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Heaven-2 Heaven Part 2 Revelation 21-22 The sight that satisfies…
The year was AD 81. The Roman Empire was ruled by Domitian. The barren and rocky island of Patmos, last stop for dangerous prisoners of the Empire.
More than 50 years passed, it was now AD 81 and Domitian the Roman Emperor was on the throne. The rocky isle was 25 miles out into the Aegean Sea – dry, sun baked and desolate. It was a Roman prison colony, quarry for pagan temples – Patmos.
The vision had satisfied – years on end exposure, betrayal and threat had worn that weary frame, but he still had seen a sight that satisfied and that sight is the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
In Revelation 21 we find a world that is perfect. It is just as God wants it to be. What will heaven be like? Certainly not sitting on clouds with harps. Here is the guided tour God has laid down in His Word.
1. Heaven is a place of Perfect Fellowship.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (KJV)
2. Heaven is a place of Perfect Consolation
Revelation 21:4 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (KJV)
The Comforter gives everlasting comfort from the tears over our own failures, the hurts caused by others and the sorrow over loss and hurt of loved ones. All the ravages of sin will be gone forever.
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3. Heaven is a place of Perfect Living
Revelation 21:4 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (KJV)
Never again watching the life drain from the cheeks of a beloved partner, parent or friend. No more death vigils in Intensive care units and at waiting rooms. The King of Terrors is gone and the Prince of Peace reigns.
4. Heaven is a place of Perfect Joy
Revelation 21:4 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (KJV)
Yes, Christians feel the sorrow and crying of seeing parents pass away. They grieve at the marriage partner who goes ahead of them to the presence of Christ, and experience the depth of loss. But Jesus said we will have life abundant. [John 10:10] and this world we have only tasted of the Spirit’s fruit called joy. But oh the joy of our reunion.
5. Heaven is a place of Perfect Health
Revelation 21:4 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (KJV)
On the second of the six days during which God created the universe, he created the heavens (Gen. 1:6-8), and on the third day He created the earth (Gen. 1:9-10). The divine commentary on all that God created is this: “And God saw everything that He made, and, behold, it was very good: (Gen. 1:31). But soon Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and that disobedience, a curse was placed on man and that domain of heaven earth and the sea over which he was authorized to reign (Gen. 1:28) The heaven and earth which were created “very good” now became very bad.
Before the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, there could be no death, disease, famine, war, natural catastrophe, cancer, weakly, rust, pollution, hatred, murder, rape, lying, corrupt government, wife beating, child molesting, greed, and a thousand other ills that have plagued man for six thousand years of history. Every broken body, every disturbed mind, every hurting heart–the collective tears of the human race–can trace their origin back to the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. As a consequence
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of sin, man has polluted the ocean, raped the earth, and poisoned the heavens, the very sphere which God committed to man’s authority. If there any wonder, then, that the present heaven and earth must be dissolved (that is, be purged by fire to loose it from the consequences of sin) to make was for a new heaven and earth?
No more twisted wrecks of car and plane accidents. No more lifeless forms that have been shocked, poisoned, drowned or suffocated. No more crippled bodies. The end of therapy and throbbing pain. No more arthritis, insomnia and bodily dysfunction. No more merciless onslaught of age and its accompanying pains and disintegration.
Look at I Corinthians 15:35-55
6. Heaven is a place of Perfect Sustenance/Supply/Resources
Revelation 21:6 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (KJV)
For the millions who agonize in hunger and thirst now, it will be no more. Gone the pressure of daily provisions. The provider has come. [Rev. 7:16] Remeber Jesus came that we might never hunger or thirst John 6:35.
7. Heaven is a place of Perfect Worship
Revelation 21:22 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (KJV)
The mere representation or symbols of God are replaced by the immediate and actual presence of God. No more cold hearts and fainting prayers. No more wandering minds in song, study and prayer. The personal God who promised to be with us is here. And we are with Him who loved us and sent His Son, who gave Himself for us! Thats why they break into worship and song so often in this book. Its perfect.
8. Heaven is a place of Perfect Illumination
Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (KJV)
No more brownouts, blackouts, power surges or power failures. No more gloomy days. No more dark days. The light of the world has come and we walk in the light as He is in the Light at last.
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9. Heaven is a place of Perfect Security
Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. (KJV)
All the fears and phobias of the old world are gone. The dangers of robber and stalker are past. The constant awareness of imminent loss is gone. The need to protect oneself from intruder and assailant has passed with the arrival of our Protector, Fortress and He under whose wings we can trust. No more fear of defilement or pollution. No need to purify air, water and food. No screens, locks, combinations, doors or guns. We are free atlast and indeed.
10. Heaven is a place of Perfect Refreshment
Revelation 21:25 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. (KJV)
No end to activity. No exhaustion. No place of evil men and their evil plans [Jn. 3:19]. Just the enjoyment of a day that knows no end. Atlast in our glorious bodies fashioned like our Savior’s [Phil. 3.21].
“O That will be glory for me…”