How Heavenly is Heaven? - Revelation 21:1-5, 22-27; 22:1-5 - July 27, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – How Heavenly is Heaven? – July 27, 2008

This is our final lesson in our series of study. It is an exciting study to think about heaven.

Our scripture is Revelation 21:1-5, 22-27; 22:1-5.

Let’s take a journey through the scripture to position our minds to consider heaven. First, since there is heaven, where GOD and CHRIST dwell there is also a place where GOD and CHRIST are absent that is called Hell.

Luke 16:19-31: (JESUS is telling this story.)

The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20 But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate. 21 He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.[6] Lit to the fold of Abraham’s robe, or to Abraham’s bosom; see Jn 13:23 The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torment in • Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. 24 ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’ 25 “ ‘Son,’[7] Lit Child Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’ 27 “ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 because I have five brothers—to warn them, so they won’t also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

There is a chasm that separates Heaven from Hell. Based upon this scripture, those in Hell can see those in Heaven but a barrier or sea prevents any travel between the two (2) areas.
JESUS speaks of Heaven and its many dwelling places in John 14:1-4:

The Way to the Father
1 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe[1] Or You believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places;[2] The Vg used the Lat term mansio, a traveler’s resting place. The Gk word is related to the verb meno, meaning remain or stay, which occurs 40 times in John. if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way where I am going.”[3] Other mss read this verse: And you know where I am going, and you know the way 5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

JESUS is the way to heaven. HE gave HIS life by shedding HIS Blood to pay the debt for sin. JESUS paid the price for sin but each human must decide whether or not he or she will accept CHRIST as his or her SAVIOR. Through the miracle of rebirth in our spirit, we are born into GOD’S family and our citizenship is immediately in heaven. Our names are made permanent in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

JESUS told the thief on the cross about Paradise in Luke 23:43 because of his faith in HIM:

43 And He said to him, “• I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

Many Bible scholars think that Paradise was a holding place for believers until JESUS paid the price for sin. Once the barrier of sin was removed, through HIS death, resurrection and ascension, then Paradise was transposed to Heaven.

The Apostle Paul speaks of being carried up to the third Heaven when he was stoned and believed to have been killed. The first heaven is where the birds and clouds are. The second heaven is where the sun, moon, stars and planets are. The third heaven is where GOD is. Paul records this event in 1 Corinthians 12:2-4:

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.

Paul’s account is compatible with a preacher friend of mine’s death experience. He told me years ago about his experience of going to heaven after he was pronounced dead. He had been in an automobile accident and was in the hospital in serious condition. He was pronounced dead. His body was taken to the basement of the hospital for the undertaker to pick up. A nurse happened to come by the gurney and saw his eyelid move and resuscitated him.

He was in seminary when this happened. During a class in which he would have been had he not been in the hospital, one of his classmates said in essence, ”Folks, we have to pray for Brother Ron”. Now Brother Ron was in the hospital ninety (90) miles away. They knew he was in serious condition but did not know he had been pronounced dead. When the time line was later put together, approximately the moment the classmate said we must pray for Brother Ron is the time he was pronounced dead. A chapel program followed the seminary class and rather than having the planned program, the entire assembly prayed for Brother Ron. The time he was pronounced dead until his resuscitation matched the time when prayer began for him and ended. He told me during this period of time he was escorted in heaven by a creature but he said he could not tell what he saw because there were no words to describe it.

As believers, the moment we exit our bodies (earth suits) we are in the presence of the LORD. Why do I refer to our body as an earth suit? Because once we become born-again, our body is the only thing that keeps us from going to heaven. GOD wants us to remain on earth serving HIM until we have completed HIS plan for our lives.

The Apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD:

6 Therefore, though we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we • walk by faith, not by sight— 8 yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.

As mentioned in last week’s lesson, the LORD allowed me to witness a lady meeting the LORD. I had never met the lady but her daughter and I worked together and a number of us had been praying for her. Her name was Mrs. Green. She had cancer and was a born-again believer. I was returning from a two (2) day trip and had no knowledge that she was taken to the hospital that morning. While driving on the Interstate that afternoon, I saw very clearly and distinctly, a lady walking with a man on a path. The manner the scene was positioned I saw all of Mrs. Green but only from the shoulders down of the man. I heard a very distinctive, clear, loud, unmistakable voice that was 360 degrees of sound in my head say Mrs. Green just passed away but she is walking with the LORD. That was the instant I knew who the lady was and that the man in the scene was the LORD. I never saw HIS face. A flood of joy swept over me and I began singing. The voice spoke again and said Mrs. Green is fine, she is walking with the LORD, pray for the family. I prayed and looked at my watch.

The time was 3:45 PM. Later, I learned when I read Mrs. Green’s obituary that she was pronounced dead at 4:10 PM. But she was walking with the LORD at 3:45 PM. That is why I believe, as a believer, we exit our body before we experience the death of our body. What about those killed instantly? The LORD can make a nanosecond be long enough to exit our body before the death of our body occurs. But that is neither here nor there. The point is, the moment believers die, we are in the presence of the LORD. Paul captures this point in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8.

Let’s read Revelation 21:1-5:

The New Creation
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,[1] 2 Pt 3:13; Isaiah 65:17 for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea existed no longer.[2] Rv 13:1 2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,[3] Gl 4:26; Heb 11:10; Rv 3:12 prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.[4] Rv 19:7 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:[5] Other mss read from heaven Look! God’s dwelling[6] Or tent, or tabernacle is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people,[7] Lv 26:11–12; Jr 31:33; Ezk 37:27; Zch 8:8 and God Himself will be with them and be their God.[8] Other mss omit and be their God 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.[9] Isaiah 25:8 Death will exist no longer;[10] Isaiah 25:8; 1 Co 15:54 grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,[11] Isaiah 35:10; 65:19 because the previous things[12] Or the first things have passed away.[13] Isaiah 42:9 5 Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words[14] Other mss add of God are faithful and true.”[15] Rv 22:6

John continued to describe what GOD was revealing to him. He saw a New Heaven and a New Earth. The old heaven and the old earth had passed away and there was no longer a sea or barrier separating them.

GOD’S desire from the beginning was to fellowship with mankind. HE walked in the garden in the cool of the evening. Sin separated us from HIM. In the New Heaven and the New Earth, the relationship HE wanted with mankind from the beginning, is completely restored. Notice the excitement when the New Heaven and New Earth are announced with the emphasis that GOD and JESUS are dwelling in them. There is no longer any separation between GOD, JESUS and the inhabitants of the New Heaven and New Earth. It seems that the words are expressing, “Finally, what WE and all of heaven have been anticipating has happened!!! Now we can have unbroken fellowship for eternity.”

There is a need for a New Heaven and a New Earth to accommodate this New Kingdom of GOD. There are apparently nations or ethnic groups within this kingdom. Who make up these nations? (Keep in mind this is all speculation.) When CHRIST was resurrected, HE received HIS New Glorified Body. HE was still JESUS, a Jew. HE was in complete control of HIS new glorified body. Many believe we will retain our earthly identity but in a glorified body which is perfect. Many believe we will retain our ethnicity. The important thing is that we will be with our LORD in heaven.

GOD reveals to John that there is no longer a sea. What is this sea of separation?

The sea no longer exists – GOD had placed a barrier or sea between the world and the spirit world. Since Satan and all of evil have been defeated there is no need to separate the New Heaven and the New Earth. The inhabitants move freely to the throne of GOD and JESUS and enjoy all that heaven offers.

When you think about all the generations that have existed from the beginning of time to the end of time being in the same area, there will be a need for a New Earth. The New Heaven and Earth are One because GOD and CHRIST dwell there. There is a free flow of activity between the inhabitants of the New Earth and the New Heaven, as it should be.

There is a New Jerusalem which is the dwelling place for GOD, the FATHER and CHRIST, the SON for eternity.

Let’s read Revelation 21:22-27:

22 I did not see a sanctuary in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its sanctuary. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.[34] Isaiah 60:19–20 24 The nations[35] Other mss add of those who are saved will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.[36] Other mss read will bring to Him the nations’ glory and honor [37] Isaiah 60:3,5 25 Each day its gates will never close because it will never be night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.[38] Other mss add in order that they might go in [39] Isaiah 60:11 27 Nothing profane will ever enter it: no one who does what is vile or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.[40] Rv 13:8

There is no sanctuary in the New City or sun or moon because GOD’S glory is sufficient. Think
about that. If there was a sun and moon they would be physical objects and have a lifetime. However, the glory of GOD and the SON are eternal and will never be extinguished or grow dim.

There will be a form of order in heaven because there are nations and kings. The “kings” are believed to be the born-again believers. The scripture speaks of “day”. Since GOD is the light there will be no night, only day. Only those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter the city. I believe those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life are all who placed their faith in GOD, from the beginning of time to the second coming of CHRIST. The Old Testament believers were looking forward to the cross of JESUS and we are looking back on the cross of JESUS for salvation.

Let’s read Revelation 22:1-5:

The Source of Life
1 Then he showed me the river[1] Other mss read pure river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb[2] Ezk 47:1–2; Jl 3:18 2 down the middle of the broad street [of the city]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. . On both sides of the river was the tree of life[3] Or was a tree of life, or was a tree that gives life bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month.[4] Gn 2:9; 3:22 The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse.[5] Zch 14:11; see also Gn 3:14–19 The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city,[6] Lit in it and His servants will serve Him. 4 They will see His face,[7] Ex 33:20; Mt 5:8; Ps 17:15 and His name will be on their foreheads.[8] Rv 7:3; 9:4; 13:16; 14:1,9; 17:5; 20:4 5 Night will no longer exist,[9] Rv 21:25; Zch 14:7 and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.

GOD is the source of salvation, eternal life and healing. If Heaven is a place of no tears, no sickness, no death or no sorrow why is there a need for the Tree of Life bearing fruit, monthly, and its leaves are for healing the nations. Notice the Tree of Life bears twelve (12) kinds of fruit monthly. There were twelve (12) tribes in Israel. It seems that these twelve tribes will be part of the heavenly structure. Each tribe could represent a nation. The inhabitants can seek GOD’S face. Moses wanted to see GOD’S face but GOD told him no man can see MY face and live. Now we can behold HIS face!!!

Since all believers have eternal life, why is the Tree of Life in Heaven on both sides of the river? What is the river flowing from the throne of GOD and CHRIST?

The Tree of Life was in the Garden of Eden and GOD had to prevent Adam and Eve from eating its fruit after they sinned. The fruit from the Tree of Life represents eternal life and its leaves healing from the ravages of sin.

The river of living water - Water has represented the blessings of GOD and the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT.

The river flowing from the throne of GOD and JESUS shows they have always been and always will be the source of blessings, healing and eternal life. John reported the things he was seeing and hearing. These events mark the end of the old and the beginning of the New. But let’s look ahead in Revelation. There is a shift in emphasis from a focus on the end of time to, since you know the conclusion, share the gospel until JESUS comes again.

GOD’S blessings, healing and eternal life continue to flow to all mankind until Satan and all evil are defeated. Therefore, go and tell the Good News to all mankind, beginning at home and expanding it to the entire world, as GOD directs us.

The Tree of Life is currently available to all who come to CHRIST. The tree of Life is available on both sides of the river therefore it is available to all who seek salvation. The river of blessings is also currently available to all who come to CHRIST. However, there will be a time when this availability will end. By the same token, they are always available to those whose names are written in the Lambs Book of Life. The Tree of Life is alive because it produces fruit monthly.

Now for a depressing thought – you remember in the story JESUS told about the rich man dying and going to Hades and being able to see Abraham. Those outside of Heaven will see the Tree of Life and the river flowing. It will be a constant reminder to them that they rejected the salvation GOD offered to them through JESUS. GOD’S grace has abundantly flowed from HIS throne since the beginning of creation. There has been and will always be enough grace, blessings, healing and eternal life for all who choose CHRIST as their SAVIOR as evidenced by the Tree of Life and the river flowing from the throne of GOD.

To me there is no greater torment than to know that GOD so loved us that HE sent HIS only Son so we can find forgiveness, receive the gift of eternal life, be cleansed from our sin and fellowship with HIM but we rejected HIM.

Revelation 22:12-17:

12 “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me[18] Isaiah 40:10; 62:11 to repay each person according to what he has done.[19] Jr 17:10; Isaiah 59:18 13 I am • the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed[20] Rv 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7 are those who wash their robes,[21] Other mss read who keep His commandments so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.[22] Rv 21:8 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you[23] you (pl in Gk) for the churches. I am the Root[24] Rv 5:5 and the Offspring of David,[25] Isaiah 11:1,10; Rm 1:3 the Bright Morning Star.”[26] Nm 24:17; Rv 2:28 17 Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.[27] Rv 21:6

The Apostle John is reporting what he is hearing and seeing. He uses terms that are familiar to him. To me 1 Corinthians 2:9 says it all: 9 But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man’s heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.[4] Isaiah 52:15; 64:4

One day all believers will know all the facts about heaven, we know enough now to know that we need to share the gospel of CHRIST with those who need salvation. Heaven is real. GOD and CHRIST will be there. There will be order, service and activity in heaven. It is GOD’S desire for no human to go to Hell but each human has a choice to make. Have you made this choice? If not, now is the time!!! Choose HIM and receive the gift of eternal life that flows abundantly even now from HIS throne.