The Hope of What’s to Come
Ed Kessler brought us yet another amazing message this morning. He reminded us of the hope we have for the coming future, as revealed in Revelation 21.
Because you are alive, God has blessed you. He has a plan and purpose for everyone, including you. It is part of the reason He has you here on earth, at this time. But, we won’t always be on this earth…
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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
~ Revelation 21:1-7
We are blessed to have the Word of God - the Bible. Let’s look at the New Testament… The Gospels are the most contested and proved writing in all history. After the Gospels, we have a recollection of history in the book of Acts, then letters to churches of that day, and finally - Revelation.
Imagine if you didn't have a concept of Heaven.... You would have no hope. No glory. However, in verse five, John was told to write down what God revealed to him. Ed called out the fact that teachers tell their students to write things down when the teacher knows that information is going be on the test.
This information gives us something to look forward to.... God is giving a glimpse into his plan, and we are all part of this plan.
Get on God's side, and He will make you new.
What things did John see?
New Heaven and new Earth… Everything is being made new. God's in the business of making everything new.
New Jerusalem... New place to dwell and worship
New people ... No tears, pain, or death
How do we get on God's side? Take a drink from the living water....
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” ~ John 4:13-14
Everything in the Bible was leading up to Revelation… to John being given this vision, and God telling John to write it down.
The final word is “I am making everything new.”
Behold - Heaven is real, and we will see HIM face to face.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.~ 1 John 3:1-3
When we beat ourselves up for our own shortcomings, we can find peace in knowing what is coming... knowing we will become completely new and with HIM.
Remember, God's at work right now. He's in the business of turning you into a saint....
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Imagine for a moment that when John had a glimpse of the new Heaven, that when he looked around and saw all the new people, that he saw YOU. He made eye-contact with YOU. YOU were one of the new people that he saw in his vision. How powerful! If you know Jesus as your Lord, and Savior, this could very well be true!
If you have questions about what it means to be Saved by Jesus Christ or you want to make sure YOU will be a part of the new Heaven, please reach out to us. We want to help you know that this is your future too!
