMENT

• It is interesting that a much higher percentage of people believe in the existence of heaven than believe in the existence of hell

• According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven

• The Bible explicitly teaches that hell is a real place to which the wicked/unbelieving are sent after death

• Jesus Himself indicates that punishment of the wicked in hell is as never-ending as the bliss of the righteous in heaven <G72>

• God does not want anyone to end up in hell, but we know not everyone will acknowledge Him and accept His offer of salvation

• In fact, God created hell for Satan and his fallen angels <G70>

• It will be a destination, however, for those who align themselves with Satan and his rebellion against God

• Praise God that, through Jesus, we can escape this eternal fate

Matthew 18:14 NIV

[14] In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

John 3:16,18,36 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

A NEW HEAVENLY BEGINNING

Isaiah 25:8 NIV

[8] he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.

• Some people tend to go mystical when they talk about the afterlife; they describe Heaven as a state of mind rather than an actual place

• The Bible, on the other hand, describes Heaven as a real place <L120>

• When believers in Christ get to heaven and are transformed into their glorified state, the longings that they had for things of this world will pass away and will no longer be part of them

• After Jesus rose from the dead, He was on the earth for 40 days

• Without putting them necessarily in order, Jesus revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene, the two on the road to Emmaus, the apostles when Thomas wasn’t present, and the apostles when Thomas was present

• Jesus also fixed breakfast for seven of the apostles on the beach one morning. and Paul said that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brethren at once

• The point of all those instances of Jesus meeting them is simply this: when Jesus was ready, they all recognized Him <O1595>

• Likewise, when we are in our glorified state we will be like Jesus, able to recognize others and be recognized

• Most glorious of all: it will not be the jasper walls and the pearly gates that will make heaven attractive but our being with God! <M1504>

1 John 3:2 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Hebrews 12:22-23 NIV

[22] But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, [23] to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

• Believers will see things as Christ does, know as they are known, desire only the things that please Christ, and all this of the earth will pass away

• Many believers are looking forward to spending time with those we've learned about in Scripture, such as spending the afternoon with King David

• But consider the fact OTHERS will know US and the work we conducted for the kingdom in this life; this should be good motivation to do our best for Him while we can <G70>

• Will we recognize one another in Heaven? The short answer is yes, absolutely

• Why would we know less in Heaven than we know on earth?

• We will know those that are in heaven with us, but we won’t carry on everlasting love affairs and desire for a perfect, desirable partner

• We won’t long for past relationships that have ended in a way we wish we could change, or daydream about what could have been or regret what we didn’t do; those thoughts will be gone forever

• What believers will get is the knowing of brothers and sisters in Christ, and see them as they are in their glorified state, and we will be in our glorified state

• We don’t change identities in Heaven, for we'll be the same people there that we are on earth

• I’ll still be me, you’ll still be you -- but we’ll be perfected versions of ourselves without the flaws, shortcomings, or sinful tendencies

• We’ll be glorified in the presence of God!

• It won’t be just your appearance that’s familiar

• You’ll have the same thoughts, feelings, and desires that you had on earth -- but they’ll all be perfected

• You will be the purest version of you in Heaven so the people who love you will love you even more

• The sinful world that brought all the passions and desires for things of the world will be long gone

• In Heaven, there will be no more mysteries, no more questions, everything will be resolved, everything will be known

• You will still love your family and friends

• In fact, you will love them with a stronger, purer, and sweeter love

• Death may break our bonds on earth, but God restores them in Heaven <L120>

• So why cling to the world at this late hour?

• We know that all the world’s seductive lies are just deception, so why do we ourselves continue to cling to the corners of it, seeking Jesus to remove the scales from our sinful eyes yet holding on for dear life to the little fragments of our old carnal selves? <B315>

Romans 8:18 NIV

[18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV

[17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

RELATED COMMENTS

Note: each ** comment in this APPLICATION doc comes from CHAPTER doc(s), where the comments are in numerical order according to verse(s) from the chapter

** We are told that God will create new heavens and a new earth <D497>

• God promises this eternal creation after the Millennial Kingdom, once the final rebellion has been put down and all unbelievers are purged from the earth

• In Greek, the word NEW may be rendered in two ways: NEOS meaning 'new in time' or KAINOS meaning 'new in quality'

• Deciding the meaning of 'new' in this passage leads us to the question whether the creation will be re-creation or renewal?

• Many excellent scholars, past and present, come to different conclusions on this point particularly since some view the word 'kainos' differently

• Regardless, the new creation will be wonderful beyond our imagination!

Isaiah 65:17 NIV

[17] “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah 51:6 NIV

[6] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

** A one-world government IS coming but not as current leaders imagine – its ruler will be Jesus Christ <D497>

• The Millennial Kingdom government will be global but under perfect rulership and in perfect peace

• We look ahead with confident assurance that one day, the world will be governed by the perfect Ruler and the redeemed will no longer be distressed or depressed!

• No votes will be cast, no UN resolution will be sought, no social media poll will be taken

• In the current age, nations would not dare turn their weapons into agricultural equipment but when Jesus rules, armed conflict will be no more

• Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords will reign and He will do so from Jerusalem

Daniel 7:14 NIV

[14] He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Isaiah 44:6 NIV

[6] “This is what the Lord says---Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

** While Jewish tradition states there will be one general resurrection when God will revive the physical bodies of the dead and reunite them with their souls during the Messianic Age, this belief goes against Scripture <D497>

Isaiah 26:19 NIV

[19] But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise---let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy---your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.

• Some will claim that all OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS were already raised at the time of Jesus' death (Matt 27:50-53)

• Most Biblical scholars, however, hold to the resurrection of Old Testament saints at the end of the Tribulation Period (Dan 12:11-13)

Matthew 27:50-53 NIV

[50] And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. [51] At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split [52] and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. [53] They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Daniel 12:11-13 NIV

[11] “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. [12] Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. [13] “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance. ”

• NEW TESTAMENT SAINTS or Church Age believers who already died will join those who are alive in resurrection at the Rapture, when Christ returns to gather His followers (1 Thess 4:16-17)

• Also, there will be saints martyred during the Tribulation Period; many believe their resurrection will be at the same time as the Old Testament saints at the second coming of Christ just before His Millennial reign (Rev 6:9-11)

• Death during the MILLENNIAL KINGDOM will be rare, considering life spans will return to those experienced prior to the flood; the issue of the death of a millennial saint is not specifically addressed in Scripture

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Revelation 6:9-11 NIV

[9] When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. [10] They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” [11] Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

• Everyone is going to receive a resurrected body and everybody is going to spend eternity in their resurrected body; it just depends on location

• There will be an UNBELIEVER RESURRECTION, for they too will need a resurrected body for their eternal state of punishment (Rev 20:11-15)

Revelation 20:11-15 NIV

[11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. [13] The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. [15] Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

** Our resurrected Christ is the firstborn to conquer death; all believers in Christ are assured they too will one day conquer death and spend eternity with Him!

• Jesus is called the Firstborn, acknowledging that others will come after Him

• We can be raised with Christ when we hold on to His resurrection <B292>

• Jesus conquered death so those who follow Him will have 'a new address' living with our glorified Christ <F64>

Colossians 1:18 NIV

[18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

** The same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead can bring a fulfilled eternal life to those who call on Him!

• Anyone who calls on the name of Christ will be saved and receive the Holy Spirit

• Those who are born again can live a fulfilled life of joy, peace and hope through the power of the Holy Spirit

• In addition to living a fulfilled life in this mortal existence, the same believer is promised eternity with Christ when their life is over

Romans 8:11 NIV

[11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Acts 1:8 NIV

[8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

[13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 10:10 NIV

[10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

** A genuine Christian cannot claim to follow Christ and live against His teaching at the same time <M1501>

• True believers 'pick up their cross' and follow Him no matter what the cost

• Those who live a life of hypocrisy are not following the true Jesus of Scripture but the created version of Jesus they prefer

• Creating a version of Jesus is akin to idolatry

• In the end, Jesus will say He never knew those who did not follow Him with a pure heart -- but, in truth, they also never knew Christ!

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

[13] “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

James 1:22,27 NIV

[22] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. [27] Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

** Just before Jesus was crucified, He left two promises to His church: He was going to prepare a place for His bride, and He would come back for His bride <O1595>

John 14:2-3 NIV

[2] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Revelation 21:1-2 NIV

** The earth will 'be relieved' and experience its fullness once Satan is bound and removed for a thousand years <G70>

• The earth is currently cursed and under control of the enemy due to the punishment placed on Adam and Cain for their sin

• In essence, the earth will get back to Edenic conditions for the Millennial period

Romans 8:19 NIV

[19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Genesis 3:17-18 NIV

[17] To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. [18] It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.

Genesis 4:10-12 NIV

[10] The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. [11] Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. [12] When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth. ”

Revelation 20:1-2 NIV

[1] And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. [2] He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

** The fact that we can 'choose life, so that we will live' implies that we have free will to choose! <W212>

• What does it mean to choose life?

• Everyone of us has the choice to believe the gospel message brought by Christ

• This can bring about a faithful life empowered by the Holy Spirit, who can help us endure and remain true

Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV

[19] This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

John 14:15 NIV

[15] “If you love me, keep my commands.

• Just as Israel was not abandoned in exile, we are not left alone in our struggles

• God calls us to stand, to repent, to return, and to live

• Choosing life ultimately results in eternal life with Him!

Mark 1:15 NIV

[15] “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

** We decide not only where we are going in this life but also where we will spend eternity <L120>

Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV

[19] This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

• What road are you on today? Which way are you going?

• If you’re living for yourself, if you’re living for pleasure, if you’re living for happiness, you’re heading for a dead end and will never find what you’re looking for

• No one knew this better than Solomon, the great king of Israel who had almost limitless wealth and pursued earthly pleasures with reckless abandon

• When he was done, he looked at everything he worked hard to accomplish and realized it was all so meaningless, like chasing the wind

Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV

[11] Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

• On the other hand, if you change your course and follow Jesus Christ, He will give you absolute assurances of life

• We can be assured of life beyond the grave, life in His presence, life in a place called Heaven, which is far greater than anything you think you can achieve and imagine

Philippians 1:27 NIV

[27] Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

** The New Testament quotes Psa 45:6-7 making it clear this psalm is to transport us from earthly to heavenly celebration <R1795>

• The author of Hebrews cites the royal imagery and language of Psalm 45 to Jesus, emphasizing his divine nature and position as the ultimate ruler

• The citation is used to show that Jesus is not just a human king or a created being, but God himself, with an eternal throne and a righteous kingdom <W2201>

Psalm 45:6-7 NIV

[6] Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. [7] You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Hebrews 1:8-9 NIV

[8] But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. [9] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

** Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ will enjoy God's new heaven and earth when He expires the current edition

• A Jewish Yeshiva University philosophy professor, Rabbi Bronstein, shared his thoughts with a global audience regarding God's evolving plan

• He claimed the Bible is a story that has a beginning, middle, and an end -- and we are the characters writing its final chapters

• This isn’t about ancient prophecies coming true, but about understanding ourselves as active participants in a divine narrative that began with creation and is racing toward its climactic conclusion

• He stated how the Bible begins with Genesis when God created the heavens and the earth, and will end with an eschatological perfect world where God’s presence is revealed for all to see

• In between, the story unfolds where God is constantly trying to push the world from creation to redemption

• Bronstein, an orthodox rabbi, is persuaded that God’s story of humankind is right and true and he can see it developing into a 'happy ending' <J100>

Isaiah 60:12-14 NIV

[12] For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. [13] “The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet. [14] The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

• Israel’s Messiah, Yeshua, will return and destroy Israel’s enemies as prophesied in Joel 3, Zechariah 14, Isaiah 63, Matthew 25, Revelation 19, and so forth

• When Israel’s Messiah returns, He is going to fix the mess this world has become as a result of sinful man <G7995>

• But this rabbi, along with all who hold to a faith in Judaism, will find there is no happy ending for those who rejected God’s offer of salvation through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ

• There is an ending to God's story, but God already wrote the final chapter; we are simply waiting for it to play out and eagerly living for Him in the meanwhile

• When the final chapter is completed for the current world, followers of Christ will be able to enjoy God's new creation in their new bodies!

1 Corinthians 15:54 NIV

[54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Revelation 21:1-2,26-27 NIV

[1] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [26] The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. [27] Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 22:14,16-17 NIV

[14] “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. [16] “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” [17] The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

** Believers in Christ who arrive in eternity will help the Lord govern (or judge) in the heavenly realm, to the point of even presiding over angels

• Paul emphasized the future role of believers in God's judgment, signifying that they will be involved in evaluating and determining the fate of both worldly matters and angelic beings

• We can surmise from the 1 Corinthians 6:3 passage that we, as God’s children, will be given a higher position than the angels

• Most likely, believers in heaven will take part in the judgment of the fallen angels and exercise some authority over the holy angels <G72>

1 Corinthians 6:3 NIV

[3] Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

** Those who deny the existence of Heaven and Hell are challenging God and denying the authority of His Scripture that clearly identifies both <B23>

• In order to understand what is good, there must be a contrasting evil

• Let's term this dichotomy as 'opposing forces of good and evil'

• If those who believe in God expect to enjoy a blissful existence with Him in eternity, then those who reject God should also expect to suffer without Him in eternity

• Both punishment and reward, the results of each opposing force, are required to establish an equilibrium of outcome

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

• The same 'opposing forces of good and evil' help us understand what is at the foundation of Christian theology

• Consider good and evil needed for 'salvation'

• Using a medical analogy of curing a disease, you can't have a cure (salvation as good) without first identifying the disease (sin as evil) <M130>

Luke 5:31-32 NIV

[31] Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

** Observing the lawlessness of our society, we understand that God’s justice and holiness demand that evil be punished – not just here and now but in the eternal state as well; upon His glorious return, our Lord Jesus Christ will mete out judgment for those who have refused His gracious offer of salvation and instead lived as rebels on earth <G7993>

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV

[8] He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might

Hebrews 10:29-31 NIV

[29] How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” [31] It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Jude 1:7 NIV

[7] In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

** Followers of Christ will be like Jesus when He appears for us; we will be like Him! <S1993>

• God has predestined us for this union

• God’s goal for His believers will be fulfilled

• Our being like Him will be a supreme tribute to Jesus, as the Chief among many

• We will see Christ as He truly is!

Colossians 3:4 NIV

[4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

[18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

1 John 3:2-3 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. [3] All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

** If your life were to end today, would you be able to say that you’ve fought the good fight, finished the race, and guarded the faith in the way that you live? If so, then Paul’s reward of a crown of righteousness which the Lord will give on the day of his return will be yours as well <L120>

2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV

[7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

** Jesus is the infinite Word of God <H87>

• No one will ever be able to come to a complete understanding of our infinite God

• Those who seek to comprehend God in His fullness will be learning about Him throughout eternity

Luke 21:33 NIV

[33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

John 1:1-2 NIV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning.

** Some day, there will be a great reunion in eternity with our loved ones <S188>

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 NIV

[17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

** The Lord carefully manages all our experiences, weaving them together in preparation for the day we inherit the kingdom in resurrection bodies <B26>

• Our lives as followers of Jesus are not a random, disconnected series of blessings and adversities

• In eternity it will all make sense, but now we trust Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:51-54 NIV

[51] Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--- [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

** There is a perfect one-world government coming, as opposed to man's greed-inspired attempts at globalism

• None of mankind’s attempts to bring peace and prosperity has ever worked or will work -- from the Tower of Babel, to world empires of history, the League of Nations, Council on Foreign Relations, United Nations, to current attempts at a New World Order or Human 2.0

• That’s because all attempts have been and continue to be godless; you cannot succeed when God is ignored

• Only Christ’s earthly kingdom will bring what people have longed for <M131>

• Bottom line: God's plan includes Christ ruling as king (Isa 9:3–7; 11:1–10) while nobles and governors also rule (Isa 32:1; Matt 19:28), and Jerusalem is the political center of the world (Zech 8:3) <G72>

• After the Tribulation, Christ will return and set up His kingdom here on earth, reigning for 1,000 years and establishing His perfect global government in Jerusalem from which He will rule all nations

• Our dwelling place in the New Jerusalem will far exceed our expectations and be the most beautiful place imaginable <B26> <J100>

• At last, a perfect utopia that only the Lord Himself can bring is on the horizon!

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Revelation 11:15 NIV

[15] The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

** How believers live their lives today will determine how God blesses their life for eternity

• One of the many blessings of trusting in Jesus now is that we will face only one judgment – the judgment seat of Christ – which will not determine whether or not we enter heaven, but our rewards in eternity <H992>

Romans 14:12 NIV

[12] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

** Jesus’ ends His note to the church in Smyrna ends with comforting words <B26>

• As He does at the end of all His letters, the Lord applies His message to all believers

• To the saints at Smyrna who faced the prospect of martyrdom, Jesus reminded them of His promise of eternal life

• They wouldn’t be hurt by the second death which John later describes as the White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15)

• Instead, they will be among the redeemed who would spend eternity enjoying life to its fullest in paradise

• Regardless of the level of persecution we might face, as believers we know we will never by judged for our sins but will someday experience all the wonders of eternal life

Revelation 2:11 NIV

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

** The words of this Psalm continually remind the people of Israel of the day their messianic hopes become a reality; it will mark the beginning of a gloriously restored kingdom for Israel <B26>

• For us as New Testament saints, we know that our King will surely come for us just as He promised throughout the New Testament

• After the Tribulation, we will return to the earth with our Savior and witness the jubilant scene on the streets of Jerusalem

Psalm 118:25-26 NIV

[25] Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! [26] Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.

John 14:2-3 NIV

1 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV

[13] May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

** King Solomon had absolutely everything a person could want in this world, and understood it is all meaningless when compared to the eternal glory and promises of God <G71>

Ecclesiastes 12:8 NIV

[8] “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless! ”

** At the moment of our transition to the eternal believers receive a new body, a glorified body that is not unlike the body of Christ Himself <B318>

• At this moment, we will be given the capacity to feel

• We will be able to appreciate and enjoy all the unspeakably wonderful things that will be ours in eternity

• We will have the opportunity to meet the saints who have gone before us

• So great will be the delights of heaven that they are impossible to describe under the limitations of the human language

• Heaven will not be like anything we know in this world; take the number of greatest joys experienced on earth and multiply them by a thousand

• In these days, let us gather together at the cross, recognizing Jesus Christ as the Savior whose sacrifice made eternal life possible

• While laboring for Him here, let us also anticipate the sound of the trumpet when we will be caught up to be with Him!

Psalm 16:11 NIV

[11] You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

** We can't know what Christ meant by 'kingdom' without understanding everything that was said about the kingdom from the Old Testament <W213>

• Prophets indicated the kingdom will be a time when there is no more war, worldwide agricultural prosperity, Jesus ruling with a rod of iron from Jerusalem, etc

• Believers are to pray for this kingdom when God's name will be revered again

Matthew 6:10 NIV

[10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

** Sapphire is mentioned throughout Scripture as being in the throne room of God, reflecting His glory, lapis lazuli = shines like blue sapphire but mixed with gold <M1501>

Exodus 24:9-10 NIV

[9] Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up [10] and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky.

Ezekiel 1:26 NIV

[26] Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.

Ezekiel 10:1 NIV

[1] I looked, and I saw the likeness of a throne of lapis lazuli above the vault that was over the heads of the cherubim.

** All believers who die before the Rapture go immediately to a place called Paradise <L1293>

• John Wesley aptly commented that "Paradise is the front porch of Heaven"

• Believers will be reunited with new bodies at the Rapture

• In the meantime, those who die before this time will enjoy fellowship with each other and Christ as we stand in His presence in Paradise

Luke 23:43 NIV

[43] Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

** Hell will be a place without God and those who reject God in this life will get their wish to continue living without Him

• God's attributes -- perfect love, peace, joy, absolute strength, pure motive, to mention a few -- provide a good idea of what it will be like in His presence in Heaven

• Conversely, those in Hell will be with Satan in an off-the-charts lawless existence -- no security backup, no law, no justice, no hope

• God's beauty will not be seen or known in Hell. His fellowship will not be enjoyed. His relief and his mercy will not be experienced. If there’s any sense in which God’s presence is felt as an upholding force, it will be the presence of his righteous judgment and wrath. <P1696>

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV

• When Paul wrote that the punishments of Hell will be 'shut out from the presence of the Lord' the word for presence there is face, 'away from the face of the Lord'

• Existing apart from God does not allow for His blessings and reminds us of God’s righteous disapproval

• Admittedly, we can't fully envision what Hell is like, and rarely want to

• The human mind and heart are not equipped in this fallen world to think for long periods of time on the reality of Hell <P1696>

** In essence, Jesus replied to Pilate, "Right king, wrong kingdom."; Jesus is King but not for an earthly nation <F60>

John 18:36-37 NIV

[36] Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” [37] “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

** When they took Jesus down from the cross, He promised, like God had promised to the prophets 1000 years earlier, that His body would not undergo decay; they put Jesus in the tomb and three days later the tomb was empty because He had resurrected from the dead <H90>

Psalm 16:10 NIV

[10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

Luke 24:44-46 NIV

[44] He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” [45] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

John 2:22 NIV

[22] After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

• Do you know that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father?

• He’s saving for Himself a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation

• Those who believe in a resurrected Christ will be with Him one day!

Job 19:25-26 NIV

[25] I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. [26] And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God

** Christ finished His atoning work on the cross and, therefore, had no need to visit Hell between His death and resurrection

• Christ didn't need to endure any further punishment because He conquered death and took on our full atonement on the cross

• No 'extra punishment' was needed to atone for the sins of the world

• The distinction between Hades and Hell (also known as the Lake of Fire)

• Hell is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost (Rev 20:11-15)

• Sheol/Hades, as indicated in the New Testament, is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await final resurrection and judgment

• Sheol/Hades is a realm with two divisions: a place of blessing, aka Abraham's Side (Luke 16:22) and a place of judgment, separated by a great chasm (Luke 16:26)

• Many believe Jesus' soul went to the blessed side of Hades after His death on the cross <G72>

Ephesians 4:9-10 NIV

[9] (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? [10] He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

Revelation 20:11-15 NIV

Luke 16:22-26 NIV

[22] “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. [24] So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' [25] “But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

** Isaiah provided a taste of what believers in Christ can look forward to: death will be swallowed up, believers lose their mortal bodies, and they will spend eternity with Christ!

Isaiah 25:6-9 NIV

[6] On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine---the best of meats and the finest of wines. [7] On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; [8] he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people's disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. [9] In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

1 Corinthians 15:50-55 NIV

[50] I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [51] Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--- [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” [55] “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

** The Catholic version of purgatory is a nice idea but there is no Scripture that supports it

• According to Luther, it was the Church's way of stringing people along and getting payment or indulgences from those concerned about their friends or relatives who died

• Justified saints don’t require further purification in purgatory for they are already holy and blameless before the Lord (Eph 1:3-14, 2:8-9) <B26>

• According to Scripture, eternity is based on the decisions and actions every individual HAD done in their earthly lifetime -- past tense, not based on decisions still coming

Revelation 20:13 NIV

[13] The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.

• Christ was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed

• Jesus suffered for our sins so that we could be delivered from suffering

• To say that we must also suffer for our sins is to say that Jesus’ suffering was insufficient and we must atone for our sins by cleansing in Purgatory

• Purgatory denies the sufficiency of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus (1 John 2:2)

• The idea that those who are saved by grace through faith have to suffer for their sins after death is contrary to everything the Bible says about salvation <G72>

1 John 2:2 NIV

[2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

• Jesus specifically defines eternal punishment and eternal life (Matt 25:45-46)

Matthew 25:45-46 NIV

[45] “He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' [46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

** Paul is telling us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. There isn’t even a twinkling of an eye of time between the last heartbeat and bursting onto that glorious scene -- not one fraction of a second.

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, as he was being stoned, saw the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, stand from the right hand of God’s throne to welcome Stephen into glory. <J100>

Acts 7:59 NIV

[59] While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

** The term ‘twinkling of an eye’ has been calculated by experts to be considerably less than one second <H91>

• In fact, scientists and mathematicians calculate 'twinkling of an eye' as considerably less than 1/100th of a second

• That’s the speed that the Father will use to remove all of the Savior’s flock from this earth

• We must remember that time was made for humans, and the Father is not bound by our limitations

1 Corinthians 15:52 NIV

[52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

** Those who believe in Jesus Christ will never be left alone because they will be in His presence after being taken from this world

• When a person dies, they exit their mortal body and their soul goes to be with the Lord

• There they will wait for the day when believers receive their new resurrected bodies <R171>

• If there is a natural body, then there is a spiritual body <A12>

• There will be a temporary separation until all believers, known as the family of God, are united in the future <H992>

• Believers will know exactly what's going on in this supernatural realm <A21>

1 John 3:2 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV

[8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 NIV

** Christian saints are heirs to Christ's kingdom as confirmed throughout New Testament writings <B26>

• The word 'heir' implies relationship and allows allotted possession of something because of sonship to God

• What belongs to Jesus will also belong to those who believe <G72>

• Since we become His children when we accept His offer of salvation and live for Him, we become heirs to His inheritance

• Believers in Christ are promised an inheritance of a heavenly kingdom that will never perish if they share in Christ's sufferings

• We share in the sufferings of Christ now and will share in the glory of Christ later

• We all tend to like the message of sharing in the riches of Christ’s inheritance, but sharing in His sufferings doesn’t have the same appeal

Romans 8:17 NIV

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Titus 3:7 NIV

[7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life

James 2:5 NIV

[5] Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

• Christian saints are heirs to something they won’t possess in their earthly life, for the inheritance of the saints involves eternity with the Lord in heaven

• This inheritance will neither fade nor spoil

• Jesus Himself will provide the inheritance at His second coming (Dan 7:13-14, 24; Matt 24:30, 26:64)

• Believers in Christ will rule with Him in the heavenly kingdom when He takes them to glory

John 14:2-3 NIV

1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you

Colossians 3:4 NIV

[4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

** Every spiritual blessing, such as the fruit of the Spirit, reside in the heavenly realm <M1501>

Ephesians 1:3 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

** Paul knew where he was going. He knew that he was going to heaven. Granted, Paul had a marked advantage: he had already died, gone to heaven, and returned to earth.

We can imagine Paul in heaven before his Lord, before the One who had called him on the road to Damascus, before the One who had pardoned him of every sin. But then Paul came back and, ever since, was homesick for heaven.

This reminds us that heaven is not a place of unconscious oblivion; it’s a place of conscious existence. Death held no terror for the apostle Paul. He understood that it meant going and being with Christ. It was a beginning, not an ending. It was a promotion. <L120>

Philippians 1:21,23-24 NIV

[21] For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. [23] I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; [24] but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

2 Corinthians 12:2 NIV

[2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know---God knows.

** Abraham died and joined his ancestors in death

• The phrase "gathered to his people" is an ancient way of referring to death

• The death of Abraham is described that he was gathered to his people while the New Living Translation (NLT) is less idiomatic, simply saying that Abraham "joined his ancestors in death" <G72>

Genesis 25:8 NIV

[8] Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.

** The New Jerusalem, where believers will reside with Christ in a place like the Garden of Eden, is said to be a 1500 square mile cube <H89>

Revelation 21:16 NIV

[16] The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long.

** When believers in Christ get to heaven we will wish we did more for the kingdom of God, not less; let's use the time God gives us in this life for the glory of God as best we can <H95>

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

** Since there will be no mourning in heaven, believers are assured they won't recall those who are suffering because they did not accept Christ as their Savior <R171>

Isaiah 65:17-19 NIV

[17] “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. [18] But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. [19] I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

** We are given the choice of putting our hope in either man's version of utopia (for the elite) or God's promise of eternity

• Man's option involves humans being transformed as the WEF (and their allies) desire via 'Transhumanism'

• Or we can align with Christ and allow Him to transform us into glorious righteousness <C36>

• Transhumanists want nothing to do with God so they offer Satan's counterfeit alternative to God's promises

• The efforts of WEF's Human 2.0 program is to bring heaven to earth through a promise of:

a) Super-wellbeing via genetic modification, so a person can look as they want, not get sick or grow tired, etc

b) Super-intelligence, even though (in reality) the elites would keep that for themselves so they remain superior to others

c) Super-longevity so people can live forever <C36>

• God promises His followers they can join Him in heaven when raptured or upon their death

• There is only one eternal kingdom; God's kingdom is eternal while all others have a page in a history book <D40>

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

[18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

John 14:2-3 NIV

** Lot's wife looked back with a yearning of the life she was leaving, even though she knew of Sodom's corruption; this is a good reminder that we will be taken from this world one day and will not look back <O1591>

Genesis 19:15-17,26 NIV

[15] With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished. ” [16] When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. [17] As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” [26] But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

John 14:2-3 NIV

** Believers in Christ are instructed not to be afraid of death; in essence, God is saying, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve been there. I have come back. It is covered.” <L120>

Revelation 1:17-18 NIV

[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

John 14:1-3 NIV

[1] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. [2] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

** Paul refuted those in Corinth who claimed there was no such thing as a resurrection; if true, he argued, then we must conclude that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead and that would signify that our faith is futile <B26>

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NIV

[12] But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. [15] More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. [19] If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

** Whether believers transition at the Rapture or because their appointed time is completed on this earth, it’ll take just a nano-second to move from this life to the next. So it will be instantaneous… here one moment, the next moment in heaven. Believers don’t die, we just change places. Something to look forward to! <P168>

1 Corinthians 15:52 NIV

[52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

** Paul begins verse 20 with the glorious fact that “Christ has been raised from the dead” and in 1 Cor 15:47-57 he sums up our forever hope with the joyous reality of our resurrection as New Testament saints. In language that can’t be misunderstood to mean anything else, the apostle says there’s coming a time when Jesus will raise the dead with imperishable bodies and after that gloriously transform believers still alive.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, our over-the-top blissful hope is that someday we will possess a glorious body like that of our Savior. The sense of verse 20 is that of an “excited anticipation” of Jesus’ appearing. It signifies a yearning of soul for the time that Jesus raises the dead in Christ and wholly transforms us with immortality. I can’t imagine that Paul preached the Gospel apart from adding context to our hope of eternal life, that of our expectation of glorified bodies at Jesus’ appearing. <B26>

1 Corinthians 15:20,49,51-52 NIV

[20] But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [49] And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. [51] Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--- [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV

[57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

** Scripture speaks of different rewards in heaven. Since Jesus will be distributing rewards on the basis of what we have done, we can safely say that there will be a time of reward for believers and that the rewards will differ somewhat from person to person. <G72>

• Only those works that survive God’s refining fire have eternal value and will be worthy of reward

• Those valuable works are referred to as “gold, silver, and costly stones” (1 Cor 3:12) and are those things that are built upon the foundation of faith in Christ

• Those works that will not be rewarded are called “wood, hay, and stubble”; these are not evil deeds but shallow activities with no eternal value

• Rewards will be distributed at the “judgment seat of Christ,” a place where believers’ lives will be evaluated for the purpose of rewards

• “Judgment” of believers never refers to punishment for sin; Jesus Christ was punished for our sin when He died on the cross, and God said about us: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Heb 8:12)

• What a glorious thought! The Christian need never fear punishment, but can look forward to crowns of reward that he can cast at the feet of the Savior

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

** Those who did not take their relationship with Christ seriously on earth will be chastised for this decision when Christ returns at the Rapture

• Those who seriously commit to Christ will gain rewards and rule over nations in the Millennium

• Laodicean believers will lose rewards and be disciplined at the Bema Seat

• Even those who are saved and can live with Christ for eternity, will experience initial disappointment for their spiritual apathy

• It will be devastating to receive Jesus' tongue-lashing and be designated a hypocrite <H86>

Matthew 24:48-51 NIV

[48] But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' [49] and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. [50] The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. [51] He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2 John 1:8-9 NIV

[8] Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. [9] Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Revelation 2:26-27 NIV

[26] To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--- [27] that one 'will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery' ---just as I have received authority from my Father.

** God dismantled the very gods that Pharaoh and the Egyptians worshiped by releasing plagues that focused directly on mocking these gods <F60>

• For instance, the Egyptians worshiped frogs, so God brought them frogs via a plague!

• God will do the same with us today — He will dismantle anything that tethers us to this world, such as what we revere in science, economy, environment, politics and personal interest

• God will help us let go of this world so we are eager to live in our eternal home — the eternal destiny God created for us from the beginning!

• Are we willing to die to this world so we can find fulfillment in God?

Exodus 5:1-3 NIV

[1] Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.' ” [2] Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” [3] Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”

Exodus 7:5 NIV

[5] And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”

Matthew 16:25 NIV

[25] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

** In these days when all the ‘signs of the end times’ (as outlined in Scripture) are increasingly converging on us and our world teeters on the brink of annihilation, it’s imperative that every individual come to terms with our spiritual reality and where they stand with Christ

• They must ask whether they believe what the Bible says about Christ coming to earth thousands of years ago and whether He continues to live in the hearts of His followers today

• Keeping in mind that anyone who does not accept Christ may wake up one day (post rapture) to find a whole bunch of people missing from this world

• Those who choose to believe in Christ before the end (pre rapture) will find themselves automatically safe and secure in their next life

• Those who remain, however, will be faced with a charismatic leader telling them to follow his world governance without question and prove their allegiance to him

• There are ETERNAL negative consequences for anyone who agrees to take an identification, or what Scripture calls ‘the mark’, proving they will pay allegiance to this guy

• It is crucial NO ONE go down this path and accept this mark because there will be eternal consequences if they do!

• Rather, understand that what is happening is exactly as was written in the Bible thousands of years ago, particularly in the books of Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel and Zechariah

• Make the decision to accept Christ regardless of the temporal cost in this life — remember there is eternal joy waiting for you if you accept or eternal punishment if you don’t!

Revelation 13:15-17 NIV

[15] The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. [16] It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, [17] so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Revelation 14:9-12 NIV

[9] A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, [10] they, too, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” [12] This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.

** John told us we can examine the resurrected body of Jesus to get a glimpse of what our resurrected glorified bodies will look and function like one day <E60>

1 John 3:2 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

1. Our new bodies will not have limitations in the natural — Jesus who now has a resurrected body was able to walk through walls and was not confined to physical barriers; the doors were shut but he was able to go through the walls and stand in the midst of His disciples

Luke 24:36-37 NIV

[36] While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” [37] They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

2. Every pain and sorrow will be wiped away — the Lord will allow us to remember the good things in our lives on earth, the things that brought us joy, the birth of our children, our marriages, those moments in our lives that brought joy and laughter, but a passage in Revelation tells us that God will not permit us to remember those things that brought pain and sorrow

Revelation 21:3-4 NIV

[3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

3. We will have full knowledge and understanding of mysteries — the limitations and partial knowledge we experience in this earthly life will be replaced by a comprehensive understanding of heaven

Think about all of the questions we have had over the years.

• Why did God allow this tragedy or that person to die so young?

• Why did my spouse leave me?

• Why did I have a miscarriage?

All of these questions will be answered and the mysteries unlocked!

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

[12] For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

4. We will look similar to what we looked like on earth — this part can get a little complicated because when Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection they initially did not recognize him, which raises speculation that we may look much different when we receive our new bodies

Other aspects to consider, however:

• The disciple’s eyes may have been intentionally veiled for a period of time to conceal who Christ was

• When Jesus appeared, he showed Thomas the wounds on his hands and his side that he endured at the crucifixion

John 20:26-27 NIV

[26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

5. We will not be given in marriage like on earth — as explained when Jesus was approached with a scenario involving seven brothers

• The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother

• Likewise, the second also, and the third, even to the seventh

• Last of all the woman died also

• Jesus was asked whose wife of the seven will she be in the resurrection, to which He replied ‘no one’

Matthew 22:29-30 NIV

[29] Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. [30] At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

6. We will still be eating and drinking — the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead, Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish

John 21:12-14 NIV

[12] Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. [13] Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. [14] This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

7. We will no longer need to sleep — as long as we remain in these physical bodies sleep is a necessity so our brains do not literally stop working; however, It appears that in the new heaven and earth, we will no longer need to sleep as we will be in our new spiritual heavenly bodies

Revelation 22:5 NIV

[5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

8. If we lost a child before the age of accountability then we will see them again — the age of 13 is the most commonly suggested age of accountability based on the Jewish custom that a child becomes an adult at the age of 13; there most likely is not a hard-set age limit since the Lord truly knows the physical development and mindset of each individual child and some will develop faster than others

2 Samuel 12:21-23 NIV

[21] His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” [22] He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.' [23] But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

** God is preparing His followers for work in heaven similar to the talent and tasks He had for us on earth; we will find complete fulfillment and be blessed by working in heaven, just as work used to be a blessing before the fall in the garden <F60>

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

** Believers in Christ will not simply continue ‘existing as we have on earth’ after death or rapture, but will experience the birth of new spiritual bodies when entering into the new age; we will be changed in a moment into something that far exceeds our understanding

Luke 20:35-36 NIV

[35] But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, [36] and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection.

** The Lord will put an end to all worldwide transgression — both sin and sinners — in the coming Tribulation <H86>

Isaiah 24:19-20 NIV

[19] The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken. [20] The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls---never to rise again.

Isaiah 13:9 NIV

[9] See, the day of the Lord is coming---a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger---to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

** The very best that you have ever experienced on this earth or ever will experience will be vastly better in Heaven, for it will answer the ache in your heart for a place you have never even seen <L120>

Hebrews 10:1 NIV

** Man’s resurrected body will be similar to the resurrected body Christ had when He rose from the grave; aspects of our resurrected body will include:

• Physical - since Jesus appeared to 500 witnesses and as demonstrated by Thomas who touched His hands to verify nail-prints

• Spiritual - new immortal body will not be affected by physical barriers, such as doors and walls

• Intellectual - currently we only use a small fraction of our brain but we will have full access to the brain God designed for us; all barriers to learning will be removed

• We will also be able to eat, converse and know one another - demonstrated when Christ ate breakfast with His disciples <W213>

• We will never be able to fathom and exhaust our understanding of God, for “heaven and earth will pass away but His Word will not” <H87>

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NIV

[42] So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; [43] it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; [44] it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

John 21:12-14 NIV

John 20:26-27 NIV

John 10:28 NIV

[28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

** Believers in Christ do not need to entertain any fear regarding what is happening in the world today because we know our final destination <S187>

2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV

[8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

** Some may get confused, thinking we’ve entered the Tribulation when really the ‘stage is being set’ for the Tribulation; we can see signs the Bible mentions, but that doesn’t mean we’ve entered this time period <B23> (Apr 2023)

• Those who remain for the Tribulation WILL KNOW without a doubt that God’s wrath is being poured out

• Lawlessness, extreme weather, nefarious use of technology, decline of economy, deception, etc will be off-the-charts when Christ breaks the seals according to the book of Revelation

• We are getting a glimpse of what will come

• The ten kings, the mark, the Temple, the Antichrist are not on the scene yet and, besides, God will remove His children before He displays His wrath <H87>

Revelation 3:10 NIV

[10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

** God’s people do not need to fear. God delivers. And if He does not deliver, He sustains. And if He does not sustain, He receives us into His everlasting arms — for He is sovereign! God be praised! <M131>

Psalm 59:16-17 NIV

[16] But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. [17] You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

** Jesus enables the believer in Christ to become righteous through His death on the cross; this discredits any notion of purgatory

• At the point of death, every person is either united with Jesus or not

• The false concept of purgatory is appealing to the masses because it gives a ‘last chance’ for people to gain salvation when they die while still being able to live in sin before death

• Jesus finished the work of salvation by dying and resurrecting

• According to Scripture, we come to faith in Christ and are immediately saved from eternal punishment — nothing else is needed!

• Since humans cannot add to Christ’s offer of salvation, the concept of purgatory is not theologically sound <S188>

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

[21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 9:15 NIV

[15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

** Notice David's expectation for eternity [even during the dark valley experiences]. Not in the sheepfold in the wilderness, but in the house of the Lord!

The dwelling-place of God, the family residence of the Father of mercies and His beloved children. In that house, we shall have all our desires gratified, our prayers answered, and our highest expectations more than realized.

• There we shall dwell in peace, united to all the saints, and enjoying the society of all the ransomed brethren

• All friendship will be unchangeable, and fellowship perpetual and pure

• There we shall dwell and worship — and our worship will be spiritual, pure, and perfect

• There we shall dwell and enjoy — and our enjoyments will be dignified, delightful, and eternal

• There we shall dwell and obey — and our obedience will be perfect, hearty, and perpetual

• There, we shall dwell and rest — and our rest will be sweet, refreshing, and satisfying

• There will be no wilderness storms there

• There will be no cruel, crafty, malignant foes there

O glorious prospect! O sweet anticipation! <S183>

Psalm 23:5-6 NIV

[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

John 10:14-15 NIV

[14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--- [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Romans 8:17 NIV

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

** It is important to know the difference between entering the Kingdom of God and inheriting it <H86>

• ENTER the Kingdom of God refers to a one-time act of faith deciding salvation

Mark 9:47 NIV

[47] And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

Mark 10:15 NIV

[15] Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Luke 18:17 NIV

[17] Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

Matthew 18:8-9 NIV

[8] If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. [9] And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

• INHERIT the Kingdom refers to believers receiving rewards and co-reigning with Christ in the Messianic Kingdom; if you continue in sin, you lose rewards

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

[23] Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, [24] since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV

[10] By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. [14] If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. [15] If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved---even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Matthew 25:21 NIV

[21] “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 NIV

[6] Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. [7] For we live by faith, not by sight. [8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. [9] So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. [10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Ephesians 1:18 NIV

[18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Galatians 5:19-21 NIV

[19] The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 3:21 NIV

[21] To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 20:6 NIV

[6] Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

** Every believer is a PILGRIM. He is traveling to his Father's house! He is presently a stranger in a strange land, surrounded by temptations, trials, and foes.

His journey lies through a great and terrible wilderness. Therefore he must not expect a very smooth path or many comfortable accommodations. He will have much to grieve and distress him. His heart will be often burdened with grief and filled with sorrow. Tears are common to the Christian. He feels the unsuitableness of the things of time — to his spirit, profession, and aim. And therefore he confesses,

Psalm 39:12 NIV

[12] “Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.

Weariness and painfulness are his portion now but a rest remains for him! It is a glorious rest. It embraces and includes all that the believer has prayed for and can desire!

• It waits for him at the end of his journey

• It was prepared for him from the foundation of the world

• It is now promised to him in the faithful Word, and

• It will be bestowed upon him when he has fought the good fight and finished his course

Everything at present may appear gloomy and distressing; but ahead of you, believer, everything is glorious, magnificent, and blessed. Press on then. Fight the good fight of faith. Travel on in the strength of Jesus! You are going home and you have a glorious home to go to!

The minute after you have entered your rest, you will forget all the fatigue, all the dangers, and all the difficulties of the way. You will perhaps be filled with wonder, that you should ever have allowed such trifles to vex you, or such little trials to discourage you — with such a glorious end before you. All will be satisfied, all will be full. In a little while, you will see the portal of your Father's house and hear Him say, "Come in, you who are blessed of the Lord, tarry no longer outside! Come, dwell forever with Me!" <S183>

Hebrews 11:13 NIV

[13] All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

** Take a mirror and turn it toward Heaven — there you shall see the reflection of Heaven, the clouds and things above. Turn it downward toward the earth — there you shall see the reflection of the earth, trees, meadows, men.

Just so does the soul receive a reflection from the things to which it is set. If the heart is set toward Heaven, that puts you into a heavenly frame. If you set your heart on earthly objects, you are a man of the earth!

Are our thoughts and our affections full of worldliness? Let us make good use of the above figure, and turn the mirror the other way. Our mind will readily enough reflect divine things, if we turn it in that direction. Let us see if it is not so. Prayerfully read your Bible, or some lively devotional book, and see if the heart is not immediately filled with holy and heavenly reflections. <S185>

Romans 8:5 NIV

[5] Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

** Mortal persons with bodies of corruption will be changed from mortal to immortality, passing over death <L127>

The body of every living Christian and deceased believer will be changed into an incorruptible, immortal body like Jesus had when He was raised from the dead <D41>

1 Corinthians 15:47-49 NIV

[47] The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. [48] As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. [49] And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 NIV

[53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

John 11:25-26 NIV

[25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; [26] and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Romans 8:11 NIV

[11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

** Current day Jews believe in a Messianic Kingdom (although Jesus is not considered the Messiah) and it is prophesied throughout the Old Testament; this kingdom is not given a duration so it is assumed to be eternal <N154>

Isaiah 11:6-10 NIV

[6] The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. [7] The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. [8] The infant will play near the cobra's den, the young child will put its hand into the viper's nest. [9] They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. [10] In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

** We shall be forever with Christ! Now, we have to mourn His absence. Now we exclaim, "O that I knew where I could find Him!" But He has provided something better for us — even to dwell forever in His presence, which will constitute our Heaven, our glory, and our portion!

O with what rapture shall we fix and feast our eyes upon Him, and how will the thought that we are to be forever with Him, thrill through our souls, and open ten thousand gushing streams of unutterable delight and joy! O with what joy shall we hear Him say, "Come, you who are blessed of my Father!"

Here on earth, we may be cast down, for the way is rough and our trials are many. Here we may mourn the absence of our God, but the love of Jesus will soon rescue us, and we shall be received into His presence to abide forever! <S183>

John 14:3 NIV

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NIV

[17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Philippians 1:23 NIV

[23] I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

** The parable of the Prodigal Son is a typology of Christ’s forgiveness when we mess up and ask forgiveness <A10>

• When we experience God’s salvation, we are privileged with an elevated stature in His kingdom

• Our status changes because of the righteousness we receive from Him

Luke 15:20-22 NIV

[20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

1 Corinthians 1:30 NIV

[30] It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God---that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Philippians 3:8-9 NIV

[8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

** God operates in multiple dimensions so we do not fully understand Him or how this world operates <S195>

Ephesians 3:18-19 NIV

[18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

• God and His ways are simply beyond our knowledge unless He opens our eyes <G77>

2 Kings 6:17 NIV

[17] And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

** Paul wanted to know more of Christ, for Christ had appeared to Paul, was revealed in him, and was constantly preached by him <S183>

Christ was the:

• Object of his trust

• Subject of his ministry, and

• Joy of his heart

But Paul knew there was much in Christ with which he was unacquainted. He knew but in part. He desired, therefore, to know more of the:

• Glory of His person

• Riches of His grace

• Magnificence of His work

• Excellency of His natures

• Majesty of His kingdom!

Everything in Christ interested Paul. Creation was good, and grace was better. But Christ was best of all. Paul was never weary of thinking, speaking or learning of Christ.

Beloved, how is it with you? Do you sympathize with Paul in this desire of his heart? Is it your daily wish, ardent desire, and constant aim to know more of Jesus?

Throughout eternity we shall be learning Christ!

• He is the lesson placed before us in the church on earth, and

• He is the lesson placed before the church in Heaven.

Time is given us to learn Christ and eternity will be given to us to learn even more of Christ!

Philippians 3:10 NIV

[10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death

** Our beautiful world, filled with the wonderful works of God, bears evident traces that it is not what it was created at first. It bears everywhere, the marks of a great change — which change is accounted for in the Bible by the fall of Adam.

God made everything very good, but man sinned and the curse came upon himself and the whole creation! Though still beautiful, yet how much is its beauty marred and defaced! Now, thorns and thistles spring up, where once were only lovely flowers and sweet fruits. The wild beasts of the forest, though still beautiful in outward form--now possess violent and ferocious dispositions; and the beasts of burden groan under the tyranny of man. Man himself is subject to labor and toil, to sorrow and sickness and death. Even his most innocent enjoyments are marred by sin!

But thanks be to God, the promise of deliverance from the curse sounds in our ears in this blessed Scripture, "No longer will there be any curse!" Where then, is this land of blessing and perfection? It is that Paradise which Christ has gone to prepare for His people; that "Rest which remains for the people of God."

Here on earth, even our very blessings are mixed with signs of the curse. But there shall be no more curse in our Heavenly home:

• no more toil and labor

• no more weariness and faintness

• no more hunger or thirst

• no more bitter cold or burning heat

• no more disappointment

• no more sorrow

• no more pain

• no more sickness

• no more death!

In Heaven there shall be no more curse, but all will be the perfection of bliss. Who can conceive the happiness of such a state? For this, the whole creation groans and travails in pain, eagerly waiting for its consummation.

Let us, then, who have such exceedingly great and precious promises, when sighing under the effects of the curse in any of its forms — gladly turn our thoughts to meditate on Heaven's glorious realities! And when admiring the beautiful works of God, which still exist to show us what they once were — let us also turn our thoughts to the greater beauty and glory of our Paradise above! <S191>

Revelation 22:3 NIV

[3] No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

** God will exist before history and will exist after <M130>

Isaiah 41:4 NIV

[4] Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord---with the first of them and with the last---I am he. ”

Revelation 1:17-18 NIV

Revelation 22:13 NIV

[13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

** Jesus Christ is our Sovereign Lord who eternally occupies a throne with power to reign

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Revelation 1:8 NIV

[8] “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 22:13 NIV

[13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

1 Timothy 6:15 NIV

[15] ... God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Luke 2:10-11 NIV

[10] But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. [11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Matthew 5:34 NIV

[34] But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne

** No more tribulation, pain or sorrow when we meet our Maker!

Revelation 7:14-17 NIV

I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”

** Jesus Christ as our Song of the Ages, provides every reason to praise and worship Christ the everlasting Lord

Revelation 4:3-5 NIV

[3] And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. [4] Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. [5] From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.

Revelation 4:11 NIV

[11] “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 5:9-12 NIV

[9] And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” [11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

** God will acknowledge and reward those who are victorious, remaining true to Him; He will also ensure others recognize those who are faithful to Him as well

Revelation 3:4-5 NIV

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. [5] The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

** The way we conduct our lives here on earth will continue when we reach heaven, for death crystallizes what you were like on earth; we will be rewarded according to our decisions and actions

Revelation 22:11 NIV

[11] Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Revelation 22:12-15 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. [13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. [14] “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. [15] Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

** Some refer to the Judgment as an ‘exit interview’ where we give an account of what we did for Christ on earth and we will be issued awards and rewards based on our account <O155>

• Salvation is based on what JESUS did

• Rewards are based on what WE did

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

** Some quote “people are destined to die” as an argument against the rapture; while humans typically experience birth and death, there will be a generation that does not experience death — the last generation <G70>

Hebrews 9:27 NIV

[27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

** In our Christian pilgrimage it is well for the most part to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown, and onward is the goal. Whether it is for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the inspiring of our love--the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith!

Looking into the future, the Christian sees:

• Sin cast out

• The body of sin and death destroyed,

• The soul made perfect, and fit to be a partaker of eternal glory

Contemplation of my glorious future may well relieve, the darkness of the past, and the gloom of the present. The joys of Heaven will surely compensate for the sorrows of earth! <S183>

2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

[18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Timothy 4:8 NIV

[8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

** As Daniel prophesied, Christ will visibly appear and come in majesty with every eye being able to witness; God can show Himself at the same time to all on earth

• Part of Daniel’s vision includes someone like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven: “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of Man (Jesus), coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days (the Father), and they brought him near before Him”

• This Son of Man is led into God’s presence, where He is given authority over all the nations of the world

• People of every nation obey him and His kingdom will never be destroyed

• The Son of Man is Christ, who will return in glory to pronounce judgment on the world and usher in His eternal kingdom

• Jesus confirmed His role in Daniel’s prophecy during His trial, just before His crucifixion (Mark 14:61–62) <L120>

Revelation 1:7 NIV

[7] “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

Daniel 7:13 NIV

[13] “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.

Mark 14:61-62 NIV

[61] But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” [62] “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

** The Tribulation and the punishment of Hell may seem cruel and unreasonable in our way of thinking, but always remember:

• We always experience consequence for the choices we make

• The most important choice we make will produce or result in either eternal pleasure or eternal suffering

• God loves us beyond measure and longs that we choose relationship with Him

• Christ left His majesty to come to earth to eventually suffer and die as punishment for OUR sin; the ultimate sacrifice for us while we were still sinners

• All God asks in return for His sacrifice is that we accept His offer of salvation and, as a result, follow His commands via a relationship with Him

• Christ gives us every opportunity to choose whom we will serve — either God or Satan

• Unbelievers will be given a last chance to choose God through the Tribulation period

Hebrews 11:24-25 NIV

[24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. [25] He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

John 15:13-14 NIV

[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

** Those who place their faith in Christ will experience tribulations in this life, but we will not have to endure THE Tribulation at His second coming <G71>

John 15:18-21 NIV

[18] “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. [19] If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. [20] Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. [21] They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

** The trials of a believer are often severe. Many a storm has he to endure, many a river to ford, and many a fire to pass through--in his way home to the promised land. Little did the Christian think, when he first stepped into the liberty of the gospel, that there were such rough roads, dark nights, and terrible storms before him; but, more or less, every traveler to Mount Zion must experience them. It is generally found to be a rough road, which leads to the Celestial City. Many a Christian has found his courage fail him, and his heart misgive him, on his way home.

The darkness is sometimes so dense, the cross is at times so heavy, the disappointment is at some seasons so great --that the stoutest heart quails, and unites with the timid spirit, in exclaiming, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest!"

These trials are necessary to…

• Try our sincerity

• Exercise our graces, and

• Render the promises sweet and precious

When all goes smooth, and everything is pleasant…

• We attach but little importance to the promises

• Have little power in prayer, and

• Are too apt to over-value ourselves

But trying times…

• Endear the throne of grace

• Strip us of pride and self-importance, and

• Strengthen our trust in Jesus

Never is Christ so precious, as in times of peculiar trial. Never is the Bible so valued, as in the day of trouble and distress.

Rest! O how sweet is the thought of rest to the weary, way-worn, exhausted traveler! Rest! O how sweet is the thought of rest to the afflicted, tried, and tempted Christian! He most generally thinks of Heaven as a place of rest from suffering, sorrow, toil, and conflict.

Rest with Jesus. Rest in the home of God. We have the foretastes of it occasionally now, which makes us at times long for its fullness and perfection. Like the grapes of Eshcol, which when tasted, stimulates us to hasten across the wilderness that we may take possession of the promised land; so the inward calm, the secret repose, the rest at times enjoyed in the soul, urges us on, and makes us cry out: “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” <S183>

Psalm 55:6-8 NIV

[6] I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. [7] I would flee far away and stay in the desert; [8] I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm. ”

** If we are to emulate Christ, then those who follow Him are not to make this world their home

Matthew 8:20 NIV

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

** Aged believer, the time of your departure will soon come!

Do not let your mind be troubled as to:

• Where you shall die

• When you shall die, or

• How you shall die!

These are all minor matters, and ought not to affect you. Simply look at death as Jesus did: "Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world, and go to His Father!"

Why should you regret to leave a poor world like this — where sin, sorrow, pain, disappointment, grief and anxiety meet you at every turn? Why should you be reluctant to go HOME — to go to your Father?

• Do you not want to see His face?

• Do you not want to enjoy His company?

• Do you not want to be perfectly happy in His presence? <S183>

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV

[6] For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Philippians 1:23 NIV

[23] I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far

John 13:1 NIV

[1] It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

** All believers in Christ will receive glorified bodies at Jesus’ second coming, whether the dead in Christ rise first or those who are still alive in Christ rise after

• Dead in Christ — uniting their previous body with heavenly spirit

• Alive in Christ — having their soul already encased in body

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NIV

** Those in heaven will understand the events about to take place on earth, much like there is rejoicing when people commit themselves to Christ

Revelation 8:1 NIV

When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Revelation 8:4 NIV

The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

** God designed us for heaven and the world is waiting to be resurrected

• Let this reflect in our words and actions on a daily basis

• Compare the picture of heaven with God's original creation — Genesis 1-3 with second coming/heaven Revelation 21-22

This means followers of Christ can live in hope because sin and suffering will come to an end when He sets things right

• Jesus will not lose anyone who belongs to Him; this should give us peace

• Let’s be encouraged to live for Him and trust Him every day

• Like trusting instruments when flying a plane and experiencing disorientation, so we need to trust God with our future <C31>

2 Peter 3:13-15 NIV

[13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. [14] So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. [15] Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

Romans 8:18-25 NIV

[18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. [19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. [20] For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. [22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. [23] Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? [25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

** God will restore His creation as it was in the beginning when Eden was perfect and sin hadn’t entered the scene <S185>

2 Peter 3:10 NIV

[10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

• In the end we shall read the whole of God's purpose as one grand poem

• There will not be one verse in what we read that has a syllable too much, or a word too little; there will not be one stanza or one letter redundant, much less one that is erased

• But from beginning to end we shall see the master-pen and the master-mind drawing forth the glorious array of majestic thoughts

• And with angels, and seraphs, and principalities, and powers--shall burst forth into one mighty song, "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!"

Isaiah 14:26-27 NIV

[26] This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. [27] For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

** The world views 'the top' differently than Christians who find out once their dreams are achieved, there is nothing there; followers of Christ realize their reward is in Heaven

1 Peter 1:4-5 NIV

[4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

** God's word is eternal which stands the test of time

Luke 16:17 NIV

[17] It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

** To be our GOD, is more than being our friend, helper, or benefactor — creatures may be so to us. He engages to do us good according to His all-sufficiency; to bestow upon us blessings which none else can!

• He will pardon us; and pardon like a God!

• He will sanctify us; and sanctify us like a God

• He will comfort us; and comfort us like a God

• He will glorify us; and glorify us like a God!

• If He is our God; He is our All

Make a God of Him! Look to Him for all that He has promised — which is all that you need! Adore His Divine perfections, and rejoice that they are all engaged to make you eternally blessed.

Live to His glory, walk by His Word, and He will glorify Himself in your present and everlasting welfare. He rejoices to do good unto His people, He delights to bless them! <S183>

Hebrews 8:10b NIV

[10] …I will be their God, and they will be my people.

** The Israelites used the psalms in Old Testament days to guide corporate prayer; we can use them during personal prayer, drawing our attention to God as guide and refuge now and into eternity

Psalm 16:5-10 NIV

[5] Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. [6] The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. [7] I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. [8] I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [9] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, [10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

** God chose Israel for a special reason and Peter connects this heritage to God also choosing the Gentiles

Exodus 19:5-6 NIV

Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Deuteronomy 7:6-8 NIV

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. [7] The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. [8] But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

• God didn't choose anyone for their stature; but through those He can follow through with His plan to His honor and glory

• A relationship is available to all who come by faith

• God will fulfill His promises to Israel; we have similar promises as His step-children

OUR STANDING

• God wants us despite what we've done; He wants and draws us to a relationship

• God puts the desire in us to seek Him; if we listen then we can find Him and find restoration

• He gives us the choice even though He draws us to Him

• The Priest is the middleman who speaks for God

• Israel didn't fulfill their mission to be the royal priesthood so we don't need the priest to come to God; Jesus is our only mediator

1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV

[9] But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

OUR PRIVILEGE

• We are a holy nation, set apart to point the way to God thru our words, life, actions, etc

• We can tell the world who our God is: all powerful, present, just, pure, faithful, etc

• God pulls us out of the darkness into the light which brings life (death to life)

• He offers riches of eternal life

• Anyone can experience His grace and mercy

• We have the power behind the message <C31>

John 15:16 NIV

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit---fruit that will last---and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

** Enjoy the idealism of youth because a sobering ‘realistic future’ comes upon you as you age

Ecclesiastes 12:1-5 NIV

[1] Remember your Creator

in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”--- [2] before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; [3] when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; [4] when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; [5] when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.

** Followers of Christ should not fear death, for God will not abandon them when they breathe their last; Christ conquered death when He rose from the grave so we can live eternally with Him!

Psalm 16:10 NIV

[10] because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.

** Renewed man will be like Jesus! Man will be with God. Man will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of his heavenly Father. Man will see and hear and know, and possess, and enjoy — all that he can possibly desire, all that his glorified nature is capable of. He will be more than unfallen Adam was, more than angels are — for he will be as nearly like God as perfected human nature can be made like the Divine! <S183>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him---

** I don't know about you, but every time I read this passage in Revelation (Rev 1:12-18), I get chills. In fact, whenever I read this passage aloud, I get choked up because of how powerfully descriptive it is of our Lord's true nature. When God became the man Christ Jesus in the incarnation, He had to dim (or tone down) His true nature so that He could even walk among us without causing everyone He met to fall over as dead.

We think about the Apostle John, who physically knew Jesus as a man. He was there at the Mt. of Transfiguration. He was there at the cross. He was there after His resurrection. And John still couldn't physically take it when he saw Jesus' true unfiltered nature...it was too much. God told Moses that no man could see Him and live (Exod 33:20, Deut 4:12), to which John the Baptist would later reiterate (John 1:18). Although Daniel only saw some kind of unnamed, yet high-ranking angel, he became physically weakened and had to be restored (Dan 10:8-11). The same thing happened to Isaiah, who saw the throne room and God in a vision. Even then, he was immediately overcome by his own sinfulness and inadequacies and had to be physically restored (Isa 6).

When we become born again (John 3:3-6), we are not just changed from bad to good, we are changed from spiritually dead, to spiritually alive. Our new spiritual life comes about by our being justified before God the Father as Holy, not because of any of our own works (as if God needed our works), but through the shed blood of His Son (Eph 2:8-9, Col 1:13-14). At the moment of belief, we are indwelt and sealed by God the Holy Spirit, who not only transformatively gives us a new nature, but we become a new creation altogether (Eph. 1:11-14, 2 Cor 5:17-21). This is why in the Old Testament, only Adam and the angels could be called "sons of God," (as they were direct creations of God), but in the New Testament, all born-again believers can also claim this title. True born-again believers are direct creations of God (Rom 8:14).

As such, when the Rapture happens, we will be changed from new spiritual creations dwelling in our yet mortal and temporary bodies to new spiritual creations indwelling in our new glorified and eternal bodies. This is why the Rapture is an absolute necessity for the Church. We must shed these mortal frames, in order to exist where God dwells. Furthermore, this necessary transition from mortal to immortal must happen prior to the Tribulation (70th Week of Daniel), because we must be judged first (1 Cor 3:9-17, 2 Cor 5:1-11, 1 Peter 4:17) before God judges the world who rejected His Son (Jer 30:7-11).

1 John 3:2-3 NIV

Nevertheless, when Christ appears (at the Rapture), we will see Him as He is, for we will be like Him. We know that after His resurrection, Christ could change His appearance at will (John 20:14-17), He could appear and disappear at will (Luke 24:31), could walk through walls (Luke 24:36-37), but could also be felt (John 20:27) and eat (Acts 10:40-41). Somehow and someway, we will be like this. To paraphrase my good friend Lee Brainard with regards to our glorified bodies, we will still be able to manipulate the physical domain, but will no longer be constrained by it.

One final thing I will say is that if my faith and hope were only in humanity and our ability to save ourselves through technological evolution, I would be terribly depressed. What good would it be if I were as capable as Captain America, but faded into nothingness when my enhanced body finally died? What good would it be if I had all the technological advances of an Iron Man suit, but couldn't save my own soul? What a bleak and absolutely hopeless future it is for those who think cybernetically modifying our bodies is somehow redemptive. How utterly short-sighted and boring this view is when compared to eternity and the wonders God has in store for those who are His (Eph 2:4-7). One day very soon, you and I, and all those (alive and dead) who are in Christ, will move beyond human. We will become, the fully manifested sons and daughters of God, co-heirs reigning with our Creator for all of eternity (Rom 8:16-18). <G70>

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 NIV

Revelation 1:12-18 NIV

[12] I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. [15] His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

** We shall soon have glorious liberty! The SOUL will be gloriously free:

• Free from every fetter that binds it

• Free from every conflict that tries it

• Free from every burden that bows it down

The BODY will be gloriously free! It will be a glorious body, like the body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:

• No more disease, weakness, or pain

• But health, strength, and ease will characterize it forever!

The whole person, body, soul, and spirit, will be in perfect liberty:

• Free from the curse, and every cross

• Free from every foe, and all our fears

• Free from every fault, and our numerous failings

• Free from frailty, and free from folly

• Free from all internal, external, and eternal evil

It will be freedom crowned with glory, with:

• Glorious beauty,

• Glorious brightness,

• Glorious majesty,

• Glorious honor, and

• Ineffable splendor!

Eye has never seen, ear has never heard, nor has the heart of man ever conceived of anything so grand, so magnificent, so glorious, as what God has provided and has in store for His people! <S183>

Romans 8:21 NIV

[21] that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

** The time we spend here on earth:

• For the Christian, it will be the most of Hell experienced

• For the non-Christian, it will be the most of Heaven experienced <F60>

Luke 6:20 NIV

[20] Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

[14] For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

** There is hope for the righteous who stumble, for they desire forgiveness; the wicked, however, stumble because of their hard-heartedness

Proverbs 24:16 NIV

[16] for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Proverbs 28:13 NIV

[13] Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Proverbs 28:14 NIV

[14] Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Proverbs 29:25 NIV

[25] Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

** The Lamb of God is the center of this mystic and glowing book of the Revelation.

There is the Lamb with His WOUNDS — the Lamb that was slain. Even in Heaven He carries those scars of His passion and death. Even in Heaven I shall be perpetually reminded that I owe everything to Calvary, and to Him who was both Victor and Victim there!

There is the Lamb in His ROYALTY — the Lamb in the center of the Throne. The Head that once was crowned with the sharp thorns, is crowned with regal glory now! I rejoice in it for Christ's sake. I rejoice in it for my own sake, for what is there which He cannot do for me, His little one? Over the world of nature and men, over unseen principalities and powers — He rules that He may befriend my soul.

There is the Lamb SHEPHERDING His own people — the Lamb shall lead them. To all eternity He will shepherd me, feed me, protect me, uphold me! I shall never be able to dispense with Him. I shall never wish to stand alone, outside His keeping and His care.

There is the Lamb in His TRIUMPHS — the Lamb shall overcome them. So, one day, I shall see all my enemies routed and dead. One happy day, I shall be entirely freed from the antagonism and harassment of my sins! He who is for me, is mightier than the hosts arrayed against me! <S182>

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

Revelation 5:6 NIV

[6] Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:11-12 NIV

[11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

** God created human beings and desires to spend eternity with them!

Revelation 21:3 NIV

** There is an ‘uncrossable gap’ preventing anyone from crossing the chasm between Heaven and Hell

Luke 16:26 NIV

[26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’’

** Being made “in the image of God” means we resemble the invisible attributes of God, also called communicable traits, which gives us value, dignity and respect <H86>

For instance, God equipped humans with:

• A will or volition

• Ability to love

• An intellect with reasoning ability

• Freedom of choice

• A conscience with God’s law on our hearts and understanding of a moral code

• Creative abilities

• Emotions

• Ability to be relational with God and others

Genesis 1:26 NIV

[26] Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

** Not being ‘of the world’ entails:

• That I am not to consider myself to be at home in this world

• That every day I must show myself to be a citizen of Heaven

• That there must be an easily-perceived difference between me and those who do not travel beyond the present realm of things.

• That, however friendly I am with others, I must hold aloof from their sinful habits and recreations <S182>

John 17:16 NIV

[16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

** Death is one of the means God’s grace and power employ to uplift and crown His children <S182>

Death has its unlovely aspects that can make us recoil instinctively when thinking on it:

• It seems unnatural

• It is usually attended by pain and suffering

• It is a farewell to dear and beloved associations

• It is a going out into an untrodden land

• I cannot coax myself to love the dreadful experience

And therefore I am glad to think that there is another side to the matter and that to my Lord, my death is precious! And why is this so?

Let’s consider the Name by which He calls us:

• ‘His saints!’ is His title for His sons and daughters

• The people of His own purchased possession

• The redeemed people whom He has set apart for Himself

• He owns them in virtue of the stupendous price which He paid for them

• He has been at infinite pains to redeem and save and cleanse them

• Nothing which concerns them appears indifferent to Him

• The death of the humblest of them is of stupendous moment in His sight!

It is a marvel that He should pronounce desirable and precious, that loosening and wrench from earth which liberates His children for Heaven. When thinking of the Lord's thoughts, we can cease to be afraid of death!

Psalm 116:15 NIV

[15] Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

** What a contrast between an unchangeable God, and a sinner withering like a leaf! Yet, this is a true picture of us and of all temporal things.

We began to look green and bright not long ago; and in a little time we shall wither, fade, and die! Shall we soon wither and die? Then let us not be overly concerned by anything that occurs here below.

• Let us set our affections on things above, and lay up for ourselves treasures in Heaven

• Let us live by faith in Jesus, walk with God, and aim principally to please Him in all that we do

• Let us also watch against a worldly spirit and pass the time of our sojourning here on earth in fear

The dying bed, the coffin, and the grave are just before us. Brethren, the time is short! Eternity with all its glories is just before us! <S183>

• Let us therefore make our calling and our election sure

• Let us cultivate close and filial fellowship with God

• Let us dig deep and lay our foundation upon the Rock!

Isaiah 64:6b NIV

[6] …we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Job 14:1-2 NIV

[1] “Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble. [2] They spring up like flowers and wither away; like fleeting shadows, they do not endure.

** God placed the stars in place to serve as His signs to us

• Satan has co-opted these signs into a system call astrology to get man to follow his ways instead

• We are to worship the Creator and marvel at His works — looking for God’s story in the heavens — not worship the creation

Genesis 1:14 NIV

[14] And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years,

Job 9:7-9 NIV

[7] He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars. [8] He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. [9] He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

** The Kingdom of God consists of two phases. First is the body of believers who are in the world but not of it. It was established at the first coming.

Here is how Gotquestions.org describes this first phase. “The Kingdom of God is a spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority. Those who defy God’s authority and refuse to submit to Him are not part of the Kingdom of God; in contrast, those who acknowledge the lordship of Christ and gladly surrender to God’s rule in their hearts are part of the Kingdom of God. In this sense, the Kingdom of God is spiritual. Jesus said His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), and he preached that repentance is necessary to be a part of the Kingdom of God (Matt 4:17). That the Kingdom of God can be equated with the sphere of salvation is evident in John 3:5-7, where Jesus says the Kingdom of God must be entered into by being born again.”

John 18:36 NIV

[36] Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

Matthew 4:17 NIV

[17] From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

John 3:5-7 NIV

[5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'

The second phase of the Kingdom of God is the one we call the Millennium, where the Lord comes back to assume authority over all the world. Daniel, the faithful prophet of God, described it this way: “And in the days of those kings the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people (other than Israel). It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever” (Dan 2:44). <N154>

Daniel 2:44 NIV

[44] “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.

Habakkuk 2:14 NIV

[14] For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Zechariah 14:9 NIV

[9] The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

** God confirmed that the arrogant and evildoer will experience all-consuming devastating wrath during the final days while, in stark contrast, those who revere God’s name will be healed of whatever harmed them and “frolic like well-fed calves”

Malachi 4:1-2 NIV

[1] “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, ” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. [2] But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

** Those trampled by evildoers will have the ‘last laugh’ when God comes to enact final judgment, for the evildoers will then be trampled by their victims

Malachi 4:3 NIV

[3] Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

** Who is it that will come one day, and whom every eye shall see? The Lord Jesus, the Savior of sinners; the Judge of all men! Every eye shall see Him. My eye shall see Him too! Will it be with fear and terror that I shall behold the King of kings coming to judgment? Or will my gaze be that of admiration and love for my adorable Redeemer?

All Christians rejoice in the expectation of His second coming, when faith shall be turned to sight. How can we fear the realization of our fondest hopes, the accomplishment of our best desires? The more we look to Jesus now, by faith — the less shall we fear death and judgment. For how, indeed, can we fear to meet our best and dearest Friend?

Paul assures us that there is a crown which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give at His coming to all who love His appearing. Let us not shrink, then, from meditation on the glorious coming of Christ, but rather look for and expect it as the end of all our sins, sufferings and trials — and the beginning of perfect and eternal happiness!

Let us ask ourselves, "Are we willing this very night to leave all on earth, and go to Jesus?" If we could really see Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and saying to us this very night, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world!" I am quite sure that nothing on earth could detain us! <S191>

Revelation 1:7 NIV

[7] “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

Revelation 22:20 NIV

[20] He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

John 17:24a NIV

[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory…”

** The Lord will lead the deliverance of His people

Micah 2:12-13 NIV

[12] “I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. [13] The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.”

Psalm 147:2 NIV

[2] The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.

** The future of God’s remnant is bright when He brings His followers ‘home’ to live free from sin!

Zephaniah 3:15,17,20 NIV

[15] The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. [17] The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” [20] At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.

Zephaniah 3:13,15,18 NIV

[13] They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid. ” [15] The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. [18] “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.

** While in this world, our weary bodies require the refreshment of sleep; and our merciful God has graciously given to us this sweet restorer of strength. Often we have retired to rest, overcome with fatigue and anxiety, perhaps distressed with pain — but sleep has taken away these feelings, and we have risen the next day in health and peace, to serve our God with joyfulness.

On a bed of sickness, this text has often been a source of comfort to the believer: "There shall be no night there!" But there will be no night in Heaven, because there will be no need of rest from labor, relief from pain or need of solace and refreshment under fatigue.

The former state of things will have fully passed away, and one eternal unclouded day will have dawned upon us! Our spirits will then be made perfect — and at the resurrection our glorified bodies will rise, no more to be a clog upon our soul's enjoyment.

Revelation 22:5 NIV

[5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

A night of pain and wakefulness is often a time in which God teaches His people. In the midst of active employment, the soul is not at leisure for reflection. And in the short periods devoted to retirement for prayer and meditation — the thoughts are often strangely distracted by what has gone before, or by the anticipation of coming events.

But in a night of weariness and pain, there seems to be a rest from outward things; the soul is brought to a stand before God — it must think, it must reflect, it must examine itself, and ask if all is safe for eternity — if it is in Christ, if it is prepared to die.

• Blessed result of pain, if led thereby to seek the Lord Jesus, and find rest in Him!

• Blessed result of pain, if led thereby to meditate on Heaven's eternal day of rest!

The retrospect will be clear; we will see that our path has been a safe and right one, and we will glorify our gracious God! <S191>

Psalm 107:7 NIV

[7] He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

** Saint, three questions call for your answer:

1. What were you?

2. What are you?

3. What shall you be?

1. What were you?

• Dead in your transgressions and sins

• A rebel to your God

• A prodigal to your Father

• A slave to your lust

• The devil's captive

• Headed for hell

2. What are you?

• Redeemed by Christ

• A royal child of God

• The spouse of Christ

• The temple of the Holy Spirit

• The heir of a priceless eternal inheritance!

3. What shall you be?

• A glorious saint

• A companion of angels

• A triumphant victor

• A crowned king

• An attendant on the Lamb

• A participant in those soul-ravishing, and

• Ineffable excellencies that are in God!

You shall behold the King of Glory face to face, and enjoy immediate communion with Jesus Christ, and you shall be made one with Him:

• Clothed with His excellencies

• Enthroned with His glories, and

• Crowned with His eternity! <S181>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him

** There are, in this book of Revelation, not only glimpses of Heaven and of the happiness of the redeemed but dreadful views of the punishments of Hell.

Revelation 16:9-11 NIV

[9] They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. [10] The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony [11] and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

Revelation 21:8 NIV

[8] But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars---they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

It must be a painful thought to the people of God, that so many of their fellow-creatures are everlastingly banished from the presence of the Lord, and that so many others are following on in the broad road that leads to eternal destruction! Perhaps among both the former and the latter, are some dear to us by the ties of kindred or friendship. Truly, this is a most painful thought to us in this present world, but it will not be so in Heaven. For we shall have such a sense of the justice of God in the punishment of the wicked, that we shall acquiesce in their sentence of condemnation, and say, "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Oh, my soul, what can I render to my Savior who has delivered my soul from the nethermost Hell? Surely, but for His blood shed for me, I could never have had an entrance into His everlasting kingdom! Let me, then, first learn a lesson of deep humility, of ceasing from vain-glory, and thoughts of my own worthiness. Let me say, "O to grace how great a debtor!"

Then let me learn a lesson of submission to the righteous will of God in His dealings with mankind. What I do not know now, I shall know hereafter; and then shall I be constrained to say, "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments." <S191>

Revelation 16:5-7 NIV

[5] Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; [6] for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” [7] And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

** What a view do we here obtain of the humility of those glorious and sinless beings, the angels of God! They "fall on their faces before the throne" when they worship God.

How humble, then, ought we to be, who are not pure and sinless creatures — but vile and sinful dust and ashes, who have forgotten God, and insulted Him times without number!

Humble, indeed, we ought to be — yet we are proud; we dislike humility, except so far as God graciously teaches us. Oh! it is He alone who can humble our proud hearts, and thus prepare us for the worship of Heaven. This He does by means of providential chastenings and afflictions. His design in them is to humble us, and prepare us for glory.

And shall we shrink from the process? No, let us lay our proud souls at His feet, imploring Him to undertake the gracious work of teaching us humility. Let us not fear the needful discipline. <S191>

Revelation 7:11-12 NIV

[11] All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12] saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Matthew 5:3 NIV

[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

** The future of Jerusalem is secure

Joel 3:17,20 NIV

[17] “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. [20] Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.

** God has to protect the perfection of Heaven and that is why WE need to be absolved from our sin in order to be with Him eternally

• This is why God cast 1/3 of the angels from heaven at creation

• This is also why He chose to send His Son to die on the cross to pave the way for us; as sinners, we would have no hope if we could not accept God’s offer of salvation

• How incredibly loving on His part and humbling on ours for the sinless God to take our punishment

• As if we are in court ready to be sentenced, God comes in to accept the sentence so we can walk free! Unbelievable!

1 Peter 2:24 NIV

[24] “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

[2] For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Titus 2:11 NIV

[11] For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV

[9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:1 NIV

[1] After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God

** The Lord endures forever! Praise the Lord!

Psalm 135:13,19-21 NIV

[13] Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations. [19] All you Israelites, praise the Lord; house of Aaron, praise the Lord; [20] house of Levi, praise the Lord; you who fear him, praise the Lord. [21] Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.

** Jerusalem is to be our ultimate hope, our highest joy!

Psalm 137:6 NIV

[6] May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.

** The rivers mentioned are the Tigris and Euphrates where the Israelites expressed their sorrow, whereas Zion is the dwelling place of God on earth which was destroyed by the Babylonians <M130>

Psalm 137:1,4 NIV

[1] By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. [4] How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?

Psalm 9:11 NIV

[11] Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.

Psalm 76:2 NIV

[2] His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.

2 Chronicles 36:18-21 NIV

[18] He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the Lord's temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. [19] They set fire to God's temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there. [20] He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his successors until the kingdom of Persia came to power. [21] The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah.

** The true Christian finds this world to be a wilderness. There is no change in the world itself. The change is in the man's heart.

The wilderness wanderer thinks it altered; a different world from what he has hitherto known:

• Friends

• Family

• Employment in which he is daily engaged

• General pursuits of men

• Cares and anxieties

• Hopes and prospects

• Amusements and pleasures

• What I may call 'the general sin and whirl of life'

All seem to him different to what they were; and for a time perhaps he can scarcely tell whether the change is in them, or in himself. This, however, is the prominent and uppermost feeling in his mind: that he finds himself, to his surprise, a wanderer in a world which has changed altogether its appearance to him. The fair, beautiful world, in which was all his happiness and all his home — has become to him a dreary wilderness.

Sin has been fastened in its conviction on his conscience. The Holy Spirit has taken the veil of unbelief and ignorance off his heart. He now sees the world in a wholly different light; and instead of a paradise it has become a wilderness — for sin, dreadful sin, has marred all its beauty and happiness.

It is not because the world itself has changed that the Christian feels it to be a wilderness; but because he himself has changed. There is nothing in this world which can really gratify or satisfy the true Christian. What once was to him a happy and joyous world, has now become a barren wilderness.

The scene of his former:

• Pursuits

• Pleasures

• Habits

• Delights

• Prospects

• Hopes

• Anticipations of profit or happiness are now turned into a barren wasteland.

God means to make the world a wilderness to every child of His, that he may not find his happiness in it, but be a stranger and a pilgrim upon earth. <P165>

Hebrews 11:13 NIV

Psalm 107:4 NIV

[4] Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.

** When we die, we will experience perfect union with Christ and not look for relationships we had on earth, such as spouses; believers have no idea what awaits us — our minds simply cannot fathom how perfect eternity will be — because we are still sinners and not fully sanctified <D40>

** We should not worry about our current or future state because God owns everything and is in total control — no one owns anything in this world except God; we must remember that we are God’s stewards of what He has provided for us <H86>

Psalm 50:10 NIV

[10] for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills

** Satan engages in heavenly warfare to influence generations and nations against God and His people; Michael is the chief angel of Heaven <M130>

Daniel 10:13 NIV

[13] But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Daniel 12:1 NIV

[1] “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people---everyone whose name is found written in the book---will be delivered.

Revelation 12:7 NIV

[7] Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

** The words of the angel to Daniel confirm the heavenly conflict between Michael and the demons of Persia and Greece; this also confirms ‘the heavenly basis for the earthly unfolding of history detailed in Daniel chapter 11’ <M130>

Daniel 10:20-21 NIV

[20] So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; [21] but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.

** There are a few references in the Old Testament referring to a place like hell; first century Jews probably got their concept of hell from passages in Daniel 12 and Ezekiel 32

Daniel 12:2 NIV

[2] Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Ezekiel 32:30-32 NIV

...[30] “All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. [31] “Pharaoh---he and all his army---will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord. [32] Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

** This poor world is full of sin, sorrow, pain, and death. If we had this life only, we would be most miserable. But the Christian has an unfailing hope of a holier, happier, sublimer, and more durable world than this! This hope supports him in every scene of earthly conflict and distress.

Believers shall enjoy eternal life in Heaven as the:

• Residence of the ever blessed God

• Palace of splendor

• Habitation of His holiness

• Place where His honor dwells

• Dwelling-place of angels and perfected spirits

1. Heaven is a place of inexpressible felicity, as it appears from its names, the:

• Paradise of God

• Building from God

• Mansion of God

• Heavenly city

• Better country

• Priceless inheritance

• Eternal kingdom

• Unfading crown of glory

• Peace, rest, and joy of the Lord!

2. Heaven will be a life of complete purity. Sin, in this world, is the great source of estrangement from God — it is that which constantly vexes and distresses the soul. But in Heaven sin can never enter to defile!

Revelation 21:27 NIV

[27] Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Ephesians 5:26-27 NIV

[26] to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, [27] and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

1 John 3:2 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Psalm 17:15 NIV

[15] As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

3. Heaven will be a life of perfect happiness. There is no perfect happiness in this poor world. Life here is like the fluctuations of the sea, or weather--calms and storms, sunshine and clouds.

Sorrow is frequently the lot of God's people. Some are afflicted under the hand of God--or mourning the loss of relatives or friends--or sunk into deep adversity. Some are weeping over the sins of others: parents over their children, pastors over their flocks, and Christians over the wickedness of the world.

But all the causes of evil will be annihilated in Heaven:

• Sin shall distress no more

• Satan shall tempt no more

• Sickness shall pain no more

• Tyrant shall oppress no more

• Death shall bereave and destroy no more

Revelation 7:16-17 NIV

[16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' ”

4. Heaven will be a life of the greatest honor.

4A. They will be raised to a kingdom! "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom!" Luke 12:32. What can be received, more than a kingdom? It is the highest dignity known on earth. Who can be higher than a king?

4B. It will be a life of honor which conquerors obtain. Crowns of victory are in reserve! "Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads!" Here on earth, they wear a crown of thorns; but there they will wear a diadem of glory!

• It will be an incorruptible crown, not a fading laurel, etc – no length of time will terminate the dominion of the saints, or tarnish the luster of their crowns, for they shall reign forever and ever! (1 Cor 9:25)

• It is called a crown of righteousness – it was purchased by the righteousness of Christ and is given wholly for His sake to His redeemed people (2 Tim 4:7)

• It is a crown of life given to those who love Him, meaning they shall never die! (James 1:12, Rev 2:10)

• It is a crown of gold to denote the priceless and lasting honor to which they will be advanced, and the superlative wealth of the kingdom which they will possess (Rev 4:4)

4C. They shall sit upon a throne--the throne of Christ! "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne!" Revelation 3:21; that lofty throne, that expansive throne, in which He will make room for all His faithful soldiers.

5. Heaven will be a life of rich enjoyment.

5A. Heaven is represented as a feast, "Many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast!" Matthew 8:11.

5B. Heaven is represented as a marriage supper, "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Revelation 19:9.

5C. Heaven is represented as a life of enjoyment in the best society: God Himself, angels, and glorified saints!

5D. Heaven is represented as enjoyment of the beatific vision of God, when we shall see Him face to face, and understand the mysteries of creation, providence and grace. Then the enraptured soul will exclaim, "You have done all things well!"

6. To crown all, Heaven is called eternal life! Most of the Scriptural representations of Heaven are combined with adjectives expressive of endless perpetuity. Hence Heaven is called the:

• Everlasting kingdom

• Incorruptible inheritance

• Exceeding and eternal weight of glory, etc

If a miser could insure his wealth for eternity, that alone would be Heaven enough for him. But it is his misery when he dies, that he can carry none of his riches away with him. But he who lays up treasure in Heaven need not fear moth or rust or thief — all is eternally secure! <N153>

1 John 2:25 NIV

[25] And this is what he promised us---eternal life.

** Man, for six thousand years, has tried to understand his SPIRIT, yet knows as little of it as he did at first. What is the soul of man? Whence did it come? Where does it go? He can't explain how spirit dwells with flesh — what binds the two together for a time, in perfect unity. He has never seen, as little can he feel, the links that knit them to each other. It is all within him — his flesh, his spirit, his life, his being — all the machinery of soul and body, thus closely interlaced. Yet is it as foreign to his grasp, as that which happens in another world!

Thus flesh and spirit dwell together. Who could suppose they ever would part again! Who can explain how soul and body part, or how the links of union are undone; what makes the spirit fly away, or how the flesh gives up its hold! God wills it. God does it. God does not explain why. God does not tell how. He speaks, unheard; and immediately it is done — the spirit returns to Him who made it.

Man may detain the body but he cannot keep the soul, nor say, "You shall not go!" God says, "Return to Me!" The command must be obeyed. Neither youth, nor wit, nor beauty, nor strength, nor money can delay His omnipotent hand. <M138>

Ecclesiastes 8:8 NIV

[8] As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

** The best thing about the Greatest Reset? It will be a permanent one! Daniel the prophet reminds us of this. What a day that will be! <H85>

Daniel 7:13-14 NIV

[13] “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. [14] He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

** The name of the city is YHWH which means “The Lord is there”; the departed glory of God (Ezek 8-11) has returned and His dwelling will be the Temple at the center of the district given over to the Lord

Ezekiel 44:1-2 NIV

[1] Then the man brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, the one facing east, and it was shut. [2] The Lord said to me, “This gate is to remain shut. It must not be opened; no one may enter through it. It is to remain shut because the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered through it.

Thus fulfills the unconditional promises that God made to Israel in the:

• Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 11)

• Levitical Covenant (Num 25)

• Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7), and

• New Covenant (Jer 31)

The final verse provides the consummation of Israel’s history — the returned presence of God! <M130>

Ezekiel 48:35 NIV

[35] “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there. ”

** The kingdom of God belongs to both Jew and Gentile; all who believe in Christ are all united to Him by His sanctifying Spirit and will share the privileges of Israelites <H83>

Ezekiel 47:21-23 NIV

[21] “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. [22] You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. [23] In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord.

** There is no ‘level of righteousness’ in Heaven, for we will all be ‘one’ in our presence before God; there will be rewards and assignments when believers first arrive, but our long term existence will be one without competition or envy <S188>

Revelation 7:9,13-17 NIV

[9] After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. [13] Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes---who are they, and where did they come from?” [14] I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' ”

** There is only one condition when Israel will cease to be a nation — when the ordinances (sun, moon, stars, sea) cease to exist because God has established our new heaven and new earth

We are moving full circle:

• from the beginning in Genesis when we have no need for nations (Jew or Gentile) and all is perfect

• sin entered the scene and God provided a solution through His chosen people Israel to deal with sin and a lineage for the Messiah Jesus

• to eventually the end in Revelation when there is no need for nations (Jew or Gentile) and we are back to perfection; God will rule in a new heaven and new earth <T203>

Jeremiah 31:35-36 NIV

[35] This is what the Lord says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar---the Lord Almighty is his name: [36] “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease being a nation before me.”

Revelation 21:22-26 NIV

[22] I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. [23] The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. [25] On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. [26] The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

** God allows man and Satan’s wrath to unfold on His people when the stage is being set for the Tribulation, but God will spare believers from His end times wrath; therefore the Rapture of the church must happen before the horrific Tribulation <M131>

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV

[9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:10 NIV

[10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Philippians 3:20 NIV

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:52 NIV

[52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed

** We often get anxious asking, “when in Christ going to return?” but remember that God wants to give opportunity to the (estimated) 150,000 people who come to Christ daily and remember that His timetable is not our own <S188>

2 Peter 3:8 NIV

[8] But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

** A true Bible-based perspective of our future beyond this life in order to understand our journey through it. Without such a Scripture-based forward look to the paradise that awaits us, we often err by making this life our destination and eternity but an afterthought.

For those of us securely in Christ, our future millennial reign with Him provides a context into which we can place personal tragedies and other experiences during our short-lived journey this side of eternity.

The Bible gives a picture of eternity that breathes hope into our lives and brings peace amid the turmoil of this life. As the collision of this world with the seven-year Tribulation looms ever so close, it’s essential that we focus on Jesus’ imminent appearing. <B26>

Revelation 21:4 NIV

[4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

** The only sin God cannot forgive is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (rejecting Him) because He is the ONLY way to be saved; all other sin God can forgive when the sinner is repentant <S188>

Mark 3:29 NIV

[29] but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

** Evil doesn’t win forever, for one day there will be a reckoning against this world and evil doers will be judged; God’s perfect government will replace what we see now! <M131> (Sep 2021)

Psalm 2:1-6 NIV

[1] Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? [2] The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, [3] “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” [4] The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. [5] He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, [6] “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain. ”

** How is Christianity different from all other man-made religions?

• Being a Christian offers the only hope for the believer that after we die, we gain what we can only imagine in this life

• It's not like the Muslim who fears a non-existent god whose only call is for them to die a martyr for “allah”

• It’s not like the Buddhist who believes in a long dead philosopher that is only good for this life and attempts to live a morally clean life

• For the Christian, to die is to gain....it is everything! <T201>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him—

** Everyone of us want to go to heaven, as this earth is nothing but sin and misery. Oh, God gives us the things that are necessary to endure the years we have on this earth, so we can work for Him, and He knows what we need to endure this life. But we are but pilgrims in a land that is not our home. We search for a home not built with hands, but is waiting for us, as Jesus will bring us to His Father's House and where our mansions are being made right now.

But the rub of the point is we will cling to this life with both hands until the very last second, as we pray for long life even if we acknowledge the joy that we want to go home. It is bred into our DNA that is called the sympathetic nervous system, or “fight or flight” to preserve life. Even though we know the next life is by far better than the one we now live, we fight to live a long life. God gave us a commandment that our days would be long on this earth:

Ephesians 6:2-3 NIV

[2] “Honor your father and mother”---which is the first commandment with a promise--- [3] “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

With what has been said, it appears quite contradictory. The promise is that we will live a long life upon the earth by honoring our father and mother in this life. Knowing our doctrine of to “die is gain” it would seem illogical to reward believers with a long life on this earth.

As the old saying goes, "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." Atheists are quick to point out the seeming inconsistency to that position as 'evidence' that our faith, no matter how staunchly we might defend it, is really just a sham, like whistling past the graveyard.

Being dead is far different that ‘getting dead’. The fear anyone has is getting there, than it is of being there. So the promise given by God that “my days be long upon the earth” is attractive to the mortal flesh, because none of us are eager or looking forward to the jumping off point, even though we long to be clothed with immortality.

No one wants to die prematurely, that is before the fullness of days for one's chances to do what is right will have all been used up. Someday, I will stand before my Lord Jesus Christ and be rewarded for what I have accomplished in this life, for HIM, not for myself. None of us know how much time we have left, so we should not waste a moment, as I know within myself of what I have wasted already, so I can't afford to spare another second for anything but the glory of God. <T201>

2 Corinthians 5:1-3 NIV

[1] For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. [2] Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, [3] because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

** In the morning the thief was OUT of Christ:

• far from God and far from righteousness,

• the helpless captive of sin,

• the child of despair and death.

At noon the thief was IN Christ:

• remembered graciously by the Savior of the lost,

• redeemed with an everlasting redemption,

• endowed with the new heart,

• and freely and perfectly justified.

In the evening the thief was WITH Christ:

• gazing on the glories of paradise,

• safe at home with his good Shepherd and adorable Redeemer.

What a crowded and memorable day this was in his history! So much was pressed into these few hours. Such a glorious and unprecedented transition they brought, from the cruel cross — to Heaven's glory! <S182>

Luke 23:42-43 NIV

[42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” [43] Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

** God confirmed to Jeremiah that He created the earth

Jeremiah 33:1-2 NIV

[1] While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: [2] “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it---the Lord is his name

** The disciples asked whether Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel now that He arose from the grave; Jesus replied that we will not know the hour when God restores His kingdom

• Even now the disciples remained ‘Old Testament believers’ whose promises were made by the prophets

• They knew the promises made by the prophets but were convinced that Jesus, who proved Himself to be the Messiah, would make Israel a nation again and the dominant world power

• Their only question was ‘when’ and Christ’s timing?

• Jesus didn’t rebuke His disciples for believing the promises of the Old Testament would be fulfilled literally

• Jesus didn’t say “Don’t take that stuff literally” but rather “It is not for you to know the times or dates”

• This is a good principle for us to follow in our relationship with the Lord: believe His promises even when asked to wait, but trust His timing <R1795>

Acts 1:6-7 NIV

[6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

** The things of this world are not the best things, and are often given to those who refuse to serve God <H83>

• In the end, those receiving the largest share of worldly things will be made to serve their enemies who seek to ruin them

• Conversely, God can restore a nation as desired in His timing

• As followers of Christ, we have the ultimate future eternal hope and blessing than those who seem to have the upper-hand in this life!

Jeremiah 27:16-17 NIV

[16] Then I said to the priests and all these people, “This is what the Lord says: Do not listen to the prophets who say, 'Very soon now the articles from the Lord's house will be brought back from Babylon.' They are prophesying lies to you. [17] Do not listen to them. Serve the king of Babylon, and you will live. Why should this city become a ruin?

Jeremiah 27:19,22 NIV

[19] For this is what the Lord Almighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea, the movable stands and the other articles that are left in this city, [22] 'They will be taken to Babylon and there they will remain until the day I come for them,' declares the Lord. 'Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.' ”

Ephesians 1:3,7-10 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment---to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

** Can your minds fly back to the time when there was no time--to the day when there was no day, but the Ancient of Days?

Can you speed back to that period when God dwelt alone--when this round world and all the things that are upon it, had not come from His hand; when the sun flamed not in his strength, and the stars flashed not in their brightness?

Can you go back to the period when there were no angels, when cherubim and seraphim had not been born; and, if there be creatures older than they, when none of them had as yet been formed?

Is it possible, I say, for you to fly so far back as to contemplate God alone--no creature, no breath of song, no motion of wing; God Himself alone, without another?

Consider next, if you can, the eternal purpose of God that He would CREATE:

• He determines it in His mind.

• Could any but a divine motive actuate the Divine Architect?

• What must that motive have been?

• He creates that He may display His own perfections.

• He does beget, as it were, creatures after His own image that He may live in them; that He may manifest to others the joy, the pleasure, the satisfaction, which He so intensely feels in Himself.

I am certain His own glory must have been the end He had in view! He would reveal His glory to the sons of men, to angels, and to such creatures as He had formed--in order that they might reflect His honor and sing His praise. <S185>

Revelation 4:10-11 NIV

[10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: [11] “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 19:6-7 NIV

[6] Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

** If we here love the Savior whom we have never seen, and whom we can only approach by faith — then how strong will our love be when we shall see Him face to face and find ourselves not only in His actual presence but forever enclosed in His loving embrace!

Here our love to the Savior is feeble, on account of the dimness of our faith, and often interrupted by dark clouds and earthly affections which draw us away from the contemplation of the matchless character of our Redeemer. But in Heaven there will be no interposing obstacles to veil His glory, or counteracting affections to enfeeble or interrupt our perfect love for Him.

Happy, happy condition of those who love a Savior whom they never saw when they shall see Him as He is and be like Him. They will never be weary of gazing on His lovely face! They will never cease to give Him thanks and praise for His unparalleled, unspeakable love, to which they will forever acknowledge their indebtedness for salvation! <A17>

1 John 3:2 NIV

[2] Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

1 Peter 1:8 NIV

[8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

** Israel and followers of Christ have a great future hope in a new creation, for the Lord will rescue us out of the darkness and He will be glorified!

Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV

[1] “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. [2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. [3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Isaiah 60:4-6 NIV

[4] “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. [5] Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. [6] Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.

Isaiah 60:9 NIV

[9] Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.

** Paul reminds us that those who believe on Christ, should live a risen life.

We live on the earth at present. We walk on earth's streets. We live in material houses, built of stones, bricks, or wood. We eat earth's fruits, gathering our food from earth's fields, orchards and gardens. We wear clothes woven of earthly fabrics. We adorn our homes with works of art that human hands make. We engage in the business of earth. We find our happiness in the things of this life.

But there will be a life after this! We call it Heaven. We cannot see it; there is never a rift in the sky, through which we can get even a glimpse of it. We have in the Scriptures hints of its beauty, its happiness, its blessedness. We know it is a world without sorrow, without sin, without death. Paul's teaching is that the Christian, while living on the earth, ought to begin to live this heavenly life.

One day a friend sent me a splendid butterfly, artistically mounted, known as the Lima Moth. This little creature is said to be the most beautiful of North American insects. Its color is light green with variegated spots. In its caterpillar state, it was only a worm. It died and entered its other or higher state, as we would say — and then the worm became a splendid butterfly!

This illustrates the two stages of a Christian's life. Here we are in our earthly state; after this will come the heavenly condition. "The things that are above" belong to this higher, spiritual life. But the Christian is exhorted to seek these higher things, while living in this lower world. We belong to Heaven, although we are not yet living in Heaven.

Paul presents the same truth in another form, when he says, "Our citizenship is in Heaven." Though we are in this earthly world, we do not belong here. We are only strangers and pilgrims. <M136>

Hebrews 11:13 NIV

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

1 Peter 2:11 NIV

[11] Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

** The business of the prophets was to preach and pray; in this light, God commissioned Isaiah to remind His people of the great things He would do after their return out of captivity — including dawning of righteousness, glory, new name and being a triumphant establishment of Zion by God <S192>

Isaiah 62:2-3,11-12 NIV

[2] The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. [3] You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. [11] The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: “Say to Daughter Zion, 'See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.' ” [12] They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.

Isaiah 65:15 NIV

[15] You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name.

Jeremiah 33:16 NIV

[16] In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.'

** The glorious kingdom is for the benefit of all who are willing to come to God; abundant benefits will be free because of His redemptive work <M130>

Isaiah 55:1 NIV

[1] “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Isaiah 53:6,8,11 NIV

[6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. [8] By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. [11] After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Ephesians 2:6-9 NIV

[6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

** The Lord God knows the beginning from the end and He WILL fulfill prophecy

Isaiah 44:24-28 NIV

[24] “This is what the Lord says---your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, [25] who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, [26] who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'It shall be inhabited,' of the towns of Judah, 'They shall be rebuilt,' and of their ruins, 'I will restore them,' [27] who says to the watery deep, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,' [28] who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” '

** God is consistent from generation to generation and promises to be with each individual believer through their years on this earth

Isaiah 46:3-4 NIV

[3] “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. [4] Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

** Revelation 13 mentions the one world religion in the end times; current fashionable trends seem to have the Catholic Church & Pope heading up this endeavor

The Pope, with the blessings of many evangelicals, have become advocates of climate change, social justice and gender-victim issues, thus needing to restructure God’s truth and change the meaning of the Gospel:

• All people who follow the beatitudes are saved and will enter the Kingdom of God — even if they don’t recognize Christ

• Connecting and accepting all world faiths (such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism)

• Equating “creation care” to being “born again”

• Informing the public they are at risk of another global flood if they don’t take care of the earth

Revelation 13:4 NIV

[4] People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

Galatians 1:8-9 NIV

[8] But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! [9] As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!

Romans 16:17 NIV

[17] I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

** Every spiritual blessing (such as spiritual gifts, salvation, redemption, adoption into God’s family, etc) reside in the heavenly realm <M1501>

• Spiritual blessings refer to the divine benefits and gifts bestowed upon believers through their relationship with Jesus Christ

• The purpose of spiritual blessings is to glorify God and to equip believers for a life of holiness and service

• These blessings are primarily spiritual in nature, as opposed to material or physical, and are rooted in the believer's union with Christ

• They encompass a wide range of divine favors, including salvation, grace, peace, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit

• Ephesians 1:3 underscores the source, scope, and location of these blessings: they are from God, through Christ, and are located in the heavenly realms <B20>

Ephesians 1:3 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

** The Bema (judgment) Seat is translated as court or tribunal that can be either public or private, similar to Paul before Agrippa; we will ALL stand before God to give an account of our lives

Typically, bema refers to a high platform where the judge sat used for giving awards; the Bema Seat we will face is to determine awards or crowns

The Christian life is a race and the divine umpire is Jesus Christ; after our race is over Christ will gather the Church before the bema in Heaven for the purpose of giving rewards for faithful service after trusting Christ — works don’t save us but we will be held accountable for our efforts!

The varying degree of rewards that the believer receives will be proportionate to the varying degrees of faithfulness they show in this life; the key is faithfulness to the gifts (time, talent, resources) God has given

Romans 14:10 NIV

[10] You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV

[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Acts 25:22 NIV

[22] Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

Matthew 16:27 NIV

[27] For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Ephesians 6:8 NIV

[8] because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

1 Corinthians 3:10,12-13 NIV

[10] By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. [12] If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, [13] their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work.

1 Corinthians 3:15 NIV

[15] If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved---even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV

[15] Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

1 John 2:28 NIV

[28] And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

Do not confuse this with the other two judgments of Separating Sheep & Goats (after 7 year Tribulation), and the Great White Throne judgment (after 1000 year Millennial Kingdom) both for non-believers <T203>

Matthew 25:31-33 NIV

[31] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

** The Bible clearly states that, as the end times draw closer, things will go from bad to worse. In fact, things will get so bad that Christ Himself has to return to make things right. Humans can’t do it, no matter how well-intentioned.

My hope is not in D.C.

My hope is in Christ.

As should yours be.

My freedoms may dwindle.

However, my freedom is in Christ.

Let’s get our priorities realigned and realize political alliances are not with the Democrats or the Republicans. We are Monarchists with an allegiance to Christ the King. He will come back and fix all this; do not plant roots in this life for our home is a heavenly one. Our reality is an eternal reality.

Therefore, don’t let this world ruin your thinking or your attitude. Don’t worry that the world is increasingly shutting us out of the public arena. Jesus tells us that even though we have little strength, the door will remain open (Rev. 3:8-10). Satan knows he can’t steal our salvation, but he loves to crush our hope and spirit. He loves to cause us to be depressed, angry, or anxious. Don’t let him. Ephesians 6 gives us the tools to fight the fiery darts of the enemy. The days may turn sour in the here and now, but just remember we have far better days ahead. <G70> (Feb 2021)

Philippians 3:17-21 NIV

[17] Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

[16] Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

** God encourages humans to ‘look up’ to Him to determine when the final days are fast approaching

• Israel, symbolized as a fig tree, rebudded in May 1948 to become a nation once more

• The world now finds itself living in the final days leading to Christ’s return

• Since all these end time signs Jesus laid out are happening in our current age, we can be certain the Lord is coming soon! <J102> (Nov 2025)

• The destruction of the earth will occur in stages (called judgments) in the Tribulation

• These judgments will take place in the Tribulation, setting the stage for a renewed earth for the Millennium

Revelation 6:12-14 NIV

[12] I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, [13] and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. [14] The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Revelation 8:12-13 NIV

[12] The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night. [13] As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

Revelation 16:8-10,21 NIV

[8] The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire. [9] They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. [10] The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony [21] From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

2 Peter 3:10-13 NIV

[10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. [11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. [13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

• God will destroy the earth as we know it, but we can be ultimately saved from all of this

• Humans who commit to Christ as Savior of their lives will avoid the destruction of the earth in the Tribulation and live with Him in the Millennium and eternity thereafter!

John 3:16 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Isaiah 65:17 NIV

[17] “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

** "MY JEWELS!" Of what favored creatures does Jehovah thus speak? Is it of seraphs? Is it of angels? Methinks, at such a title, even they would take the dust of abasement, and veiling their faces, cry, "Unclean! unclean!"

But, marvel of marvels! It is redeemed sinners of the earth — once crude, unshapely stones, lying in "the horrible pit and the miry clay," amid the rubbish of corruption — who are thus sought out by divine grace, purchased by divine love, destined through eternity to be set as jewels in the crown of the eternal God!

A jewel in Immanuel's crown! Not only raised from the ash-heap to be set among princes; but to gem through eternity — the forehead that for me, was once wreathed with thorns. <M129> What a comfort to know this is our future!

Malachi 3:17 KJV

[17] And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Malachi 3:17 NIV

[17] “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.

Psalm 4:8 NIV

[8] In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

** What will Heaven be, but the entire surrender of the soul to Him, without any bias to evil, without the fear of corruption within echoing to temptation without <M129>

• Every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

• No contrariety to His mind

• All in blessed unison with His will

And the whole being impregnated with holiness, where the:

• Intellect purified and ennobled, consecrating all its powers to His service;

• Memory, a holy repository of pure and hallowed recollections;

• Affections, without one competing rival, purged from all the dross of earthliness;

• Love of God, the one supreme animating passion;

• Glory of God, the motive principle interfused through every thought, feeling, and action of life immortal

In one word, the heart is a clear fountain — no sediment to dim its purity. Yes, this is Heaven — purity of heart and ‘God all in all!’

Matthew 5:8 NIV

[8] Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Psalm 17:15 NIV

[15] As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

** When we turn to Jesus and see Christ seated on the throne, we will have an overwhelming revelation of our own sinfulness, just like Peter when he saw Christ as God and John when he beheld the glory of the Lord <F60>

Luke 5:8 NIV

[8] When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

Revelation 1:17 NIV

[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

** It’s worth remembering that the new heaven referred to doesn’t mean the heaven where God is enthroned. The Bible uses the word heaven in three senses. The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere, the “blue sky.” The second heaven is outer space, the “night sky.” The third heaven is the place where God lives in glory. When the Scriptures speak of a new heaven, they mean a new “blue sky” and a new “night sky,” not a new heaven where God dwells. <T201>

** If you read the verses in Revelation 21 slowly and meditate on what the word picture John is attempting to convey, it is beyond the scope of our imagination and no one at this point in this mortal life can fully comprehend the spectacular view the apostle John sees and witnesses, and now becomes real to all who stand back and watch God in action.

Can you even envision the power that will be displayed, when God wipes away this old rock we have lived on for many ages in the past, and rolls the heavens back like a scroll, and creates everything brand new?? The earth was made for mankind, and the Garden of Eden was a paradise, but this coming New World and heavens are for the Saints of God, including His bride and all who have believed on our God, in faith, and the glory is beyond anything we can fully comprehend. The prophets down through the ages have spoken of this time in particular that we will see with our own eyes. <T201>

Revelation 21:1-4 NIV

[1] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Isaiah 65:17-19 NIV

Psalm 102:25-27 NIV

[25] In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. [26] They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. [27] But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

2 Peter 3:12-13 NIV

[12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. [13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

** Christ dying on the cross fulfills foreshadowing and has practical application <G72>

Foreshadowings: Isaiah 53 describes the prophetic coming Messiah and the suffering He would endure in order to pay for our sins, a complete picture of the Gospel

• In His sovereignty, God orchestrated every detail of the crucifixion to fulfill every prophecy of this chapter, as well as all other messianic prophecies of the Old Testament

• Jesus was despised and rejected (Isa 53:3; Luke 13:34; John 1:10-11), stricken by God (isa 53:4; Matt 27:46), and pierced for our transgressions (Isa 53:5; John 19:34; 1 Peter 2:24)

• By His suffering, He paid the punishment we deserved and became for us the ultimate and perfect sacrifice (Isa 53:5; Heb 10:10)

• Although He was sinless, God laid on Him our sin, and we became God’s righteousness in Him (2 Cor 5:21)

Practical Application: The book of Isaiah presents our Savior to us in undeniable detail

• He is the only way to heaven, the only means of obtaining the grace of God, the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

• Knowing the price Christ paid for us, how can we neglect or reject “so great a salvation”? (Heb 2:3)

• We have only a few, short years on earth to come to Christ and embrace the salvation only He offers; there is no second chance after death, and eternity in hell is a very long time.

Matthew 27:46 NIV

[46] About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

** Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant to see how they are protected by God even though the situation looked bleak

• When Elisha’s servant saw the enemy army surrounding the city where they had slept, he was terrified

• But when Elisha prayed, God let the servant see what Elisha knew was there: a protective army of flaming angels between them and the enemy! <R1795>

• ‘Chariots of fire’ (heavenly vehicles) can be termed as modern UFO or ‘beings not of this world’ or the ‘prince of the power of the air’

• Have no fear because our God is greater than any spiritual being <S195>

• Also, judgment on Judah came out of the north; its terror was depicted by a fiery whirlwind emblematic of God’s judgments and threats golden brightness signifying dazzling glory <M130>

• There exist numerous passages reminding us we live in a spiritual world and that heavenly forces surround us!

2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV

[15] When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. [16] “Don't be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” [17] And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 2:11 NIV

[11] As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

Daniel 7:10 NIV

[10] A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

Ezekiel 1:4-6 NIV

[4] I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north---an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, [5] and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, [6] but each of them had four faces and four wings.

Exodus 18:11 NIV

[11] Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.”

** Consider what the loss of the soul includes: It is the loss of everything dear to man as an immortal creature. It is the loss of Heaven, with all its honors, felicities, and glories. It is the loss of everything that can contribute to our eternal happiness.

The loss of the soul includes in it all that is contained in that dreadful word, Hell. Hell is the eternal endurance of the wrath of God. It is the coming down of the curse of the Almighty upon the soul; or rather, it is the falling of the soul into that curse, as into a lake which burns with fire and brimstone. <J101>

Matthew 16:26 NIV

[26] What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

** I do not need flamboyant descriptions and eloquent representations of the celestial state, to raise my desires and hopes. It is enough to know that it is GLORY — first prepared, then promised, and ultimately bestowed by Jehovah as the concentration of His infinite beneficence and the full manifestation of His boundless benevolence!

Heaven is the:

• Absence of all evil, natural and moral

• Possession of all possible good

• Glorified body united with a perfect soul

• Being in the immediate presence of God!

There we shall see God:

• We shall not only see Him, but love Him!

• We shall not only love Him, but serve Him!

• We shall not only serve Him, but enjoy Him!

• We shall not only enjoy Him, but hold such communion with Him as will assimilate us to the all-perfect source of our felicity!

And experience:

• Perfect knowledge

• perfect holiness and

• perfect love must of necessity

• open the fountain of perfect joy!

No secondary concern will call off our unwearied attention from the service of God; no sin or pain will interrupt us in it; nor will death ever dismiss us from it. The business and the blessedness of that happy state are the same — our supreme delight will be our constant employment!

Every:

• Sense will be an inlet

• Faculty a capacity, and

• Energy a pulsation of the purest bliss!

Heaven will be the:

• Life in perfection

• Life of the soul

• Life of God

• Life of eternity!

But to describe it, how vain and arrogant the attempt, when even to conceive of it is impossible! "In Your presence is fullness of joy! At Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore!" Neither language nor thought can go beyond this! Mind cannot conceive more. God Himself can tell us no more, than that Heaven consists in His presence and the enjoyment of His favor — forever and ever! <J101>

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

[9] However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him---

1 John 2:25 NIV

[25] And this is what he promised us---eternal life.

** One of the many things I have learned from my Scripture study is that the Word of God is layer upon layer of remarkable multiplicity. That is, when one digs deep beneath the surface, there is an insurmountable amount of treasure to be found. So much so, that this is the reason I truly believe we will be studying the Scriptures in eternity with The Word, Jesus Christ, teaching us things we never would have been able to see without His insight. <B297>

** God's work of providence is "His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing of all His creatures and all their actions." Providence has no Sabbath. No night suspends it, and from its labors God never rests.

Our world is but an outlying corner of God's creation; bearing, perhaps, as small a proportion to the great universe, as a single grain bears to all the sands of the sea-shore, or one small quivering leaf to the foliage of a boundless forest.

Yet, even within this earth's narrow limits, how vast is the work of Providence! How soon is the mind lost in contemplating it! How great is that Being:

• Whose hand paints every flower, and shapes every leaf

• Who forms every bud on every tree, and every infant in the darkness of the womb

• Who feeds each crawling worm with a parent's care

• Who watches like a mother over the insect that sleeps away the night in the bosom of a flower

• Who throws open the golden gates of day, and draws around a sleeping world the dusky curtains of the night

• Who measures out the drops of every shower, the whirling snow-flakes, and the sands of man's eventful life

• Who determines alike the fall of a sparrow, and the fate of a kingdom

• Who so overrules the tide of human fortunes, that whatever befalls him, come joy or sorrow, the believer says

1 Samuel 3:18 NIV

[18] “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

The comfort of God's redeemed people rests so much on the conviction:

• That the Lord Jesus reigns

• That His hand rules every event

• That a wise, and most kind, as well as holy Providence presides over our daily fortunes and all things besides <G75>

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

[3] The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

** The Apostle Paul experienced anything but his best life now. Paul knew that God has an eternal life awaiting him after he had to be "poured out like a drink offering" (2 Tim 4:6) but "now there is in store for [Paul] the crown of righteousness" (2 Tim 4:8). Everything in this world fades away and we look forward to life eternal -- where our inheritance is imperishable (not subject to decay) and nothing ever fades away! (2 Tim 4:4)

1 Peter 1:4-5

...an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

People say they will get bored in heaven, but John MacArthur shares his views in this way: "What I envision most about heaven is the absence of the curse , the absence of sin, the absence of decay, all the effects of fallenness and corruption, the absence of conflict, pain, suffering, sorrow, tears, discipline, hatred, misunderstanding, weakness, failure... I can only describe heaven in terms of negatives because I don't know what the description of the absence of those things would be... except perfect holiness and perfect joy... limitless holiness, unbounded peace, that is ready to be revealed in the last time."

2 Timothy 4:18

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God mercifully saves/regenerates those who believe in Christ from this life of sin by the power of God -- causing us to be born again to a living hope -- and blesses us with an eternal life without sin. WE can not do anything to be born again, anymore than we can control the wind, so our eyes are on our Lord who saves us. All we can do in response to His mercy is to praise Him!

1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

** The present state is but the infancy of the world. All the events of time, even those which make such great noise to us, and determine the fate of kingdoms are but as the trivial games of little children. But if we look forward and trace events to maturity, we meet with vast, significant and majestic events! To one of those scenes I would direct your attention this day; I mean the solemn, tremendous, and glorious scene of the universal judgment!

You have sometimes seen a stately building in ruins; come now, and view the ruins of a demolished world! Come now, and view the whole universe severely laboring and agonizing in her last convulsions, and her well-ordered system dissolved!

You have heard of earthquakes here and there which have laid huge cities in ruins. Come now, and feel the tremors and convulsions of the whole globe, which blend cities and countries, oceans and continents, mountains, plains and valleys — in one giant heap!

You have a thousand times beheld the moon walking in brightness, and the sun shining in its strength. Come now, look and see the sun turned into darkness, and the moon into blood!

Let us now enter upon the majestic scene! But alas! what images shall I use to represent it? Nothing that we have ever seen, nothing that we have ever heard, nothing that has ever happened on the stage of time can furnish us with proper illustrations. All here is low and groveling--when compared with the grand phenomena of that day!

We are so accustomed to trifling earthly objects, that it is impossible that we should ever raise our thoughts to a suitable pitch of elevation. But before long, we shall be amazed spectators of these majestic wonders and our eyes and our ears will be our instructors! <D43>

2 Peter 3:7,10 NIV

[7] By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

** Christ is MOST precious. Angels are precious, saints are precious, friends are precious, Heaven is precious — but Christ is ten thousand times more precious than these!

A believer had rather have Christ without Heaven, than Heaven without Christ. Let a believer search Heaven and earth, and yet he will find nothing comparable to Christ. To be like to Him, is our happiness. To draw near to Him, is our holiness. <D42>

Psalm 73:25 NIV

[25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

1 Peter 2:7a NIV

[7] Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.

Philippians 3:7-8 NIV

[7] But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

** God’s judgment will come after this life on this earth has ended <M130>

• Blessings and rewards are reserved for the righteous

• His punishment is reserved for the unrepentant sinner

• There are foretastes of both punishment and reward during life on earth

• For instance, the righteous experience God’s personal care and goodness, while the wicked are void of it

Proverbs 11:31 NIV

[31] If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Proverbs 16:6 NIV

[6] Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

Proverbs 21:1 NIV

[1] In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

Proverbs 21:12 NIV

[12] The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

Proverbs 21:16 NIV

[16] Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.

** In this present world, our good and evil are blended. Our happiness has some bitter ingredients, and our miseries have some agreeable mitigations.

But in the eternal world, good and evil shall be entirely and forever separated! All will be pure, unmingled happiness — or pure, unmingled misery!

But what gives infinite importance to these joys and sorrows is that they are enjoyed or suffered in the eternal world, and they are themselves eternal. Eternal joys! Eternal pains! Joys and pains that will last as long as the King eternal and immortal will live to distribute them! As long as our immortal spirits will live to feel them! Oh what joys and pains are these!

And these eternal joys or pains, my friends are awaiting every one of us! These pleasures, or these pains are felt this moment by all our friends and acquaintances who have died before us! And in a little, little while you and I must feel them!

Alas! What then, have we to do with time and earth? Are the pleasures and pains of this world worthy to be compared with eternal pleasures and pains? "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!"

• The enjoyments and sufferings,

• the labors and pursuits,

• the laughter and tears of the present state

are all nothing in comparison. What is the loss of an estate, or of a dear relative compared to the loss of a blissful immortality?

And if our heavenly inheritance is secure — what does it matter, even if we should be reduced into Job's forlorn situation? What does it matter, even if we are poor, sickly, racked with pains, and submerged in every human misery? Heaven will more than make amends for all! <D43>

Matthew 25:46 NIV

[46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

** Christians must act now in sharing the Gospel because we are living in end times — time is running short for people to be saved from eternal punishment

• Driven by his conviction and love for others, Paul give his all to win the Corinthians to Christ and lead them to a full present experience of salvation <R1795>

• Our effective ministry should also be driven by a sense of urgency and love

• What an awesome privilege that we have ultimate hope in God from this life of difficulties to eternal blessing

2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV

[2] For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

John 5:24 NIV

[24] “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

** Job knew souls enjoyed equal status once they reached the afterlife

Job 3:19 NIV

[19] The small and the great are there, and the slaves are freed from their owners.

** Things on which Christians will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ:

1. How we treat other believers-Hebrews 6:10; Matthew 10:41-42.

2. How we exercise our authority over others-Hebrews 13:17; James 3: 1.

3. How we employ our God-given abilities-1 Corinthians 12:4, 12; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4: 10.

Add to these Scriptures Jesus' teaching of the Parables of the ten pounds (Luke 19:11-6) and the talents (Matthew 25:14-29). Each believer has at least one talent-1 Corinthians 7: 7, 12:7-11; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10. There are 18 of these gifts-Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4. It's up to each believer to discern his or her gifts.

4. How we use our money-1 Corinthians 60:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 1 Timothy 6:17-19. All belongs to God-1 Peter 18-19.

5. How we spend our time-Psalm 90:12; Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5; 1 Peter 1:17.

6. How much we suffer for Jesus-Matthew 5:11-12; Mark 10:29-30; Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Peter 4:12-13.

7. How we run the particular race God has chosen for us-1 Corinthians 9:24; Philippians 2:16, 3:13-14; Hebrews 12:1.

8. How effectively we control the old nature-1 Corinthians 9:25-27. Greek word adokimos, "castaway," means "disapproved." It means self is disapproved. Paul wanted to keep his old nature in check, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Corinthians 16:3; Philippians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4.

9. How many souls we witness to, and win to Christ-Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

10. How we react to temptation-James 1:2-3; Revelation 3:10.

11. How much the doctrine of the Rapture means to us-2 Timothy 4:8.

12. How faithful we are to the Word of God and the flock of God-Acts 20:26-28; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Peter 5:2-4.

What will be the results of the judgment seat of Christ? Some will receive rewards-1 Corinthians 3:14. Bible mentions at least five rewards:

• The incorruptible crown, given to those who master the old nature-1 Corinthians 9:25-27

• The crown of rejoicing given to soul winners-Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:31; Thessalonians 2:19-20.

• The crown of life, given to those who successfully endure temptation-James 1:2-3; Revelation 2:10.

• The crown of righteousness for those who especially love the doctrine of the Rapture-2 Timothy 4:8.

• The crown of glory, given to faithful preachers and teachers-Acts 20:26-28; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Peter 5:2-4. <J100>

** Heavenly saints who followed Christ will desire to return the crowns given them as reward for their faithfulness

• Jesus promises various rewards, including crowns, for those who faithfully serve Him

• There are five heavenly crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers: <J100> <B26>

1. Imperishable crown (1 Cor 9:24-25, 1 Pet 1:4) – give to those who exhibited steadfastness during times of affliction magnifying the greatness of our Savior

2. Crown of rejoicing (1 Thess 2:19) – given to those who help in the team-effort of leading of others to Christ

3. Crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:8) – given to those who eagerly await Jesus’ appearing; this will reveal the biggest differences between born again believers

4. Crown of glory (1 Pet 5:4) – given to those who faithfully guide the saints via positions of leadership or who exercise oversight in some way

5. Crown of life (Rev 2:10) – this crown is not only for those who endure severe trials where the Lord tests their faith, but for those who emerge from those times with a great love for the Lord

• No doubt, saints who are raptured to the heavens will follow the elders’ worshiping God

• Children of God will be so overcome that joyful and spontaneous worship will be prompted by God's holiness and their gratitude for all He has done

• The priceless crowns will seem a paltry offering to return to the One who gave His life for us, but it will be the best gift we will have to give Him <G72>

Revelation 4:9-11 NIV

[9] Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: [11] “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

** Those who pride themselves on being shrewd derive this trait from a worldly persuasion

• ‘Man cannot serve both God and money’ is a saying that focuses on who gets our allegiance

• A common theory exists stating earthly riches = divine blessing, but Jesus made it clear one did not equal the other

• If our choice is motivated by a desire for money, we will not serve God

• A rich person can love God, but if he does, the way he or she uses the money possessed will reveal it <R1795>

Luke 16:8b NIV

[8] “... the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

Luke 16:13 NIV

[13] “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

** Jesus took up the topic of money and its relationship to the kingdom of God and relationship to faith <R1795>

• If someone cannot manage a small amount of riches, they certainly will not be trusted with larger amounts

• Christians are to view worldly wealth as nothing more than an instrument for gaining true riches in heaven

Luke 16:10-12 NIV

[10] “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. [11] So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? [12] And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

** Because God lives forever and I will not, I can experience the several different times of my life knowing that they are part of a bigger picture that I cannot see but which is visible to a good and wise God who sees the whole as beautiful. Part of being wise in this world is learning to accept that we have only very limited access to the big picture. To be sure, we often want access to it, for God has put eternity into man's heart.

But the point is that we cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. God is not being unkind to us by not sharing it -- the point is that we are not built to understand the big picture precisely because we live in time and God does not. If we could see the end from the beginning and understand how a billion lives and a thousand generations and unspeakable sorrows and untold joys are all woven into a tapestry of perfect beauty, then we would be God. <G792>

** Based on the context and Paul's change of words from 1 Thess 4, we know that the sense of 1 Thess 5:10 is that when Jesus come for His church, He will take those who are alert spiritually as well as those who are asleep in their walk with Him as evidenced by their lack of watchfulness for His return or their care about the way they live.

This is incredibly good news as well as an amazing promise. Our inclusion in the rapture does not depend upon our behavior at the time Jesus' appears; it depends solely upon whether or not our sins are covered with the blood Jesus shed on our behalf.

1 John 5:10-12 spells out the only condition for your inclusion in the rapture. If you belong to Jesus, you are going up regardless of your behavior at the moment! If Jesus is not your Savior, your feet will remain earthbound.

This is our blessed assurance!

Please know I am not saying that our behavior does not matter. It absolutely does! What I am saying is that those who teach the doctrine of a partial rapture advance a doctrine that not only contradicts the heart of the Gospel, but Paul's specific promise in 1 Thess 5:10.

The New Testament teaches that all believers will give an account of their lives to Jesus (Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb. 4:12-13). Faithful service will be rewarded (1 Cor. 15:58); saints who neglect their spiritual gifts and opportunities to serve the Lord with those provisions will suffer loss at the judgment seat of Christ, but they will not lose their salvation, nor will they miss out on the rapture.

So yes, our behavior matters; but our good deeds do not merit our salvation nor do they merit our rapid heavenward journey when Jesus appears to take us home. Those whom God justifies, He also glorifies (Rom. 8:30); this is an unbroken chain. Once God justifies us, it becomes an absolute certainty He will glorify us at the return of His Son. That is the promise of Romans 8!

You see, when Jesus gives us eternal life based on His work on the cross, it means we will never perish (John 10:27-29). The Lord forever seals our fate, eternity in paradise, the moment He brings us into His forever family.

Why do I emphasize these promises from 1 Thess 5:9-10? It's because so many churches err on one side of the other. They either ignore our blessed hope or they ignore our blessed assurance. Both represent grievous errors in these last days.

In 1 Thess 5:9-10, the apostle Paul assures us of two precious promises in regard to our eternal hope. Jesus is coming for us before the tribulation, and our inclusion in our trip to His Father's house in heaven depends solely on His blood shed on our behalf, not our behavior. <B26>

** A dislike of death is no proof of the lack of genuine religion. The instincts of nature shrink from it, for no creature can like its own dissolution. But though death is not desired, the result of it may be, for to the Christian dying is the way to life eternal! <J109>

Philippians 1:21 NIV

[21] For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Job 16:22 NIV

[22] “Only a few years will pass before I take the path of no return.

Revelation 14:13 NIV

[13] Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

** This vision of Heaven, how wondrous it is! What a contrast to this poor earth of ours. Streets of gold, and seas of glass, and pearly gates, and rivers and trees of life--in exchange for this vile dust and dross, and worthless ugliness, and for these fruits of pain and death!

• A realm of splendid light, without a sun!

• A world, without a sea!

• Bodies, without pain!

• Faces, with no tears and no furrows of grief!

• Hearts, without sighs!

• Duration, without mutation and reverse!

• Life, without age or decay!

• No death! Creatures, but no death!

• Day, bright, blazing, gorgeous day--but no night! <C404>

Revelation 22:3-5 NIV

[3] No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

** “Praise the Lord” or “Hallelujah” is reserved when praising God for the deliverance from the wicked; it appears mainly in the Old Testament (Psalms 103-118) and one chapter of the New Testament (Revelation 19)

Psalm 103:1 NIV

[1] Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Psalm 104:35 NIV

[35] But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord.

The world will never be right until it is under God’s control and His sovereign rule — freedom from sin, righteous justice meted out, God ruling with a rod of iron, man-advancing rebellion ends, the Lord torches the world system to smoldering ash, union with our Savior at the marriage supper (text borrowed from Deut 32) — and the response in heaven is continual “hallelujah” <M130>

Revelation 19:1-3 NIV [John’s vision of heaven]

[1] After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, [2] for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” [3] And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

** The more we love Him, the more lovely He will become to us.

We soon exhaust the most excellent characters of earth. But in the character of our blessed Redeemer there are depths, heights, lengths and breadths of loveliness that we can never exhaust through time or eternity. After, in Heaven, we shall have seen the King in His beauty as many millions of years as there are grains of dust in our globe--there will still be in Him an infinitude of unrevealed beauties to transport our ever expanding souls. <T208>

** The meltdown of today’s justice system is because all of mankind shares the same capacity for evil. One person shows their fallen nature by killing someone, and another person shows their depravity by letting the killer go free. It is very unlikely that we will see a return to true justice in America until Jesus comes and establishes His righteous rule over the whole earth. <S197>

Zechariah 7:9 NIV

[9] “This is what the Lord Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.

** It is proper only to children, not to men--to be petulant for toys and trifles. So let the men of this world lament the loss of worldly vanities. But let the heirs of God, the joint-heirs with Christ, rejoice that the treasures of eternity are theirs!

"But blessed are your eyes, for they see." Happy are those who have the eyes of their mind opened, and clearly see the:

• Deformity of sin

• Beauty of holiness

• Excellency of piety

• Necessity of the new birth

• Preciousness of Christ

• Glory of eternal realities

I set my affections on things which are above! <M134>

Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

** We shall consider these words as referring to HEAVENLY rest:

our Father's house,

our Savior's home, and

our eternal dwelling-place!

To the weary and way-worn, there is something delightful in the thought of REST.

They love to think of Heaven as the place where they shall "rest from their labors."

REST gives us the idea of . . .

repose--the calm, quiet repose of the soul;

refreshment--the refreshment of the exhausted spirit after conflict, sickness, or toil;

restoration to vigor--after debility, languor, and fainting.

Heaven will be a rest . . .

from sin--which will no more grieve us;

from sorrow--which will no more trouble and distress us;

from fears--which will no more harass and perplex us; and

from conflicts--which will no more agitate and suppress us.

It will be a rest . . .

with God in His glory,

with Jesus in His immediate presence,

with saints and holy angels in full perfection and blessedness.

This rest is FUTURE--it remains for the people of God.

This rest is the object of our hopes and DESIRES.

We look forward to it, with holy longing and cheering anticipations.

This rest is PERFECT--free from all mixture of anything that will agitate, give pain, or cause grief.

This rest is UNINTERRUPTED--nothing will ever occur to disturb, distress, or agitate us any more.

This rest is GLORIOUS--

as bright as the meridian sun,

as balmy as the most pleasant morning,

as glowing with holiness, splendor, and majesty.

Best of all, this rest is ETERNAL! The possibility of a change, of a return to former scenes--would spoil all. But this rest will be enduring--as changeless as the Divine nature, and as glorious as the Divine perfections.

Blessed be God for such a rest for the weary, suffering, and downcast believer in Jesus!

Oh, to keep the eye fixed upon it, and the heart expecting it--amidst all the troubles and trials of time!

This rest is FOR the redeemed people of God.

They are now a poor, tried, tempted, and restless people.

They are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth, as all their fathers were.

Believer, let the prospect of this eternal glorious rest, cheer you in toil and trouble! Your work will soon be finished, your trouble will soon come to an end--and then rest--the glorious rest, remains for you! <S183>

Hebrews 4:9 NIV

[9] There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God

** Some may wonder "what is the theme in heaven?" That is easy to answer. It is contained in the revelation that God is Love (1 John 4:8). To confirm this immutable truth, John explains the reality: "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). Therefore, "Our love is brought to perfection in this: that while we should have confidence on the day of judgment, for our relation to this world is just like His" (1 John 4:17). Therefore, we will spend eternity receiving God's love as well as increasing our love and praises to our Lord.

Are there any descriptions of heaven? To lessen our wondering, God has already unveiled heaven almost like a travelog in Revelation Chapter 21 and 22. Be sure to read these chapters to see what has been prepared for us. It is mind-blowing. There are also vivid colors like the precious stones on the New Jerusalem (Revelation 4:1-8) and even a green rainbow (Revelation 4:1-8).

We have described the current religious heaven as being upward. Scriptures reveal that there will be new heavens and a new earth, as the former heavens and the former earth had passed away. In addition, there is the New Jerusalem which will come down from heaven (Revelation 21:1-4).

While we have discussed eternal life in heaven, there is still a sense of time in our analysis. The concept of eternity, everlasting life, or perpetual things are not items we usually discuss. Nevertheless, I was also interested in a timeless era and asked the Lord one day. He replied,

"What is forever? It is a moment with me that never ceases. You already know how to praise me, how to love me and accept my love. But forever began when you accepted me and it never stops, yet it seems like a minute, for we share such oneness. I long for you as you long for me, and yet we are one in spite of such longing and desire. Now I will tell you something: there is so much more of my infinite love that you cannot imagine. You think you know love now. I tell you, it has just begun, for I have so many things planned for my people. You will be amazed at the depth of my love for those who up to now are not even aware of my love. Help me build the kingdom to join you as friends and fellow believers. I will help you. Fear not" <M1492>

** God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and has been with His people through all generations; God is not confined by time for He exists from everlasting to everlasting!

Psalm 90:1-2 NIV

[1] Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. [2] Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 90:4 NIV

[4] A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Psalm 93:2 NIV

[2] Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.

** God can welcome home any believer He wants at any time

• First heaven = earth

• Second heaven = interplanetary

• Third heaven = with God

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NIV

[2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know---God knows. [3] And I know that this man---whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows--- [4] was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

Psalm 123:1 NIV

[1] I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

** Remember, time is uncertain! Youth, health, strength, business, riches, power, wisdom, and whatever this world contains--cannot insure it. No, the thread of life is held by the divine hand alone; and God can snap it asunder, without warning, in whatever moment He pleases! <D43>

Hebrews 9:27 NIV

[27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment

Romans 13:11 NIV

[11] And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

** God rewards those who obey His commands

2 Kings 10:30 NIV

[30] The Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.”

** With each passing day, it is obvious this world is heading toward that last 7-year period known as the Tribulation or God's Wrath. All the signs of Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3, and those given by numerous prophets, are present and are intensifying daily, and in some cases hourly.

The next main event on the end-time countdown will be the Rapture of Jesus' Church - all believers. There is no named "evangelical organization" that makes up His Church; only those individuals who identify as bible-believing Christians. <H91> (Aug 2019)

** Paul makes it clear that anyone wanting to be saved must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 20:31) and His atonement for sin (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Acts 16:30-31 NIV

[30] He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [31] They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household.”

John 20:31 NIV

[31] But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NIV

[3] For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

** Jesus reveals there is an eternal existence after death where He IS the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (using present not past tense)

Luke 20:37-38 NIV

[37] But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ [38] He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

** When Christians die, their physical body sleeps in the grave while their soul is united with Christ; Christians earnestly debate whether Paul was speaking about receiving a resurrection body or an intermediate body worn until the time of resurrection? <R1795>

• In essence, it doesn’t ultimately matter because believers are assured that after death ‘whatever is mortal’ will be swallowed up by life

• When the rich man died, he was immediately in torment

• When Lazarus died he was immediately in the presence of Abraham

2 Corinthians 5:4-8 NIV

[4] For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. [5] Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. [6] Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. [7] For we live by faith, not by sight. [8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Luke 16:22-24 NIV

1 Corinthians 15:50 NIV

[50] I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Luke 23:39-43 NIV

[39] One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” [40] But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? [41] We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” [42] Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ” [43] Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, TODAY you will be with me in paradise.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 NIV

[13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. [14] For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. [15] According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Corinthians 15:44,51-54 NIV

[44] it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [51] Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--- [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

** The Bible tells us that one day, the spirit of man will be reunited with a glorified raised physical body for those raised belonging to Christ at His appearing. It has and will come in stages...

A. Those who are already dead; Jesus the first fruits of those who are born of the dead

B. Then those who are raised to new life, at the catching away of the church at the appearing of our Lord; the Bible calls it by definition “harpazo" which literally means be "taken by force", while some call it the rapture

C. The next stage is those who are raised to life at the end of the Tribulation, who are the Tribulation saints, and died in Christ as martyrs; this is the first resurrection according to Rev 20:5-6 <T201>

Revelation 20:4-6 NIV

[4] I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

** At death, the body lies in repose in the grave awaiting the resurrection of the last day, but the soul goes to be at home with the Lord

• Those who abide by the prevalent ‘Doctrine of Intermediate State’ believe Christians are with Jesus immediately when they die and not some state of sleep, waiting for the return of Christ (2 Cor 5:5-8) <S1991>

• Paradise (third heaven) exists for those who die and immediately go to be with God in Heaven with an intermediate body; this is confirmed when Paul wrote about Jesus’ ascension in the book of Ephesians

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 NIV

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. [7] For we live by faith, not by sight. [8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Luke 16:19-31 NIV

[19] “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. [20] At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores [21] and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. [24] So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' [25] “But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' [27] “He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, [28] for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' [29] “Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' [30] “ 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' [31] “He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' ”

Revelation 20:13-14 NIV

[13] The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

Ephesians 4:8-10 NIV

[8] This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” [9] (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? [10] He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NIV

John 14:3 NIV

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

• Those who abide by the theory of ‘Soul Sleep’ believe Christians fall into an unconscious sleep-like state until the future resurrection

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 NIV

According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

After resurrection and eternal destination:

• Believers experience a provisional sense the rewards that await them in heaven, while unbelievers experience a taste of their eternal torment in hell <G72>

• Those who previously died will be joined with permanent bodies (from the grave) when Christ comes again at the Day of Resurrection

• Heaven is where Jesus resides — absent from the body and always with the Lord <J103>

• Hades, at time of death, is a temporary place of torment until Christ comes again at the Judgment of the Great White Throne and inhabitants of Hades are passed into the Lake of Fire, as described in the book of Revelation

** At death, the body lies in repose in the grave awaiting the resurrection of the last day, but the soul goes to be at home with the Lord. This is the doctrine of the intermediate state. Believers experience in a provisional sense the rewards that await them in heaven, while unbelievers experience a taste of their eternal torment in hell <G72>

Hades, at time of death, is a temporary place of torment until Christ comes again at the Judgment of the Great White Throne and inhabitants of Hades are passed into the Lake of Fire, as described in the book of Revelation

Paradise (third heaven) exists for those who die and immediately go to be with God in Heaven with an intermediate body; this is confirmed when Paul wrote about Jesus’ ascension in the book of Ephesians; we will be joined with our permanent bodies (from the grave) when Christ comes again at the Day of Resurrection

Heaven is where Jesus resides — absent from the body and present with the Lord! “And thus we will always be with the Lord” <J103>

Luke 16:19-31 NIV

Revelation 20:13-14 NIV

Ephesians 4:8-10 NIV

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NIV

John 14:3 NIV

[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

** The person singing this song recognizes where the Lord lives and longs to be there

Psalm 84:1-3 NIV

[1] How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! [2] My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. [3] Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young---a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

** Since God is eternal, we will be eternal

Psalm 45:6 NIV

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

** Even when ALL else falls away, the Lord's words in Scripture will endure forever!

Luke 21:33 NIV

[33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

** God is everlasting from generation to generation even though His created world wastes away

Psalm 102:25-27 NIV

Psalm 103:19 NIV

[19] The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Hebrews 1:10-12 NIV

[10] He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. [11] They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. [12] You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

** After Christ's death and resurrection, Jesus went to be with the Lord to prepare a place for us

John 13:36 NIV

[36] Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

John 14:2-3 NIV

[2] My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

** Jesus' death enables us to have purpose and live for eternal hope, we must be willing to give our lives to Christ, sacrifice to His will and die to the things of this world

John 12:23-24 NIV

[23] Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [24] Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

John 12:25-26 NIV

[25] Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

** The heart of God's purpose is eternal life and Jesus will continue to give eternal life until He returns; Jesus raised the dead both physically and spiritually while He was on earth, and the dead will hear Jesus' voice upon His return at the Second Coming

John 5:24 NIV

[24] “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 5:25,28-29 NIV

[25] Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. [28] “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice [29] and come out---those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

Myths Surrounding HELL

The reality of Hell and eternal punishment is not a popular topic, even among Christians. Part of the problem is that the nature of Hell has been horribly distorted in our culture and portrayed as an experience that is far from what we read in the New Testament. When I'm asked why I believe in Hell, my response is three-fold.

First, I have such unshakable and robust confidence in the inerrant truth of every word in the Bible that the matter is already settled before I even read the text. I believe, as the Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16, that "all Scripture [even texts such as Revelation 14:9-11] is breathed out by God and [is] profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

Second, by God's grace I have come to understand, at least to some degree, the immeasurable magnitude and majesty of God's holiness and beauty and authority and the honor that is due to Him from all of His creatures, including you and me.

Third, again by God's grace I have come to understand the immeasurable horror and ugliness and self-centeredness of humanity's sin and depravity and wickedness.

So I can honestly say that to the degree that you and I struggle with the concept of Hell and eternal punishment is the degree to which we don't understand God's holiness and honor, on the one hand, or the horror and depravity of mankind's sin, on the other. In other words, if Hell strikes you as unreasonable or unfair or disproportionate, it can only be due to the fact that either you don't believe the Bible is inspired and true, or you don't believe that God is infinitely holy and just, or you don't believe that mankind is morally depraved and has committed cosmic treason and is thus deserving of eternal condemnation.

As noted, contributing to the problem of Hell are the numerous myths or false beliefs that surround it. Here are eight of them:

MYTH #1. There is widespread belief among non-Christians that Hell is a place where they will be united with their unbelieving friends and drink beer all the time in an endless party. The fact is that Hell is a place of utter isolation, loneliness, and deprivation.

MYTH #2. Another false belief is that Hell is the place where Satan and his demons exercise their authority to rule and reign.

The fact is that Hell is the place where Satan and his demons suffer eternal punishment. Satan and his demons are inhabitants in Hell, not its warden or guards. See Matthew 25:41 for one clear statement to that effect.

Matthew 25:41 NIV

[41] “Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

MYTH #3. Directly related to the previous myth, there is the notion among many that in Hell Satan and his demons torment human beings who also are there. No. There is not one text in the Bible that suggests Satan and his demons afflict or torment human beings. They themselves, instead, are the object of God's punishment. There have been numerous books written by people who claim to have visited Hell in which they describe a scene where demons are tormenting humans who have been consigned there. This should be the first indication to all careful, Bible-believing readers that such an experience is fabricated.

MYTH #4. Yet another misconception is that there are people in Hell crying out for mercy who want to reconcile with God. Nothing in Scripture indicates this is so. Instead, those in Hell are eternally defiant of God and hate Him all the more with each passing moment.

MYTH #5. One of the more blasphemous notions about Hell is that there are people in Hell who don't deserve to be there. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God's justice is impeccable and He never consigns anyone to punishment in Hell who does not fully deserve to suffer there.

MYTH #6. A related myth is the notion that there are people in Hell who wanted to go to Heaven while they were still alive, but God wouldn't let them. That is utterly false. Jesus Himself made this clear when He said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst... whoever comes to Me I will never cast out ... For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:35, 37b, 40).

MYTH #7. A seventh myth is that there are people in Hell who will eventually be released and granted entrance into Heaven. As much as we might wish this were true, it isn't. The Bible does not teach the doctrine of universalism, that is, the idea that everyone will eventually be saved and given eternal life in the new Heaven and new earth.

MYTH #8. Finally, there is the myth that in Hell people will be rid of God and have no experience of Him. That is not true. It is true they will have no experience of God's loving and gracious presence, but they will most assuredly experience His presence in justice and wrath. In fact, we read in Revelation 14:10 that they will be tormented "in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb," that is, in the presence of Jesus Christ.

I'll conclude with two brief observations:

First, I can't read biblical portrayals of Hell and eternal punishment or think about it without feeling a deep and unrelenting agony in my heart. We should never talk about Hell without weeping, for it is real and people are going there. This is not a subject for joking or lighthearted banter. It is an issue that should provoke within us both anguish and an urgent commitment to share the gospel with those who remain in unbelief.

My second reaction is one of unfathomable gratitude. When I read about Hell in a passage like Revelation 14:9-11 I'm reading about what I deserve. God would have been perfectly just and righteous had He chosen to consign me to eternal torment. But in mercy He has drawn me to faith in His Son. In mercy He has poured out His wrath on Jesus in my place, a wrath and judgment that Jesus lovingly and willingly embraced and endured. Every single one of us deserves damnation. God owes us nothing but justice. The fact that He has given us mercy instead, and forgiveness instead of condemnation, ought to awaken in us the most heartfelt and passionate gratitude and praise. <S196>

** Jesus is the light of the world; light manifests God's glory such as holiness, truth, and splendor; God's glory is revealed from the beginning of creation to the final days in Revelation when God's presence will replace the sin

John 8:12 NIV

[12] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Genesis 1:3-4 NIV

[3] And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [4] God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Revelation 21:23-24 NIV

[23] The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. [24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

** There is nothing to live for if only living for this world; our hope is the resurrection from the dead and eternity

1 Corinthians 15:32b NIV

If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

Philippians 3:10-11 NIV

I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NIV

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; [43] it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; [44] it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:52,55 NIV

in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [55] “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

** How incredibly comforting to know that God, the Founder of the world and universe around us, remains in complete control of its continued existence all that operates within it

Psalm 24:1-2 NIV

[1] The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; [2] for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

** Our life here on earth is short and is fragile; God guarantees we will face death one way or another

Psalm 18:4-5 NIV

[4] The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. [5] The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.

Psalm 102:23 NIV

[23] In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days.

** God will save the elect (some say after the tribulation) with the return of the Son of God

Mark 13:26-27 NIV

[26] “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. [27] And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

** God loves believers in Christ because they have placed their faith in Him

• Does God love everyone? Yes, He shows mercy and kindness to all.

• Does God love Christians more than He loves non-Christians? No, not in regards to His merciful love.

• Does God love Christians in a different way than He loves non-Christians? Yes; because believers have exercised faith in God’s Son, they are saved. God has a unique relationship with Christians in that only Christians have forgiveness based on God’s eternal grace.

• The unconditional, merciful love God has for everyone should bring us to faith, receiving with gratefulness the conditional, covenant love He grants those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior. <G72>

John 16:27 NIV

[27] No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

** Since God's throne is eternal, our existence will be eternal as well

Psalm 45:6 NIV

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

1 John 2:25 NIV

And this is what he promised us---eternal life.

** Believers who become part of the kingdom of God can one day expect to be greater than the Prophet John whom Christ had great admiration

Luke 7:28-30 NIV

[28] I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” [29] (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. [30] But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

** God encouraged Smyrna to hold fast in suffering for future reward

• There were no words of condemnation but only words of encouragement

• God did not promise deliverance from their current trials but they would receive rewards for their steadfast response

• They were not to fear death for they will gain eternal life

Revelation 2:10 (NIV)

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

• Note: 10 days deals with 10 different waves of persecution, starting with Nero and ending with the most fierce of forces

Revelation 2:11 (NIV)

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

** As a result of following God we will not experience death and separation, but be seated with Him on His heavenly throne!

Ephesians 2:6-7 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:19-20 NIV

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

** We can escape this ‘present evil age’ and peace can be ours; Jesus gave Himself not only that we might be forgiven, but that we might be rescued from this evil

Galatians 1:3-4 NIV

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, [4] who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Galatians 6:16 NIV

Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule---to the Israel of God.

** Believers in the Kingdom of Heaven will be greater than the most high prophets on earth; even those who are among the least

Matthew 11:11 NIV

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

** The way we conduct our lives here on earth will continue when we reach Heaven; death crystallizes what you were like on earth; we will be rewarded according to our decisions and actions

Revelation 22:11 NIV

[11] Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Revelation 22:12-15 NIV

** Jesus describes Hell as a tortuous place where people will see the prophets in Heaven feasting with its other inhabitants; our deeds and motives on earth will be recognized because the first will be last and last will be first

Luke 13:28 NIV

[28] “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

Luke 13:29 NIV

[29] People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Luke 13:30 NIV

[30] Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

** We have not even begun to understand; so much awaits us when this life is over!

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who love him---

Isaiah 64:4 NIV

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

** Jesus told us there will be no marriage in heaven

• Our covenant relationship and focus will solely be on Christ <M1501>

• Followers of Christ who arrive in Heaven will be married to Christ, as bride and Bridegroom

• Besides, there will be no need for marriage for we will be like the angels, immortal and incorruptible!

Matthew 22:30 NIV

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

** Jesus was asked a question about marital status in heaven and He confirmed the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage

Luke 20:34-36 NIV

[34] Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. [35] But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, [36] and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

** Jesus told His disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven is near and heal the sick

Matthew 10:7-8 NIV

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

** Jesus told the parable of the wedding feast letting us know that 'many are called, few are chosen'

• The best interpretation of the invitation is that it symbolizes the gospel proclamation

• The wedding garment symbolizes Jesus’ righteousness that is transferred to those who accept His invitation <G72>

• Those who are called answer the invitation of the Lord

• Those who are chosen both accept the invitation and comply with its conditions <W212>

Matthew 22:11-14 NIV

[11] “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. [12] He asked, 'How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend ?' The man was speechless. [13] “Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' [14] “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

** The Invitation to God's kingdom go out to everyone, but all do not show up because some do not accept the invitation

• The master is not satisfied with a partially full banquet hall; he wants every place at the table to be filled

• God is more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. <M130>

• The excuses for skipping the banquet are laughably bad and the failure to attend rests on the individual

• The detail that the invitation is opened up to society’s maimed and downtrodden is important, for these were the types of people that the Pharisees considered “unclean” and under God’s curse (John 9:1-2,34)

• Jesus, however, taught that the kingdom was available even to those considered “unclean”

• Jesus ends the parable by relating the master’s determination that “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet”

• Those who ignored the invitation to the banquet chose their own punishment -- they missed out

• The interpretation is that the Jews of Jesus’ day had no valid excuse for spurning Jesus’ message; in fact, they had every reason to accept Him as their Messiah

• The basic message of the both parables of the Wedding Banquet and Great Banquet could be stated this way: “The tragedy of the Jewish rejection of Christ has opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles. The blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith.” <G72>

Matthew 22:1-14 NIV [similar to Luke 14]

Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: [2] “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. [3] He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. [4] “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ [5] “But they paid no attention and went off---one to his field, another to his business. [6] The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. [7] The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. [8] “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. [9] So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ [10] So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. [11] “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. [12] He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend ?’ The man was speechless. [13] “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [14] “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Luke 14:15-24 NIV [similar to Matthew 22]

[15] When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” [16] Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. [17] At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' [18] “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' [19] “Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' [20] “Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' [21] “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' [22] “ 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' [23] “Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. [24] I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' ”

John 9:1-2,34 NIV

[1] As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [34] To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

** An everlasting inheritance awaits us in heaven for those who have faith in Him and endure hardship

1 Peter 1:4-5 NIV

and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith---of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

** God upholds our cause as righteous judge

Psalm 9:4 NIV

[4] For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.

Psalm 9:7-8 NIV

[7] The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. [8] He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.

Psalm 9:16 NIV

[16] The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.

** There will be no marriage in heaven; there will be no need for marriage for we will be like the angels, Immortal and Incorruptible!

Matthew 22:30 NIV

At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

** After hearing the Messenger's words to the churches, John is transported to heaven

Revelation 4:1 NIV

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

** Jesus must reside in heaven until the day of God's final restoration

Acts 3:21 NIV

[21] Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

** Description of heaven and creatures surrounding God's throne; "in the Spirit" can refer to being guided by the Spirit which can only be described by things we know with "like" phrases

Revelation 4:2-5 NIV

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. [3] And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. [4] Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. [5] From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.

• 24 elders = may refer to entire Christian population from all ages, or 12 tribes and 12 disciples

• White robes = born again Christians

• Crowns = reward at end of their lives

Revelation 4:6-8 NIV

Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. [7] The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. [8] Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“ ‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

** Description of heaven and creatures surrounding God's throne

Revelation 4:2-5 NIV

Revelation 4:6-8 NIV

Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

“ ‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’

who was, and is, and is to come.”

** Worship in heaven is continuous

Revelation 4:9-11 NIV

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, [10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: [11] “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 5:6-8 NIV

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. [7] He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

Revelation 5:9-14 NIV

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. [10] You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” [11] Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” [13] Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” [14] The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

D25.

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