09.38 Revelation 21:9 - 22:5 `A GLIMPSE OF OUR NEW HOME

Revelation 21:9-27, Revelation 22:1-5 A GLIMPSE OF OUR NEW HOME

Intro: These verses bring into view the place that Jesus referred to in John 14:2. This is the place that He has gone to prepare. The Bible gives us a description that boggles the mind and goes far beyond anything that we as humans can imagine. In the last message, we saw the spiritual and psychological aspects of the city, now we will have an opportunity to consider the physical characteristics of our heavenly home. Let’s look at these verses tonight and see if we can catch a glimpse of our new home.

I. Revelation 21:9-10 THE SCENE

A. Revelation 21:9 The City Identified - The city is called the Bride. It is identified with it’s inhabitants. (Ill. Heaven will be heavenly because of the occupants!)

B. Revelation 21:10 The City Inspected - This city descends from Heaven from the Lord and stays above the earth. John is about to get the grand tour so he can share it with us.

II. Revelation 21:11-21 THE SPLENDOR

A. v.11 It’s Shine - Ill. It shines with the very glory of God. Ill. God’s glory     and man’s presence will dwell together there. (Ill. The Jasper stone - Diamond -

    Ill. The awesome Glory of the Lord shining throughout the city.) (Ill. New Jerusalem is a diamond set in gold for the glory of the Lord.)

B. Revelation 21:12-14 It’s Standing - Ill. Walls - Separartion. Walls are constructed to keep things in or to keep things out. Gates - Access. (Ill. 1 gate for each tribe in Israel!)

C. Revelation 21:15-17 It’s Size - Ill. The city - 1,500 miles square. Possibly a cube, or a pyramid! Perhaps a sphere! Would have a diameter larger than the moon. If it were set along the east coast, is would stretch from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. Ill. The Wall stands approximately 216 feet tall. Beauty rather than protection is the basis for the design. Ill. Jasper everywhere! The glory of God will radiate and be reflected from evey surface.

D. Revelation 21:18-21 It’s Substance 1. Revelation 21:18 a The Wall - Clear Jasper. 2. Revelation 21:18 b The City - Pure Gold. (Ill. Pure gold is transparent!) 3. Revelation 21:19-20 The Foundations. a. Jasper - Clear - (Ill. Icicles) b. Sapphire - Clear Blue c. Chalcedony - Yellowish Green d. Emerald - Deep Green e. Sardonyx - White with layers of red. f. Sardius - Fiery Red g. Chrysolyte - Golden Yellow h. Beryl - Sea Green i. Topaz - Greenish Yellow J. Chrysopasus - Golden Gren k. Jacinth - Violet l. Amethyst - Purple. Ill. The brilliance of the glory as the light from Jesus Christ Light and Power blazes through the 12 foundations and is reflected and prismed by the Jasper of the city. (Ill. The Rainbow - The City will be a brilliant testimony to the great glory of God. 4. Revelation 21:21 a The Gates - Gigantic pearls. 5. Revelation 21:21 b The Street - Transparent gold. Ill. Only one street!

III. Revelation 21:22-27, Revelation 22:1-5 THE SUPERIORITY A. Revelation 21:22 It’s Access To God - (Ill. No temple) (Ill. The worship of that place!)

B. Revelation 21:23 It’s Accents - (Ill. No sun or moon!) The light will not come from without, but from within!

C. Revelation 21:24-26 It’s Approachableness - The gates are ever open and the peoples of the earth will bring their glory into the City. The people will come to worship,     and they will come to honor God with their offerings to Him.

D. Revelation 21:27 It’s Appeal - No danger or dangerous people! Ill. What an attractive place Heaven will be!

E. Revelation 22:1-5 It’s Appointments 1. Revelation 22:1 The Crystal River - (Ill. No pollutants; No fishing either!) 2. Revelation 22:2 12 Healing Trees - (Ill. No disease in eternity!) Ill. Probably for the earth dwellers. They may have to be remewed from time to time. 3. Revelation 22:3 a No more Curse - (Ill. All that this involves!) (Especially no more sin!) 4. Revelation 22:3 b The Service - Probably people from off the earth, possibly the saints. 5. Revelation 22:4 The Wonder - Men will fianlly see the face of God! (Ill. Moses!) 6. Revelation 22:5 a The Lighting - God will light the place. 7. Revelation 22:5 b The Glory - The Bride will reign with her husband the Lord Jesus. (Ill. What this might imply!)

Conc: heaven’s sounding sweeter all the time. Have you made you preparations to go there? If not, there is no better time than right now to prepare to meet God. Christians, we need to get heavenly minded! Praise God, one day we will stand in His presence yonder in glory!