Class Lesson Online - Zoom @ 8:45 AM Sunday April 5, 2020

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THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Location, location, location. Real estate agents often repeat that saying for clients searching for a new home. The Internet is flooded with lists to help us decide:

. . . the best places to live.

. . . the best places to retire.

. . . the best places to raise our kids.

. . . the most affordable places to live.

. . . the best places to live for clean air and water. 

People have myriad reasons for choosing where they live. Of course, many people say they don’t choose where they live; the place “chooses” them. For example, many live where they do because it’s close to family or it’s where their jobs are. Regardless, we all have our ideas of what makes a place ideal. Yet, no matter how idyllic, no place is perfect. Problems still arise. And, of course, sin is ever present.

That will not always be the case. God has promised His followers a perfect home with Him that will last for eternity. The apostle John gave us a brief glimpse into the eternal life that awaits those who follow Christ.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Revelation 21:1-5

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 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. 5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

God has promised His children an eternal home that eclipses even the finest neighborhoods in the most exclusive ZIP codes. Our home with God will be perfect because it is in the presence of God Himself. Revelation 21 paints a beautiful picture of God’s perfect home. And that perfection is made real by the fact that God Himself will live with us in that place for eternity. The God who spoke the universe into existence has promised to spend eternity with you and me!

Revelation 21 begins with a wonderful picture. The new heaven and earth will be far superior to the earth we know now; they will transcend anything we’ve ever experienced. Along with the new heaven and the new earth, John

saw “the new Jerusalem” and likened it to a beautiful bride walking down the aisle on her wedding day. A bride looks most radiant on her wedding day, and here is a bride whose radiance will never fade.

Question 2:

What are some ways our culture expresses the concept of heaven?

John referred to the new Jerusalem as “the holy city.” The place is holy because everyone inside it is holy and righteous.

This is the city of God’s redeemed people, and living in a city means we will live together—and together we will be in perfect harmony. No longer will we battle the tension between pleasing God or pleasing people because sin and death have been defeated and we will be forever surrounded by God’s holiness.

When we’re in His presence forever, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more” (v. 4). No death. No grief. No crying. No pain. These things will not be in heaven “because the previous things have passed away.” All our old human habits and traits that were part of our fallen, sinful human nature will be gone—for eternity.

Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus told His apostles, “I am going away to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2b). Now in Revelation 21, we see Jesus making this promise an eternal reality. Jesus is not merely giving a makeover to what we currently know. In Christ, we become a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), and we will dwell eternally with Him in His new creation.

Question 3:

What are some things you’d like to see made new?

Revelation 21:6-8

6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

When Jesus hung on the cross, He cried, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Now He declared to John, “It is done!” All is complete in God’s new creation. On the cross, Jesus completed our redemption, and now in Revelation 21, He marks the end of redemptive history. He can do this because He is “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (v. 6). He began history, and He will bring it to an end. Jesus is God; He existed in the very beginning and He still exists beyond the end. He is the Creator of all things—all things had their beginning in Him, and all things find their goal or end in Him.

Engage

All we’ve read so far describes a pretty amazing place. Yet our culture has conditioned us to look at amazing offers and ask, “What’s the catch?” I have to be candid with you: there is a catch. The gift of an eternal home is not automatic. Jesus’ offer is open to all, but the only ones who can enter this new heaven and new earth are those who follow Jesus.

1.    “I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life” (v. 6). We must admit we’re thirsty and believe that Jesus is the only one who can quench that thirst.

2.    “The one who conquers will inherit these things” (v. 7). We are conquerors when we stand strong and faithful to Christ, and we overcome and are victorious through Him.

All this is tied to our relationship with Jesus. When we come to Christ, we are adopted into God’s family (Rom. 8:14-15). We will fully experience all the benefits of that family relationship in our future home. “I will be his God, and he will be my son” (v. 7).

The Lord made it clear, though, that not everyone will enjoy the benefits and glories of the new heaven and new earth. In verse 8, He listed “the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars.” In the past, we may have been guilty of these sins, but this verse is referring to those who have chosen to remain in their sin rather than choose Christ.

God is preparing an amazing home where we will live eternally, but it will only be available to those who believe in Jesus Christ. The “fine print” in the deed to your heavenly home is that Jesus is the only way to receive salvation.

Question 4:

Why do we often fail to keep the reality of heaven and hell in mind as we relate to others?

Revelation 22:1-5

1 Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Some people have an amazing ability to paint a picture with words so well that we can taste it, feel it, and see it. John painted just such a picture with his vision of the new heaven and the new earth. In these verses, we “see” the incredible home promised to every believer. John was focused in particular on the new Jerusalem, and five images stand out in what he saw: the river of the water of life, the tree of life, the tree’s fruit, the tree’s leaves, and the throne of God.

We’ve been given a great picture of our eternal home, but what will we be doing? Popular culture paints a picture of people standing around endlessly playing harps, but nowhere does Scripture teach that. Instead, we will do three things:

• We will worship God. We will certainly declare His praises, but worship is far more than the words we sing or speak. We worship through the way we live.
• We will serve God. We are called “his servants,” but our service will not be burdensome.
• We will reign with God. God is the sovereign Ruler over all, yet He will grant us the privilege to reign with Him forever.

John’s vision points to the magnificence of eternal life. We’re familiar with the statement, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is,” but that’s not true here. John wrote that Jesus declared to him, “These words are faithful and

true” (Rev. 22:6).

Question 5:

Which of the descriptions of heaven in these verses do you find most meaningful?

LIVE IT OUT

How will the promise of an eternal life with Christ affect the way you live this week? Choose one of the following applications:

• Look to Christ. If you have not trusted Christ, place your faith in Him. He desires for you to come to Him and live with Him for eternity.
• Focus on heaven. As a follower of Christ, your citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Don’t let the temporary things of life consume you, but “seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things” (Col. 3:1-2).
• Invite others to heaven. Identify people you know who have no hope of eternal life because they have not placed their faith in Christ. Pray and seek opportunities to tell them how they can have eternal life in heaven with Christ.

Eternal life with Jesus is forever and ever, so choose to make a difference in the short time you have on earth. You’ll have an eternity with absolutely no regret!

Hope to see everyone online this Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Handout:

If you could know one thing about your future, what would it be?

1.    We will live in a ___________ place with God forever. Revelation 21:1-5

God declares that He is making all things new. What does this mean?

What are the New Heavens and the New Earth?


Teacher Notes:

We don’t talk a lot about death, even though we know it is an impending reality for all of us. People have mixed views about what lies beyond. Some think nothing; others are uncertain. Some face it with fear. The Bible is clear and assuring. For the follower of Christ, though, death is nothing to fear because of the sure hope of eternal life.

If you could know one thing about your future, what would it be?

Revelation 21:1-5

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 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.  Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

1.    We will live in a perfect place with God forever.

“Our home with God will be perfect because it is in the presence of

God Himself.”

God declares that He is making all things new. What does this mean?

·     The new heaven and earth will be far superior to the earth we know now; they will transcend anything we’ve ever experienced.

·       This is the city of God’s redeemed people, and living in a city means we will live together—and together we will be in perfect harmony. No longer will we battle the tension between pleasing God or pleasing people because sin and death have been defeated and we will be forever surrounded by God’s holiness.

Revelation 22:1-5

Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.

What more do we learn about heaven in these verses?

Question: What are the New Heavens and the New Earth?

The new earth will be the eternal dwelling place of believers in Jesus Christ. The new earth and the new heavens are sometimes referred to as the “eternal state.” Scripture gives us a few details of the new heavens and new earth.

The current heavens and earth have long been subject to God’s curse because of mankind’s sin. All creation “has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22) as it awaits the fulfillment of God’s plan and “the children of God to be revealed” (verse 19). Heaven and earth will pass away (Mark 13:31), and they will be replaced by the new heavens and the new earth. At that time, the Lord, seated on His throne, says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). In the new creation, sin will be totally eradicated, and “there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3, NKJV).

The new heaven and new earth are also mentioned in Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, and 2 Peter 3:13. Peter tells us that the new heaven and new earth will be “where righteousness dwells.” Isaiah says that “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Things will be completely new, and the old order of things, with the accompanying sorrow and tragedy, will be gone.

The new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will be similar to our current earth, but without the curse of sin. It will be earth as God originally intended it to be. It will be Eden restored.

A major feature of the new earth will be the New Jerusalem. John calls it “the Holy City . . . coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This glorious city, with its streets of gold and pearly gates, is situated on a new, glorious earth. The tree of life will be there (Revelation 22:2). This city represents the final state of redeemed mankind, forever in fellowship with God: “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. . . . His servants will serve him. They will see his face” (Revelation 21:3; 22:3–4).

In the new heavens and new earth, Scripture says, there are seven things notable for their absence—seven things that are “no more”:

• no more sea (Revelation 21:1)

• no more death (Revelation 21:4)

• no more mourning (Revelation 21:4)

• no more weeping (Revelation 21:4)

• no more pain (Revelation 21:4)

• no more curse (Revelation 22:3)

• no more night (Revelation 22:5)

The creation of the new heavens and new earth brings the promise that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4). This event comes after the tribulation, after the Lord’s second coming, after the millennial kingdom, after the final rebellion, after the final judgment of Satan, and after the Great White Throne Judgment. The brief description of the new heavens and new earth is the last glimpse into eternity that the Bible gives.

The new heavens and earth are the eternal home for the believer. The imagery in Revelation 21—22 seems to point to Eden-like conditions. Once again God will dwell among His people. Adam and Eve were given the job of tending the garden and subduing the earth before the fall, and there is every reason to believe that the people of God who inhabit the new earth in resurrection bodies will continue the work of Adam and Eve before the fall, enjoying the work they do and the unhindered fellowship with God. On the new earth, we will continue to work, learn, grow, develop, and accomplish things. Since there were animals in Eden, there may very well be animals on the new earth as well.

The closest thing Scripture says to there being different levels of heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2, “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.” Some interpret this as indicating that there are three different levels of heaven: a level for “super-committed Christians” or Christians who have obtained a high level of spirituality, a level for “ordinary” Christians, and a level for Christians who did not serve God faithfully. This view has no basis in Scripture.

Paul is not saying that there are three heavens or even three levels of heaven. In many ancient cultures, people used the term heaven to describe three different “realms”— the sky, outer space, and then a spiritual heaven. Paul was saying that God took him to the “spiritual” heaven — the realm beyond the physical universe where God dwells. The concept of different levels of heaven may have come in part from Dante’s The Divine Comedy in which the poet describes both heaven and hell as having nine different levels. The Divine Comedy, however, is a fictional work. The idea of different levels of heaven is foreign to Scripture.

Scripture does speak of different rewards in heaven. Jesus said regarding rewards, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). 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.

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 Corinthians 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” (Hebrews 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. In conclusion, there are not different levels of heaven, but there are different levels of reward in heaven.

When everything around you is uncertain, the key to stability is to focus on unchangeable truth. In the days ahead, you need to focus on what never changes: God’s character and God’s Word.

Here are some unchangeable truths you need to tell yourself during this time of uncertainty:

God sees everything you’re going through.

“The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18 NIV).

God cares about everything you’re going through.

“But I will watch for the LORD; I will wait confidently for God, who will save me. My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7 GNT).

God has the power to change what you’re going through.

“Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7 TLB).

God always acts out of his goodness to you.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).

God's plan is always better than your plan.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).

God will never stop loving you.

“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain” (Isaiah 54:10 NLT).

Once you have put your trust in Jesus Christ, you cannot lose your salvation.

“I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to safely guard all that I have given him until the day of his return" (2 Timothy 1:12 TLB).

No matter what you go through, God is with you.

"When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you" (Isaiah 43:2).

Replace panic with prayer, worry with worship, and anxiety with adoration, focus less on what social media is saying and more on God’s unchanging truth.

Death and talking about it shouldn’t bother us. Why? Because of the resurrection. Death is not the end of the road for those who are in Christ — the resurrected Savior and Son of God. Christ has risen from the dead; therefore, our victory over death is a sure thing. In fact, for believers, the life we experience after death is far greater than any life we have before death.