Over the past several weeks we have been looking at several areas of endtime events. We have talked about the Rapture, the Judgment Seat of Christ, the marriage of the Lamb, the Tribulation, the second coming of Christ, the Millennium, and the Great White Throne judgment upon Satan and all unbelievers. Tonight we want to close out this series with a discussion of the new heaven and new earth. Read: Rev. 21:1-4
I. The Descent of the New Jerusalem.
A. The Present Heaven and Earth will pass away. v1
1. This is not a renovation, this is a replacement!
2. It will be new because the old will be gone.
3. Note: 2Peter 3:10
B. God will make all things new. v5
1. Jesus told us in Mt. 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
2. We are not talking about the dwelling place of God, but we are talking about the heaven and earth that we now know.
II. The Description of the New Jerusalem.
A. It will be a city of "no mores".
1. No more separation from God. v 3
2. No more tears or crying. v4
3. No more sorrow and pain. v4
4. No more death. v4
5. No more wants. v7
6. No more curse and no more sin! v8
B. It will be a perfect city from God.
1. Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. cf Heb. 11:10
2. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you."
3. It is perfectly symmetrical "the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal"
4. 2,250,000 square miles and 1500 miles high!
5. The world as we know it now, combining the areas of the seven continents, equals 57,609,000 square miles.
6. The area of the New Jerusalem will be over 60 times that amount!
7. There will be no shortage on space! "In my father's house there are many mansions".
8. It will be perfect, because the perfect Architect designed and built it!
C. It will be a beautiful city.
1. It will shine with the Glory of God like crystal so there is no need for a sun or moon. (11 ; 23 & 22:5)
2. The walls are jasper and the city is of pure gold. (18)
3. The gates were of pearl and the foundation is of precious stones.
4. There will be no temple there because we will dwell in the very presence of God Almighty. (22)
5. There will be a pure river of the water of life proceeding out of the throne of God. (22:1)
6. There will be the tree of life yielding twelve manner of fruit, a different one for every month.
D. It will be a city of worship and service. (22:3)
1. Only those who are saved will be there. (21:8; 24; 27)
2. We shall see His face and we will be identified by bearing His name in our foreheads.
3. We shall reign for ever and ever!
Conclusion: If heaven was simply a great city with streets of gold, gates of pearl, precious stones and wondrous beauty it might not be worth it all.
But it is more than all of this....it is a place where we shall see Jesus face to face and dwell with Him for eternity. And that will be worth it all. David said, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness." (Ps. 17:15) When we see Him throughout eternity we shall be forever and fully satisfied.
We can have a part in this glory and we can enjoy these eternal blessings, all because there was One who made it possible by His death on Calvary's cross. If we know Jesus Christ as our Savior we will enjoy the blessings of the New Jerusalem when this world is no more.