HEAVEN

INTRODUCTION:

1. From our study of Revelation we know that:

2. Some Christians endured the worst kinds of persecution.

3. Unbelievable suffering was inflicted upon God’s people.

I. IN LIGHT OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN, WHY DID CHRISTIANS REMAIN FAITHFUL TO

GOD? WHAT REWARD COULD HAVE BEEN BIG ENOUGH TO CAUSE PEOPLE TO

MAINTAIN THEIR DEDICATION TO GOD?

A. These questions will be answered tonight.

B. I will be using passages from only 2 books of the Bible: Genesis and Revelation

C. These two books actually complement each other.

D. PROJECTOR ON.

E. We experience both light and darkness.

F. God set up the world so that we would have both. Genesis 1:4

G. Darkness offers a few advantages such as easier to sleep.

H. Darkness also creates some problems; it is difficult to see.

I. Some forms of sin are easier to accomplish under the cover of darkness.

J. Revelation 21:25 says this about heaven; READ.

(1) There will be no darkness in heaven.

(2) This indicates that in heaven we will not need any rest.

(3) No naps, no sleep, no weariness will be in heaven.

(4) The lack of darkness would also seem to point to the fact …

(5) That everything will be clear; clean; righteous.

K. Not only will things be clear, things will be accessible.

L. Have you ever driven up to a body of water?

M. Were it not for the water, you could have kept on going. Had to stop.

N. Water forms barriers. These barriers are made by God. Genesis 1:10

O. In heaven, barriers are removed. Revelation 21:1 READ

(1) On this planet we have many barriers.

(2) Some are natural; others are man-made.

(3) There are places where we cannot go and things we cannot do.

(4) In heaven, there is freedom in the widest sense of the word.

P. As we continue to read, the good news keeps getting better.

Q. In Genesis the ground was cursed. Genesis 3:17

(1) Thus, men work the soil summer after summer.

(2) Though the ground is tilled, weeded, and cared for, this cycle never ends.

(3) Sweat rolls off the brow because of physical labor.

(4) In heaven, the curse is gone. Revelation 22:3 READ

(5) Labor is replaced with rest.

(6) Sweat is replaced with sweetness.

R. In Genesis man was promised extreme sorrow. Genesis 3:17 READ

S. Most of us have experienced this problem.

T. In heaven, the sorrow ceases. Revelation 21:4 READ

U. Thorns and thistles are on the earth. Genesis 3:18

(1) These objects are usually painful. They hurt.

(2) Hands bleed and may become scarred because of them.

(3) God says that in heaven there is no more pain.

(4) No more pain.

(5) No more physical pain. No more emotional pain. All pain will be gone.

(6) Right now there are people who will give everything they have to be free from pain.

V. The existence of pain clinics shows that the ending of pain is a desire that many have.

W. The increase in the number of counselors and mental health workers is additional evidence.

X. God says that His home offers pain-free living.

(1) In heaven, pain is banished.

(2) The slightest pain will not be found among the saved.

Y. Heaven sounds like a pretty good place.

(1) In Genesis we read about sweat. Genesis 3:19

(2) In the summer months this is a common occurrence.

(3) Inside a factory the temperature may be 90, 100, 110 or 120 degrees.

(4) Maybe so much moisture is on the face that the eyes do not see too well.

(5) There is no sweating in heaven.

Z. Or, perhaps the eyes cannot see because of the tears.

(1) At times tears stream down faces because of sadness.

(2) In some cases tears seem to rush out from a hidden well.

(3) This is what God wrote about tears – Revelation 21:4. READ.

A. Not only are sorrow and pain removed, tears are also taken away.

B. Heaven sounds like a pretty good place.

C. On earth our bodies return to dust.

(1) Parts begin to wear out.

(2) We do not function as well as we once did.

(3) The effects of aging are experienced by all.

(4) Revelation 21:4, as was read, says “no more death”.

(5) We can forget about tired arms and legs.

(6) The days of bones popping and creaking will be a thing of the past.

(7) That injury from 5 years ago, 20 years ago, or yesterday will cause no more pain.

(8) Our bodies will be perfect and stay perfect.

D. I recently saw a statistic about crime.

E. Some are proud to say that violent crime in America has dropped.

F. There are now less than 3 million violent crimes per year in the United States.

G. Some officials seem to be pleased with this figure – only 3 million.

H. Our chance of being affected by a violent crime is pretty good.

I. From ancient times, many violent crimes have been committed.

J. In heaven, the number of violent crimes is zero.

K. No crimes are committed in heaven. Revelation 21:27 READ.

(1) From what John wrote, heaven requires no precautions.

(2) Now we are concerned with locking the doors.

(3) We may drive away from the house and ask, “Is the garage door closed?”

(4) In heaven security and precautions will not be an issue.

(5) There will be no threats, no criminals, and no evil.

L. In conjunction with this, a note should be made about the devil.

M. In the beginning Satan worked to deceive mankind.

N. Even now he continues his efforts.

O. John said this about the devil – Revelation 20:10. READ.

(1) The devil will, at a future time, be permanently removed.

(2) He will be put into a place where he cannot escape.

(3) He will have zero access to God’s people.

(4) Never again will the devil be able to get close to us.

P. This news should be enough to say, “We want to go to heaven.”

Q. Genesis 3:24 says that the first couple was driven from God’s presence.

(1) What will happen in heaven?

(2) Revelation 22:4 – READ.

(3) This gives an entirely new meaning to fellowship.

R. This fellowship with God has an interesting dimension to it.

(1) Look at Revelation 21:7 with me. READ.

(2) In the Greek text it says, “He shall be THE son to me.”

(3) One man, who was quite skilled in the Greek text, wrote:

(4) “We shall be to the Father as his own and only begotten son.”

S. To state this another way: Heaven will not be a place to go and only look.

T. God’s people will not say, “I would sure like to have that.”

U. The end of this book says, “What we see will be ours.”

(1) Heaven is not some kind of display window.

(2) We do not get to see what someone else has.

(3) Heaven is presented as something we have ownership in.

(4) This place is for us.

(5) It is not like a beautiful cake that we get to taste.

(6) John says, “You get the cake.”

(7) “This is the package that God has waiting for you.”

V. Many would not ask this next question so I will put it forward:

W. “Will there be enough of heaven for everyone to have an adequate share?”

X. Revelation 21:15-17 offers some measurements. READ.

(1) If these were put into literal terms, and we imagine this as a cube:

(2) The cube is constructed of solid gold.

(3) This structure is 1,500 miles long, wide and high.

Y. If we do a little math and we use a skyscraper to illustrate the figures:

Z. Our skyscraper reaches 1,500 miles into the air.

A. Each level of this skyscraper has about 2.25 million square miles.

B. This is not just empty space.

C. This is filled with God and heavenly treasures.

D. If we took everything that this world offers, we would find it junk when compared to heaven.

E. When Christians knew what was coming …

(1) They were willing to face starvation, beatings,

(2) Brutal assaults, death, and anything else Rome chose to do.

CONCLUSION:

1. As we close out this book, I want to ask this question:

2. What would you like to have in abundance?

3. Love? Peace? Safety? Joy? Wealth? Happiness? Freedom from pain?

4. Beauty like we have never seen? A place of honor?

5. A close-up look at God? The chance to put down our burdens?

6. All this and so much more exists in heaven.

7. A glorious place has been prepared for God’s people.

8. God wants us to come to His home. Will you accept the invitation?