Heaven (Revelation 21:1-8)

“I am making everything new!” (Rev 21:5)

• What is your idea of heaven? A pie in the sky? Playing harps on a cloud?
• Do you fear death? Going to hell?

1. What is significant about:
• a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1a; Isa 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet 3:13),
• the first heaven and the first earth (Rev 21:1b; 2 Pet 3:10) and 
• no more sea (Rev 21:1c; 13:1; Dan 7:3; Isa 57:20; Lk 21:25)? Is this literal (Rev 21:6; 22:1-2, 17)?
2. What is "the new Jerusalem" (Rev 21:2, 10, 16; Gal 4:26; Heb 12:22; cf. Exo 26:33-34; 1 Ki 6:20; 2 Chron 3:8)?
3. Why is the promise of God dwelling with man the best promise ever (Rev 21:3-4, 7; 7:16-17; Eze 37:27; Is 25:8; 65:19; 9:6)? What prevents this from happening (Isa 59:2)?
4. How does God make all things new (Rev 21:5; Isa 43:18-19, 2 Cor 5:17)?
5. Why is God "the Alpha and the Omega" (Rev 21:6; 1:8; 22:13; Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12)? [What is Alpha and Omega in the Greek alphabet?] What is it to be thirsty for the water of life (Rev 21:6b; Isa 55:1; Jn 4:13-14)? To be victorious (Rev 21:7; Gal 3:26)?
6. What is every person's worst destiny (Rev 21:8)? Are you afraid of dying? Hell? How can you not be cowardly (Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 1:7; Heb 2:14-15; Phil 1:21; Ac 20:24)?

• How might the new heaven and the new earth be entirely and existentially different from anything you have ever experienced in your life? How can it help you handle trials, tribulations and temptations in your life?

Revelation is about the triumph of God over Satan and the forces of sin and evil through Christ, culminating in a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). The ultimate hope of God's people is heaven (> 500x in Scripture; ~50x in Revelation).

1. Bonus questions for your own reflection and rumination:

2. 1. What does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth signify to you?

   2. What emotions or thoughts does the description of the New Jerusalem evoke in you?

   3. How does the vision of God dwelling among His people influence your understanding of God's relationship with humanity?

   4. How does the absence of a physical temple in the New Jerusalem shape your view of worship?

   5. How does the concept of the second death in the lake of fire influence your understanding of divine judgment and reward?

   6. In what ways do you see God making things new in your life today?

   7. How can the promise of a life without mourning, crying, or pain bring comfort in your present situations?

   8. How can the detailed description of the New Jerusalem inspire you to live in anticipation of this glorious future?

   9. How can the vision of the New Jerusalem impact the way you handle trials and tribulations in your life?

   10. How does the vision of God as the Alpha and Omega influence your view of God's sovereignty?

   11. What does it mean to you to be called to "overcome," as mentioned in verse 7?

• In what ways will the new heaven and the new earth be entirely different from anything we’ve experienced to this point in our lives? How will the new heaven and the new earth be better from what we’ve experienced to this point in our lives? (v. 1-8)
• What does it mean to you that the Lord will dwell with us forever? Why is this important? (v. 3)
• Why do you think John includes this beautiful, comforting picture of God wiping away every tear from our eyes? Why is this important? (v. 4) 
• God prepares us for eternity and provides us with the perspective we need by means of His Word. How can you be more intentional about the time you spend in God’s Word moving forward? Alone? With your family? At church?
• ● What do you think it means to live with an eternal perspective? Are you living with an eternal perspective? Moving forward, how can you more intentionally live in light of the eternal destiny that’s in store for you as God’s people?

SELF-DISCLOSURE (Psalm 19:1-14)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Ps 19:1). "But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" (Ps 19:12-14).

• How does the OT Torah relate to us as Christians?

The self-revelation of God (Three Voices in Harmony). C.S. Lewis says that Psalm 19 is "the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world." It contains the clearest summary of the doctrine of revelation in the OT, namely that God has made himself known to all people as:

1. Creator (Ps 19:1-6): General revelation. The revelation of creation/nature. i) Revelation of God in the heavens (1-4b). ii) The all-seeing sun (4c-6).
2. Lawgiver (Ps 19:7-10, 11): Special revelation. The revelation of God's law.
3. Redeemer (Ps 19:11-14): Personal revelation. Human response. Prayerful reflection.

1. John Stott. Favorite Psalms. 1988. Psalm 19: The self-revelation of God.
2. Tim Keller. The Songs of Jesus. 2015.
3. Gerald Wilson. Psalms Vol 1. The NIV Application Commentary. 2002.
4. John Goldingay. 2013. Psalm 19: The mystery of sin.
5. Kidner. Psalms 1-72, 1973. 1975. Psalm 19: The Skies, the Scriptures. 1. The eloquence of nature (Ps 19:1-6). 2. The clarity of Scripture (Ps 19:7-14).
6. Alec Motyer. Psalms by the Day. 2016. Psalm 19: Three voices in harmony.
   
7. Longman III, Garland. 2008. God's Perfections Revealed in Work and Word. God's Glory in Creation; Perfection of God's Word; Commitment to Integrity.
1. The Revelation of Creation (Ps 19:1-6). i) The Revelation of the Skies (Ps 19:1-4b). ii) The Revelation of the Sun (Ps 19:4c-6).
2. The Revelation of God's Law (Ps 19:7-11).
3. Prayerful Reflection (Ps 19:12-14).

Psalm 19 has resonated deeply with theologians, authors, pastors, poets, and musicians alike, inspiring reflections on the beauty of creation, the clarity of divine revelation, and the transformative power of God's Word. Its verses continue to influence spiritual and artistic expressions across cultures and generations.

• Augustine saw Psalm 19 as celebrating God's revelation through both nature (Ps 19:1-6) and Scripture (Ps 19:7-14), emphasizing the dual nature of God's communication to humanity.
• C.S. Lewis called Psalm 19 "the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world."
• Calvin emphasized how Psalm 19 shows God's revelation through both nature and scripture.
• Spurgeon referred to Psalm 19 as "The Heavens and the Word," highlighting its dual focus on general and special revelation.
• Isaac Watts paraphrased Psalm 19 in his hymn "The Heavens Declare Thy Glory, Lord."
• Matthew Henry noted how Psalm 19 presents God's glory in creation, the word, and the heart of believers.
• Gerard Manley Hopkins was inspired by Psalm 19 in his poem "God's Grandeur," which echoes themes of divine glory in nature.
• Jonathan Edwards used Psalm 19 to argue for the harmony between natural and biblical revelation.
• John Milton, in his poem "Paradise Lost," references Psalm 19 in describing the beauty of God's creation and the heavens declaring His glory.
• Martin Luther saw Psalm 19 as a prophecy of the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
• Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel used Psalm 19 to discuss the concept of divine pathos and human wonder.
• N.T. Wright, in several of his writings, discussed themes of natural revelation and the moral law and the integration of God's creation and Torah.
• Tim Keller often refers to Psalm 19, discussing its implications for understanding God's revelation through both nature and Scripture.
• Bach composed a famous choral work, "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God," based on Psalm 19:1.
• Joseph Haydn's oratorio "Die Schöpfung" (The Creation) draws on themes of creation and divine revelation, echoing Psalm 19.

Evil is self-propagating...like the spreading of a contagion

"If God allows the monster to wage war on his people and conquer them, what must God's people do? They must allow themselves to be conquered as their Lord had done, so that like their Lord they may win a victory not of this world... [T]he church must submit without resistance to the conquering attack of the monster, since only in this way can the monster be halted in its track. Evil is self-propagating. Like the Hydra, the many-headed monster can grow another head when one has been cut off. When one man wrongs another, the other may retaliate, bear a grudge, or take his injury out on a third person. Whichever he does, there are now two evils where before there was one; and a chain reaction is started, like the spreading of a contagion. Only if the victim absorbs the wrong and so puts it out of currency, can it be prevented from going any further. And this is why the great ordeal is also the great victory."

Caird, G.B. The Revelation of Saint John. Black's New Testament Commentary. 1966, 169-170. 

Intoxicated with the Maddening Wine of Adultery

"'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,' which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries" (Rev 14:8). "...the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries" (Rev 17:2).

(Today's sermon on The Wrath of God explains how intoxication with the wine of adultery seduces us to our own demise.)

What does Babylon stand for? In Revelation Babylon is distinct from the historical, geographical city of Babylon. Rather, it symbolizes the great city, which is the symbol of mankind in community opposed to the things of God, beginning with the Tower of Babel. To first century people there was no better illustration of what Babylon means than contemporary Rome. Declaring that Babylon has fallen (Isa 21:9; Rev 16:19; 17:1-18) means that all of the evil that Babylon stands for will be overthrown, as history has already proven over and over again.

Why is the Gospel Eternal? (Rev 14:6-7)

"...he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people" (Rev 14:6).

The gospel. Like a multifaceted jewel, Scripture describes the gospel with various terms, each looking at it from a different viewpoint: the gospel of God (Mk 1:14; Rom 1:1), the gospel of the kingdom (Mt 4:23; Mt 24:14), the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor 4:4), the gospel of salvation (Eph 1:13). In Revelation, it is the eternal gospel (Rev 14:6).

Why is the gospel eternal? The gospel is "eternal" because it points to a message that is permanently valid. It also provides the means to eternal life.

What is The Meaning of 666?

This is an expanded edited excerpt from my sermon (10/20/2013) entitled The Beast, 666, and The Lamb:

What is the mark of the Beast? What is the meaning of 666 (Rev 13:16-18)?

666 is one of the most fascinating enigmas in the book of Revelation. Countless and exhausting explanations have been given over the last 2,000 years. It is scary and mysterious. So what is it? How did the Christians in the first century understand 666 when they first heard Revelation read to them?

Take the Word, Eat It, It is Sweet and Bitter (Revelation 10:8-11)

This is my typed recollection of a part of what I preached extemporaneously.

Yesterday (9/29/13), I preached on the Seven Trumpets (Rev 8:1-11:19) with the title of The Two Kingdoms, and the theme of "The Kingdom of This World Becomes The Kingdom of Christ." In a vision John was told to take and eat a scroll that was in the hand of the angel (Rev 10:8-9), which he did (Rev 10:10), and then he was told to prophesy (Rev 10:11). This is similar to what Ezekial was told to do (Eze 2:8-3:3, 10). Though the scroll Ezekial ate tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth (Eze 3:3), it caused him to be deeply distressed (Eze 3:15).

In my sermon I explained four aspects of how to prophesy, i.e., how to communicate Christ well through Scripture.

1. Take it
2. Eat it
3. It is Sweet
4. It is Bitter

Christian, Listen Up! (Rev 2:1-3:22)

Revelation 2:1-3:22; Key Verse Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:6, 13, 22

"He who has an ear, let him (Whoever has ears, let them) hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (1984, 2011 NIV).

All human beings suffer from a selective hearing disorder. No one ever forgets a pretty girl saying to them, "You're cute." But when our boss calls us into his office to chew us out, we tune him out and don't hear well. We also have selective spiritual hearing disorder. No Christian ever dislikes hearing, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Num 6:24-26). But will we listen if God says, as he does to the church in Laodicea, "...because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ...you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (Rev 3:16,17)? To stress the utmost importance of listening to the Spirit, Jesus repeats 7 times to the 7 churches the exact same plea: "He who has an ear, let him (Whoever has ears, let them) hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1-20)

Revelation 1:1-20; Key Verse: Rev 1:1a, 5b-6

"The revelation from (of) Jesus Christ...To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen."

Suffering in life is often unbearable. Suffering as a Christian is often not any easier. Where and how can we truly find comfort when we suffer? Rev 1:1-20 gives us the ultimate answer. (Since this is an extremely long post, just skip to the last paragraph before the references to get a short 1 sentence answer! Then when you have some time, study and meditate on what is in between.)

What Is Heaven Like? (Revelation 21-22)

Revelation 21:1-22:5; Key Verse: 21:5

"He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”

Everything new. Every human being needs to experience newness of life. If not, we become like Cain, a restless wanderer (Gen 4:12-14). Mick Jagger sang, "I Can't Get No Satisfaction." No matter what we do or don't do, we feel restless without any lasting satisfaction. That's why God gives us promise after promise of:

• a new heart and a new spirit (Eze 36:26),
• being new (2 Cor 5:17),
• renewal (Mt 19:28),
• refreshment (Acts 3:19),
• transformation (2 Cor 3:18), etc.

Our renewal and complete transformation (glorification) will happen at the end of the ages when Jesus returns, and we see him face to face (Rev 22:4). We see this best in the last 2 chapters of the Bible in Revelation 21-22.

Heaven. Revelation is about the triumph of God over the forces of evil through Jesus' victory over Satan culminating in a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). The ultimate triumph and hope of God's people is heaven referred to > 500 times in Scripture; Revelation about 50 times. What is heaven like? The last 2 chapters of the Bible gives what may be the best description, though deeply symbol laden with imagery derived from the OT (though the OT is not directly quoted). Think of heaven in 3 ways:

1. What is New (Rev 21:1-8).
2. What is Missing (Rev 21:9-27; 22:1-5).
3. What is Ultimate (Rev 22:4-5).
   

I. What Is New (Rev 21:1-8)

• A new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1; Gen 1:1).
• Because of sin, our world is cursed (Gen 3:14-19). The 1st heaven and the 1st earth, the old order was "subjected to frustration" (Rom 8:20), "in bondage to decay" (Rom 8:21) and "groaning as in the pains of childbirth" (Rom 8:22).
  
• Isa 65:17-19 - “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 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. 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."
• Isa 66:22 - “'As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,' declares the Lord, 'so will your name and descendants endure'"
• 2 Pet 3:13 - "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."
• The Holy City, the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:2a, 10-11) is the church redeemed by Christ. She will no longer be trampled by the nations. She is a cube city, like the Most Holy Place in the OT sanctuary (1 Ki 6:20; Eze 41:4). 12,000 stadia, or 1,500 miles, or 2,200 km (Rev 21:15-17), a city of pure gold (Rev 21:18,21). The brilliance of the new Jerusalem is like the most precious costly stones (Rev 21:11, 19-21).
  
• Consummation: Union of Christ with his people
1. A beautiful bride (Rev 21:2b), the wife of the Lamb (Rev 21:9). Through Jesus' atoning death, God regards His redeemed people as his lovely and precious bride. Isa 62:5: "As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."
2. God dwelling with men (Rev 21:3,7). The greatest blessing of heaven will be unhindered fellowship with God. The goal of God’s covenant, “God with us” (Isa 7:14; Mt 1:23), foreshadowed in the OT tabernacle and temple, will be achieved. Gen 17:7-8: "I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Lev 26:11-12: "I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." Jer 31:33: "'This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,' declares the Lord. 'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'"
3. Thirst quenched (5-6) from the water of life (Rev 22:1-3, 17). The "spring of the water of life" is the throne of God and the Lamb (Rev 22:1), a throne of grace (Heb 4:16) because here the thirsty drink without payment, by God’s free gift (Isa 55:1). This recalls Eden before the fall (Gen 2:8-10), and Ezekiel’s vision of a future glorious temple (Ez 47:1-12; Zech 14:8). Isa 49:10, 55:1: "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." Jn 6:35: "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
   
4. The ungodly banished (Rev 21:8, 22:11,15). Those who renounce faith do so because of cowardice or compromise with idolatry or sensuality. "Believers" fall away when their faith is challenged by hardship or difficulty. 1 Cor 6:9-10: "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." There is no evidence in the Bible (or in life) that there is ever any change of heart of those in hell (Rev 22:11; Lk 16:19-31).
   

II. What Is Absent/Missing (Rev 21:9-27; 22:1-5)

• No sea (Rev 21:1c). This refers to the source of earthly rebellion, chaos, and danger—the sea from which the beast emerged (Rev 13:1; Dan 7:3). This symbolic (or literal) source of rebellion will no longer threaten creation’s perfection. Isa 57:20: "But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked.'”

• No tears (Rev 7:17; Isa 65:19), no death (Isa 25:8), no mourning, no crying, no pain (Rev 21:4).
• No temple (Rev 21:22). Jesus himself is the tent and the temple in which God lives among his people (Jn 1:14; 2:19-21).
  
• No sun and moon (Rev 21:23).
• No impurity (Rev 21:27).
• No curse (Rev 22:3).
• No night (Rev 22:5).

III. What Is Ultimate (Rev 22:4-5): Seeing God’s face

• When Moses asked to see God's face, God said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exo 33:20).

We long to see loved ones whom we miss after they die. Or as we die we remember our most cherished and beloved ones. As with many men, I love the ultra violent movie 300 where 300 Spartans stood their ground against an unending multitude of Persian troops. As the King of Sparta died in a hail of arrows, he said, "My queen, my wife, my love." It is a moving and romantic scene. But it is bittersweet because of the final parting of lovers through death. So it is with Romeo and Juliet. We human beings all long for a satisfaction through a love that knows no end.

On that day those who have persevered in faith will be fulfilled. It is our dearest and deepest longing to see God face to face, and to see Him look upon us with eyes of deep love and affection. It will be the greatest blessing of the age to come, as God looks upon his people with favor and delight. This is free and without cost to us. But it was not without cost to God. To look upon us God would have to look away from His Son on the cross though he cried out in agony of soul (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Ps 22:1). God had to forsake his Son, so that he will not forsake us. God would "hate" his Son on the cross, so that He could love us. God forsook his Son so that He could usher in for us a new heaven and a new earth, which will be forever.

References:

1. Carson, D.A. The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God's Story. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 2010, 213-224. (Video, 2009. Home At Last: The Spectacular God at Center, 2012)
   
2. Morris, Leon, The Book of Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries). Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1987, 235-250.
3. MacArthur, John. Revelation: Because The Time Is Near (MacArthur Bible Studies). Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007, 313-328.
4. ESV Study Bible (http://esvstudybible.org/).