This message was preached at Whittlesea.
What’s ahead for us should impact how we live our lives today. KEY SCRIPTURE: Revelation 21:1-8:
What comes to mind when you think about heaven?
A lot of misinformation exists in society in regard to eternity. However did you know, the Bible speaks about heaven over 500 times! Do you find this surprising?
And so whilst there may be misinformation about heaven, and there may also be differing perspectives. What is the true is that the Bible has a lot to say about heaven and eternity.
This LG study has been titled “Let the throne set the tone”. In other words... what is ahead for us as followers of Jesus should impact how we live our lives today. And the Book of Revelation speaks about God being on the throne and Revelation teaches us to live our lives in a particular way as a result of that.
HEAVEN IS REAL Revelation 21:1 starts saying “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away”. Is heaven real? The answer is YES. Heaven is not just wishful thinking. It’s not a made up place in fairytales. Rather heaven is a guaranteed future because God Himself through His Word declares it. As Christians we can be confident that He will come, and Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse into what things will look like when He does. For example,
Revelation 21:4 referring to heaven says this:
4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain”.In heaven there will be no more diseases, sicknesses, disabilities, tragic accidents. No need for hospitals or doctors. “There will be no more death”. This sounds incredible and gives us hope for today.
In Matthew 24:35 Jesus says
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”. Have you ever read this verse and thought to yourself, if heaven and earth passes away, where will everyone be? Revelation 21 answers this question. The present heaven and earth will be replaced by a new heaven and new earth. The reason for this is because God is making” all things new” (Revelation 21:5). There is going to be a new day, a new beginning where we can spend eternity with Christ.
Discussion Questions1. What most excites you about heaven?
2. What questions do you have about heaven?
3. When you read in the Bible about a “new heaven and new earth”. How does it remind you of God’s almighty power?
ALPHA AND OMEGAIn Revelation 21:3 it says that in this new heaven and earth “God’s dwelling place will be among the people and He will dwell with them”. And then further down in Revelation 21:6 it says this: 6 He said to me:
“It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.The phrase “The first and the last” which is one of the names given to describe God appears throughout the Bible as a representation of God’s eternal existence. The book of Isaiah for example references God as the beginning and end in multiple chapters: Isaiah 41:4, and then again in chapter 44:6 and again in chapter 48:12. God is Alpha and Omega because He is responsible for both the beginning and end of everything that has ever existed. God was there at the beginning and He is going to be in heaven and His dwelling place will be among the people.
This gives us encouragement! Why?
The Bible paints this incredible picture of how everything began and how everything will end. And the best part about the beginning, the end and everything in between is that Jesus is the backbone – He is the Alpha and the Omega. He’s the central thread, the main theme. And there is no part of the story where Jesus was not, is not, or will not be present and perfectly sovereign.
Discussion Questions1. How does God being the Alpha and Omega impact how we live today?
2. God is on the throne. Why is this encouragement for the believer today?
3. Invite the group to share some of their favourite names from the Bible that describe God’s character.
BEHOLD THE PRESENCE OF GODThe word “behold” in the King James Version of the Bible is used 1,298 times! Behold means to “look” and to “open your eyes” and to “pay attention”.
In others words, God tells us 1,298 times in His word to pay attention. What are we to pay attention to?
Colossians 3:1-2 tells us to “set your heart on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”. We need to pay attention and be alert to God’s presence. His presence with us right now through the Holy Spirit but also He’s coming back. A new heaven and a new earth is coming.
Because Christ is returning:
- We should be motivated to holy living here on earth and living like Jesus.
- We should be at peace with God and at peace with each other.
- Be ready, and prepared that He could come back tomorrow.
2 Peter 3:13-14 says: 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”Revelation 3:20 says: 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Discussion Questions1. What does it mean when Revelation tells us that God is standing at the door at knocking?
2. What does it mean for us personally to behold Christ?
3. Do you find it challenging to be at peace at times? Either with God or with others.
MARANATHA – WE SHOULD DESIRE HIS RETURN Marantha is an Aramaic phrase which means “our Lord is coming” (1 Corinthains 16:22). It is prayer language that describes a longing for Jesus to return.
As followers of Jesus, we are to desire His return. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world or what is on the news. The sicknesses that exist or the struggles of life. Our Lord is coming and that gives us hope for today.
HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR HEAVEN TODAY? Psalm 37:4: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart”. Often we can base our relationship with Christ around how we can receive things from Him. And we can miss the fact that our relationship with Christ is actually simply about delighting in Him. And the pursuit of answered prayers, of our lives being better becomes less of the focus and pursuit, and instead Christ Himself becomes the goal and His presence becomes our source of satisfaction.
We are going to delight in the Lord for eternity. That’s where we are headed. The best way to prepare for eternity is to delight in the Lord now.
We were made for a person and a place. Jesus is the person and Heaven is the place.
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