Sunday, October 7th, 2018 - AM - Life in New Jerusalem, Part Three (Rev. 21:22-27)
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Rejoicing Through Revelation • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 41:28
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· 97 viewsFocus on the hope that this description stirs in the heart of finding that city whose builder and Maker is God (Heb. 11:10). Draw the attention to the central focus of the city - The Lord, Lamb Temple, God's People becoming the Holy of Holies into Eternity.
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Introduction:
Introduction:
› START LOW
For those joining us online, you’re listening to the Services of the Broomfield Baptist Church of Colorado. This is the Pastor bringing the Sunday Morning message entitled “Life in New Jerusalem, Part Three, The Delights of That City.” We invite you to follow along with us in your Bible in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 22 and Verses 1 - 5.
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 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: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 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.
Quote - "The glorious fact is not that the past is sullied, dirty, or unclean, but that the future is unsullied." [Craig Brian Larson and Brian Lowery, 1001 Quotations That Connect: Timeless Wisdom for Preaching, Teaching, and Writing (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2009), 161.]
Illustration:
God is the true source of life
Nature: Mesquite trees are survivors. These amazing trees are able to live in extremely arid conditions because they are not dependent on the occasional rainfall for survival. In seasons of extreme drought, they can drop their leaves to conserve energy. The key to a mesquite tree surviving is its deep taproot. The mesquite tree sends its taproot up to two hundred feet below the surface, looking for the water table. It knows where true life waits. [J. Scott Duvall, Revelation, ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton, Teach the Text Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014), 302–303.]
Main Thoughts: Focus on the hope that this description stirs in the heart of finding that city whose builder and Maker is God (Heb. 11:10). Draw the attention to the central focus of the city - The Lord, Lamb Temple, God's People becoming the Holy of Holies into Eternity
Sub-Intro: Whereas the devil had his seductive harlot city (Babylon the Great), the Lord has His beautiful virgin city (New Jerusalem).
Note - John's description is completely logical, he describes first the outside of the city (Rev. 21:9-21) and then the inside of the city (Rev. 22:1-5)
Body:
I. New Jerusalem’s Descent (Rev. 21:9-14)
I. New Jerusalem’s Descent (Rev. 21:9-14)
A. John' Invitation to Behold (Rev. 21:9)
A. John' Invitation to Behold (Rev. 21:9)
B. John's Experience (Rev. 21:10-14)
B. John's Experience (Rev. 21:10-14)
1. The Brilliance of the City (Rev. 21:11)
2. The Bars (or Walls) of the City (Rev. 21:12-14)
a. The Twelve Foundations: The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb (vv. 12, 14)
b. The Twelve Gates of the City: The Twelve Sons of Israel (vv. 12-13)
Application: The 12 Apostles represent the NT Saints, and the 12 Tribes represent the OT Saints. Both groups will dwell in the New Jerusalem, and make up the Bride, in this we see the unity among distinction that also is seen in the triune God-head, as well as God's resurrection program in four phases (First Christ, then NT Saints in Rapture, next OT Saints in Revelation, and lastly the Millennial Saints at the end of the Millennium).
II. New Jerusalem’s Description (Rev. 21:15-21)
II. New Jerusalem’s Description (Rev. 21:15-21)
A. The Broad Measurements of the City (Rev. 21:15-17)
A. The Broad Measurements of the City (Rev. 21:15-17)
1. The Structure Measured: The City, the Gates, and the Walls ( v. 15)
1. The Structure Measured: The City, the Gates, and the Walls ( v. 15)
Note - This is a Protected City
2. The Size Measured: Perfectly Symmetrical (vv. 16-17)
2. The Size Measured: Perfectly Symmetrical (vv. 16-17)
B. The Beautiful Materials of the City (Rev. 21:18-21)
B. The Beautiful Materials of the City (Rev. 21:18-21)
1. Jasper Walls & Clear Crystal City (v. 18)
1. Jasper Walls & Clear Crystal City (v. 18)
2. Foundation Stones (vv. 19-20)
2. Foundation Stones (vv. 19-20)
3. Gates of Pearl & Streets of Gold (v. 21)
3. Gates of Pearl & Streets of Gold (v. 21)
III. New Jerusalem’s Delights (Rev. 21:22-22:5)
III. New Jerusalem’s Delights (Rev. 21:22-22:5)
› Go Slow...
A. The Worship of the City (Rev. 21:22)
A. The Worship of the City (Rev. 21:22)
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Note - "Lord God Almighty" = Triune Godhead
Note - Throughout eternity there will be no more sin, no more separation from God, and therefore no more need for the golden censer (Rev. 6:3; 8:3), golden altar (Rev. 8:3), and the Temple (Rev. 16:17) will cease, as God's saints (believers through the ages) will have free access to their Savior and God.
B. The Illumination of the City (Rev. 21:23)
B. The Illumination of the City (Rev. 21:23)
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Note - See also Is. 60:1; 1 Jn. 1:5
Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Note - That the city will have no need of the sun or moon does not necessarily mean they will not exist
Note - Jesus is the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12; 9:5), as long as we are in His presence we will have His light (eternally)
Note - Consider also Isaiah's description in Is. 60:19-20 and remember that the sun stood still for Joshua for one day (Josh. 10:12-13)
The sun shall be no more thy light by day;
Neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee:
But the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light,
And thy God thy glory.
Thy sun shall no more go down;
Neither shall thy moon withdraw itself:
For the Lord shall be thine everlasting light,
And the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon;
And thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed,
Until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.
Is not this written in the book of Jasher?
So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven,
And hasted not to go down about a whole day.
C. The Enlightenment of the City (Rev. 21:24)
C. The Enlightenment of the City (Rev. 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.
Note - This City Is a Peaceful City
Note - The new earth will continue to be governed (Rev. 1:6) by those who reigned with Christ through the Millennium
Note - These will serve the Lord with a proper heart attitude and service. See Heb. 13:15; Ps. 100:4
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
And into his courts with praise:
Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
D. The Enterprise of the City (Rev. 21:25-26)
D. The Enterprise of the City (Rev. 21:25-26)
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
Note - This City Is a Prosperous City
Note - Whereas gates were typically shut at night to protect the city (see Neh. 7:3; 13:19), here the gates will be eternally open as the wicked are tormented in the Lake of fire eternally
Note - See Jeremiah's prophecy regarding God's glory in Jer. 9:23-24
Thus saith the Lord,
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Neither let the mighty man glory in his might,
Let not the rich man glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this,
That he understandeth and knoweth me,
That I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:
For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
E. The Purity of the City (Rev. 21:27)
E. The Purity of the City (Rev. 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.
Note - Notice What Is Missing (who is prohibited from entrance contrasted with who is permitted entrance)
Note - Those written in the Lamb's Book of Life - Rev. 3:5; 17:8, 20:11-15)
Illustration: Reverend C. M. Ward described the new Jerusalem. The great enclosed cube is nearly 1,378 English miles every way. That is approximately the distance from Tampa, Florida, to Des Moines, Iowa, or from Dallas, Texas, to Washington, D.C.… Were the city to be divided into blocks as in our American cities, there would be at least 625 blocks.… But this unique city has another dimension. It is as high as it is wide and long. Thus following the pattern already established, and contemplating street over street and yet accommodating the highest buildings yet erected in New York, there would be at least 7,599,000 streets and 937½ billion blocks. In such a city there would be ample room for ten million houses, each large enough for 12,500 occupants measured by today’s standards. At this rate the city would afford ample room for one and one-quarter quadrillion of people. That would be more than 1,000 times as many people as have been born in Adam’s race up until the 1960’s. —Pentecostal Evangel [Croft M. Pentz, Outlines on Revelation, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1978), 62.]
F. The Real Paradise City (Rev. 22:1-5)
F. The Real Paradise City (Rev. 22:1-5)
Illustration: Axel Rose Got It Wrong!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
There's a light at the end of the road
Follow the Light through the night; the journey home may seem long, but it is navigable by the light of the Lord