Bible Study - God's Story - GOD Completes the Story - John 14 and Revelation 21 and 22 - August 25, 2013 -

Bible Study – God’s Story – GOD Completes the Story – August 25, 2013

This is lesson thirteen and the final lesson in our series entitled “GOD’S Story.”

Our scripture is John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5, 12-14

We have come to our final lesson in our series “GOD’S Story” and what a story it is. We have covered thousands of years of Biblical history. I like to think of this study as looking over GOD’S shoulder and watching HIM work to bring all people to HIM, through faith. It is the revelation of GOD on an ever ascending scale culminating in CHRIST. It reveals GOD’S mercy and grace to restore all who will place their faith in CHRIST to their rightful place to a new Garden of Eden, which will be free from sin.  

We began with GOD creating the world, the universe and everything in them, including human beings. We saw the creation and the fall of mankind. We saw the love of GOD toward mankind in providing them a plan for redemption.

We saw HIS redemptive plan to redeem mankind from sin and its consequence of eternal death. If there had been any other way, HE would not have sent HIS Only Son to live as a human and die to pay, in full, the debt for sin. From the beginning of sin, GOD required the shedding of blood to pay the debt for sin (HE made clothes out of skins for Adam and Eve). GOD required that the acceptable sacrifice had to be free of any blemish. CHRIST was the only sinless and perfect sacrifice to pay, in full, the price for sin to redeem all who would place their faith in HIM.

JESUS, voluntarily and of HIS freewill, came to earth to be born as a human, be tempted, live a sinless life and give HIS life by shedding HIS blood. This to me reveals the extent of GOD’S love for mankind. HE made mankind to have freewill to choose. HIS plan for redemption offers mankind the opportunity to be restored to HIS original intent for mankind. HE intended for mankind to enjoy eternal life and fellowship with HIM in the Garden of Eden. However, sin ushered in eternal death, broke fellowship and separated GOD and mankind. During HIS earthly ministry, CHRIST revealed GOD and HIS love for mankind. Those who place their faith in JESUS will receive eternal life, the miracle of rebirth, Son-ship, Daughter-ship, Citizenship in Heaven and will not be judged. Eternal life is received the instant a person receives CHRIST as his/her Savior.

Let’s read John 14:1-3:

1 “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; 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 to where I am going.”

The setting for this scripture was the celebration of the Passover and the institution of the Lord’s Supper. JESUS knew that HIS time had come and HE would be leaving them. He knew that HIS disciples looked upon HIM as a political Messiah Who had special power that GOD gave to HIM. They knew HE was the promised Messiah Who would deliver them from Roman rule. They believed that HE would restore Israel to its former power and glory as the powerful United Kingdom which King David had ruled. JESUS knew that they would not fully comprehend HIS purpose to establish an invisible kingdom until after HIS crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, walk upon earth for 40 days, HIS ascension into Heaven and the Father sent the Holy Spirit back to indwell every born-again Christian.

The Holy Spirit enlightens, reveals, teaches, empowers, strengthens and assures every Christian. Romans 8:16-17:

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

JESUS had just told HIS disciples that one of them would betray HIM. HE told Peter that he would deny HIM three times before the cock would crow. This must have boggled Peter’s mind because he had just told JESUS that he would lay down his life for HIM.

JESUS told HIS disciples that HE would leave them but they should not be worried because they believed in GOD, they must also believe in HIM. HE immediately equated Himself with GOD and connected that statement by referring to GOD as HIS Father. HE revealed that He had personal knowledge of heaven when HE made the statement, “in MY Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you.” He gave them the reason why He was going to leave them. He was going to prepare a place for them and there was plenty of room.

HE assured them that if HE was preparing a place for them, HE would return to them and so they were assured that where HE was they would be with HIM. This statement gives us a clue that HE would one day return to gather HIS own. When JESUS ascended into Heaven, the angels made a similar statement in Acts 1:6-11:

6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. (g)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends (h) of the earth.” (i)

The Ascension

9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.

10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. (j)

11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.” (k)

Later, HE told them that they knew the way to where HE was going. In John 14:5-6, we read:

5 “Lord,” Thomas (j) said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus told him, “I am (k) the way, (l) the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

This applies to all who place their faith in HIM. Where He is, Christians will be there with HIM.

The Apostle Paul wrote about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are • asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Paul speaks of the dead sleeping. When a Christian dies, he/she does not sleep; instead his or her born-again Spirit goes directly to heaven to be with GOD. God provides them a Spiritual body which HE has fashioned for each Christian. This is not their Glorified bodies. When they exit their earth suits, it will be seamless, like slipping from our earth suit into our Spiritual suit. Then when CHRIST returns, Christians will receive their Glorified bodies.

Notice 14, CHRIST will bring with HIM the Christians who have died.

Before we go to our next scripture, I must make a statement that a former pastor made before we began our study of Revelation. It is Revelation and not Revelations. But I believe all of you knew that.

Let’s read Revelation 21:1-4 and 22:1-5: (This is after the final judgment and Satan, death and Hades have been cast into the lake of fire. GOD’S chosen will get to see and live in their final dwelling place in all its Glory in the very presence of GOD and CHRIST. Nothing will ever separate them from GOD or CHRIST. There are not words suitable to express this moment. We can only imagine the splendor and majesty.)

Let’s read Revelation 21:1-4:

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. 2 I also saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

The Apostle John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos and during that time the LORD revealed these events to him. Some Bible scholars believe that John wrote in code and others believe GOD was revealing future events revealed to him by an angel and GOD. I believe that GOD was revealing these future events to encourage Christians to remain strong and focused during times of turmoil, trouble and when false prophets will try to cast doubt on Christianity. False prophets will increase during the last days before the end.

The earth and heaven, as we know them, will be replaced. They will not be renovated but made into a completely new heaven and earth. The Apostle Peter revealed that heaven and earth will be consumed by fire. Fire is a sign of cleansing.

2 Peter 3:10-13:

10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness 12 as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. 13 But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.

Some Bible scholars think that it will be a total transformation. They compare it to our salvation experience, when we experience our new birth in CHRIST. The transition is seamless and so quick it is not perceived. Time as we know it will cease to exist. GOD made time to give mankind the opportunity for redemption.

Bottom line, we have to wait and see. While we are alive upon earth and wait, we must place our trust in GOD and CHRIST. The most important matter is for every person to know he/she is secure in CHRIST. There will always be unanswered questions regarding how the end will come. It is important for Christians to consider the pan-theory, that is, it will all pan-out in the end. GOD is sovereign and in control. That has been the message in our study for the past 3 months.

In the new heaven and earth there will no longer be a sea to separate heaven, where GOD dwells, and earth, where humans dwell, because sin will no longer separate Christians from GOD and CHRIST. Christians will be in their new Glorified bodies, which will be like CHRIST’S Glorified body.

John saw the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. It was a magnificent, spectacular city. John compared its beauty to that of a bride walking down the aisle to be joined with her future husband.   

John heard a loud excited voice, stating that GOD will dwell with HIS chosen. It comes across to me like “Finally!!! Let’s celebrate!!! It is all over and WE can live together without any barrier or hindrance. All are in unity and harmony with each other.”

GOD’S heart breaks for all who reject HIS Only Son. Judgment has been made and the time for people to accept CHRIST has passed. HE has done all HE could to urge them to accept CHRIST as their Savior. Some have and others have not. HE knows all who rejected HIM were given the opportunity.

We must keep in mind that GOD loves every human who has lived or will ever live upon the earth and longs for them to accept CHRIST as

their Savior. There will be those who will say, “Well, if HE loves us so much, why is there so much tragedy, disease and sorrow?” We are living in a sinful world. This is not heaven. This is every person’s opportunity to regain what was lost due to sin. Earth is in decay.

In the new earth and heaven, there will be no decay and our relationship with GOD and CHRIST will be personal and interactive. Those in heaven have made the choice for eternal life with GOD through CHRIST. There will be no Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. There will only be the Tree of Life, which Christians have chosen, which is CHRIST. CHRIST is the key to the New Jerusalem and Christians use HIS credentials to enter it freely because their robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

The people of earth before this event had tears, death, disease, sorrow, tragedy and all the things brought about by sin. In the new heaven and new earth, GOD has taken care of all these infirmities because the penalty for sin has been paid in full. In essence, the Garden of Eden has been restored. There will be no more decay, no more disease, no more tears, death will no longer exist, no grief, no crying, no pain because former things have passed away. That is heaven and all Christians will be active and walking on the streets made of pure gold, worshipping GOD and CHRIST as never before, united and in complete harmony. This leads us to our next scripture.

Let’s read Revelation 22:1-5:

1 Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the broad street of the city. The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, 3 and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city and His • slaves will serve Him. 4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.

The “he” in verse 1 refers to the angel mentioned in revelation 21:9. Also, notice that that verse 1, states “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” It reveals the unity of GOD and CHRIST. They are not on different thrones but on the same throne. Some people who have not accepted CHRIST but believe in GOD may say, “But I worshipped YOU.” JESUS defines GOD. GOD will say, CHRIST and I are ONE and the way to ME is only through MY Only SON, JESUS. I made this clear in the scriptures and through many who spoke to you but you rejected the message of salvation through CHRIST. GOD says what HE means and means what HE says. Look at the studies in the Old Testament. GOD is the GOD of love but also the GOD of wrath.

What about all who worshipped GOD before CHRIST? They will be there with all Christians, because their faith in the day they would be fully redeemed arrived when CHRIST gave HIS life to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. I think that the river of living water flowing down the middle of the street depicts this coming together of those before CHRIST and after CHRIST. It reveals unity that GOD and CHRIST bring together. I am not saying that those who place their faith in GOD after the crucifixion and resurrection will be there because the way to GOD after the passion of CHRIST is only through CHRIST.

John saw the river of “living water” flowing from the throne of GOD and of the Lamb. Living water refers to the Holy Spirit and its source is from GOD and CHRIST. The Holy Spirit flows from GOD and CHRIST because CHRIST shed HIS blood to pay in full the penalty for sin. HIS shed blood also purifies the human body of those who place their faith in HIM. Notice 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin (n) to be sin (o) for us, (p) so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

At the instant persons accept CHRIST as their Savior, they are made righteous before GOD and Spiritually conceived to be GOD’S Sons or Daughters through the miracle of rebirth.

The river of living water flowed down the middle of the street, with the tree of life available to those on both sides of the street. Bible scholars have various thoughts about this. I think it is a comparison of the fruit of the Tree of Life providing eternal life and Spiritual healing versus the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which produced sin and eternal death.

I think, it refers back to the message of JESUS as recorded in John 15:1-8: The Vine and the Branches (CHRIST is the only source of this living water, which is vital.)

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already • clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.

Verse 12 reveals that the Tree of Life has an ample supply of eternal life giving fruit for all who choose to partake of it.

In that verse, it states “the leaves are for the healing of the nations.”

Since there is no need for healing in heaven, I think it refers to the fact that salvation is available to all people regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, creed, gender or color. Salvation results in the gift of eternal life. When people accept CHRIST by faith, they are no longer under the curse of sin and eternal death.

Some may say, “Well, there are people in remote parts of the world, so how will they know about CHRIST?” We must keep in mind that GOD’S part is to reveal and give every person the opportunity to accept or reject CHRIST as his/her Savior. Yes, HE calls Christians to go into all the world and present the gospel of CHRIST. But HE works in the most secret place of every person to give him/her a choice.

Yes, the Bible is clear that some will say to the LORD, “Why, we did so many good works in Your name, so You have to let us into heaven.” The LORD will say to them, depart from ME because I never knew you. I believe these people know in the eyes of their hearts their true relationship with GOD and they are hoping GOD will grade on the curve. CHRIST in you makes you a Christian and not what works you do!!!

Verse 3b was troubling to me at first. The statement “HIS slaves will serve HIM” caused me to pause and ponder. I did not like the idea of slaves in heaven. So, I share what the LORD revealed and you can draw your own conclusion.

To serve is the highest honor a Christian can have. JESUS put it best in Luke 22:25-27:

25 But He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves.

Those who serve GOD will see HIS face. Moses wanted to see the face of GOD but GOD only allowed him to see HIS back. To serve means to worship. HIS name will be written on their foreheads. Those who serve HIM will be identified like the 144,000 in Revelation 14:1:

1 Then I looked, and there on Mount• Zion stood the Lamb, and with Him were 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads. (a)

Some Bible scholars say it was for identification. Others say it was to show that these servants had been made into the image of CHRIST.

GOD’S holiness provides eternal light, which will illuminate all of heaven.

Let’s read Revelation22:12-14:

12 “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the • Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.

It has been over 2,000 years and JESUS has not returned to earth to rapture the Christians. So why did HE say, “Look! I am coming quickly?” I think HE wanted all Christians to stay focused upon HIM during the times of turmoil, trouble and times of uncertainty, as stated earlier in our study. The point being, whether or not HE returns quickly to take all Christians out of earth, humans die every second of every day. Every human is but one heartbeat away from eternity. So the likelihood is greater that Christians or any person will die and go into eternity before CHRIST returns to rapture HIS chosen. So be ready at any moment.

When HE returns to rapture the true body of believers, the born-again believers, HE brings “MY reward is with ME.” The reward of every Christian is eternal life through CHRIST. Eternal life it is a free gift from GOD because of HIS mercy and grace. Yes, there will be rewards of obedience which will be given to Christians. The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse into GOD’S reward program in 1 Corinthians 3:8-17:

8 Now the one planting and the one watering are one in purpose, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. 16 Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s sanctuary, God will destroy him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.

WOW!!! Do you know CHRIST as your Savior? If not, why not ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your heart now? One thing for sure, none of us are getting out of this world alive, unless JESUS returns but that will only be for the Christians alive upon earth at that instant. GOD does not grade on the curve, so why not secure your eternal destination now?  

CHRIST stated that HE is the Alpha and the Omega, which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. All humans are the offspring of fallen mankind and all must be redeemed from eternal death. JESUS gave Himself to redeem all who will place their faith in HIM, but it is by choice and by the shed blood of CHRIST. This is what CHRIST meant by referring to “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and may enter the city by the gates.”

CHRIST wants Christians to know what awaits them and for the non-Christians to know what can be theirs, if they accept CHRIST as their Savior. This is about as plain as it gets. The choice is yours. Blessings!!!