SUBJECT: HEAVEN
Title: How Beautiful Heaven Must Be.
Texts:
Revelation 4:2-3--"(2)And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and ONE sat on the throne. (3)And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald."
Revelation 21:18-21--"(18)And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. (19)And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; (20)The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. (21)And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass."Introduction:
-- Go to song book --> Soul Stirring Songs & Hymns -- highlight a few verses on p. 39I. Heaven is a HOLY place.
[There is NO evil or sin there.] Psalm 20:6--"his HOLY heaven" I Corinthians 6:9-10--"(9)Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (10)Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." Revelation 21:8--"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:27--"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." [God knows who the real Christians are...they are listed in a book.] [ALL sin will be forever banned. NO sinners are ever allowed to enter.] Revelation 22:15--"For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." [It is certain that many persons will be refused admittance there.]II. Heaven is a place of WORSHIP.
Revelation 4:8-11--"(8)And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (9)And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (10)The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and WORSHIP him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (11)Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."Revelation 19:1--"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:"III. Heaven is a place of PARADISE.
Luke 23:43--"And Jesus said unto him [REPENTANT THIEF ON A CROSS], Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in PARADISE." II Corinthians 12:4--"How that he [PAUL] was caught up into PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." Revelation 2:7--"the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the PARADISE of God."IV. Heaven is a place of GLORY.
Psalm 73:24--"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to GLORY." I Corinthians 2:8--"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." [The Lord Jesus is the Lord of glory.] Matthew 6:29--"And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." [Glory refers to kingly splendor & wealth.] II Corinthians 4:17--"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of GLORY;"V. Heaven is a HAPPY place.
[Without any unpleasant thing.] A. NO more tears, death, sorrow, crying or pain. Revelation 21:4--"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." [Eternal joy!!!] B. NO hunger or thirst. Revelation 7:16-17--"(16)They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. (17)For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." [Complete protection & relief.] C. NO darkness. Revelation 22:5--"And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."VI. Heaven is a place of SERVICE.
Revelation 22:3--"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his SERVANTS shall SERVE him:" [Our employment there.] Revelation 21:24--"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it." [We shall obey God and do His bidding.] Revelation 21:26--"And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it." [We shall maintain God's order among nations.]VII. Heaven is a PREPARED place.
John 14:2-3--"(2)In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to PREPARE a place for you. (3)And if I go and PREPARE a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." [Principle: God gives His best...consider His Son, Jesus Christ.]Conclusion: Heaven will have...
real people (holy [saved]) in a real place (paradise) doing real things (worship, service) for a real God (The Lord of Glory) with real happiness (happy) that will last forever. (prepared)