If you could live anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
In these times, it's a tougher question than usual right? We could pick a tropical destination, somewhere with a good job, somewhere close to family, or wherever you heart may desire. But no matter where you chose right now, one thing remains true about all places - no matter how 'perfect' we may think it to be, problems will still arise there.
It's nearly impossible to escape pollution, evil, and the virus that plaguing our land right now. But there is a location with none of these problems - Heaven. In John 14:3, Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself." None of us enjoy talking about death. But it is an impending reality for all of us. It may be today, tomorrow, next year, or decades from now. But you don't have to fear death if you know the next step.
No death. "Our new home will be a place of total victory." Death would be conquered completely once and for all.
No grief. Think about how sweet that will be. That no sin, regret, or loss will cause us pain any longer.
No crying. With grief no longer causing using emotional pain (which is often worse than physical) we no longer cry tears of sadness.
No pain. With sin being completely removed, all pain will be gone as well.
When Jesus says in v. 5, "I'm making everything new," He's not talking about slapping on a coat of paint and putting down new flooring. He's stripping this thing down to the studs - new wiring, new plumbing, all the way down to a new subfloor. This will no longer even be recognizable as the same home.
V. 6 reads, "I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life." However, we must admit that we are thirsty and believe that Jesus is the only one who can quench that thirst.
V. 7 reads, "The one who conquers will inherit these things." I could go on and on with this thought but I want to stay focused here. The only way, the only way, we can get through the challenges that we face in this life is with Christ on our side. I can't do it. You can't do it. We can't do it. He can. Life is hard with Christ, harder without him. And eternal life is impossible.
Sadly, not everyone will make it to this glorious place called Heaven. In verse 8, he listed "the cowards, faithless, detestable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars." The scariest part of this verse is that I used to fall into every one of those categories...and you did too. The question is, have we chosen to remain there, to stay stuck in sin? Or have we chosen to be cleaned in Christ?
"We will worship God. We will certainly declare his praises, but worship is far more than the words we sing or speak. In eternity, our worship and service will be perfect because we will be unhindered by sin." If you have kids, or have had kids, you understand that sometimes in church, your best attempt at worshipping it not using bad words at those little boogers during church. How do you jerk your son out of the floor without knocking over the tower of hymnals he's built and sternly tell him to be quiet without disturbing everyone else's prayer time?
But I digress. Once we get to heaven, we will have no distractions, no concern about if our kid just got the pew sticky, or what we're doing for lunch, or if we remembered our offering this week. It will be perfect.
We will serve God. We're told that we will serve God but not given specifics as to what that service may be. But as we serve, we should remember the next point...
"We will reign with God. God is the sovereign and supreme Ruler over all creation, ye He will grant us the privilege to reign with Him."
Think about it, which of us if we had all the money and all the time in the world would not provide the very best that we could for our children? If we, as selfish and imperfect as we are, wouldn't hold back from our kids, what makes you think that a perfect Heavenly Father would?
Look to Christ. If you trusted Christ as your Lord and savior, place your faith in Him today.
Focus on heaven. The world is a tough, tough place to live in right now. Let's not get mired down in what we're facing but keep our eyes on eternity and know that it will all be worth it one sweet day.
Invite others to heaven. If you think this short (I know it may feel like eternity) time in quarantine has been lonely or you've missed some people. Imagine what Heaven will be like if they don't get their invitation there. Does that change if you'll be scared to bring up the topic with others now? You don't have to teach them the Bible, you just need to introduce them to Jesus. He'll take care of the rest.
In these times, it's a tougher question than usual right? We could pick a tropical destination, somewhere with a good job, somewhere close to family, or wherever you heart may desire. But no matter where you chose right now, one thing remains true about all places - no matter how 'perfect' we may think it to be, problems will still arise there.
It's nearly impossible to escape pollution, evil, and the virus that plaguing our land right now. But there is a location with none of these problems - Heaven. In John 14:3, Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself." None of us enjoy talking about death. But it is an impending reality for all of us. It may be today, tomorrow, next year, or decades from now. But you don't have to fear death if you know the next step.
What's it like?
In Revelation 21, John offers us a glimpse of this next step for believers, of seeing what Heaven will be like. Verse 4 reads, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away."No death. "Our new home will be a place of total victory." Death would be conquered completely once and for all.
No grief. Think about how sweet that will be. That no sin, regret, or loss will cause us pain any longer.
No crying. With grief no longer causing using emotional pain (which is often worse than physical) we no longer cry tears of sadness.
No pain. With sin being completely removed, all pain will be gone as well.
When Jesus says in v. 5, "I'm making everything new," He's not talking about slapping on a coat of paint and putting down new flooring. He's stripping this thing down to the studs - new wiring, new plumbing, all the way down to a new subfloor. This will no longer even be recognizable as the same home.
When and Who will go?
Revelation 21 marks the end of redemptive history - it's essentially our expiration date. Now, we don't know when this will be, but we can be aware that it is coming. Jesus has extended an open invitation to all, but only those who accept him can attend.V. 6 reads, "I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life." However, we must admit that we are thirsty and believe that Jesus is the only one who can quench that thirst.
V. 7 reads, "The one who conquers will inherit these things." I could go on and on with this thought but I want to stay focused here. The only way, the only way, we can get through the challenges that we face in this life is with Christ on our side. I can't do it. You can't do it. We can't do it. He can. Life is hard with Christ, harder without him. And eternal life is impossible.
Sadly, not everyone will make it to this glorious place called Heaven. In verse 8, he listed "the cowards, faithless, detestable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars." The scariest part of this verse is that I used to fall into every one of those categories...and you did too. The question is, have we chosen to remain there, to stay stuck in sin? Or have we chosen to be cleaned in Christ?
What will we do?
So Heaven sounds really nice, but what are we doing to do there....forever?"We will worship God. We will certainly declare his praises, but worship is far more than the words we sing or speak. In eternity, our worship and service will be perfect because we will be unhindered by sin." If you have kids, or have had kids, you understand that sometimes in church, your best attempt at worshipping it not using bad words at those little boogers during church. How do you jerk your son out of the floor without knocking over the tower of hymnals he's built and sternly tell him to be quiet without disturbing everyone else's prayer time?
But I digress. Once we get to heaven, we will have no distractions, no concern about if our kid just got the pew sticky, or what we're doing for lunch, or if we remembered our offering this week. It will be perfect.
We will serve God. We're told that we will serve God but not given specifics as to what that service may be. But as we serve, we should remember the next point...
"We will reign with God. God is the sovereign and supreme Ruler over all creation, ye He will grant us the privilege to reign with Him."
Think about it, which of us if we had all the money and all the time in the world would not provide the very best that we could for our children? If we, as selfish and imperfect as we are, wouldn't hold back from our kids, what makes you think that a perfect Heavenly Father would?
In Closing
Eternal life with Jesus is forever and ever. So keep that in mind as we make choices on how we spend our short time here on earth. How can we live it out this week?Look to Christ. If you trusted Christ as your Lord and savior, place your faith in Him today.
Focus on heaven. The world is a tough, tough place to live in right now. Let's not get mired down in what we're facing but keep our eyes on eternity and know that it will all be worth it one sweet day.
Invite others to heaven. If you think this short (I know it may feel like eternity) time in quarantine has been lonely or you've missed some people. Imagine what Heaven will be like if they don't get their invitation there. Does that change if you'll be scared to bring up the topic with others now? You don't have to teach them the Bible, you just need to introduce them to Jesus. He'll take care of the rest.
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